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Thinking of Buying a Boxster S

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Old May 13, 2014 | 06:02 AM
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Default Thinking of Buying a Boxster S

Anyone got one? Opinions...?

My father in law has had one for years and if i use it i always enjoy it, ive seen a really nice example near me for sale and its fairly priced too. Went to test drive it and the grin factor is unreal... Really tempted!?
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Old May 13, 2014 | 06:48 AM
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If you getting a soft top then you may need to change your sexuality and job



Hard tops are just ugly

Sorry if it hasn't helped
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Old May 13, 2014 | 07:03 AM
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Good cars mate. No point in getting anything less than the 'S' as that's got the 3.2, the 2.7 isn't worth the effort and you'll always want the 3.2.

Handle well, and whilst aren't the best looking droptop are still worth having in my view. I looked at a couple last year myself.
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Old May 13, 2014 | 07:04 AM
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I would consider the cayman 3.4s instead.

Very nice car indeed.
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Old May 13, 2014 | 07:36 AM
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Cayman engine has more issues than the boxster, 987 3.2s is a good choice

they really are good cars, there isnt much better
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Old May 13, 2014 | 08:06 AM
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i looked at these last year, have driven a few and they are great fun. if you can get over the stigma then they are a great buy (much better value than a cayman or 911)

they can be fiddly to work on but if you spend Ł10k on a 987 one then you should really have it worked on buy a specialist to maintain the providence
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Old May 13, 2014 | 08:11 AM
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Just huge fun and not rapid, but pretty quick point to point... You see alot on track days too.
I think the hairdresser image is made by people who havnt driven one, as they are a serious drivers car it seems! Besides, its a Porsche... Bit of badge snobbery!
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Old May 13, 2014 | 08:50 AM
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Used to own an earlier Boxster S, found it a bit claustrophobic with the roof up inside, interior is also a little bland but apart from that great fun, pretty nippy too.
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Old May 14, 2014 | 07:59 AM
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I like them and you can bag a bargain. History and receipts are a must like most cars and as commented above the 3.2S is the one to have and seems the favourite.

You only live once and if you like them then get one. Ignore silly remarks. Most of the people that make those comments haven't even been in one and know not a lot about them.
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Old May 14, 2014 | 08:02 AM
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my dads got the 2014 boxster s, amazing thing to drive! and doesn't look anything like the old boxster as I never liked the old ones!
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Old May 14, 2014 | 08:27 AM
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Originally Posted by Nath
I like them and you can bag a bargain. History and receipts are a must like most cars and as commented above the 3.2S is the one to have and seems the favourite.

You only live once and if you like them then get one. Ignore silly remarks. Most of the people that make those comments haven't even been in one and know not a lot about them.
Sound advice and I agree with all points made.
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Old May 14, 2014 | 11:33 AM
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^ Ditto.

Comments of "hairdresser", "girls car" and "can't afford a 911" are generally thrown about by people who have never driven one.

Considered one myself a few years back but circumstances changed which scuppered the plan.
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Old May 14, 2014 | 09:01 PM
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Had enough of the onion then Rog?
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Old May 14, 2014 | 09:08 PM
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They do go wrong I am just building a 3.4lt forged engine for my 3.2s. They are great cars but do get costly if they go wrong.

Mark
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Old May 15, 2014 | 12:25 PM
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Ive just had my mates 2.7 for a week to fix the door lock for him. They are lovely to drive, the 3.2s is the one to have no doubt as the 2.7 is lacking a little. They handle really well and have decent build quality.

Parts are a little dear, the door lock mechanism cost approx Ł100. (ive just done one)

Check the rear main seal isnt leaking oil as its a gearbox out job. Also check the window drops when you pull internal & external door lever and the window stays dropped when door open. That's what i've just fixed on my mates
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Old May 18, 2014 | 05:05 PM
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I've had 2.

Brilliant cars, 986 S is pretty rapid in the right hands and tops out at 165, hardly slow. Handling is superb, so is the noise.

