Porsche Boxster 2.5

[Andyk]

2009 onwards it is then....

 

[midlifecrisis]

Interesting reading, I remember reading how Porsche 'owned' VW at one stage by shorting their stock. All part of their cunning plan to generate income. It failed miserably.

 

[Martynh]

Cheshire is obviously well versed in the engine limitations of the M96 engines fitted to the early watercooled cars. I would just caveat that the earlier 986 Boxster cars (2.5, 2.7 and 3.2) engines are significantly less prone to bore scoring that that of the larger 3.4, 3.6 and 3.8 (the worst!) fitted to the 911. One reason for this is thought to be due to the gap between the cylinders and the localised overheating from marginal cooling capacity. Porsche effectively used the same basic block design but increased the bore hence reducing the margin for error on the cooling and lubrication requirements.

The IMS issue is sadly like roulette, some let go and others are fine. They are however quite easy to upgrade when getting a clutch done (gearbox off) for a few hundred pounds extra.

Thankfully however a well looked after car will have no issues with rust or electrics and everyday consumables such as disks, pads are no more expensive than a modern saloon car.

My view is they can be a huge amount of fun for very little outlay, but just be aware they can bite!

 

[cheshiremaserati]

2009 onwards it is then....

If you're not a gambler or Russian Roulette player as in The Deer Hunter. Or should that be The Boxster Hunter?

 

[cheshiremaserati]

All fair comments. But visit Hartech in Bolton and you'll see a whole spread of 9x6 and 9x7 as well as Boxsters and Cayman. But a remarkable absence of DFI engined cars. That's why if its non- Mezger, then it has to be 2009-on DFI engine car for me.

I accept the non-DFI cars can be tremendous fun and value - until that engine lets go - in the current owner's experience or to the next guy who buys it. One strategy might be to buy and enjoy for six months and then pass it on to someone who might get caught out.

But that is as sure a protection as sleeping with a girl, using no condom and relying pulling out with the reassurance of a sixpence tucked under the pillow for additional protection that a pregnancy is avoided. Until that phone call a month later......

 

[jasst]

Now tell me, who wants to buy a non-Mezger, non-DFI Porsche water-cooled car?
Not me for sure. I don't like to play Russian Roulette with a live round in a chamber.

Exactly, when I was looking for a car a few years ago, Porsche was on my list until I read of all these problems, they were soon relegated from the list!

 

[midlifecrisis]

Interesting reading, I remember reading how Porsche 'owned' VW at one stage by shorting their stock. All part of their cunning plan to generate income. It failed miserably.

I was wrong, Porsche were part of an elaborate plan to damage hedge funds... They made £100Billion!

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance...ny-got-revenge-on-the-hedge-fund-locusts.html

 

[cheshiremaserati]

Not into hedge funds so did not spot the inaccuracy. Although part of VAG the brand runs as a separate entity with its own P&L.

 

[cheshiremaserati]

Exactly, when I was looking for a car a few years ago, Porsche was on my list until I read of all these problems, they were soon relegated from the list!

They are great cars if you know and choose the least risk model. The Turbo is blisteringly fast with bullet-proof engine. The 991 Turbo S is a brutal beast of a car. Just so planted, sure-footed and just oh so quick. But pre-DFI? Well another story altogether.

 

[Ceebeedeebee]

I would absolutely agree with a lot of the comments (with a heavy heart having just come from 12 years of ace Porsches). The underlying issues - whilst in percentage terms not significant - are frequent enough to be concerning - and certainly for me eventually ruin the ownership experience. Of the 6 that I had, one (a 996 C4S 2003) did have bore scoring and a subsequent £11k bill - and tbh getting deep into the Hartech analysis ( @cheshiremaserati it was like a flashback to 911uk / Boxa.net reading your comments!!!) you just can't rule it out for any 3.4, 3.6 or 3.8 pre DFI engines - and the good news is that ended up with me buying GT-S MC shift which I have immediately fallen for after just 2 weeks / 500 miles such an ace move I'm really surprised and happy I did it - so some clouds are silver lined.

 

[cheshiremaserati]

I am on 911uk and i chuckle at some of those guys sinking shed loads of money into what they think are "investment assets" but just too many in numbers to be investments.

I love my GS but I also love my turbo. When asked "which is your favourite?" The repktis always the same: They are very different cars, unique and enjoyable in their own ways"

 

[Ewan]

I’d happily buy a pre-DFI engined 911 for a relatively modest sum, use it and enjoy it. In the statistically unlikely event that the engine had a problem, I’d accept that as the risk I took when buying a cheap (for what it is) car. Of course, you’d have the engine checked prior to purchase, but if that report came back positive, I’d not worry. Indeed, my 996 was fun, as were those run by friends. And the same applied to our Boxsters. None of us ever had any engine problems.

