ADS911 Posted 14June, 2015 Report Share Posted 14June, 2015 Investigating the purchase at the moment and comparing examples. There is a few subtle exterior differences, minor engine spec differences, obvious interior differences. A huge variance in the market of the quality of what's on offer. Has anyone had personnel experience in the early vs late 986 S in the real world, any difference in drive etc? Any other advice would be much appreciated? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monty188 Posted 15June, 2015 Report Share Posted 15June, 2015 I had an updated 2003 Boxster S (just sold recently) , Interior - honestly the update model was not a big difference, never used the cup holders, the glove box but the updated glass roof is good ( demister is useful) and is a little quieter.(marginal). By now an earlier car may have a new roof with glass screen anyway. The biggest pain I had was the MOST which made replacing the sound system problematic. total rip and replace. The increase in power was too small to be noticeable. If I was to buy another 986 boxster S( and I would). I would buy the pre-update (with the IMS replaced of course ) , as on the road its very good as close to the later 986 S and cheaper. By the way did you sell your SC in the end? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris-p Posted 15June, 2015 Report Share Posted 15June, 2015 Monty, what are you replacing the boxster with?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qstoria Posted 15June, 2015 Report Share Posted 15June, 2015 Having owned an 04S previously and now wanting to get back into another 986 I am also interested to hear what people have to say regarding this. I have only spent a short amount of time in a models prior to 03 so I can't comment too much. Obvious exterior / interior changes are: Glass rear window Sportier front and rear bumpers Non-Amber lights Glove box in 03 and 04 but not prior 03-04 have Single Row IMS, 00-02 could be either dual or single (give or take) I looked at a 1999 built MY00 in March and overall the differences were negligible. It was in pretty good condition so overall my thoughts now are to buy on condition. Most of the differences are cosmetic and can be updated if need be. There are a few places to get a replacement glass window roof and upgrading to non amber lights is doable for a bit under a grand from memory although I did read a decent DIY on 986forum.com outlining how to dremel out the amber from the fronts. The results were pretty good to be honest. Ill try and find the link for this too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monty188 Posted 15June, 2015 Report Share Posted 15June, 2015 Monty, what are you replacing the boxster with?? 911 SC most likely - I posted in the Wanted to Buy section a couple of weeks ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ADS911 Posted 15June, 2015 Author Report Share Posted 15June, 2015 Thanks Monty (I have sold my SC), Thanks Qstoria appreciate the input. I think spending the $2-3k on IMS is a given unless recent qualified receipts for replacement are supplied. I guess just buy the best S of any year is the go. Gee there is some rubbish out there and some very overpriced rubbish!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qstoria Posted 15June, 2015 Report Share Posted 15June, 2015 No worries ADS911, it is good to talk about something other than air cooled prices! There is a seal grey 03 S in Adelaide asking 27.5 but it is on the WOVR with no info given so I can't see it selling for anything over 18-19. If it legitimately checked out to be straight and simply written off for some other cosmetic reason which was repaired well then you might be able to grab a bargain especially if you were planning to just keep the car for a long long time where resale wouldn't bother you. Are you only searching for an S model at this stage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baso Posted 15June, 2015 Report Share Posted 15June, 2015 nothing new to add from me except to echo the points made by others above. I ended up with an 03, but that was really just a function of price and condition. For me the only real benefit of the 03 is the glass rear window and slight convenience of the glovebox. That said, there are some great products for restoring plastic rear windows. As for driving - it really is marginal between the pre and post 03 year. Personally, I don't see that much difference in the looks - there are parts of the 03 I prefer to the pre 03 model, and vice versa. Happy hunting and good luck sorting through some of the rubbish out there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niko Posted 16June, 2015 Report Share Posted 16June, 2015 Having owned a 2001 S For close to 8 years, the two main sticking points for me are pretty minor. 