AudiB9S4

All - I'd like your advice on what I should purchase as my first Porsche. I'm in my mid-fifties, and I find myself in a financial position and phase of life where I can easily justify a weekend sports car.

I've been an auto enthusiast my entire adult life and have almost exclusively driven manual transmission sports sedans (BWM, Audi, etc). Having said all of that, my current daily is a 2022 Tesla Model S Long Range, which I've enjoyed as it accomplishes its stated mission so well (and admittedly is BY FAR the most powerful car I've owned). It's a great daily, but as a weekend car, I'm ready to get into something more analog, with a dedicated performance mission. Here are my criteria, in no particular order:
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• ±$100K budget (max...would prefer to spend less)
• Manual transmission. NO exceptions.
• Boxster STRONGLY preferred (I prefer the looks of the Cayman, and recognize it as the purer drivers car, but as a weekend car, I prefer the idea of a drop-top, as does my wife)
• 981
  • 3.4 GTS - I know it's down on torque, but I've driven a manual 981 GTS and absolutely LOVED the engagement and sound...visceral experience for sure (and in some ways, I prefer the 981 front fascia to the 718)
  • 3.8 Spyder - I have NOT driven a Spyder, but love the idea of the larger displacement and that it would be a more "special" car...it also helps that ALL of them are manual
• 982/718
  • 2.0 - this is by far my least favorite option, unless there's an argument for starting small/basic as a first step to see if I'd enjoy the platform (in fact, I'd probably only consider a T)
  • 2.5 - this is likely the sweet spot between budget and performance...I don't think they sound bad at all, and I love the torque down low...I would probably stick to a GTS only as I much prefer its front fascia and packaging
  • 4.0 - I drove and "almost" pulled the trigger on a white 4.0 manual a few weeks ago, as it was a relative bargain at $94K

So as a "first" Porsche, would I be better off getting into something basic/economical to see if the platform is something I'd enjoy (981 3.4 GTS or 718 2.5 GTS), or should I hold out for a "special" car...either the 981 Spyder or 4.0 GTS?

Thanks in advance.

p.s. I obviously been researching used cars given the list above, but I'm not totally opposed to ordering a new one if I found an allocation for a 4.0, though that would stretch my self-imposed budget.

Zhao

Bang for buck, I really really like the 987 boxsters, especially the Spyder (got a sweet spot for that, maybe because a fellow instructor has one still, but I just enjoy what that thing is). Ya, it's old and all that, but it just feels like a drivers car through and through.

Next bang for buck I like the 2.0L 982, for different reasons. You can get a really new one and there is nothing wrong with that car if the turbo isn't a deal breaker. It gives a lot of performance for the price in something pretty new. If I was going to spend more than what one of those cost to get a S, I'd just drop a bit more and get a GTS 4.0 honestly.

The purpose of a 981 IMO is if you're looking for a combination. Old gen style NA engines in something more modern, but last time I looked I didn't think the bang for buck was really there and although the interior is very close to the 982, I find every difference about it worse. Sport chrono in a wierd spot, square vents just dont fit. If you can swing a 981 spyder though, I'd consider that as spyders/gt4s will hold resale well and total ownership costs due to less depreciation should start make sense with those if you can afford the initial upfront cost.

Drifting

Agree that the OPs situation screams purchasing a Boxster.

Agree with Zhao regarding the 987 Boxsters. The are by far the best bang for the buck in the Boxster family. My first new car ever was a 987.2 Boxster S. Still really miss that car.

I’d suggest the OP look at manual 987.2 Boxster S. Really creamy manual gearbox. Small tossable chassis. Lighter and slightly smaller than 981/718 models.
Hydraulic steering of the 987 is far superior to all Boxsters that came later. 987.2 Boxster engine are much more powerful than 987.1 because they switched to DFI with the 987.2 generation. Also the power of Boxster S is definitely noticed over the standard Boxster, so I'd suggest you get an S or GTS.

Personally I’d skip the 981 generation and 996.. Mostly cosmetic changes and minimal engine performance/soul improvements of the 981 vs the 987.2. Naturally, 986 is undesirable compared to any other Boxster generation.

if I was the OP, I’d either get a manual 987 Boxster S or a manual 718 Boxster GTS 4.0.

The 987 really is the bang for the buck, but is also just a fine car. If I wasn't getting a Spyder RS this year, I would likely have looked at adding back a 987.2 Boxster S. The 718 GTS 4.0 is definitely more money. But it comes with a 4.0L engine which provides approx 80 more hp and 35 ft lbs of torque over the 987/981. The 718 GTS 4.0 also comes with modern infotainment such as google maps/carplay. I expect the GTS 4.0 to hold its value better than the 981 long term as the GTS 4.0 will be the last of its kind. The 987 is more of an analog classic, and the 981 is in the middle, nothing that bad, but nothing that special either.

smilin

i can’t argue with any of the other input, but i have to add…a 986 (200hp!) is a boatload of fun…so any boxster/spyder can be a great weekend car. get the one that speaks to you, at the price point that you can feel good about. if i found myself with extra garage space, i’d be hunting a 2004 S 550 special edition. (and a 987 spyder in aqua)

SoCal-NSX

Not a convertible guy, but the Spyder would be the only one I’d want… you can find a low mile 981 Spyder with that budget. That would be the move and you won’t lose much money if any of you buy the right one.

