I’m not here to claim that the 986 Porsche Boxster gets overlooked in terms of the Porsche world in general, but it maybe isn’t the first model you run to when you dial-up Porsche in your thoughts. It was a wildly successful model when it launched in the late-1990s, as it brought back memories of the 914 and got people in the door of the Porsche brand without paying 911 prices. The base Boxster in 1997 started right under $40,000, while the base 993 started at around $65,000. As the years went on the 986 became just a used car, although a used Porsche, but still didn’t get much love from the collector crowd unless it was a really special example. Today, this still holds largely holds true but they are starting to come along slowly. Let’s look at this 2002 Boxster S, as it’s a great color and has just 47,000 miles. Is it worth the premium?
Tag: S
The 1998 model year was the swan song for the 993 generation, along the air-cooled engine. For some reason, Porsche skipped on the 1998 911 Turbo for the US, so we were left the Targa, Cabriolet 2 and 4, Carrera 4S, and Carrera 2S to chose from for the last of the run. All models were wore the wider body shell, supposedly because Porsche had an abundance of them they needed to use before switching to 996 production. But “abundance” doesn’t necessarily mean there were a lot destined for North America. For the most desirable Carrera S, that meant 1,292 for North America. However, there was some funny math from Porsche on these. All of them were technically manufactured in 1997, but Porsche held some of the supply back and rolled them out as 1998 models. Today’s car was built in October 1997, so it would have been considered a 1998 model year anyway, but I’m guessing this was near the end of the run.
Now as we are well over 20 years-old on these C2S examples, demand for them is high. It is totally understandable. It’s the last air-cooled naturally aspirated, manual gear box, rear-wheel drive Porsche 911. They can even sell for Turbo money if the spec is right. The thing is, just because they are in demand, doesn’t mean you shell out the money simply because they exist. This car in Texas is a perfect example why.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera S on eBay
Comments closedBack in October I took a look at a very nice 931 over in Europe for sale; one of the best examples I’ve seen on the market recently:
931s are broken into two periods – Series 1 (launch in ’79 -late ’80) and Series 2 (’81-’82). Series 2 cars all had the 5-lug, 4-wheel disc upgrade that only some of the Series 1 were equipped with. Additionally, they had a revised ignition system, improved intake, higher compression pistons but a smaller turbocharger, and the transaxle was shared with the B2 Audi inline-5s. Today’s example is loaded like most and comes from the end of the first series, so it has power windows, locks, mirrors, air conditioning, rear wiper and sunroof. It also has the M471 package, which added Koni shocks, 5-bolt forged 16″ wheels, 928 calipers with 911SC vented discs, larger swap bars, a quicker steering rack, and a small-diameter four-spoke leather covered steering wheel. Outside of the wheels, these changes were mostly invisible to the eye, and generally speaking don’t make a difference in the value of the vehicle. What does is condition, and when you’re looking at a 924 Turbo you want to buy the best one that you can afford. Is this the one?