I loved this video. I purchased a new Boxster when I retired in 2008. It now has 70K on it. I take great pleasure in washing, polishing and maintaining it. You described the experience of owning this vehicle beautifully. I like when things work correctly. This vehicle is crisp and tight and goes precisely where you point it. I have had zero problems with it. My wife and I are in our early 70s and cannot bring ourselves to think about selling it. I come from humble beginnings and sometimes I wake in the middle of the night with a smile, when I think about the fact that I have a Porsche in the garage. Great job on the video. I am writing from northwest Ohio in the US.
Absolutely completely agree with you Joel its bloody criminal the state of British roads considering the amount of tax we motorist pay. It certainly goes a long way to spoilling the driving experience for us petrol heads.
@@Anonymous-ss6ur no it doesn’t help and doesn’t compare. Because in England we have no winter, there is expanding ice breaking the surface and making pot holes even bigger. There is one road in Bournemouth - Alma Road that haven’t been resurfaced for last 15 years and it is main road so bad that you woudn’t imagine. Even new roads in the UK aren’t smooth. Most of them are bumpy and uneven from the begin and building them takes years… 15km bypass road took 2 years to resurface and redesign…
@@delos86 Bournemouth = 3 different asphalt surfaces in one. My polybushed FN2 cries everytime I drive it here. I drive UK to Romania and back every year. On the continent most roads are better than in the UK.
It is nice to see you hanging out here Matt. I am glad to see your LS430 video tonight and will head over as I have had two LS400s and am always toying with the idea of moving on up.
I like the triptronic S transmission it allows you to keep two hands on the steering wheel at all times which is under rated if you are someone who appreciates the boxsters almost perfect weight distribution&handling
I wasn’t happy with my Boxster because of the banging and suspension on damaged roads. I had the same 18 inch Carrera wheels but swapped to 16 inch factory wheels and what a massive and significant difference it made to comfort and ride quality.
Very enjoyable video. Excellent description of the true feelings of the 986 owner at the wheel. Good point about road quality that are deteriorating all over Europe (France, my country, included). But the joy of driving is still there. Thanks again for the video.
I own a 2003 2.7, and a friend has a 2001 3.2s. The s models suspension is much firmer as standard and i feel the 2.7 is a better daily car for this reason
I have to agree. Driving my 2.7 around Bedfordshire is not that great. Just drove the A470 through mid Wales last weekend. 100 miles of stunning country road in very good condition which prompted me to comment.
Great upload...a word to the wise...when the roof is off...switch off the a/c...it will return better mpg and extend the life of the compressor...just sayin'...👍
I sold my Boxster S after four+ years of ownership to buy a 911. Bought the 911 so I can fit my bike in the back for trips to Italy. Really wish I’d kept the 986, much more fun, sounds great (particularly with 200 cel cats), a v underrated car. Put 17” wheels on, it’ll make such a difference, fine in the Surrey Hills where I drive, cycle. Good guys at Eporsch / Dean at LaRose too 👍🏼
I bought a 986 Boxster S about 6 months ago and it’s the best car I’ve owned. I was lucky to purchase someone’s no expense spared passion project so it’s currently running just shy of 300bhp, fully rebuilt by neinmeister, forged 3 piece oz superleggeras, LSD, full 996 GT3 front brake conversion, rear 996 turbo brake conversion, KW V3 stainless coileovers etc etc. I’m pretty sure it’s the highest modified example in the UK. I honestly don’t think I’ll ever sell it.
Hi Joel, I have to disagree, if you leave the autobahns and main roads here in Germany and take to the country roads, they are not much better. The way the Germans fix them is to lower the speed limit and put up a warning sign that the road surface is bad!
My BMW M3 was a completely different animal driving in Germany, it was an absolute pleasure to drive it, but over here it was just so annoying. Our roads are pretty shocking.
Good video. I bought a 987 2.7 manual Boxster last year from E-Porsch to join the 997 Gen 2 Carrera 4S manual I've owned for over 8 years. The 911 is a wonderful car but there is a directness about being in the Boxster which you don't get in the 911. The 911 remains the garage queen but I have no problem in booting the Boxster around the country lanes especially as a 2.7 245hp spec means you can have fun at sensible speeds.
Yep - I chopped in my manual 987.1 for a 435i coupe with the telepathic ZF 8 speed sports auto box for exactly the reasons you mention! Lovely cars though.
I had said in your post asking about content that an epic trip would be the Porsche with a luggage rack, skis on and a trip to the alps. There’s something cool about seeing unlikely cars doing great things.
