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Seller lists manual 981 as automatic
This week: An affordable 996 Turbo, Cobalt Blue 987 beauty, and manual 981 deal
Hi again!
This week's picks come from three completely different types of sellers. One laid out every service record and documented fault. One went full photoshoot with magazine-quality presentation. One skipped the essay and gave you five bullet points.
All three are worth your time.
Almost invariably, the number one reason to consider a car is the seller. When you find a good one, it makes buying cars and enjoying this hobby so much richer.
Onwards!
—RF
The last 996 Turbo deal (no roof discount)
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According to estimates, only 25–30% of all 996 Turbos left the factory with the manual gearbox. So manual 996 Turbos are rare, but even rarer is finding a nice one for well under $50,000.
The seller of this one does a great job laying everything out: service receipts, two keys and manuals, honest disclosure about the small faults. I appreciate folks who tell me what's wrong upfront, it’s normally a good sign.
The cabriolet body is exactly why this Turbo is still under $50K, while coupes will be pushing $60K soon. But putting the roof aside, you’re still getting 420hp and AWD while everyone else waits for their chance to own a Turbo.
I haven't spent as much time with 996 Turbos as with other models, so I want to know what you think. Is this 996 Turbo cab a good deal?
Market Report
996 Turbo coupes have been steadily climbing and now average $55-60K for clean manual examples. Cabriolets typically trade for $45-50K, aka the cab discount. The manual transmission is genuinely uncommon, as most Turbos came with Tiptronic.
What You (and Your Mechanic) Should Know
996 Turbos are the more robust siblings in the 996 family. They use the Mezger engine (shared with GT3/GT2 models), which means no IMS bearing concerns and no reputation for bore scoring issues. Main maintenance focus at 101K miles: check for coolant pipe leaks, ensure the AWD system transfers power properly, and inspect suspension bushings for wear.
This 981 deal needs no explaining
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I always celebrate detailed ad descriptions and extensive service records. But sometimes a well-placed "adult owned, well maintained" will suffice.
This seller clearly likes to skip the essay. Gives only a high-level description. But then you read the asking price: $18,999. For a 2013 Porsche Boxster. What?
You'll have to do your due diligence and chat with the seller to go from "9/10 condition" and "well maintained" to specifics about the car's state and history. But a 981 with a clean title, adult owned, and with that price is worth the conversation.
Market Report
This reminds me of the $19K 981 Boxster we featured a few weeks back. It didn't last a week. This car has been listed for 5 days. Won't stay that way for much longer.
The listing says automatic, but the pictures clearly show a manual transmission. Manual 981 Boxsters are genuinely rare (only 15-20% came with the six-speed) and typically command a $3K-5K premium over PDK examples. At $18,999, this manual 981 is a genuine deal.
What You (and Your Mechanic) Should Know
981s are bulletproof. No IMS issues, no bore scoring concerns. Water pump is the main known weak point around 60-80K miles, so at 145K you'll want to confirm this has been addressed or budget at least $900-1,500 for the job. Same for the clutch. Find out when it was last replaced and budget $1,700-3,000 accordingly.
Cobalt Blue beauty with photoshoot to match
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Some cars deserve to be photographed more than others. This one's not for the deal chasers. It's for the aesthetically inclined who appreciate what makes this Porsche special: the right color, the right wheels, and an owner who actually cared.
Past the bona fide photoshoot, the seller delivers one of the most extensive service histories I've seen in an ad. With small flaws mentioned upfront too, which is becoming a bit of a theme this issue.
Open the link, read the full description (19" Carrera wheels, Porsche Sport Exhaust, the works), and then enjoy the pictures. Maybe make one your next phone wallpaper.
Market Report
Base 987.1 Caymans typically trade between $18K-24K depending on miles and condition. Special colors command a premium, with Cobalt Blue Metallic being quite a rare choice. This car sits past the higher end of that range, but the thoughtful OEM+ upgrades, comprehensive recent maintenance, excellent presentation and provenance support the asking price.
What You (and Your Mechanic) Should Know
2007 987.1 base Caymans use the robust 2.7L engine with the redesigned IMS bearing (sub-1% failure rate) and no bore scoring concerns. The comprehensive 60K service just completed (drive belt, cabin/engine air filters, throttle body cleaning, transmission/brake fluid flush) addresses major maintenance intervals.
Adopted Puppies
The $22K factory “taco” 996 has finally been sold. I was wondering what was taking so long, but I guess even at a good price, it’s still a bit of a niche appeal. On the other hand, and to the surprise of no one, the $11K, 300K-mile Cayman from the last issue was gone in the blink of an eye (good thing I saved the ad here). Finally, the Cream White Boxster from the last issue is gone too, at least the ad has been taken down. |  |
Porsche Problems
See you next week with more affordable picks!
Take care,
—RF