Still a 911 Guy… But Curious I try not to be a 911 snob, but like most long-time Porsche owners, the rear engine, air-cooled 911 is – and always has been – “Top of the Pops” for me. Other makes and models invariably come up short. Certainly, the car has...
Porsche Boxster 986 (1st Gen)
The Boxster was initially unveiled as a concept in 1993 at the Detroit Auto Show, before going on sale in the summer of 1996 (as a 1996 model year in the United States). The first 986-generation Boxsters to reach U.S. shores were 1997 model-year base cars, equipped with a mid-mounted 2.5-liter naturally aspirated flat-six. Thanks to dual overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, and a dry-sump lubrication system, the engine was able to make 201 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, with a redline of 6700 rpm. Sending power to the rear wheels is a five-speed manual transmission or an optional five-speed Tiptronic automatic. The 0-60 sprint happens in 6.1 seconds, and top speed is 149 mph. With a curb weight just under 2800 pounds, it’s almost guaranteed to put a smile on your face. The car received a significant update in 1999 for the 2000 model year and continued to be developed and updated until 2004. See all of our 1st Generation Porsche Boxster Research.
If you’re reading this article, we have at least one thing in common: We love Porsches. Another thing we may have in common is that we want to get our hands on a Porsche that is not only fun but is also quick, fairly reliable, and affordable. Let’s face it,...
30 Point Porsche Boxster Buying & Inspection Checklist In this guide, we’ll walk you through a comprehensive 30-point checklist, covering everything you need to check irrespective which generation Porsche Boxster you are looking to buy. We’ve even created a free, printable PDF version for each generation Boxster that you can...
When discussing the top sports car manufacturers throughout history, Porsche is perhaps the first name that comes to mind. Of course, other iconic marks like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and McLaren are typically up there, too. However, Porsche’s decades-long legacy and relentless evolution have set the benchmark for sports car performance and...
Frequent Porsche Boxster Problems & Solutions – A Step by Step Guide to Help Owners Diagnose and Solve Your Most Annoying Boxster Issues The Porsche Boxster has earned its place as one of the most iconic mid-engine sports cars, delivering thrilling performance, precise handling, and the open-top driving experience enthusiasts...
Common Problems with the Porsche Boxster: What Every Buyer and Owner Should Know The Porsche Boxster, first introduced in 1996, has become an iconic mid-engine sports car, offering exhilarating performance, precise handling, and top-down driving enjoyment. Over four generations—986, 987, 981, and 718 (982)—the Boxster has evolved significantly, improving in...
The Iconic Autobody 386 Speedster Homage pays a handsome tribute to the legendary Porsche 356 Speedster, built on the well-regarded 986-era Boxster platform. Created by Worcestershire-based Iconic Autobody, this unique model features bespoke coach-built bodywork over the dynamic 986-generation Porsche Boxster platform. Adorned in a stunning matte-grey shade with white...
The Boxster was initially unveiled as a concept in 1993 at the Detroit Auto Show, before going on sale in the summer of 1996 (as a 1996 model year in the United States). The first 986-generation Boxsters to reach U.S. shores were 1997 model-year base cars, equipped with a mid-mounted...
In 2004, the Boxster S Special Edition, also called 550 Spyder Boxster S Special Edition was introduced. To celebrate the last model year for the 986, Porsche decided to release this limited special model of Boxster, and only 1,953 of these cars were made in honor of the original Porsche 550...
If there is one thing that Porsche does better than pretty much any other car manufacturer, that is providing their customers with race cars thinly disguised as road cars. This has been the way of things since the original 356 Speedsters and 550 Spyders, to the Carrera 2.7 RS (RennSport...
1996 – 2004 Porsche Boxster Maintenance & Service Schedule The Porsche Boxster (986), produced from 1997 to 2004, was Porsche’s first water-cooled, mid-engine roadster, delivering balanced handling and timeless design. While Porsche originally recommended oil changes every 15,000–20,000 miles (or every 2 years), today’s best practice is changing the oil...
986 Porsche Boxster & Porsche Boxster S Model Year Differences 1997 Boxster The 986 Boxster is introduced Technical Specifications: 201 HP 2.5 Litre engine with a 5 speed manual transmission or optional 5 speed Tiptronic (automatic). Early cars were produced in Stuttgart (11th digit of VIN is “S”) while later...
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First Generation – Porsche Boxster vs Boxster S Richard Hammond reviews and compares the Porsche Boxster and the Boxster S, to see if it’s worth paying a premium and upgrading to the S model. ...
POV on the Backroads In A 2001 Porsche Boxster S Love this video of a backroad run in a 2001 Boxster S. It still sounds amazing all these years later....
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First Generation Porsche Boxster (986) Paint Color Options This post outlines all the color options for the first generation Porsche Boxster over its production life, from 1997 model year through to end of 2004 model year. We have official books and catalogs of all the color options for the first...
Porsche Boxster (986) Transmission Codes The base Boxster got the option of a Tiptronic automatic and a 5-speed manual gearbox at launch. With 2003s update, the Tiptronic was now a Tiptronic S. The Boxster S on the other hand got a sweet 6-speed manual gearbox and the option of the...