AdamIsAdam

When I was looking for my car, I wanted a 981 Boxster, then for the money decided to look at 718 Boxsters. I test drove a Base and an S. There was no question that the S was way better than the Base. Then my friend convinced me to stretch my budget to a GTS 4.0. Oh, and I liked being inside of the Cayman more than the Boxster, so I got a CGTS4.0 allocation and LOVE LOVE LOVE this car! The stronger resale value of the 4.0 NA engine means it will cost me less to own it over the 2.5 Turbo... BUT ONLY IF I SELL IT! WHICH I NEVER WILL! LOL

My next car will be a Boxster to add to the garage, either 981 or a 718 4.0, or maybe even a 718 Spyder. Depends on market prices. I did like driving the 2.5 Turbo, but not as much as the NA engines. The sound is better too on the NA cars, especially the 981's with sport exhaust, or the 718 with OAP pipes and Cargraphic controller.

I think 981 and 718 in general are very reliable cars. The 987 I think, but not totally sure, has more known service related issues like my 996 had (IMS on older ones, AOS, cam chain tensioners, coolant tank leaks, etc).

It comes down to two old sayings that are both true: buy the most expensive Porsche you can afford; there's no such thing as a cheap Porsche.

Let us know hwo your hunt goes. Good luck.

aeschen

I get this statement and was in a similar spot for the tin top variants a year or so ago. It comes down to what you value, no bad choices. 718 GTS variants will both be substantially faster than 981 gts, might not matter though.

Any of the cars on your list are special cars in my view but I get it. A spyder or 4.0 gts is one step higher in specialness, LWB or interesting color in any of the cars give you another +.5 step in specialness as well. Just gotta figure out how much its worth to you. I settled on a 2.5cgts because it seemed like a sweet spot in value. No regrets. To a small degree id rather have a 4.0gts or 718gt4, but couldent justify the +$30k difference in acquisition cost. Its a lot of money to me, but maybe couch change to some.

I will say the MT pairs well with 2.5T, it is torquey enough that being in approximately the right gear is good enough.

Xxyion

I think if you can, try and test drive as many of the variants as you can. I personally love NA engine cars and so any of the turbo 4 variants were just out of the question for me. For me having that low down turbo torque was not desirable in my sports cars. And coming from much slower cars like the S2000, BRZ, and ND Miata, these 4.0 engines have a ton of low end torque in my opinion. That being said you really want to get the one that speaks to you. Some people really really like the 2.5 turbo in the S. For me if you cant find a 718 Boxster in your budget i'd go for a 981. I test drove a 981 Boxster GTS before i bought my GT4 and it was an amazing experience. It reminded me of my S2000 just with more low end torque and a much more controlled chassis. I now have a Boxster GTS 4.0 on order as my GT4 i had to give up due to it being a lemon. Personally i think the 4.0 engine is glorious and the definitive choice, but thats just my opinion.

AdamIsAdam

Possibly relevant to the conversation, what was wrong with it that caused the buy back?

Xxyion

Entire AC system had to be replaced multiple times, radiator fan would also keep failing and would throw a CEL, Porsche was aware this was an issue and claimed they were working on a fix but it happened 3 times during my ownership time.. Mis-fire in Cal 6was kind of the final straw for me. Car had 4000 miles on it and engine was already mis-firing which in my mind didnt bode well.

rjag2034

Dont worry, this wont be your last Porsche! Buy what feels good for you! Enjoy it until you see something more enticing...its a drug...

I'm on my 5th.....I traded my 981S Boxster fully loaded for a BGTS4.0. The only reason was the 981 was PDK and after a while it got boring. Sure it was unreal at the track but thats only 1-2% of seat time, the rest was fun leisure drives.

I've had my BGTS4.0 for 3+ years and absolutely love everything about it. Added OAP's and a valve controller and its epic.

Be careful about the 981 Spyder, it doesn't have the GT suspension that the 982 has. 2 completely different cars

AnandN

My recommendation is 981 GTS or 718 GTS Boxster. I am a big Boxster fan too and love these cars. Owned a 981 Boxster S for 4 years and now my 2022 Boxster 25.
981 sounds better and has a better ride. It has a heavy clutch and the interior is somewhat dated. 718 has slightly better technology, more (discernible) power but stiffer ride. Clutch is lighter and the short shifter is better. I think you will be happy with either car.

nineball

maybe it's personal preference or maybe it's driving on track but i much preferred the steering in my 718S over my current 987.2S.

AudiB9S4

All - great feedback! Definitely lots of things to consider. I know I'd be happy with really anything I purchased, but something tells me that I should just bite the bullet and hold out for a 4.0 manual at the right price/options.

mslam02

You wont regret it! First Porsche purchase and first new car purchase here!