Confessions of an OEM Purist

By now you probably know that I'm an OEM or OEM-plus kind of guy. Give me a clean factory car with maybe a tasteful wheel upgrade, and I'm happy.

But lately, some of you have been sharing your builds on Reddit (this and this come to mind), and I'll admit that you're wearing me down. There's something genuinely appealing about taking your affordable Porsche and making it completely yours, a 1-of-1 special.

There’s no one right way to enjoy this hobby; don't let anyone tell you otherwise. We're all here because we love these cars, whether we keep them bone stock or build a pepita-upholstered rocket ship.

Carbon fiber bits will forever remain banned, though.

Anyway, this week in the newsletter:

• A 2002 Boxster S priced like a base model

• A 2007 Cayman S that lived its best track life

• A 2008 997 Carrera S Cab that's a gateway to 911 ownership

Ready? Let’s find your next dream car!

—RF

S model priced as a base (whoops!) [5K-10K range] [SOLD]

2002 986 Boxster S | Tiptronic | Ravena, NY

This Boxster S was gone between the time I started work on this week's newsletter and the final draft. The seller had priced it like a base 986, so no wonder it didn't last!

I've been looking for the cheapest decent Boxster out there, but most cars under $10K are either tired or very tired. But this one had me excited: nice color, good condition, and the shot of all the maintenance manuals in the trunk got me genuinely giddy.

I do think that regardless of how nice an under-$10K Boxster may be, you should always budget an additional $5K for surprises and repairs. This was the car to do all those things!

🔗 Gone but not forgotten (link)

🔗 Screenshot in case ad is removed (link)

Market Report

This S was priced like a base model, about $3K-5K under typical S market values.

Even with the Tiptronic transmission (which typically trades at a 10-15% discount to manuals), comparable S models are asking $12K-15K or more. The seller either didn't know what they had or was motivated to move it quickly.

What You (and Your Mechanic) Should Know

• Bore scoring is actually less of a concern on 986 S models (I know, it’s confusing). The 3.2-liter engine uses cast pistons with more durable iron coating, unlike the problematic forged pistons that came in 2007+ S models. This puts this '02 S in a sweet spot: you get the extra power without the cylinder worries that plague later S cars.

• The IMS bearing failure is the big boogieman of M96 issues and can result in catastrophic engine damage. Budget $2,000–$3,000 for an eventual retrofit if it hasn't been done by the previous owner.

• The convertible top can fail or become slow, especially if the car is not used regularly, but the ad specifically mentioned the top working without issue.

This S model is earning its stripes [15K-20K range]

2007 987.1 Cayman S | 6-Speed Manual | Staten Island, NY

I normally wouldn't consider a car so far from stock, but I kept coming back to this ad. The enthusiast who owns this car clearly treasures it and sounds like they know this Cayman in and out. The occasional track days might be a deal breaker for some, but look at it this way: this car was used to its fullest. Isn't that what you want from a dream car?

What makes me like this seller even more is they priced it correctly. They aren't asking above market average because of the mods. Instead, they're offering an extremely affordable S model that, even well used, they kept in top shape—even changing the headliner and keeping the interior mint.

The play: pay for a PPI to check for bore scoring, see if you can nudge the price down a few hundred, then take it home and enjoy the heck out of it. In a couple years, reassess your choices (you may be surprised to find nothing wrong with them).

🔗 Ready for round two (link)

Market Report

After weeks researching 987.1 base and S models, I feel S models trade for slightly less because of widespread bore scoring fears (the S model's larger 3.4-liter engine is indeed more susceptible.)

Aftermarket parts generally decrease resale value and narrow the buyer pool. But this seller gets it, pricing the car to account for the mods rather than trying to recoup their investment.

What You (and Your Mechanic) Should Know

• The real concern is bore scoring. A pre-purchase inspection is essential.

• IMS bearing is less of an issue since 987.1 Caymans use the larger, more robust bearing design with very few reported failures.

• Past track use means you should pay extra attention to cooling system, brake components, and overall drivetrain condition during any inspection.

Is this your first 911? [30K-35K range]

2008 997 Carrera S Cab | 6-Speed Manual | SF Bay Area, CA

That color combination with the 19" Sport Design wheels is absolutely gorgeous. When I die, bury me in one of these.

And the price is right. Well-optioned coupe 997.1 Carrera S models typically ask $40K+, so if you're dreaming of owning a modern 911 for the low thirties, this convertible could be your way in.

Yes, the ad is basically a copy-paste specs list with zero personality or maintenance history. But at this price point, and for a loaded Carrera S with clean title and under 70K miles, you may have to overlook the low-effort ad and focus on the stunning car.

Do a thorough PPI (a must with any 997) and hopefully reap the rewards.

🔗 The gateway to 911 ownership (link)

🔗 Screenshot in case the Craigslist link doesn’t work (link)

Market Report

Two seemingly equal 997s can vary wildly in price depending on options and other factors.

In general, a coupe 997 Carrera S will start around $42K-43K. That's why a convertible is such a great entry point into 911 ownership. You can find S Cabs in the mid-to-high thirties, and this one is priced even lower than that. A similar example sold at auction earlier this year for $35,750, putting our Sand Beige right in the sweet spot for current market values.

What You (and Your Mechanic) Should Know

• All 997s should be checked for bore scoring because their 3.8 engines are prone to it, and a pre-purchase inspection is essential.

• The IMS bearing is less of an issue since 2006 models, and it’s said that cars over 90,000 miles that haven't failed are mostly in the clear. 

• Convertible tops have hydraulic systems with multiple position switches that can cause intermittent operation issues. Check fluid levels and smooth operation during inspection.

Adopted Puppies (aka updates on past picks)

The $14,500 PCA member-owned 987.1 Boxster from issue 2 is now gone! Was it any of you?

Porsche Problems (aka meme of the week)

And that's week 4 in the can! How did you like it? Hit reply and let me know.

See you next week with more affordable picks.

Take care,

—RF

P.S. Did you find a great Porsche deal I missed? Send it my way. I’d love to check out your finds.