987.2 Porsche Boxster | The Best Budget Mid Engine Porsche 

I bought the Cayman variant 987.2 with a 2.9 flat six engine with manual transmission, it is the sweet spot of the Porsche brand with performance, prestige, heritage and analog drive. Excellent ownership proposition as it allowed me to own a reliable Porsche without splashing out too much cash. I concur.

Well, I found a 987.2 2.9 2011-basemodel, macadamia brown and sandbeige interior, only 45k km on the counter. Coming from a 2004 BMW Z4 2.5i, which I adored (and still), I couldn’t believe a car could be steering this fantastic. I have mine in manual 6speed and I must say it is one great little sportscar. I love it, gonna keep it ride it as long as possible. Greetings from Belgium, Marc.

Great cinematography and awesome, clear narration. You deserve way more recognition.

I've been looking for good reviews of the 987 online and yours is one of the better ones for sure. Would've been great to see more driving shots but I still really enjoyed it. Subscribed as a result. Keep up the good work and I hope your channel blows up!

I just nabbed a 1-owner base 987.2 Boxster with a 6-speed. 11,000 miles! Cannot believe my luck! It’s joining a garage with a 981 Boxster Spyder, a CLK63 Black Series, a LC500, a Model 3 performance, and a yellow SSR. The fact I was still targeting a 987.2 should tell you everything about how great these are to drive.

You don't buy the 987.2 because you want to go fast. There are many modern hot hatches that will leave this car in the dust. You buy it because it is relatively reliable, at least by Porsche standards. You buy it because unlike other cheap and not-so-cheap Porsches, it is less likely to become a money pit. You buy it because it offers mid-engined dynamics and an analogue driving experience. You buy it because of the classic Porsche styling, which traces the Boxster's roots back to the 718 RSK and the 550. And if you pick the 2.9, give yourself an extra pat on the back because old fashioned port injection means you don't have to worry about cleaning carbon encrusted intake valves. By the way, you are right about low production numbers. More Boxsters were made in 2005 alone (the first year the 987.1 came out) than in the 3 years between 2009 - 2011 (when the 987.2 was made). Find a good one, drive it and keep it before we are engulfed by electric cars.

I like the point that you made about the electronics on the newer models. My very first ever porsche experience was in a cayman gt4. And while driving through a parking lot the steering malfunctioned and went into a form of death wobble. Ripped the steering wheel out of my hands, and would have totaled the car if I were going faster. One could say I no longer trust electric steering.

This is excellent analysis. i researched for months until finally found 2011 987.2 base 6 spd. now i know why 2009-2012 are so difficult to find. good job

I bought the 987.1 with the 3.4l and 6 speed manual. Had a PPI done to satisfy myself that I have no bore score issues and although its mileage is a pretty low 50k miles (80k km), I have booked it in for the upgraded IMS. This will set me back about $2000 AU but I will sleep better, and it will add resale value to my car. The Boxster S is hands down the best bang for buck sports car money can buy (maybe I'm biased) but I've driven some nice machines, and this is like no other. A true driver's car. If you're in the market, there are loads of great examples out there. Don't let the doubters put you off. Yet to meet a hairdresser that owns one. Porsche Boxsters are affordable fun and I cannot wipe the smug grin off my face every time I climb in and start her up.

Thanks for a great video. I am beginning to realize just how great a deal I made when I found my 2010 Guards Red Boxster base model. It is a pleasure to drive with plenty of speed but not so much as to get myself in any real trouble. A great car.

Great video. Just looking to get my first Porsche boxster and this straightforward clear description is the best I’ve seen 👍

The 987.2 certainly carries a premium over the 987.1, but I sleep easier at night ;) Greet video though - thank you!

Dude these shots are amazing

Great video, just subbed. I’m currently saving for a 987.2 Cayman or Boxster 2.9L 6 speed manual. Can’t wait to own one, I absolutely fell in love with Porsche when I drove a 2005 Boxster S 6 speed manual for several months. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the way that car drove. It’s such a great platform

I call one my own since 5 years. Second hand. BOXSTER 987.2 black, PSE, Turbo weels etc. Love my 987.2 so much.