1/ The plastic rear screen, although if kept treated properly with the right cleaners they can still be in reasonably good nick. 2/ The wife would like to have a glove box. Otherwise the cars are well put together, apart from things like the Air Oil separator, the coolant reservoir and the normal wear and tear items you don't have too much too worry about. Definitely be looking for one with the IMS upgrade, just to ensure a peaceful nights sleep. I think the good ones ( service records, not bent or raced) you should be lookin at around the 25 k mark. (Check car sales, I think last time I looked recently there was one on for 34k or similar?, I think he is dreaming, but a couple more around the 30k) Lots of cheaper ones around, if you didn't want to go that way. As for kilometers.....well if the car has been looked after, I would probably be a bit flexible there. Really....they are now sensational buying for what your getting for up to the 25 k Get a good one, continue to treat it "nice" but still drive it like it was meant to be driven, and I don't think you can go too far wrong. They are a great drivers car, ALL THE ABOVE IMHO. Good luck with the hunt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ADS911 Posted 16June, 2015 Author Report Share Posted 16June, 2015 No worries ADS911, it is good to talk about something other than air cooled prices! There is a seal grey 03 S in Adelaide asking 27.5 but it is on the WOVR with no info given so I can't see it selling for anything over 18-19. If it legitimately checked out to be straight and simply written off for some other cosmetic reason which was repaired well then you might be able to grab a bargain especially if you were planning to just keep the car for a long long time where resale wouldn't bother you. Are you only searching for an S model at this stage? Thanks again Qstoria, I have been watching the 03 S and have done some homework on the car, it had a PPI last year with quite a few issues (all rectifiable). For what I want to do to the car, PS9 or KW suspension exhaust etc it is the right car. I'm with you on the price, WOVR & issues will turn most away, will see how I go. I am only looking at S at this stage, did consider other model with lunched motor and putting in 3.4 or the like but expensive option when done, albeit very quick. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ADS911 Posted 16June, 2015 Author Report Share Posted 16June, 2015 Thanks baso & Niko, they are superb value at the moment. Essentially I did want to, and would have preferred to have, go down the line of turning my SC into a hot rod but didn't have the spare time or spare funds at the moment so very practical way of getting a lot of enjoyment for little outlay in time & money. Will keep updated as the search continues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niko Posted 16June, 2015 Report Share Posted 16June, 2015 They are great bang for your buck. AUTOHAUS have a very nice early 97 ....986 on their sales site, for $24,900.00. So that is an Iindication of what "good" ones are going for, and that's not an S. I think your Boxster option over, rodding the SC is definitely a better way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilH Posted 16June, 2015 Report Share Posted 16June, 2015 Looking forward to seeing the Boxster on a future Adelaide SMT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firstone Posted 16June, 2015 Report Share Posted 16June, 2015 I would only add the early Boxsters had the 2.5lt, the s is 2.7lt. 2001 are 2.7lt the s is 3.2lt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ADS911 Posted 17June, 2015 Author Report Share Posted 17June, 2015 Thanks Niko, Thanks Firestone. Will be interested to see if a Boxster can match the air cooled pace through the hills on SMT Phil? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qstoria Posted 17June, 2015 Report Share Posted 17June, 2015 Thanks Niko, Thanks Firestone. Will be interested to see if a Boxster can match the air cooled pace through the hills on SMT Phil? I think you have that around the wrong way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firstone Posted 17June, 2015 Report Share Posted 17June, 2015 You don't have to worry about matching pace. You'll have a grin every time you realize what you've been missing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikefocke Posted 19June, 2015 Report Share Posted 19June, 2015 Differences in the US 2003 Base (Significant refresh) 2.7Litre engine 228 HP (+11) 5 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic 5 speed optional Lockable glove box. Improved cup holders. Bose digital audio system option. Base model gets same suspension as 2002 S model. Glass rear window (heated) standard. Grey/White turn signals replace the prior years yellow/orange ones. Larger air intakes. Side air intakes body colored. Altered rear air spoiler. Different front and rear bumpers. Redesigned and lighter wheels. Tweaked exhaust Center vents smaller CDR-23 uses MOST audio bus Standard in-dash CD player Optional PCM II using MOST Switches horizontal Revised console (between seats) 2003 S model 3.2Litre engine 258 HP (+8) 6 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic 5 speed optional new anti-roll bars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qstoria Posted 23June, 2015 Report Share Posted 23June, 2015 Bose option in my 04 was nothing to write home about. Had I have done one of those sound off type thingys (all the cool kids do them with their lancers etc) against my 92 Honda Legend then the Honda would have taken the crown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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