I’ve got a 2001 2.7. Bit of a garage queen recently TBH. You’ve inspired me though. Crappy roads & traffic here I come!…..but if you can get through all that… yes they are awesome fun! 👍
My take: I got a nice 987.2 Boxster S manual, bought it for EUR 40k. First problem, it's not a 911, Porsche community is exclusive and doesn't take you seriously (even though I could have gotten a 996 or 997.1 for the price). Second problem, other drivers hate seeing a young guy in a Porsche (even though it's an old car and not really that expensive), they don't give me the right of way etc., this never happens in my Skoda. Other than that, driving expericence is damn near perfect!
The answer to your ride quality is 17s and standard suspension. Mine is nothing like you describe with this setup, the ride is almost magic carpet like for a sports car and you can really attack the crappy roads up here in the North East.
I unsubscribed because I thought you had abandoned the Boxster. I am pleased to say, I have re-subscribed now. Took mine out today after several weeks and had a flat tyre but I still love it. Oh, coming from the future as I am, I am pleased to tell you that your Boxster passed its MOT test with flying colours!
I agree with you on the state of the roads here in the uk, the ones around where I live are horrific, it the main reason I’ve stopped driving firm sporty cars and drive my Range Rover everywhere, love the videos keep up the good work 😃
Glad it was just the roads you didn’t like. I bought my 986 last summer. Full black Batmobile version. Absolutely love it and I actually like the feel of the road. It’s like flying a Spitfire rather than an Airbus! Corners like Scalextric on magnets and the acceleration is ace. ( once you get out of London) Nice video 📼✔️
Have spent a lot of time in Buckinghamshire over the years - I think you have always had some of the worst road surfaces in the UK and that's from someone living in Norfolk. Happy New Year and all the best for 2022
Nice to see the sun shining on you Joel, and what better way to enjoy it then in the Porsche 😀😀 Be thankful you still have hair 😃😃😃 Love seeing your Porsche, so glad your getting the suspension done.
Great video! New shocks will help a ton. My (new to me) 987 is coming soon, and with 140,000+ miles, I think I might have to do my shocks when it arrives.
There’s the argument for a newer model, 981, 718s.. with small wheels and good rubber, you can enjoy the engine and speed with relative comfort not giving up too much nimbleness if at all (you’ll notice mechanical steering changes to electric but all in all as you say, for roads like you have… worth considering )
I agree completely. I own basically the same specced car but in blue, and although I’ve just done a complete suspension overhaul and replaced all the major suspension components, it has only exacerbated the poor road conditions. On the whole though, when you find some smooth tarmac, it’s a real gem.
Great videography... love seeing the Boxster in the mud... makes the car real and not just beauty queen. Agree with your sentiment on driving my other cars versus my Cayman S. The Cayman is special to drive, especially on smooth open roads. The others cars endure the mundane errands more easily.
I live in South Africa - roads are atrocious - thats why I drive a G29 with M adaptive suspension. I set the sport mode with the suspension on comfort and everything else in sport setting to not shatter my spine or an alloy 😑 Absolutely breaks my heart not to be able to enjoy it fully due to the horrible negligence of our useless government not using our tax money to keep the life lines of the country in good condition. Love the channel and appreciate the content! Take care and God bless! Lots of love from sunny South Africa 🇿🇦
Agreed, I have a 996, similar suspension, and yes its absolutely battering to drive on the awful UK roads,. Replaced the springs and shocks and its a little better. Does put me off driving it too. I end up with a headache around town, its ok on sweeping A roads best .
i had the misfortune of buying a previously neglected boxster that ended up needing a transmission rebuilt 9 days into ownership... though i had to get rid of it, those 9 days were enough to make it my favourite car i’ve ever owned... really hope to get a new one once the used car market calms down
I think the Boxster has been around for 25 years now and even Porsche are granting it classic status. Not sure exactly what that means, I think they are re-manufacturing some parts and believe there might even be a bit of a discount. Hopefully they will soon do what all Porsches do eventually and start climb in value in recognition of the great cars they are. There are two ways you can go about buying one , spend, probably too much, as I did, assuming it is tiptop, or go cheap and accept you will probably have to spend a bit on sorting it out. In my case I did the former and will still end up having to refresh the front suspension and lots of other bits. If I was doing it again I would definitely shop around more and have whatever one you think you want inspected, even if you are buying from a self proclaimed specialist.
I've travelled the world and there are many third world countries with roads better than ours. Absolutely shameful. They can afford umpteen grillion quid for the HS2, which few will use, even if they can afford it. All frills and no knickers, as my gran used to say.
