So need some advice, looking to buy my first Porsche. I was set to purchase a 987 but after looking at the 981's and driving a few Im really loving the car. There are 2- cars Im debating over, one is local in Aqua Blue with Bose, Infotainment, Convenience pkg and 20" Carrera's in Platinum that is at the top of my budget. The other is a lesser optioned black car out of state. My frugal / practical side keeps telling me to stick with a 987 and then pick up a used 981 S in 2 years and the local dealer has a very nice 08 with moderate miles but is CPO'd with 2 more years of warranty. The thing is Id basically pay cash for the 987 but have to finance for a couple of years on the 981. Plus Ive not had a car pmt in about 2 years, so thats another part of the issue. This would be a 4th car for us, I was thinking of trading in my DD towards the Boxster but I really like my BMW and its been a great car.

So please tell me why i should get the 987? Or should I just go for it with the 981?

 

Buy the 987...It has a more established aftermarket and parts base. You wont have to keep running to the dealer everytime you need a new replacement part, Autozone has most of my parts in stock with my 986 and the 987 is not really much different. The 981s are too big, they look as big as a 997 Carrera and they have too many distractions (the center console looks like a freaking shuttlecraft). I'm sure they are superior in every way to the 987, but a lot can be said for simplicity.

 

I'll confuse you - go with the 981. A 987 is a great car; I just sold a 2008 987S and bought a new 981S. Financially, the 987 is probably a better deal - it has already taken a pretty big depreciation hit - and with the 2 years of CPO, you won't have to worry about much - even the dreaded IMS (which is really not that big a problem in the later 987s (after 2006). Parts will not be issue for at least 2 years for the 987 and 4 years if you buy a 981. OTOH, the 981 IS better in almost every way. It really isn't bigger - although I will concede it looks bigger. It is about 0.2 inches longer, the same width and a little lower - and a few pounds lighter. If you can afford it, go with your heart.

 

I would pay cash for the 987, but I am more conservative than most (I admit, but how conservative are we if we have these cars!). Car payments blow and depreciation blows worse. Get the older one with CPO and feel good about minimizing both of the crap factors! If money is no issue, then go with the new one. The 981 is better, there is no doubt and I have to say IMO it is the best looking car Porsche has ever built.

Either way - good problems to have.

 

Have you driven them back to back? Once I drove the 981, I doubt I'd be happy with a 987.

OTOH, as a 4th car, it's a luxury. And I personally would not take on a payment for the luxury of a 4th car.

I guess that didn't help.

 

Get the one you can pay cash for.

 

If its a 4th car would a spyder work for you?

 

Well I guess technically it would be a 3rd, not 4th car, as I was counting my wifes car. I have my DD 3 series and another very unrefined but much more powerful toy already. I sort of drove the 981 and 987 back to back, I say soft of because the dealer only had a 981 S at the time and thats not a fair comparison to a base 987. Even a 987 S is a different animal than a base 987. I believe its good advice to not take a payment for a toy, especially since I have no other car payments other than my wifes lease but being a newb to Porsche I really like the 981 because it feels so much more modern. I know to some that is not a positive because this is the first of a new generation of Porsche's but to an outsider its an incredible, modern sports car.

I would like to attend a few tracks days though, how "safe" is that in the 987 given the IMS and oiling issues if the car was in stock configuration (street tires, stock suspension, etc)?

Decisions, decisions. Its a tough call but as problems go its a great one to be fortunate enough to have.

 

Tracking a 987 in stock configuration shouldn't be a problem. The issues with oil comes from using extreme tires that causes enough g-forces to jeopardize the oil supply. Not a problem with a stock car.
The much debated IMS has nothing to do with track use. Depending on who you ask, the "IMS problem" is everything from an internet urban legend to a serious Porsche design flaw. Probably somewhere in between, but nothing I heard indicates that it occurs more often due to track use.

As for 987 vs. 981... Use your gut feeling.
I went from a 987 to a 981, I would definately not trade back. The 981 is a more evolved car, in every aspect. For someone new to Porsche, it must be even more so, since you don't have to carry the burden of "old Porsche heritage" when comparing, whether that is relevant or not in a comparison!

Buying a sports car is never a rational decision. It's about your own gut feeling. If your smile is wider when leaving one of the alternatives after a test drive, that's the better car for you. It's as easy as that.

 

The correct answer is buy the one you like better ...

 

Don't want to restart the IMS debate, but the IMS is really not an issue in the later 987 models (2006+). Of course there is no IMS in the 2009+ direct injection models. Porsche changed the IMS bearing for the second time starting with the later 2005 models and I have not heard of any significant IMS problem on those later models. In other words, this should not be an issue for you.

 

The 987 does just fine...

 

Use the CPO locator on porscheusa.com. Find the 2009-2012 Boxster/S that stirs your soul!

 

LOL, after that advice, I was confused!!





These two guys hit it on the head. This "extra" or third car you're buying is a luxury, not a necessity. If you can afford to stand the payments, then buy the one you will enjoy more because if you don't, you'll regret it later.

My 981 is my first Porsche and I have to tell you that I'm absolutely thrilled with the way it drives and is setup. The car drives like a dream and every day I drive it, I realize that Porsche really understands this driving thing.

Good luck in your decision, let us know what you do.


Mark

 

I have a 986 which is not quick but still lots of fun to drive and recently drove the 981. It was fun but not as elemental, felt more grown up, less direct. In the end, the car you select should be something that moves you (no pun intended).