986 or 987?
Most of the aspects of buying the pre-owned 2005-2008 987 model Boxster are the same as buying the earlier 1997-2004 986 Model.
Certainly look at the Model Year Differences web page to see the list of improvements that Porsche made. In my opinion, the cabin interior and the additional space for the driver/passenger are significant for some of us. And the design differences are obvious. Most of the other differences are minor in nature.
So would I want a 987 or a 986? This multiple 986 owner would prefer the 987. Which is not to say the 986 isn't a wonderful car, thoroughly enjoyable, as much fun and can be had for bargain prices in 2009 as this is written. It is just that the improvements Porsche included in 2005 add up to a better car and those prices have also dropped to where the difference in cost between a 2004 986 and a 2005 987 are surprisingly small. As the 2010 Boxsters are sold to trade-in customers in mid-2009, many 987s will become available with CPOs (Porsche factory extended warranty) that run the factory warranty out to 6 years from in-service-date.
What is bad about the 987? Well the same engine design flaws that the 986 had are generally still there. They affect a small number of cars but, when they do, the cost of repairs can be 80% or more of the worth of the car. The 987 comes with no tire changing equipment and no spare. It does come with an air pump and some tire puncture sealant in a can. The 986 comes with both (though if you have a rear flat, you have to move the front tire to the rear and the donut-spare to the front. And you'll have a heck of a time transporting that rear tire as it doesn't fit in either trunk. Carry a big trash bag and use it to cover the front seat. Sorry passenger!)
Drive them both as close to back to back as you can over the same route. Then you make the call.
As always, buy a good one, don't fall in love with the first one you drive, pay what you should for it, get a PPI done and a warranty isn't a totally bad idea.
Index of Mike Focke's Porsche Boxster Web Pages
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