986 vs 987 Boxster?

I've got a baby on the way and my awesome wife said I should "get the Porsche you really want, now, before the baby comes." I am fully aware of how lucky I am! I have, in the garage, a 97 Boxster & a ton of parts I was intending to install. I have a side business selling used, late-model Boxster and 996 parts. I've collected a 3.4L 996 engine, M030 suspension and more for my 97. I realized though, that selling all these nice parts and my 97 Boxster would get me within striking distance of a next generation (987) Boxster S. So what do I do? My 986 is 300lb lighter than a 987, but 987s have much more structural rigidity and are, qualitatively nicer cars. On top of that, I've always hated the color of my 97. This could be my shot to get a black one. This feels like a limited time window of opportunity. What would GRM do? Build the uglier but lighter car with what I've got or cash out & move up?

Congratulations, and 987.

M030 wrote: but 987s have much more structural rigidity and are, qualitatively nicer cars.

Here is your answer.

987 is a better car, period. Try to get a later direct injected one if you can swing it.

I would cash out and get the newer car. The other project doesn't sound like something you're likely to get fully sorted before you get super busy.

Vigo wrote: I would cash out and get the newer car. The other project doesn't sound like something you're likely to get fully sorted before you get super busy.

^^^^^ +1

Another vote for 987

Woody wrote: Congratulations, and 987.

Congrats!

In reply to clutchsmoke and Woody:

Thanks!

Its unanimous!! 987!!

In reply to Feedyurhed:

Seems to be! Nobody seems to care that the newer car is 300lb heavier than the old one?

Congratulations. 300lbs is significantly more, but the mag tested the three generations, and they suggested that people get the newest generation Boxster they can afford. I want to say they reported on improved handling, braking, and other general car flaws with the 986, so the 987 is the one to get. Plus, it's a Porsche so you wouldn't cheap out on a color change for the 986.

The downside is that at the end, you'll just be another guy in a stock 987 as opposed to the 986 with gt3 arms, m030 stuff, 996 motor, oz allegeritas, etc. something YOU BUILT. To me, that's not an acceptable outcome, but I'm not you, you're not me.

I vote, get a beat one in a neutral color, strip it bare, gusset the balls off it, reinforce suspension mount points, paint it they silver you like, put it all together with the cool stuff you've got already, and have a car that is truly yours. At the end of that, the weight difference will be more than 300lbs too

cayman?

I also forgot to mention a Cayman. Vinyl wraps are making color changes affordable for us that can't or don't want to pay the pros to do a good paint job.

In reply to mad_machine:

Caymans are gorgeous, but I prefer convertibles (and Boxsters are cheaper).

My feeling vacillates greatly on this idea, but today I'm thinking Sesto has it right. I can't imagine a stock, 280hp + 3100lb 987 S driving better than my 2770lb, 310hp 986 with European M030 sport suspension, 996 GT3 steering rack & rose-jointed 996 GT3 front control arms. I just have to learn to like red (its red exterior has always been my least favorite aspect of the car)

Billy_Bottle_Caps wrote:

Vigo wrote: I would cash out and get the newer car. The other project doesn't sound like something you're likely to get fully sorted before you get super busy.

^^^^^ +1

Plus another 1

Babies steal your time, money and sleep (oh, and your heart... everyone say "awwww"). Get the 987, it's better, it won't demand as much from you to enjoy it.

M030 wrote: My feeling vacillates greatly on this idea, but today I'm thinking Sesto has it right. I can't imagine a stock, 280hp + 3100lb 987 S driving better than my 2770lb, 310hp 986 with European M030 sport suspension, 996 GT3 steering rack & rose-jointed 996 GT3 front control arms. I just have to learn to like red (its red exterior has always been my least favorite aspect of the car)

I guess the question you need to ask yourself is: are you going to get most of your enjoyment out of the project or the driving?

If it is the project, then stick with what you have in the 986. Just make sure to budget a 300% increase in time to complete any task. If it is the driving or activities, then get the 987 and enjoy it a while. There is no rule that says you can't modify it later when you life settles back down and you get sleep in larger chunks than 3 hours.

Brad,

Thanks for the thoughtful post. I like your advice the best so far.

In my first year of fatherhood with a Locost project in the garage, I can confirm that Brad hit the brad on the head!

I say to test drive the 987 first. I hear that Porsche engineering isn't about big power.

987! 'Built not bought' is overrated if you have no time, or too many projects already. Cash out, buy the 987, then modify as time and money allows would be my path in your situation.

Interesting that this thread is concurrent with Tim's Boxster time thread. Read that one. Several people are espousing an early 2.5L non S as more fun in certain circumstances than a 3.2S. More are saying the 986 is more pure and more fun than a 987 despite the 987 being better in every measurable way.