Whatever configuration you choose, 987.2 and 997.2 was a real sweet spot for Porsche.

Update: I picked myself up a 981 base last month for a very good deal based on market conditions. I test drove all the boxsters 986, 987.1, 987.2, & 981 and can say you can't go wrong with either model. Great review

I have a 2010 base Boxster that I purchased in 2013 and which now has 136000 miles. I added a full exhaust from SOUL, Softronics ECU map, NUMERICS shifter and cables along the way. The car is brilliant, best I’ve ever owned. Very good video, right on point.

Great video with a clear explanation of why the 987.2 is an excellent choice for the driving enthusiast. After a year long search and model history research I bought a 10k mile 2011 BS with many performance options; 6 spd manual, PASM, LSD, PSE, heated sport seats, and more. My expectations for the car were very high. Initially I was slightly disappointed in the handling and acceleration. More research led me to purchase a DSC suspension module and Sprint throttle response control. These 2 plug in mods made the car more capable and more compliant. 3 years later this car is still my favorite. This is a very enjoyable car to drive. It is by far the one of the very best canyon and mountain road convertibles for the driving enthusiast at a reasonable entry point.

Thanks my man. I am renting a base 987.2 on Turo in LA this May and appreciated the targeted review!

Very direct, clear & concise. Loved it.

You said everything that I want to hear. Hoping to buy it in the near future.

Man the best review for cayman so far. Kudos!

Excellent!!, confirmed my choice of a 2006 boxster s. Single owner, daily driver, well maintained back in 2019. Enjoying everything about it, especially with top down and cruising in Hawaii! Aloha

that's a great review! One of the best I've seen in a while. Keep up the good work my man!

Very polished review given it’s a small channel. Just bought a 987.2 PDK with 14k miles in mint condition after owning a 987.1, 997.1, 996.1 and am looking forward to the driving experience.

Good stuff, expect for the 's' not being the one to go for! The main reason I didin't go 981 was electric steering, a big difference..

the 06-08 had the larger non-replaceable IMS bearing(unless you completely rebuild the engine). This bearing has a very low failure rate

I own a 2009 Boxster 'S' with PDK, and a 2004 Boxster 986 base manual. Don't overlook the 986, they are amazing cars.

Hello. I’m from Canada (Québec), and I have the pleasure of owning a 2010 987.2 in basalt black. Beautiful car! It has just under 60,000km. It looks like and drives like a new car. Very much enjoyed your video on your own 987.2. I also own an 2006 MX5 GT. That is also a very cheery car to drive. When in the Porsche, it’s like wearing a tuxedo whereas in the MX5, I feel like I’m in a pair of jeans loll. I’m debating on whether I should sell one or keep both. I love them both. Cheers! Pierre

Great video, great info!

I had the Porsche Boxster 2005 and it ended up getting the rare IMS issue. It’s definitely blown out of proportion online but I was unfortunate to be part of that small percentage of victims to the IMS issue. But you know what? That car is amazing. Instead or shying away from the brand, I got the Porsche Cayman right afterwards. They’re amazing driver cars.

These cars are incredible ..I did a track day with Porsche.A proper driver from Porsche drove my car on the track..I was like Mr Ford in Le Mans unbelievable….

Great video, very clear and nicely done, congrats!

Great informative video. I’m currently in the market for either a 981S or Chevrolet C7 convertible. Thx for sharing.

987.1 base from engine numbers starting 657 and 658 and S from engine numbers 677 and 678 have M97.20 and M97.21 engines respectively which have stronger IMS and other improvements - just bought a 2.7 with 106k miles and going strong. Buy one is my advice.

987.2 Boxster/Cayman of any trim level is simply a fantastic car. Buy the best one you can afford, add miles, enjoy!

987 is truly a great drivers car for under $30k. 987.2 is the way to go but it is so rare due to low sale volume during the financial crisis.

