OT: Boxster as a daily driver Options

[914_7T3]

Marc, you can search forums here:

https://986forum.com/forums/

They are not as active as over here on the world.

I drove my 2002 Boxster 986 2.7 with 91,000 miles often as a daily over a period of 6.5 years. For the most part 42,000 miles trouble free save for the usual maintenance items on these cars: water pump, AOS, cracked fuel sender, convertible top gears….

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

[914_7T3]

I daily my 2002 986
Got it from a 914 World member and the PO before him is a 914 guy too. lots of documentation with the car. It has needs here and there, parts can be a bit pricey, but not outrageous. I have found it easy to work on and maintain. Look around, be picky and get a Pre Purchase Inspection from a reputable Porsche shop.

@Dynosoar11 This one?

[bkrantz]

I DDed a 2005 Boxster S from 2007 to 2017. The rear main seal started leaking at 36,300 miles, and was replaced under the CPO warranty. Besides routine maintenance and tires, I bought all the components for a brake system overhaul at 89,000 miles. At one point the convertible top got fiddly (fixed by tightening the tension strap on one side) and the center dash buttons got sticky (a known problem).

It was great to drive, even in daily Houston traffic.

[Montreal914]

^^^ Nice car!
I like the clean lines of that model and definitely those wheels. For some reason, I see them as a modern version of the Fuchs.

@Jeffrey, I will check 986Forums, thanks!

[SO.O.C914er]

I’m also looking at getting a Boxster but automatic only. My wife and daughters love going for drives in the 914 but there’s no way the three can deal with shifting. So going forward the next Porsche will be one that works for all of us!
Drive it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) Paul

[Stef914]

This will be your other family

https://986forum.com/forums/

I am considering buying a used Boxster with manual transmission to use as a daily driver. One of the concern I have is its reliability and maintenance cost. I do plan on maintaining the car myself.

Before I get into my car search, I would like to read on the subject and get to know the car the same way I have read and leaned about the 914s here. I also want to read on what is doable with these cars as far as swapping parts from years to years, like we do on our 914s.

So, is there a "BoxsterWorld" equivalent to our beloved forum? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif)

I would assume there are quite a few Boxster owners/mechanics on this forum. Where are you guys hanging out when discussing the modern 914 stuff? Is Rennlist the place, or there is better?

I am somewhat familiar with the IMS issue as I have read on this a little. Looks like the problem was addressed on 2007 (?) and later models? I have heard about cylinders scoring in the 911 crowd. Ignition key assembly seems to be a classic issue too.

As usual, my budget is limited and I wonder if finding a good survivor driver in the 13-15k$ range is realistic... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) I am not necessarily looking for an S, unless everyone thinks they are a must. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Comments, suggestions, warnings?
Please share experiences and recommendations! Thank you! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

[flyer86d]

I had a 1999 Boxster for around 10 years and the sold it to my oldest son. I bought it for a very fair price in 2012 with a failing clutch, and it’s matching hard top and about 115K miles. I had driven Boxster’s before as I had a few customers with them. I liked the ride and handling, you can get away with stuff that would have you facing backwards in a 914 or early 911. I loved the excellent HVAC system and precise shifting of the manual transmission. To me, the Boxster is a much more fun car than the 911 from the same era but I don’t have the status issue of it not being a 911. Hell, I own an old 911, the 914-6, and a 356.

I have never driven a PDK equipped car and I feel the old Tipronic hamstrings the drivetrain but I’m a stick shift guy for the most part. Hell, my brides new 2025 Jeep has a manual transmission.

I pulled the transmission with the car on my scissors lift to replace the clutch and the original IMS bearing while I was at it. Also the clutch slave cylinder and release arm which had fractured which was the cause of the clutch failure and the rear main seal that was not leaking. It was a pretty easy job truth be told. They also sound great!

[DennisV]

I am considering buying a used Boxster with manual transmission to use as a daily driver. One of the concern I have is its reliability and maintenance cost. I do plan on maintaining the car myself.

Before I get into my car search, I would like to read on the subject and get to know the car the same way I have read and leaned about the 914s here. I also want to read on what is doable with these cars as far as swapping parts from years to years, like we do on our 914s.

So, is there a "BoxsterWorld" equivalent to our beloved forum? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif)

I have owned 2 Boxsters. A 986 and a 987. They were purchased used and both served as my daily driver.

I think the key with any Porsche is how well they have been maintained. My 986 was not well maintained, but it was what I could afford. I paid the price in repairs over the long haul.

The 987 was Porsche Certified Pre-Owned (CPO), which is a good indication of maintenance. You pay a premium for it, but it was worth the peace of mind and warranty on a car that was my only mode of transportation. The 987 remains the most fun car I ever had. Even more fun than my 991.

I think in both cars it was around the 10 years old mark that various electronics started to fail and things began rattling to the point that it became a nuisance. That's when I traded for a newer used car.

There is a 986 forum as well as other Boxster-centric boards.

[jim_hoyland]

I’ve got one complaint about Boxster. There is no room for a full size spare. If you get a flat the owners manual ( 987 ) says to fill the tire with a sealing foam.
My work around was to buy the early narrow wheel. Works in a pinch only. Still gotta repair or replace the original.

[Dynosoar11]

I daily my 2002 986
Got it from a 914 World member and the PO before him is a 914 guy too. lots of documentation with the car. It has needs here and there, parts can be a bit pricey, but not outrageous. I have found it easy to work on and maintain. Look around, be picky and get a Pre Purchase Inspection from a reputable Porsche shop.

@Dynosoar11 This one?

Yes, that my 986 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[914_7T3]

@Dynosoar11

I absolutely loved this car and sold her to Mike D. in March of 2024.

This is what she looked like when I got her in October 2017.

[jim_hoyland]

@Dynosoar11

I absolutely loved this car and sold her to Mike D. in March of 2024.

This is what she looked like when I got her in October 2017.

I saw Mike with the Boxster last month; what a beauty !

[Dynosoar11]

I got the 986 from Mike D. back in December he is driving a 987 Boxter now, a black one.

[bkrantz]

^^^ Nice car!
I like the clean lines of that model and definitely those wheels. For some reason, I see them as a modern version of the Fuchs.

@Jeffrey, I will check 986Forums, thanks!

Thanks. I loved those wheels too. They were standard on the Cayman. The original wheels were more pickle-fork style--not my favorite.

[bkrantz]

I’m also looking at getting a Boxster but automatic only. My wife and daughters love going for drives in the 914 but there’s no way the three can deal with shifting. So going forward the next Porsche will be one that works for all of us!
Drive it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) Paul

Hmm, I might be tempted to buy a car with a MT and tell the girls that you could not find an automatic. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[jim_hoyland]

Alert : The May Panorama has 26 Boxsters listed.

[Root_Werks]

Owned a few 986 2.5's years ago. Liked them all, very fun cars to drive and listen to. Always worried about things like the windows not going down that little bit when you open the door or other tech-heavy stuff. Figured things like that wouldn't hold up over the decades.

[johnnymiz]

That window going down an inch is actually a thing. After a lot of use....in my case it was 69k miles...they tend to pop down as if the handle is being pulled. The handle gets floppy. There is a $65 part (porsche...aftermarket is $20-$45 if you wanted to save a little) in the door that gets replaced.
2 hour driveway job.