As above, ignore all the hairdresser bollocks. Widely regardd as THE best drop top you can buy for the money.
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Old May 19, 2014 | 09:07 AM
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I bought one at the start of the year. As others have said, they really are good cars, nippy and fun. They are a little small inside if you're tall though but you get used to it. Get one with the bigger wheels and updated lights as they looked aged without them IMO. Selling mine soon to buy a better daily sadly.

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Old May 20, 2014 | 09:59 PM
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Take a drive in the 2.9 you will be very impressed.

Stay away from the 3.2 s they are known for a few expensive engine problems.

Also make sure you get a warranty as genuine parts are not cheap!

Ran a 987 daily for 4 and half years and I didn't nothing but smile when I was behind the wheel.
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Old May 21, 2014 | 05:28 AM
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The engine problems exist across the range, not just the 3.2.

Wouldn't put me off buying another one though. Bought the M3 instead this time as I wanted a 4 seater rag top.

Good network of very reputable independents out there for servicing and parts too.
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Old Jun 11, 2014 | 01:14 PM
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I have a 986 3.2S. Fabulous car. Sounds fantastic, handling is spot on, superb brakes. Nicely built.

Only criticism I can make is the same as Mr. Foster says, it does seem claustrophobic and stuffy inside with the roof up compared to other drop tops I've had. But I rarely use it with the roof up as I have x amount of other cars to use if I need to, plus I'll drive with the roof down no matter how cold it is or even if it's only lightly raining. I prefer roof down motoring when it's a bit "fresh" rather than posing when the sun's out!

Parts made by OE Porsche suppliers are also in the main, very cheap, if you don't actually buy them through Porsche themselves. I just paid Ł38 per disc for genuine OE discs, just from a source other than Porsche Stealers.

Just look out for water in the cabin as that's a very common problem on them. The roof itself is not prone to leaks, but the drain holes get clogged, causing water to gather and enter the cabin behind the seats, which in turn causes condensation and high humidty, causing the cabin to steam up and hard to clear, which isn't very nice and also pools of water in the wells under the seats, which houses various control units. Not good. But spend a bit of time making sure all drainage is clean and clear and you won't have an issue.

Stiff throttles and clunky gear linkages are also common. Not major problems, but do compromise the driving pleasure considerably, so get them sorted if that starts to happen.
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Old Jun 13, 2014 | 10:34 AM
  #21  
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A friend is very shortly going to have his very nice S for sale in met blue as he does not use it enough its just had full duel mass and clutch kit witch was nearly 2k fitted !!!
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Old Jun 19, 2014 | 11:32 AM
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Had a 986S now for a month or so, and it suprises me at how capable it is... Not blistering fast in a straight line, but far from slow. In the bends is where it really comes alive, mine is on rubbish rubber atm so a set of vredestein vorti's all round is on the cards asap.
Had afew issues that the dealer i got the car from sorted for me coming to Ł1200! Drivers door glass wouldnt drop with the handle, the ac didnt blow cold (2 new condensers, cured that) i dont think he expected that as he said he wont buy another one to sell on.
Looking into a few things for it, air box mod, removing one set of cats and an underdrive pulley to liven it up. But mainly ive gotta learn to drive it all over again, im used to more power going through the front wheels which is easy to tame, this mid engine'd malarky want me to go sideways everywhere!
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Old Jun 19, 2014 | 04:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Rogeyboy
Drivers door glass wouldnt drop with the handle,
As i said above mate; its common for the micro switches to pack up. basically you have 3 micro switches in each door to make sure the window drops correctly

1st - on the interior door handle
2nd - on the exterior door handle
3rd - in the door locking mechanism (this one keeps the window down once the door is left open)

The 3rd one is the most difficult to change, so if you ever get it go again, give me a shout if you need any pointers, i'm somewhat of an expert on them now!

Last edited by LHD220Turbo; Jun 20, 2014 at 01:25 PM.
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Old Jun 20, 2014 | 11:28 AM
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Ive done afew bits n bobs maintence wise on my boss's car... Luckily the dealer fronted up for the few niggly bits, so im all good for now! I'll keep you in mine tho LHD, thank you!
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