So years ago I had a 2.5L 986 and loved it. It was my first Porsche. I bought it with 25k miles and sold it years later at 90k, so I had plenty of seat time in it. I ultimately sold it seeking a higher power car and found a highly optioned but highly used 993. I’ve had that for now 5 years, and it has proved to be a much larger money pit than I expected. If you thought parts of Boxsters were expensive...
Anyhow, I’m selling the 993 and looking to get back into a 986 (this time an “S”). I love the classic/timeless look of the 986, so I’m keeping my focus on the 986 line. I’ve got about $20k to work with here too. After some searching I’ve come up two intriguing options:
1) A local, pristine 2004 550 SE with grey/black interior (my preference over cocoa). Low miles, needs nothing. Sweet example of the factory’s apex of the 986 design.
2) A cross country earlier gen Boxster S (silver over red, my favorite combo) with a 997.1 3.8 x51 motor transplanted into it, done right. $40k spent on the transplant. Fully documented, including 10 years of passing CA SMOG (which I’d have to do). +60 hp minimum at the wheels could be more with additional intake/exhaust/tuning work.
Pros of 1): height of factory 986 design, highly optioned, likely to hold value/appreciate (if 986s ever do), unique color combo
Cons of 1): not much room to tinker/modify/customize, likely more afraid to use it as it’s a collectors model, late gen 986s are more prone to IMS failure
Pros of 2): engine rated up to 370 hp in 997 chassis by factory, no hesitations about using the car or further modifying it to taste, my fav color combo, IMS is less prone to fail than 986.2 (but still a risk)
Cons of 2): cross county, likely will be hard to sell, probably won’t hold its value like the SE550 would, upkeep will be more complex with a hybrid of 986 and 9X7 components
Both examples are similarly priced, with similar mileage and similar condition.
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So stock collectors car or modified unicorn? Either way I plan to drive the car (canyon carving and road trips), attend PCA events, and show the car (wash and shine, no concourses).
Thoughts?