2001 Porsche Boxster! Detailed Review Of My Car!
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- čas přidán 5. 10. 2022
- Now that we have got this car to a respectable condition and a car that anyone would be proud to own (through my own hard work and that of various professionals that repaired the damage that I caused), it is time to tell you what a good Porsche Boxster 986 is actually like!
In this video then, let me show you what a Porsche Boxster 986 is like on my journey to meet my Porsche friends at one of America’s best driving roads, The Tail Of The Dragon on the North Carolina / Tennessee border!
I will take you on a detailed tour of this beautiful 2001 Porsche Boxster 986 across a 1,000 mile journey! I’ll show you what you get and what it’s like to drive. I’ll give you ownership impressions including things like space and if it’s big enough. Plus, of course, the drive through some of the country’s BEST driving roads. Spoiler: holy cow, it’s good!
By the end, you’ll have a balanced view of the Porsche Boxster 986 and know if it might be right for you!
All written, researched and edited by me. You can download all my Porsche model guides at www.jayreadyoutube.com so go and take a look there, OK?
Why not follow me on Instagram too? I am a CAR guy first and I get around so take a look at the reels and pictures that I take because you might like them! Also you get news on my own Porsche, my MG and other life events there before CZcams! Look for jayreadyoutube on Insta now!
#porsche #boxster #986 - Auta a dopravní prostředky
My daily driver? A 2004 Porsche Boxster S 6-speed manual, midnight blue, 88K miles. Every time I look at it I can't help but smile. :) Bought it just over a month ago. I look forward to any time I need to go anywhere. :) :) :) :) :)
NICE! 👍
The day I bought my 911 Cabriolet. My bald head and ears were seriously sunburned.. But, I didn't care. I had to much fun driving it all day with the Sun beating down on me..
Well said. I've got a 2002 2.7, and I'd say that it's 90% of the experience of a 911 for half the price. Both have a rearward weight bias, but the Boxster is less-so than the 911. Both can go very fast (~155 mph in the Boxster 2.7 ), but the Boxster less so than the 911. What I like is how linear the Boxster is. It feels much the same at 80, or 90 mph as at 30. Absolutely no drama. The 2.7 can potter around town in top gear at 27 mph (very quietly), or wind out to almost 55 mph in 1st gear (fairly noisy, even with the stock exhaust). The car is completely unflustered. I do like when it comes on cam at 3000 RPM, and again at 4500 RPM and the engine begins to sing. Sure the 3.2 Boxster S is faster, but it also comes with some nannies which were merely optional on the base model. So if you want to know that you saved the rear end when it stepped out rather than the car saving you -- get the base model.
Jay can’t say enough of how much I agree with this delightful assessment of (“our” car,mine being a 2000). Finally had a great road trip in mid September doing a 400 mile round trip with emails all the miles. Looking forward to your suspension upgrade videos as I’m in about the same spot.
Thanks Paul!
Cool video showing the car, thank you!
I have been planning on buying one as my first car and every video I watch about them just makes me want one more!
I have over 2 years ownership of a 2002 986 boxster 5 speed (w hard top!) and Ive driven mine almost every single day of those years. They are great cars and built like tanks
Nice work Jay.you make a great point about about the futility of comparing the 911 and Boxster. In the off-spreadsheet real world it all gets down to how much enjoyment you get behind the wheel, no matter which model you're in. And that's what Porsche sports cars are all about.
Thanks Stephen!
Enjoyed you video. You left one sports car off of your comments I have a Honda S2000 I have had it for a little over 10 years with 33000 miles on it. It really puts smiles on my face. Plus it has the sound when the vtec kicks in and spins up to 8000 RPM.
I thought you already made it to your destination. Perhaps I have entered a wormhole? LOL Great video Jay! Always an enjoyment.
Great video. I've had my '02 Boxster just over a year now. With plenty of sweat equity in on updating the ims, top, struts... it's a joy to drive.
Sweat equity! I feel that!
Great video! Thanks for documenting your trip and your impressions. Cheers!
Thanks Clay!
Just picked up a 2002 986 and loving it!
