Buyer’s guide: Porsche Boxster 986

| 8 Feb 2019
Classic & Sports Car – Buyer’s guide: Porsche Boxster 986

Why you’d want a Porsche Boxster 986

The car that saved Porsche from takeover in the late 1990s, the Boxster shared its headlights, front wings, bonnet, interior and engine with the first water-cooled 911, and used a 2.5-litre engine. Production started in Stuttgart, supplemented from ’97 in Finland (the VIN has ‘U’ instead of ‘S’ as the 11th character).

The engine grew to 2.7 litres, with a 3.2 ‘S’ alternative, in ’99. While the 2.5 is currently the bargain basement, the 2.7 is seen as the ultimate everyday Porsche, easy to drive, with lively throttle response and great road manners. The 3.2 S is a more focused package, with a firmer ride and enough power to get into trouble.

When new, it was easy to add more than £10k to the £33,950 price. Standard 2.5s were bland inside: a good spec as on the car photographed makes a much nicer environment. Extras ranged from small to large trim upgrades (centre console and full leather being among the more desirable) plus air-conditioning, traction control and sport pack suspension. The optional hardtop is nice but hardly necessary with the rapid, well-engineered and effective soft-top.

Buyer’s guide: Porsche Boxster 986

With currently a small differential between the models, it makes sense to buy the latest, best-spec 3.2 that you can find. Long term, a loaded early 2.5 with low mileage will appreciate on rarity value; for the moment, prices have levelled but are not yet rising. Final-year 3.2s are often sold as the ‘Anniversary Edition’: don’t confuse those with the 1953 silver Spyder commemoratives, which have a numbered plaque on the centre console as well as a unique spec.

A full service history with Official Porsche Centres or recognised specialists is far more valuable than low mileage, which can cause more problems than the opposite. Full recent maintenance with nothing before is better than bills for just the first 12-15 years.

While rust is not usually an issue, it can occur where repairs have been left untreated, so inspect thoroughly. The interior is durable, with bolster wear first to show up: a good trimmer can tidy up or re-upholster a worn seat. Feel for wet carpets behind the seats, usually caused by blocked hood drains.


Porsche Boxster 986: what to look for

Buyer’s guide: Porsche Boxster 986

Bodywork

See above for trouble spots

Buyer’s guide: Porsche Boxster 986
Buyer’s guide: Porsche Boxster 986

Engine

Just getting to the engine is a task in itself: most service access is from below. Apart from the bore and Intermediate Shaft issues, a worn cam chain (there’s one at each end of the engine) can cause a rattle at idle – and also needs urgent replacement.
A rebuilt engine costs £5-10,000, compared to £900-1200 to swap the clutch.

Dipstick, oil and water fillers are in boot. check all for signs of oil/water mixing (walk away). Look for signs of a cracked expansion tank leaking water into boot.

Buyer’s guide: Porsche Boxster 986
Buyer’s guide: Porsche Boxster 986

Exhaust

Most factory exhausts are worn out. Replacements vary in price and quality, some suffering unpleasant resonance at certain speeds, so try a motorway run.

Suspension

Bushes, especially rose joints, have a tough time and limited life, so expect to change them every 40,000 miles or so. Knocking/odd tyre wear are giveaways.

Buyer’s guide: Porsche Boxster 986

Buyer’s guide: Porsche Boxster 986
Buyer’s guide: Porsche Boxster 986

Air con and coolant rads

A caring owner will keep coolant/air-con rads in bumper ducts clean and clear of leaves. See that rads are not corroded: they can have a life as short as six years.

Transmission

Check clutch isn’t slipping: replacement can easily run to four figures. Gearboxes last well, though six-speeds can jump
out of second, requiring a costly rebuild.

Wheels

Inspect wheels for damage; tyres for uneven wear, age and quality. Brake discs rust and calipers seize if used rarely or left damp; look for wear and grooves, too


Porsche Boxster 986: on the road

Buyer’s guide: Porsche Boxster 986

Repairs and replacements can be expensive, so buy wisely

Expect a fun drive with sublime handling: anything less means that work is needed. Suspension arm bushes have a limited life – especially the rose joints on the trailing arms. Arms cost c£150 front, £250 rear, plus fitting. Rubber bushes in the lower arms rarely last more than 40,000 miles: new ones are c£250 each. Groaning from the front when manoeuvring is worn suspension top mounts. Check for broken coil springs, too.

A few early engines, up to 2001, suffered casting weaknesses, leading to oil/water mixing. Faulty ones have been replaced or rebuilt by now and an engine overhaul or replacement in the service history need not cause concern.

Intermediate Shaft (IMS) bearing failure can afflict all 986s: driven from the crank, this shaft goes on to drive the cams. Walk away if you can hear knocking or grinding from the back of the engine: a full rebuild is essential.

If oil is dripping from the rear but there’s no noise, a gearbox-out bearing replacement should be just in time to avoid a major rebuild. A stronger bearing can be fitted at clutch change time, to prevent trouble later: £900 bearing replacement; £950 for the clutch; and £1100 for a flywheel if required.

Head-gasket failure can be caused by water pump or drive belt failure – if the pump hasn’t been replaced, budget about £700 to do it soon. Hesitation when accelerating indicates a mass air flow sensor problem (c£150), while misfiring is most likely to be a failed coil pack. Frequent oil changes are beneficial for long engine life; a Porsche minor service (c£350) does not include an oil change, but a major one does (c£750).