Great vid man!

base engine Boxster 2.9, is only one that returns regular fuel injection and not DFI, so yet another long-term benefit for reliability

Very solid trouble free car. I hope to buy another Porsche but will never sell my 987.2

Great video, thank you!!

I’d like you to expand on the 987.2 car in terms of pluses and minuses.

I’m looking at a base that’s 21k with 47k miles and it’s manual, I think I need it

918 turbo is my favorite

Totally agree 👍🥂

I'm shopping for this car versus the 987.1 due to the "bore score" issues that scare me more than the IMS issues.

Excellent video. I am debating 987.1 or .2 for the longest time. Still confused.

Please correct any misunderstanding: My understanding is that the 2.9 (base engine) is essentially a bored out 2.7, so while improved, also can suffer from the same issues, most notably bore scoring. Whereas, the 3.4 (S engine) is the newer DFI technology that lasted through the 981 generation, which is generally considered to have much fewer issues, although I assume cokes up like all DFI engines and need de-coking circa every 80k miles. My understanding is also that while the DFI engines are less problematic, they are not 100% immune to the likes of bore scoring. Anyway, I have also assumed this engine technology difference explains the disproportionate price difference between base and S models of the 987.2 gen.

Actually, the 987.2 Base isn’t a particularly slow car, especially since it’s not designed just to produce 0-60mph figures then give up. You stomp on the gas at 60 and the magic sounds happen and speed appears in an absolutely linear fashion. I didn’t like the base turbo 718 variant I drove: It reminded me, to some degree, of a Saab 900 Turbo with its lag then boost…but unlike the Saab, the 718s didn’t sound good…just 4 cyl sadness. But what’s still amazing in the 987.2B is your feeling of complete control and communicative feedback the car gives you in tight sweepers. You really have to abuse the turns before the rear steps out of line and then, yes, you don’t get that ‘ole FWD understeer but instead modest oversteer which you can quickly tame but ‘ya better be ready since the limits of this car with good summer rubber are astonishingly high. FUN FUN FUN. Note: There are some options you really want on this vehicle, including the upgraded Xenon headlights, 18” Wheels, Windscreen, Auto Temp Control, and the non-standard stereo (either SPP or Bose, tho the Bose will steal valuable interior storage space but delivers a decent sound system). The PDK will cause you no embarrassment either. The Cayman has better dynamics being a more rigid frame but the joys of open air motoring in the Boxster can’t be beat.

Base gang baby

Picked out a 2009 98/72 boxster what are the best Porsches I had I had three of them this outrageous and more especially what the IMs bearing problem being not involved anymore

Good video but rather biased. Rationalizing why it’s the best Boxster because it’s the one you bought. I have owned a 987.2 Boxster S and now have a 981 Boxster S. The 981 is better in just about every way.

The Cayman R is the peach of the 987.2 generation.

I had a 996 911 Turbo. Great car until a distracted driver drove into my rear end full speed. Never could get it fixed right by the dealer's shop. So, I traded it in for an R8. I love it but now I'm looking for a track car. Cayman or Boxster. Street legal but something I can throw around a bit. The 996 turbo had no ims bearing issue. What is the best model for me in the $30K price range?

It wasn't 2009, the 997.2 already was released on August of 2008 and Porsche knew about issues of M96 since 1998/1999.

Nice video, thank you. If I may ask, you look quite tall; height and headroom/legroom ?

This guy is spitting on me

Alright till they break and then ££££££££££££££ !

You can learn how viruses spread when someone talking XD

"The Best Budget Mid Engine Porsche..." Because there is a selection of Budget Mid Engine Porsches to choose from??

987.1 doesn’t have ims bearing issues, maybe do a bit more research 😂

How many other mid-engined Porsches can you buy?

No way base is worth it: base + wheels + exhaust and you spent the S money without having an S engine. Then comes a lifetime of regret.