Congratulations! Very cool indeed!
Hey Jad, amazing video! With a good laugh in the end. Beautifully done. I just can agree to all of your opinions - the Boxster is a real good car. I've a silver one from 1999.
Take care and greets from Austria :)
Thanks!
What a fun video! Living in Charlotte, NC, watching one of my favorite cars, a Boxster, on a famous road close to home was great. Makes me want to drive there next weekend!
Haha! Me too actually!
Love the coverage you are giving Boxster. Would love to see you do a back to back with the Boxster S.
I think I’d like the S. Bit more power would be nice.
Firstly great video
My 2004 Boxster S zips up to 70 in second . 110 in third and I’ve only had 127 in fourth but that wasn’t max
Top speed 165
I was recently on a dual carriageway and a 2002 carrera 4 took off in front of me from the roundabout
He was already moving and I was rolling in second
I was easily able to follow just behind and could have overtaken it but didn’t
At 127 we reached the next roundabout and went separate ways after big smiles and a wave
Obviously not 🏴 but Mexico 😂
So a bit more power and weight negated the difference I’d say on these two cars and after 5 years in love with mine a 911 remains my fave car ever since as a lad I saw a 74 2.7 RS
Handling - never found the limit of adhesion on Michelin PS and never needed more power / grip/ handling or fun
Nice video balance Jay between the spreadsheet practical and the smiles per mile.
Thanks!
Boxster owners of the World Unite!! Nice review of the underdog Boxster. I still have mine after more than a decade. It is the perfect backroad carving car for Fairfield and Westchester counties. Not so much power that you never get to wring it out. I’ve dabbled with trading for a 911 many times but always find the Boxster preferable for open top, back road twisties. The 911 seems like a better, more comfortable highway car. As you said, a bit more GT. (It does really matter what you primary driving roads are like which car works for you.) Besides, the 911 cabriolet is just awkward looking. Storage space is extravagant for a small car. My wife loves driving this car, too. It has to be one of the easiest sports car in the world to live with. ( I should add that I have a 987.1 and with 280 hip it has some decent pep.)
My favorite cars were those you had to drive and work every advantage your car had. To be perfectly honest they didn’t have many or sometimes any advantages at all but thats why they were fun.
Really enjoyed this video, thanks for the information. Going to view a 986.2 Boxster 2.7 in the next few days and will go prepared with the info from this video. Hoping to pull the trigger and buy it and add it to my garage alongside the 992 GTS. I want to use the Boxster for my daily and doing the school run with my daughter and some drop top motoring in the summer, when we get some sun in the UK that is! 😂
I’m really happy to hear you enjoyed it! That would be a great combo 992 and 986. I think the early Boxsters are criminally undervalued. Long may it remain so! Happy New Year!
2:44 as a 17 year old I obviously went for the Boxster 986. I first owned a Cooper S r53 completely different car and it feels completely different too but my Boxster has been going strong so far.
Nice!
Great entertaining video, I live within 30 minutes of the beginning of the Dragon but have not taken my 1999 base Boxster there yet. I bought it dirt cheap and have spent several years overcoming previous owners neglect, last year completely overhauling the entire suspension. I used Bilstein B6 struts. You won't be sorry, it's a fun capable car. My best friend has a 2001 Corvette convertible with twice the power of my car but he can't keep me out of his rear view mirror on any trips we've taken.
Sooo true! I was keeping up with 911s easily. It was only on the straights that their power allowed them to pull away! Great post! Thanks!
I have the Boxster 2.7 great little car, looks great with hardtop fitted for winter.
Nice! Does the hardtop make a difference?
Fantastic video Jay, love the longer format video. Every point made was spot on from exhaust being a tad too quiet to the balance and yes being slightly underpowered. That said the smiles per dollar spent is on it are impossible to beat. Can’t wait for your next video!
Thanks so much, Colin!
Always fun to do the ‘then and now’ photo comparisons from the time you first bought it to present day. I seem to recall it was a little rough shall we say 😂😂
It was worse than that! Haha! Always had the foundations though!
Great video Jay. Don't forget the factor 50 for the noggin the next time you head south!
