The Boxster might be an entry point if you’ve always wanted a Porsche but haven’t actually bought one. However, the price may not remain low for much longer.
It’s a fantastic first Porsche, and its value will probably keep increasing in the years to come. It’s enjoyable to own and drive and doesn’t require a lot of upkeep.
Beware of Porsche enthusiasts who minimize the significance of the 986. The 911 was made feasible by a car like this. The Porsches that we know and love today might not exist without the 986.
As more people become aware of how much automobile you can get for your money, the popularity of Porsche’s 986 Boxster is growing.
Although we don’t anticipate the 986 to reach the dizzying heights that some 911s have, it’s still a wonderful, practical purchase. If you’re seeking for the model with the highest potential for investment, choose a 3.2 Boxster S in good condition.
In This Article...
Is this the bestselling Boxster at $25,500?
The Boxster, ah. It is a balanced and enjoyable to drive tiny mid-engine convertible, but for some reason it still has a terrible reputation. People remark, “It’s a hairdresser’s automobile.” It’s a Porsche for those without the means to purchase a 911. Sure, some who make such claims have never actually driven a Boxster, but the truth is that for a very long time, the early 1997–2004 Porsches (also known as the 986) were among the least expensive vehicles to have four wheels and a Porsche emblem. This indicates that many Boxsters have been sold at low prices and have been driven hard and neglected for their entire lives. Simply put, they aren’t treated to the same kind of attention as, say, a 911 Turbo. That’s exactly why we were interested in the car being offered for auction on Cars & Bids. It’s the cleanest and most recent 1997 model you’re likely to find anywhere, with only 1190 miles on the odometer. It brought in $26,648. (including fees). Yes, that’s a respectable sum of money, but it could have been even more given the recent high prices seen for comparable like-new, collector-grade modern collector automobiles.
Midway through the 1990s, during a difficult but crucial period for Porsche, the Boxster was born. The company was in dire financial straits, the front-engined cars had all been phased out, and the Cayenne was still several years away. Porsche created a new entry-level model in tandem with the newest 911, sharing many parts from the A-pillar forward and using identical water-cooled flat-six engines, in order to increase sales volume and productivity on the assembly lines. The new Boxster, a mashup of “boxer” and “roadster,” carried the Porsche entry-level torch and was a popular model as well as a fantastic driver’s car. Porsche should be handing out cigars right now, according to Car and Driver, who claimed that “if there has been a contest going on among BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche to determine which German automaker could develop the best-performing compact roadster.” However, hairdressing jokes and the famed (and perhaps exaggerated) IMS bearing problem persisted, aiding in the depreciation of Boxsters to a small portion of their initial selling price.
In fact, the 986 Boxster stopped depreciating in 2017, when a 1997 model in #2 (“excellent”) condition could be purchased for $13,000. Although the #2 value has increased by 27% since then, it is still affordable at $16,500. much more affordable than slower, older entry-level Porsche models like the 944.
This Cars & Bids vehicle has the ability to become a popular Boxster. It checked all the collectability boxes: first-year model, desirable colors, recent servicing, and a ton of paperwork. It also had an absurdly low mileage. However, it ultimately sold for just a little bit more than our current condition #1 (“concours” or “best-in-world”) value of $25,000, which we believe to be reasonable and fair. For context, it’s also crucial to keep in mind that a new Boxster in 1997 cost $40,000 even with no options. According to the vendor, this automobile cost $46,328 when it was new, which translates to more than 78 thousand after accounting for inflation. That’s close to 68 grand in 2021 currency.
Other 986 Boxsters and Boxster Ss with more mileage have also sold for comparable prices on other online auction sites, and used front-drive Hondas regularly sell in the $20k bracket online these days. Therefore, it appears that the crazy money isn’t after these inexpensive two-seaters at least for the time being. That’s most likely advantageous.
The Cost
Depending on the year, mileage, condition, transmission, and service history, the cost of a 986 Boxster varies greatly. A high-mileage early version with an unloved automatic transmission should often cost less than $8,000, while a later, low-mileage Boxster S should cost between mid-$20,000. Porsche sold more over 120,000 986s during the course of its eight-year production cycle, which accounts for their current low price. The parts are easily accessible. Some things to think about when shopping: Porsche made a number of upgrades to the 986 throughout its production run, elevating the appeal of the later models.
