Soon to be Porsche Owner

[live22]

Hi guys (I also posted this in the 987 forum)

I'm new to this site - and am pretty much certain of acquiring my first Porsche early next year. :drive:

A bit of background info on me: I'm 23, from South Africa and about to launch my own Branding and Advertising company. Owning a Porsche has been a dream of mine since I was kid. I've been working since college to fulfil my dreams of being in advertising (and getting the Porsche).. and I'm finally at the stage where I can!

I've been looking at various models (from other manufacturers as well.. Dad wants me to get a Z4 M or SLK - friends want me to get a Nissan 350Z) and have decided on the Boxster S. Herein lies the dilemma (if that's even a word to Porsche buyers):

I love the 987 S - in terms of aesthetics and performance. Had the pleasure of driving a 2005 model - and had trouble giving it back!!

Though, a 2003 986 S goes for quite a bit cheaper - and with the saving I can go for a few retrofit sand more or less get it to what I want. I haven't driven one yet... and don't know if there's really all that much difference between the 191kw 986 and 206kw 987. Any advice here would really help!

The car will also be a daily driver - and I also plan on enjoying it as much as I can - (long trips to the coast etc). Is this practical? Ultimately, I want a unique, uncommon, performance car that suits my lifestyle and one that sets me apart from guys in this field. I'm assuming a Boxster S will do that well.

A 2003 model still has a few years on the motorplan in place - and I'd want that because of the peace of mind thing. The ones I've looked at have about 18000-20000km on them. Is this the more viable option? A 2005/6 987 with mileage of about 6000-10000km goes for R100k more.

Which one guys?

thanks for the advice - sorry the post is so long. No one else I talk to knows anything about Porsches (but tell them about a BMW and and they'll wax lyrical!!) :cursing:

Look forward to a response.

[mikefocke]

Is a 987 different from a 986, yes.

Better, yes.

In what ways? Many, subtle mostly.

Can you have 90-95% of the fun in an '03 for half the price? Heck yes.

The warranty is longer on the newer car.

The older car you can feel more free to play around with changes on because it cost so much less.

Buying Guide

I could have bought any car Porsche made, I chose a 3 year old used '01 S to replace my '99 base destroyed in an accident. Never regretted the decision. Would I swap for a 2006 even up? Sure. Would I pay the cost for the difference.? No.

IMHO, YMMV

[70Sixter]

I agree with what mikefocke said!

[live22]

Thanks ffor the response guys - I pretty much figure the same thing.

I guess I'll have to see what my budget allows. What do you guys make of residual plans in terms of finance? If I go for the 987 (which will be a budget stretch) I'l have to go for a finance plan like that... Right now though it's looking like 986.

There's a 2003 Boxster S (M) that's been on the dealers lot since last year (!!!) (attached pic). Mileage on 18000km. Bose Sound and Warranty extension (don't know how much longer). I'm suspicious as it's been there for so long, and I don't know why! Not sure about the colour too...

There's also a 2001 S (M) (2nd pic) that they just got in. Speed Yellow with features. They couldn't give me more details as it isn't from Porsche Centre. But it looks like it has GT3 wheels... mileage also on 18000km.

It's is R50k cheaper than the 2003... and R140k cheaper than an 05 987S.

Any major differences between the '01 986 and '03 986? 185kw vs 191kw? are these noticeable on the cars... Are the interiors much different? I have to ask as I live about 500km away from the nearest Porsche dealership. So most info i get on email...

Thanks again for helping out a newbie

[live22]

okay just looked at your buying giude mike. and it looks like it's all there.. thanks again!!