Thanks and nah, MAHOGANY.
Mines 26 years old. Dec '96 UK...... Carry on.
Another great video.
Thanks Brandon!
The trick to getting the most out of the Dragon is to show up on a Tuesday morning right as the sun is coming up and you can have as much fun as you’d like. Another trick that’s worked great for me at the Dragon as well as virtually any fun road in the entire region is if I’m stuck behind traffic and they aren’t interested in letting me past them, I’ll just come to a stop at the end of a straight-ish section and accelerate again after some time has passed or I see another vehicle coming up behind me (use your best judgement based on how fast your car can get back up to speed from a stop to not impede traffic or be a safety hazard); often with these southeastern Appalachia roads you can see pretty far back as you can look left or right out of the car to where you came from due to so many very tight curves.
Just a really enjoyable video about a great car. I have a 987 base and I think you captured the essence of the experience perfectly. I also own a 981 Spyder and while it’s 10x the car my 2.7 base 987 is, the 987 is actually far more enjoyable on a regular road at 6/10th. Your friend in the 991 was probably a bit frustrated he couldn’t push harder but you were perfectly happy at your safe speed. It’s why I love these things.
Thank you very much! I agree!
Very interesting video! I own a 02 996 Coupe and a 00 986 S. I really enjoy both cars... I know what you're talking about with the 911. Mine feels a little bit more like a race car a little more planted and faster. My 986 S has had the suspension done.. really good tires ...a strut Tower brace and the handling is ridiculous. I live in North Georgia so I spend a lot of time in the mountains. I would say I'm very blessed to have both cars. For the difference in what I've got in the 911 and the 986... the 986 hands down is the better value. Love your buddies 991 exhaust by the way.
You might have the best solution: have both! ❤️
I did 9000 miles in mine an 02 3.2s without a problem 26mpg average in uk 🇬🇧. Tyres exhaust Battery and ignition switch.thats all really practical too had 8 bags of sand and cement in it no problem.cheap to insure too 142 quid a yr
Nice! As useful as a pick up truck!
I have a 3.2 Boxster S. I'm 6.3. I fit in easily. A four hour non stop drive is manageable. I've had it five tears and I have done a LOT of miles in it. It has run like clockwork the whole time.
And - I have a 1998 996.1. My feeling is that the 3.2 S is probably faster [sportier] than the 911. Not sure yet because I'm still feeling my way around the 911. I drive them on alternative days. My verdict is definitely get the 3.2.
Love the green color. I used to own a 2001 Boxster in Orient Red Metallic with 5 speed manual. Sold it to a gentleman in Savannah, GA. He got a very nice example with new IMS, clutch, and tires with 54,000 miles. Hope it still is in good hands.
how much $ did you sell it for? Im in the market for one right now. Also live in Savannah Ga haha
@@LevelCapGamingFan I paid $17,000 for it in 2011 and sold it in 2017 for $13,000. I also paid $3,000 for new IMS and clutch before selling it. I had it priced for $14,000, but the highest offer was $13,000 which I accepted.
Grate video and interesting observations on the Boxster compared to the 911. I have a 2.5 which I find perfectly satisfactory for the UK roads.
At the end of the day it's a Porsche and I love it. As a mater of interest how does the Boxster compare to you MG?
Chalk and cheese. The Porsche has been designed from the ground up as a new car and is a much better product objectively. Handles better, engineered better. The MG has soul though. Wood, leather, V8 character. Significantly nicer than the Porsche but not a car you’d daily because it would piss you off.
It's the 50's club isn't it .... outstanding. Really well produced video and the cameras seemed so well placed and it was all extremely enjoyable. I would like you to drive a 986 S to give a comparison between that and your 2.7 ..... it would be genuinely interesting to hear your views.
Thank you, Matt. A bit more power probably would make it perfect.
@@JAYREAD based on the uk speed limits these have more than you actually need, I think unless your belting it around a race track it’s more than enough.