As an example, I’d rather buy an early 997 for £25k than a later one for £35k. If I got very unlucky, I could be looking at a £10k engine rebuild. But it’s far more likely that I’d have had all the same fun and saved myself £10k. The chance of having a problem is what - maybe 5%? That’s pretty low and easily worth the (minimal) risk, IMHO.

Of course, going Mezger or later provides lower/no risk, but you pay for it anyway in the higher purchase price.

That having been said, I’ve found myself looking at 996 GT3 ads recently, so I may not be practicing what I preach!

 

[rivarama]

I was wrong, Porsche were part of an elaborate plan to damage hedge funds... They made £100Billion!

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance...ny-got-revenge-on-the-hedge-fund-locusts.html

Technically incorrect. They didn’t make £100bn - it was a paper profit resulting from the fact they had cornered the market. Although some of the H/F booked an actual loss when they had to settle their short options, Porsche never recorded anywhere near that £100bn in their P&L or revalued their B/S

 

[Andyk]

They are great cars if you know and choose the least risk model. The Turbo is blisteringly fast with bullet-proof engine. The 991 Turbo S is a brutal beast of a car. Just so planted, sure-footed and just oh so quick. But pre-DFI? Well another story altogether.

Agree on the Turbo...Test drove one at a friends garage and it was bloody mind bending. The speed it carried into and out of a corner was like nothing else I had driven.

 

[midlifecrisis]

Technically incorrect. They didn’t make £100bn - it was a paper profit resulting from the fact they had cornered the market. Although some of the H/F booked an actual loss when they had to settle their short options, Porsche never recorded anywhere near that £100bn in their P&L or revalued their B/S

It's a good story nonetheless

 

[rivarama]

It's a good story nonetheless

I know, I just had to ruin it as it was too good ;-)

 

[Nibby]

I am on 911uk and i chuckle at some of those guys sinking shed loads of money into what they think are "investment assets" but just too many in numbers to be investments.

My brother was a big fan of Porsche having owned a couple of GT3's, RS GT3 and both variants of the Boxster Spyder but last year he had had enough leading up to what must now be the imminent release of the 718 GT4/Boxster Spyder. He was lucky he was allocated a spot with Dick Lovett Swindon for a new 981 Spyder as he'd done a lot of business with them but because they are so mileage sensitive regarding re-sale(making more money than they were bought for)for this reason some who own these fantastic driving cars would rather the car sit in a garage and tell the world on internet forums how great they drive. One of the negatives of the crazy Porsche prices I guess.

 

[dickygrace]

Interesting reading, I remember reading how Porsche 'owned' VW at one stage by shorting their stock. All part of their cunning plan to generate income. It failed miserably.

It didn’t, it succeeded massively. Then the German Courts made them backtrack a little but it still benefited Porsche in a big way.

Edit, someone beat me to it.

 

[cheshiremaserati]

I’d happily buy a pre-DFI engined 911 for a relatively modest sum, use it and enjoy it. In the statistically unlikely event that the engine had a problem, I’d accept that as the risk I took when buying a cheap (for what it is) car. Of course, you’d have the engine checked prior to purchase, but if that report came back positive, I’d not worry. Indeed, my 996 was fun, as were those run by friends. And the same applied to our Boxsters. None of us ever had any engine problems.

As an example, I’d rather buy an early 997 for £25k than a later one for £35k. If I got very unlucky, I could be looking at a £10k engine rebuild. But it’s far more likely that I’d have had all the same fun and saved myself £10k. The chance of having a problem is what - maybe 5%? That’s pretty low and easily worth the (minimal) risk, IMHO.

Of course, going Mezger or later provides lower/no risk, but you pay for it anyway in the higher purchase price.

That having been said, I’ve found myself looking at 996 GT3 ads recently, so I may not be practicing what I preach!

Some live with risk better than others. You evidently appear to be in that camp. 996 GT3 is a great car. Go for the coveted RS badge and you propel yourself and your driving experience into another league. Keep it well maintained, don't bend it and keep the miles sensible and you'll do well on resale (or write it into your Last Will & Testament as an heirloom to pass down the family line). I might add the Club Sport is the one to go for - but the Comfort spec cars are in more abundance.

 

[GeoffCapes]

It didn’t, it succeeded massively. Then the German Courts made them backtrack a little but it still benefited Porsche in a big way.

Edit, someone beat me to it.

Didn't Porsche then do it the 'correct' way and bought them out the other year?