When the second-generation Porsche Boxster debuted in 2005, it had a very tough act to follow. When the original (codenamed 986) was introduced in 1996, it was a rather avant-garde vehicle that offered a less expensive alternative to the storied Porsche 911 while enthralling eager drivers with its mid-engined performance. The Mk2 (or 987), fortunately, drove and looked even better.
The 987 Boxster wasn’t necessary a “cheap” way to acquire a Porsche because it had a more mature feel and appeal than the original Boxster. Its attraction was indisputable enough to draw customers away from the 911 while also arguably carrying more badge status than the majority of its direct competitors.
The Boxster appears like it means business from the driver’s seat, with a sober-appearing yet elegant interior. There aren’t many cars with a better build quality, and the seats are really comfy, however the very tallest may have trouble fitting in. The Boxster’s convertible top is also smartly engineered, but without the included wind deflector, long roof-down trips may get tiresome.
The Porsche Boxster 987 is a very appealing option if you’re searching for a fun, attractive second car or if your requirement for practicality isn’t great enough to warrant one as your only vehicle. The closest competitor to a used Porsche Boxster is probably a new one, despite the fact that this elegant sports vehicle retains its value well and that deals are hard to come by.
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Frequently, S models are the best.
Because they have higher power and tune as well as a stiffer suspension that has proven to be more track friendly, many people think the S models are the greatest. Therefore, the Boxster S is the car to buy if you intend to purchase a Boxster for amateur racing, even if it will cost you more than the base models. The turbocharged Boxster T has an engine and tuning that roar to life as soon as you depress the accelerator. Of course, the Boxster Spyder, with unparalleled acceleration, is available if you want the best.
Porsche Boxster 986: the verdict from Classic & Sports Car
A 986 Boxster is a fantastic and affordable way to acquire a Porsche; while most are dependable, entertaining, and inexpensive to run, maintenance costs can add up if the uncommon engine problems occur.
Purchase one with a comprehensive (particularly recent) service history to reduce risk. The 2.5/2.7 is the most practical; the 3.2 is the most enjoyable to drive; search for an interior with high-end features.
A comprehensive used Porsche Boxster buyer’s guide that includes the Boxster Mk2 (2005–2012) and Boxster Mk3 models
It has been 25 years since the debut of the first Porsche Boxster, and it is difficult to picture a time before the development of this revolutionary mid-engined sports vehicle. It’s no secret that the original Boxster and succeeding models like the Cayenne kept Porsche from going out of business at a time when the company was in terrible straits.
Although Porsche today sells more SUVs than sports cars, the firm hasn’t lost sight of its beginnings, and models like the Boxster still place a strong focus on the excitement of the ride. The third-generation Boxster is a stunningly constructed vehicle that is usually incredibly dependable, a delight to drive, and unexpectedly affordable to maintain. The Boxster is quite enticing as a new purchase, but if you do your research, buying one used is even more alluring.
What do we require?
Boxster 987 is currently available at a fair price for a short period of time. At one point, the Boxster was the most popular Porsche model.
However, sales of the 718 (which includes the Cayman) have decreased over time and are now only 4200 for the entire 2021 year in the US! For extra information, please check our page on Diverse Viewpoints.
The Boxster is a great choice for practical top-down driving. The early 718s have been slowly losing value while the late 987 models are currently the greatest buys.
When it comes to used Boxster costs, the question is always which 911 you can get for the same amount as a Boxster.
Late-used 987 variants are still available for late teens on vehicles with lower mileage, while 718 models are only marginally more expensive than them.
The majority of the Boxster’s design problems were fixed when the late 987 entered showrooms, giving this a fantastic value. We’d like to purchase an earlier 911 than a comparable later 718 Boxster because there is currently too much demand for the 718 model.
A model from around 986 or 987 offers the best price. You can purchase a 986 with lower mileage for roughly $8K! It’s a terrific offer!
A 986 that has been well maintained and has had repairs made to the problem areas, such as the IMS bearing, is currently available for purchase for a very affordable price.
The 986 Boxster automatic is a terrible idea! Grab the three-pedal version. It’s not good for your sports car’s reputation that my 80-year-old mother drives an automatic.
A criticism that the 986 auto was a great vehicle that could be made to shift gears quickly by using the manual controls was addressed. That is not the case, though.
If you accompany me in a 986 with a manual transmission, you’ll understand what I mean. I apologize, but the automatic version is a tad dull. So feel free to be dull if you like. However, not for me!
Is the Porsche Boxster a trustworthy vehicle?
Reliability of a used Porsche Boxster sports With relatively few reported issues and those that have been are of a minor nature, this model of the Boxster has a remarkable reputation for exceptional reliability. In contrast, Porsche as a brand did not perform particularly well in our most recent reliability survey.
Is a Porsche Boxster expensive to maintain?
We looked at how frequently the vehicle required major unplanned repair over a three-year period to determine the frequency of major maintenance. This “serious” maintenance item is a costly system breakdown that needs to be repaired (often a part or component costing above $1,000).