I am with you, Jay. I also see a lovely 6 cylinder sportscar. But that is just the point: you are either ‘in’ the Porsche brand or you are not. That special Porsche feeling simply can not be explained; you have it or not. And that also relates to the earlier mentioned spreadsheet.
Yup!
I drive my '99 911 Carrera on the Little Tail of the Dragon in N. GA.. Can't wait to get up to the Big Tail of the Dragon. When I get my health back.. I'll be up there !!I'm 71 now.. Plenty of time left..
Come with us next time, Tom!
Very nice. I think my biggest gripes about the 986 987 is the slow steering and that big steering wheel. Even though, it is a hydraulic type, I feel like I'm moving it around like a economy car and it detracts from the fun. The 914-6 is a very analog Porsche version of the Boxter.
I’d love to try a 914-6. One day!
I drive a Z4 and look forward to the day I can go back to a Boxster
That’s interesting. I always thought the Z4 looked like a nice car. Don’t you like it?
Ive been driving a 2002 S with 100k miles for 2 years as a daily driver. Perfect compliment to my Wife’s Lexus 😂
Very nice!
Fun fact - the 986 Boxster and 996 911 share many of the same engine parts. The two cars are very much sisters. If you want a bigger car, 911. If you want a slightly smaller, more balanced car, Cayman/Boxster.
Yup. M96 engine. Much better in the 911 though.
@@JAYREAD The 986S closes the gap somewhat, but the 911 is still more powerful. The 986 is such a wonderful drivers car though that is more affordable (at least to buy, maintenance is about the same). Like you, I am lucky to have had both, and I really cannot pick one as my favorite. I love both and wish I still had my Boxster to share the garage with my 996.
Let me know when you want to tackle a C4 suspension. Lord knows my car needs it. May make for another good video 😀
Great episode! Too bad you talk funny. Jk. I have a 2000 Boxster S and I fall in love with it all over again every time I’m behind the wheel.
I do talk a bit funny actually! Lol!
Watch out for those potholes lol Merritt parkway just brutal stuff!..looking at getting one myself.
Ha! I will!
I love the vibes in the video, and the 986 color is great. I was thinking of getting one but I’m 6 “ 2. I had no problem fitting in my old 944…
Thank you! You should try one. Then you’d know. You’ll regret it if you don’t.
@@JAYREAD I will set a goal to get one!
I am 6'2" and I had the pleasure of driving one. My knees would touch the steering wheel so I had to spread my legs and approach clutch from a angled position (which means it's not a car for me :( ) Definitely try out, because the car is super fun to drive and if it fits you, that's awesome
My 2004 Boxster (2.7L) now has 150,400 miles. I bought it from Penske Porsche as a CPO with 25K on the clock. My 3rd and most reliable Porsche.
COOL!
Enjoyed that Jay. Not sure I'd agree not enough room for an over six footer, I drive mine happily and I'm 6'3, but it is cosy!!
Yes…cosy! Lol!
The thing is that there is just a little more room in a 911, lack of bulkhead gives just enough room although I was comfortable enough in a 986. I’m 6’4” and I have to say having an extra inch or two getting out is also easier with a 911. I’ve found myself making less than graceful exits from my Boxster! 😂
@@eddherring4972 Absolutely agree: have had a 996 before and they are more spacious, but the 986 is still ok, just a little cosy. Agreed on the exits, with the roof up in a tight space, can be amusing!
Agree that the exhaust is too quiet in stock form. Have you looked into the Pedro mod/fister exhaust muffler bypass mod? I had it recently done and it’s much better but still not too loud like an aftermarket unit.
Yes, I think that would be an excellent way forward.
Well done, Jay! Looks like you repaired your door card - I missed that video. Just curious, did you happen to keep track of your mpg's? Wondering how that 2.7 compares to the 911 as far as mileage goes.
I did! 27mpg!
@@JAYREAD Not bad for hard driving.👍👍
@@JAYREAD absolutely standard
Nice reporting about the car, i’m considering buying one myself..
Great cars although make sure that you are not too tall!
Oh, and while I’m guessing you may not read these comments after so long, should you had back this direction again consider jumping onto the Blue Ridge Parkway as far north as you can, at least as far north as Virginia. Cruising that road in a Boxster would be an absolute dream. Then if you have enough time I can’t recommend the Cherohala Skyway enough.