Porsche Boxster 986 price guide

2.5

  • Show / late low miles: £8000
  • Average: £4000
  • Scruffy high miles: £2500

 

2.7

  • Show / late low miles: £9000
  • Average: £5000
  • Scruffy high miles: £3000

 

S

  • Show / late low miles: £11,000
  • Average: £6000
  • Scruffy high miles: £4000

 

Spider

  • Show / late low miles: £14,000
  • Average: £10,000
  • Scruffy high miles: £7500

Porsche Boxster 986 history

1993 Jan Concept shown, styled by Grant Larson 

1996 Aug Manual 2.5 launched: 0-60mph 6.5 secs, 139mph top speed (Tiptronic 7.3  secs, 136mph)

1997 UK deliveries begin

1999 Aug Engine enlarged to 2.7 litres: 217bhp, 6.2/7 secs, 145/142mph; S added with 250bhp, 3.2-litre engine, six-speed manual, double-skinned soft-top, 5.6/6.2 secs, 152/148mph

2000 Aug 2.7 also gets double-skinned soft-top

2002 Aug (late 2003 UK) Facelift: glass rear window in electro-mechanical soft-top, glovebox in dash, power boost from exhaust/inlet mods, clear front indicators, tweaked bumpers/wheels (slightly shorter): 2.7 225bhp, 6.1/7 secs, 147/144mph;
3.2 258bhp, 5.2/6.1 secs, 154/150mph

2003 Aug 3.2 up to 266bhp; 550 Spyder 50th Anniversary numbered Special Edition, 1953 cars built, all Silver, with brown or grey leather, 18in Carrera wheels, Sport exhaust/suspension

2004 Aug 987 replaces 986


The owner’s view

Buyer’s guide: Porsche Boxster 986

Paul Dacosta at the wheel of his Boxster

Paul Dacosta has owned a couple of Boxsters: “I had one years ago,” he recalls. “It sparked my interest in Porsches, we joined PCGB and ended up buying a 996. When I sold that, we needed a Porsche to stay in the club, so last year I bought the cheapest roadworthy one I could find!

“I’ve spent about £2500 tidying it up and servicing: I’ve had the wheels refurbed, new nuts and centre caps, touched in the stone-chips, replaced the dash air-con unit, the front top suspension mounts and rear arms, water pump, belts, tensioner and coils. 

“I was lucky to get a car built to a high spec, with full leather, climate control and big alloys: even the steering wheel is an upgrade. It’s done 108,000 miles and is getting a new exhaust soon, the cheap rear tyres need changing and the window regulator creaks, but otherwise it’s just about there.”


Also consider

Buyer’s guide: Porsche Boxster 986
Buyer’s guide: Porsche Boxster 986

BMW Z3 (left) and Honda S2000 are alternative buys

BMW Z3

Much faster in M-spec, the ‘trad sports car’ Z3 lacked the Boxster’s poise. Ms are costly (£13-20,000); base models dirt cheap, but you’ll need at least a 2.8 to beat a Boxster at the lights.

Sold 1995-’02 • no built 298,735 • mpg 25-35 • 0-60mph 10.2-5.1 secs • top speed 122-157mph • price new £28,350 (2.8, 2000) • price now £1-10,000


HONDA S2000

High-revving S2000 was an engineering tour de force and a great driver’s car that’s holding its value well. Rear arch rot can be severe and a full service history is vital when buying.

Sold 1999-’09 • no built 113,006 • mpg 21-32 • 0-60mph 5.6 secs • top speed 150mph • price new £28,545 (2000) • price now £5-18,000


Porsche Boxster 986: the Classic & Sports Car verdict

Buyer’s guide: Porsche Boxster 986

All Boxsters are fun to drive, but the 3.2 S is the sharpest

A 986 Boxster is a great and inexpensive way into Porsche ownership: most are dependable, fun and cheap to run, but maintenance costs can hit you if the rare engine issues strike. 

To minimise the risk, buy one with full (especially recent) service history. The 2.5/2.7 is the most usable; the 3.2 is the most rewarding to drive; look for a high-spec interior. 

FOR 

  • Outstanding handling
  • Good to great performance
  • Very effective soft-top
  • Excellent storage space

 

AGAINST

  • Bland looks inside and out
  • Risk of expensive engine failure
  • Low values mean that many have been neglected and/or run on a budget

Porsche Boxster 986 specifications

Sold/number built 1996-’04/160,578 (109,213 in Finland)

Construction steel monocoque 

Engine all-alloy, dual-overhead VarioCam per bank 24-valve 2480/2687/3179cc flat-six, with Bosch Motronic sequential electronic fuel injection; 201bhp @ 6000rpm-266bhp @ 6250rpm; 181lb ft @ 4500rpm-225lb ft @ 4500rpm

Transmission five/six-speed manual or five-speed Tiptronic automatic, driving rear wheels

Suspension MacPherson struts, longitudinal and transverse control arms, anti-roll bars 

Steering power-assisted rack and pinion, 3.0 turns lock-lock 

Brakes vented discs, servo and ABS 11.7/11.5in (297/292mm); S 12.5/11.8in (316/300mm)

Length 14ft 2in (4315mm)

Width 6ft 4in (1930mm)

Height 4ft 3in (1290mm)

Wheelbase 7ft 11.2/7ft 11.1in (2418/2416mm) 

Weight 2739-3056lb (1242-1386kg)

Mpg 22-32

0-60mph 7.3-5.4 secs

Top speed 136-154mph

Price new £31,630/38,330 (2.7/S, 2000)


BUY A CLASSIC PORSCHE BOXSTER 986

View all Porsche Boxster 986 classic cars for sale in our classified listings


READ MORE