It should be emphasized that even while we analyze this data by make and model, driving style, vehicle condition, and mileage undoubtedly affect outcomes. Different frequencies of maintenance are needed depending on the vehicle. While newer cars can go longer between services, older vehicles may require more frequent maintenance.
The frequency score can be used to determine how long a vehicle can go without maintenance. A frequency score reveals how frequently a certain vehicle needs major repair over a three-year period. If an automobile has a maintenance frequency score of 3, for instance, it needs major repairs every year because the score is calculated over a three-year period. The longer it can go without major maintenance services, the closer the frequency score is to 0.
The frequency score for a Porsche Boxster is 1.7399999999999998. This indicates that the Porsche Boxster performs much poorer than average given that the industrial average is 1.3. The breakdown of all manufacturers and models is shown in the chart below.
It’s important to note that there are many trustworthy cars that could also need frequent, yet reasonably priced maintenance. For instance, many domestic brands have higher maintenance visits but lower overall costs. This doesn’t imply that cars break down less frequently, but it does show that when they do, the problems are usually fairly simple to remedy, which is perhaps even more significant.
Are used Porsches trustworthy?
A used Porsche model is perfect for you if you want your next premium sports car but prefer to stay to a tighter budget. Porsche vehicles are among the most dependable on the market, especially when purchased used. They not only retain their value well.
What should I expect to spend on a Porsche Boxster?
Price of a 2022 Porsche 718 Boxster The base price of the 2022 Porsche 718 Boxster is $62,600. The Boxster S with the improved turbo engine starts at $74,600, while the Boxster T costs an additional $71,700.
Which Porsche Boxster model year is the most dependable?
As with any new cars, the Porsche Boxster experienced some issues after its 1996 release during the following few years. The best year for the Porsche Boxster was 2012, following a few redesigns, when Porsche found their sweet spot.
A used 2012 Porsche Boxter can be the perfect vehicle for you if you want to drive a two-seater sports car from Germany but don’t want to break the bank. They offer two powerful engine options, are fairly priced, and have excellent handling qualities.
Is the Boxster being phased out by Porsche?
Due to the potential for a connecting rod to crack, 190 of the coupes have been recalled in the United States. To solve the problem, some of them will get new engines.
- Due to the possibility of the connecting rod shattering, Porsche has announced a recall and halt sale for 190 of its 2021 Cayman (seen above), Boxster, and 718 Spyder models.
- Engine replacement may be necessary for the recalled models, which include the 2021 Cayman GT4, 718 Spyder, Cayman GTS 4.0, and Boxster GTS 4.0.
- 20 of these cars, according to Porsche, have already been delivered and will all get new engines.
The 2021 Cayman GT4, the 718 Spyder, the Cayman GTS 4.0, and the Boxster GTS 4.0 are among the 190 impacted vehicles. Of these, 20 were delivered to customers. According to the spokesman, all 20 of those vehicles will have their engines replaced, and the engines of the remaining vehicles, including those that have already been purchased but have not yet been delivered because of the stop sale, will be assessed to see if one has to be changed.
Porsche claims that all owners who have taken delivery of the vehicles have been informed of the recall and that it is not aware of any issues caused by the faulty connecting rod. Porsche learned of the recall on March 8, per paperwork submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
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How far can a Porsche Boxster travel?
If properly maintained, a Porsche Boxster will last approximately 200,000 miles, though they can live much longer; some have even exceeded 300,000 miles. If you drive 15,000 miles per year, you can have 13 years of dependable service before the cost and practicality of repairs become too great.
Which Porsche is the most trustworthy?
One of the most dependable vehicles in the whole Porsche series, according to PCarwise, is the 911 Carrera. One of the few Porsche models with comparatively few performance and reliability complaints from customers is this one. The Porsche 911 Carrera has consistently received accolades for being the most dependable vehicle the automaker has ever made throughout its long and illustrious history.
What is the price of an engine rebuild for a Porsche Boxster?
The 996 and 986 engines had undergone numerous rebuilds by this point. The intermediate shaft bearings on every engine we’ve repaired failed. We once saw an early engine with a cylinder wall failure in the D chunk, but the customer decided against repairing the engine. The intermediate shaft can occasionally be updated to an LN engineering three row bearing or the IMS solution in the event that the intermediate shaft bearing fails. We need a workable intermediate shaft for this, the damaged bearing needs to be taken out, and the shaft needs to be perfectly straight. The damaged shaft in the last two instances was beyond repair, necessitating the purchase of Porsche’s most recent 997 intermediate shaft. The images demonstrate the significantly larger bearing that is present on this shaft. Although we think this is a good response, if we could obtain enough usable core intermediate shafts, we would probably go for the IMS approach. The 997 intermediate shaft is not yet compatible with the IMS solution. Under the 996 engine rebuild portion of this site, there are several additional images of one of these engine rebuilds. One of these motors has typically cost around $10,000 to dismantle, refurbish, and replace. With Porsche currently charging almost $20,000 for a rebuilt motor, many individuals are finding that having us rebuild a motor is a reasonable option.