Thanks! I’ve done the Cherohala Skyway a couple of times and completely agree with you. I will try the BR Parkway. Thanks!
Gday Jay! Your comments on the room for tall drivers was interesting. I'm just under 5'11" and with my std seat in my driving position (987 though of course) I still have at least a couple of inches to move back. I wonder if the 987 has more cabin space than the 986? We should have swapped cars for a little bit last Friday!
Interesting! We should have done that actually!
It does. In fact some people put 987 seats in a 986 to give them more room. I am 6.1 and find it ok.
@@purple-porker I hadn't realized that, thanks
@@purple-porker I hadn't realized that, thanks
it's the exact same interior as the 996 911, except for those 2 gauges. The Boxster offers insane value, especially when compared to the 911, a car with which it shares so many components. I take your point about comparison but I think comparison with the 996 is especially valid in this case.
Fair point!
@@JAYREAD Thank you for the video!
@@kriskalpa really glad you enjoyed it!
Yep, I'm 6'3 and too big for a Boxster, I love my 911.. Plenty of leg room for me..
You can only go somewhat near the speed limit nowadays so power is overvalued upto a point..
True that!
Slow-car-fast is so much more fun!
Im surprised you didn’t service the transmission. And coolant flush.
Next time!
Hi Jay. Why did you sell your 996? From my point of view keeping the 996 an buying a Boxster in addition would have been a better option.
I have two kids in college and I’d told all the stories I could with the 996 without modifying it ridiculously.
So if you buy one like I did in 2015 a 2001 S ...be prepared to spend $$$...my first Porsche I bought in 1973 a 1973 914 which was Porsche's first mid engine production car...that was my first love and my first car...and the rest is history
TOO LATE! $$$ have already been spent! Not to mention blood, sweat and learning new Anglo Saxon swear words!
is your central locking doing fine?
It is!
I’m still scratching my head as to why you went from a 996 to a boxster?
Usually it’s the other way round
I have two kids in college! I also ran out of things to say or do about a perfect 996. Hope this helps!
Be sure to turn that traction control OFF.. Enjoy the curves..
Jay, should be can you live without a boxster
Really ẹnjoy your videos but just wish you had a 911 which was why I initially subscribed to your channel. The Boxster is a "cute" car but just not my cup of tea. Hope your next car will be a different variants of a 911.
Wow! OK. Let’s see. Stay tuned!
If you haven't driven a Boxster, you just cannot understand it. There is a stigma attached to the car that is undeserving. The car is a proper, true sports car that out handles a 911 and just about anything on the road, past and present. If they had an event and the Tail was a closed course, that little "cute" car would not only hang with those big dogs but may have beat many of them. I had a 986S and I have a 996 now, and the 986 is every bit as good of a car as the 911 and in many aspects even better. They are an incredible value and truly the better drivers car.
mine blew up 2 weeks ago, oil pump went at 140k miles
BUGGER! What are you going to do?
@@JAYREAD breaking it, was told by porsche my boxster has a rare OEM aero kit, gonna part it all out and buy a 987 cayman. Was a dream owning a boxster at 18 anyway so was good but short lived
@@OfficialYeat Ah! I’m really sorry to hear that!
Actually, Tail of the Dragon is more for motorcycles than cars. Too many low speed 2-3-2 shifts. The real deal is all the roads leading and going to it. They are fantastic.
Did the entire run in 2nd this time!
Sunscreen! It’s no joke. Fellow redhead.
You’re telling me! Hahaha!
I’ve owned an 01 986 Boxster and then now a 07 997 Carrera S Cab. The Boxster was fun for sure but felt really underpowered which led me to getting the 911 which I like a lot more than the Boxster due to the extra space and comfort but also performance. The Boxster was balanced but still had a lot of body roll on turns whereas the 911 with sport chrono on, corners flat. It feels more of a sports car to me than the Boxster and not a GT but I think the newer Boxster and Caymans with the more powerful “911” engines are now proper sports cars. The older 986s just don’t have enough oomph IMO but like you said, can be fun if you just cruise around with the top down and enjoy the scenery.