The 2.5 liter flat-six engine was the only one offered with the Boxster from 1997 to 1999. Porsche increased the 2.7-liter base engine in 2000 and unveiled the Boxster S, which included a larger 3.2-liter engine and an optional six-speed manual transmission. For 2003, the vehicle underwent a redesign that removed the amber taillights, installed a glass back window, and enhanced the interior. The power of both engines was somewhat increased during this makeover.
Pick of the Day: The 2000 Porsche Boxster, which is still a great value for a sports vehicle.
I was prepared to highlight one of the Toyota MR2 Spyders during my quest for a Pick of the Day, but after checking at the cars’ pricing, which seem to range between $14,000 and $20,000, I came up with a better idea. I looked up Porsche Boxsters and discovered that you could get one of these far superior vehicles for the same price.
This strikes me as completely insane considering how much better the Boxster is than the MR2 Spyder in every regard. It offers significantly more performance, is more comfortable, more furnished, completed, and has more storage capacity. Furthermore, the decision between the two seems simple to me because the vehicle is a Porsche rather than a Toyota.
The Pick of the Day, a 2000 Porsche Boxster painted in Arctic Silver metallic paint with a black leather interior and only 42,000 kilometers on the odometer, is a fantastic example of one of these outstanding automobiles.
The infamous IMS bearing is the main cause for concern when purchasing a Boxster. If it hasn’t already failed, it will probably do so someday and will probably do a lot of harm when it does. Always inquire about this before purchasing one of these Porsches, and if the answer is no, add between $1,500 and $2,000 to the cost of the car to have it replaced.
The 6-speed manual car’s IMS bearing was thankfully replaced after 36,000 miles, according to the seller, and the replacement is documented. The seller also mentions that this Boxster comes with a thorough spreadsheet that its owner maintained listing every service and maintenance performed on the Porsche since it was new.
It is also encouraging to hear that the owner took the bother to replace the clutch when the IMS bearing was changed. The 17-inch wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport tires on this Porsche are factory-correct. The fact that the car is using tires of this caliber and not some off-brand substitutes is another indication of the overall caliber of the vehicle.
The advertisement’s images are fairly comprehensive and demonstrate that the Porsche appears to be 100 percent original and in fantastic shape. The image even shows a little paint issue near the rear indicator assembly on the driver’s side.
I’ve written quite a bit on Boxsters, and I still think they’re the ideal entry point into the Porsche universe.
This automobile offers a lot of enjoyable top-down driving for a low asking price of only $14,900. The first-generation 986 Boxster is still the best Porsche deal anywhere in the world, despite the fact that its value may never fully increase.
At the age of 15, Andy Reid bought his first car, a 1968 Fiat 124 coupe. His second was a 1966 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2, which he bought with money from his college savings. Since then, he has possessed over 150 vehicles, none of which were common or reasonable, in addition to a large number of vintage motorcycles and scooters. Reid, a seasoned writer who has experience in advertising, film, television, and other media, was a columnist for Classic Motorsports magazine for 12 years and has contributed to a number of other publications. He is regarded as a concours judge and an authority on European sports and luxury automobiles. In Canton, Connecticut, he resides.
How valuable is a Porsche Boxster?
Porsche vehicles retain their value. Compared to other brands, many Porsche models are renowned for maintaining their value well. All automobiles eventually lose value, although Porsches do so generally more slowly. If you purchase a used Porsche vehicle, it won’t have depreciated as much as a comparable non-Porsche vehicle from the same year.
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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What Porsche’s value is increasing?
The second-generation Porsche Boxster (987) is now a legitimate investment. The time when you could spend 20,000 euros on an early 987 Boxster is over. In addition to the 987.2, Its worth has also increased slightly in the wake of the 911. It is difficult to get a 987.1 for less than 25,000 euros. Naturally, this is not a great leap in absolute terms, but it is in relation. This is unquestionably also a result of the 987 being a more independent and emancipated vehicle than its predecessor. In terms of driving, there was no question.
Its performance is practically on level with the 997 Carrera, especially as a late Porsche Boxster S with 310 horsepower. It seems alluring to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in five seconds while driving with the top down on a sunny mountain route. However, the 987 Boxster S’s lateral dynamics are where it really shines. The little Boxster is the only roadster that is as appropriately tuned to be a sports vehicle. Due to the mid-engine design, the sound of the boxer engine can also be enjoyed phenomenally well. We assure you that the intake noise is compulsive. Here, you can expect lots of driving enjoyment, value stability, and, with proper maintenance, even increase. Although it is obvious that no value should double. Clearly a good idea to buy!