This is why you should keep the 760Li instead, much better suited to British roads. That and it is the subject of five of your top twelve most popular videos!
My 2003 Boxster S suffered IMS failure with 98,000 km on the clock. Not a problem if you only paid what you did. A second hand motor is GBP2,500 if you can find one, then GBP2,000 to get a proper IMS bearing and another GBP2,000 in labour. All that if you are really lucky. In other words, I don't agree with your mechanics assessment of if it ain't broke, don't fix it
Great video mate :-) I have a 987.1 S and feel exactly the same about driving round town and on rough roads. At times I feel like I want shot of it, but as I have four other cars, I use one of them. May take it out, roof down tomorrow as it's going to be a sunny day.
You shouldn't lower the roof below 8 degrees celsius, as apparently the plastic rear window can crack. I'm guessing if this was filmed in early January that it was below 8oC.
I love my Boxster S but unfortunately I am going to have to sell it due to unforeseen circumstances. It’s a fantastic car to drive & corners like it’s on rails. The other unfortunate thing is the Welsh government are going to reduce the speed limits. Soon it will be quicker to crawl on your hands and knees. 👍
14:24 having owned both I disagree the 911 996 is a different beast and the rear engine 2 wheel drive is the ultimate drivers car 💯 the 986 is incredible tho but I would be a liar to say I've not upgraded with a 996 and have more fun going round corners sideways its actually safer in a rear engine car imo! Nice review tho 👍
In the Netherlands u can only get one of these with extremely high mileage for 14k 10k if u lucky. Also maintenance and stuff make em a really bad purchase here sadly :(
Had mine now almost 10 years. Just can't part with it. Make no mistake, I like my wife but damn I love my little Boxster. Best vfm car on the planet. (value for money)
New subscriber to the channel. Love the content especially the Boxster and RR (Boxster an absolute steal at that price!! I’m very jealous 😉). Keep up the good work Joel, looking forward the next video. 👍
Jokes aside very true about the road quality it makes the experience a bit disappointed for a first time in any of there sports models I thought I had broken my 911 when I first got off the M25 to the a road's when I first bought her home o know some beautiful road's around South East of England that will be home for the boxter if your interested
Hi Joel, I have a 987 and feel exactly the same way about the suspension and british roads. I need a refresh as well and have been looking into the Koni Sport Active struts (fsd) with the H&R M030 springs as mine is just a little too high for my liking to try and soften the pot holes but keep the sporty feel. Maybe take a look online at what people have said as all the others will make things stiffer for track use. If I get them done before you I will let you know how I got on. I also had an LSD fitted and can highly recommend for proper feel and also to be a bit silly comming out of junctions at slow speeds when it’s a bit greasy/damp 😉
You should drive to Italy. :) I drove my E85 Z4 to Toscany, and man, I almost lost my kidneys on that roads... :( so UK have decent roads in comparison, for example to Italy. :) I was very disappointed that I couldn't drive it as much as I would like.
I'm kinda worried here :) If the reason you don't drive it is because you have an SUV, then you are simply not a sports car guy. There is nothing you can do in the Range Rover that the Porsche cannot do (except packing up the boot, but that was not your argument). You can drive open every day, unless it rains, or if it is below 5C. You are also not a convertible guy, either, therefore... it seems you only have the car for the channel.
I disagree, not every drive is all about getting from a to b as fast as possible, blasting around in a sports car is ace fun, but in reality, you don't always want to be cringing at every bump, fearful of whether that puddle is a small puddle or has a huge crater hidden within that could cost you a small fortune in wheel, tyre and suspension repairs. Rattling around in a nice supportive bucket seat can be tiring, when your stuck in traffic its all clutch in, clutch out, first gear, second gear, come to stop and repeat, why not sit in a nice big wingback of a car like a Rangerover where you don't feel bumps snd the car does all the manual bits for you.
YES, that makes total sense: Germany spends 25 MILLION Euros for ONE KM (not even a mile) of Autobahn! 25 MILLION. It will take a long time to find roads THAT GOOD anywhere else, unless you go to a professional race track, and even those are typically NOT THAT GOOD. I remember the WORST roads I had ever seen in a country was in Eastern Germany under Socialism. Cobblestone and potholes from half a century ago. Their catastrophic "Trabant" car was more a "pothole detector" than a car. Thank you for your great report.
I planning a boxster for my next car I'm thinking of a 987 2.7 as seems to be the balance between performance and reliability hopefully I'm on the right track thinking this way
Cool video and cool car. More content with the Porsche please. Whats that being subliminally sold to us for a single frame at 7mins 26 secs though?! :)