The 986 does 0 to 60 in 5.5 seconds. How much more speed do you need? The local roads are 20mph and the highway is 65mph.
@@bigmacdaddy1234 Porsche published the base 2001 986 Boxster with the 2.7L 217hp engine at 6.4 sec 0-60. I have more than 100hp more with my 997 and to me the 986 feels really slow. Besides that, the interior of the Boxster is very cramped for anyone 6ft tall or above.
I agree!
Sunscreen is your friend
It would have been, yes!
I Own a Fiat Barchetta 1995
Er, the 911 and Boxster aren't just comparable, they are largely the same car. They are rear and mid-rear versions of the same car on a shared platform. It's crazy to say the 911 is bigger. The front 2/3 of the cars have exactly the same footprint and it's actually the Boxster that has the longer wheelbase. Of course they are differences, just as there are differences between a four-door 4WD BMW 3 Series and a two-door RWD version. As for performance, well, yes, a base Boxster is pretty slow and a 3.2 is about half way between the base and a 911.
Er I think you may have misunderstood somewhere here!
@@JAYREAD Yeah, I was thinking you misunderstood something, too!
@lairdinho You were wrong!
@@JAYREAD Er, about what? The 986 and 996 are on the same platform. Front 2/3 of the cars are the same. It's a modular platform with a rear module for mid-rear or rear installation. Same with 987 and 997 and then 981 and 991. With the later cars, they put a bit more effort / investment into distancing the cars with bespoke exterior panels. But on the 986.1 and 996.1 the budget was limited, so the entire forward stucture was shared and also the exterior panels. The doors, front wings, bonnet, the lot, all shared. Interior shared, too. Door cards, dash, the lot. Front axle shared, too, of course. And of course the engiens are all different displacement variants of the same engine across Boxster and regular 911 Carrera. But the marketing works and people think they're completely different cars.
@lairdinho why do you start sentences with ‘er’? Makes you sound very unsure of yourself! Have you driven or owned both of these cars?
“Kinda rubbish really” 😂🤣😂😉 👍
😂😂🙌🙌
🫵🔋💪🚀🏰💎👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🏎🤌👌🎯🧘♂️🙏
Sorry Jay. You lost me at "i've owned the car for a year and driven it 1k." A mid engine Porsche roadster, 1k?
When he got the car it needed work. He still had the 911, has his MG as well. It took time to go through and sort the car. When I saw it in person, it was not the car you see in this video. He put work into it to get it to where it can be properly driven. He then sold his 911 as well which got him into the seat of this car more.
See below.
I don't like them now just as when they were new
How nice of you to tell me. Thanks! 👍
I’m thinking about buying a 2001 Porsche Boxster with 81K miles on it and it’s in great condition with no accidents reports nor problems for $8,249. Though my friends are trying to convince me otherwise but i really love the car. Can someone give me an outsider’s opinion please. It would be very much appreciated.
Why are your friends trying to persuade you not to do it? This seems like a very competitively priced car and I guarantee you’ll have mountains of fun in it! I did in mine!
The main reason they’re trying to convince me to not buy it because they’ve heard all sorts of stuff about maintenance, issues and other stuff that happens with it. But I have a neighbor who owns and had his for 8 years and treated it well and has said he’s never truly had any major issues with the car. They also say that the interior design looks bland and cheap compared to newer cars. Truthfully I’d have to disagree with them on that though because I think it looks nice and simple and doesn’t have too much going on. I also love the exterior design of it, to me it looks elegant.
@hentaihaven7464 Ignore them and ploughing your own furrow. You’ll have a ball.
But I should also mention that they said I was too young to be wanting an “old /poor man’s Porsche” but I see it more as I’m 20 and can enjoy a simple lovely drive in this car and get true enjoyment from it. And like I’ve told them before a Porsche is a Porsche and I’m not complaining.
@hentaihaven7464 I have NO time for the ‘old/poor man’s Porsche’ at all! Totally ignore them!