Porsche Boxster (986) Engine Codes Interestingly, the Boxster 986 engine codes are not related to type 986 (they are not M86), but to 911 996 (M96). Engine Code Engine Displacement (Liters) Engine Displacement (cc) Power Torque Model Model years M96.20 2.50 2,480 201 bhp @ 6000 rpm 181 ft lbs...
1st Generation Porsche Boxster (986) Story & History Porsche Boxster (1997 – 2004) Date of unveil by Porsche AG: official photos in March 1996 (Geneva Motor Show) / Premiere: Journalist events from August 23, 1996 in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany, public premiere October 3, 1996 Mondial de l’automobile Paris Motor Show...
In 2004, the Boxster S Special Edition, also called 550 Spyder Boxster S Special Edition was introduced with a production run of just 1,953 cars (paying homage to the 550 Spyder's year of introduction). 500 cars were made for the US Market. These were all painted in GT Silver Metallic, the same colour as the Carrera GT concept presented in 2000, and had unique cocoa-brown full-leather interior as standard with grey natural leather as a no-cost option.
The Boxster S was revised along with its Boxster version in 2003. From the outside, the 2002 Boxster S featured an apron with three air-intakes, one more than the non-S version. The 3.2-liter unit was installed in the Boxster since 2000, but after the facelift it was improved by 10 hp, reaching 258 hp. It was paired as standard with a 6-speed manual, or a 5-speed Tiptronic (automatic) as an option. As expected, the manual version was quicker and faster.
The first generation Boxster got a facelift and refresh for the 2003 model year. The 2003 Boxster came on the market with new engines and new options. It also had a new face, but not that different than the first generation. The result was more horsepower, the 2.7 liter now good for 225 bhp @ 6300 rpm and 192 ft lbs @ 4750 rpm. Power was up by 8 horsepower over the prior year model, while torque was unchanged. From the outside, the 2002 Boxster featured an apron with two air-intakes on the sides.
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Porsche Boxster (First Generation) Sales Brochures We found only two Porsche sales brochures for the first generation Boxster, which is known as the Type 986. The Boxster was released ahead of the 996. The 986 Boxster had the same bonnet, front wings, headlights, interior and engine architecture as the 996....
Porsche Option Codes – 2004 Boxster Looking to decode your 2004 Porsche Boxster option codes? Want to know what those codes are in your 2004 Porsche Boxster service manual? Then this is the post for you. We painstakingly researched all the Porsche option and equipment codes for the full 2004 Boxster...
Porsche Option Codes – 2003 Boxster Looking to decode your 2003 Porsche Boxster option codes? Want to know what those codes are in your 2003 Porsche Boxster service manual? Then this is the post for you. We painstakingly researched all the Porsche option and equipment codes for the full 2003 Boxster...
Porsche Option Codes – 2002 Boxster Looking to decode your 2002 Porsche Boxster option codes? Want to know what those codes are in your 2002 Porsche Boxster service manual? Then this is the post for you. We painstakingly researched all the Porsche option and equipment codes for the full 2002 Boxster...
Porsche Option Codes – 2001 Boxster Looking to decode your 2001 Porsche Boxster option codes? Want to know what those codes are in your 2001 Porsche Boxster service manual? Then this is the post for you. We painstakingly researched all the Porsche option and equipment codes for the full 12001 Boxster...
Porsche Option Codes – 2000 Boxster Looking to decode your 2000 Porsche Boxster option codes? Want to know what those codes are in your 2000 Porsche Boxster service manual? Then this is the post for you. We painstakingly researched all the Porsche option and equipment codes for the full 2000...
Porsche Option Codes – 1999 Boxster Looking to decode your 1999 Porsche Boxster option codes? Want to know what those codes are in your 1999 Porsche Boxster service manual? Then this is the post for you. We painstakingly researched all the Porsche option and equipment codes for the full 1999...
Porsche Option Codes – 1998 Boxster Looking to decode your 1998 Porsche Boxster option codes? Want to know what those codes are in your 1998 Porsche Boxster service manual? Then this is the post for you. We painstakingly researched all the Porsche option and equipment codes for the full 1998...
Porsche Option Codes – 1997 Boxster Looking to decode your 1997 Porsche Boxster option codes? Want to know what those codes are in your 1997 Porsche Boxster service manual? Then this is the post for you. We painstakingly researched all the Porsche option and equipment codes for the full 1997...
In 2000, Porsche gave us the Boxster S. With a 3.2 liter naturally aspirated Flat-6, it was good for 250 bhp and 225 ft lbs of torque, up by 25% on the base 2.7 liter Boxster. Hardward changes, a 6-speed gearbox and all this extra power and torque transformed the Boxster driving experience. From behind the wheel, the Boxster S rushes forward in a way that is missing from the base model, that torque increase really making itself known, especially in the midrange. 0 to 60 mph now takes 5.60 second (compared to 6.5 for the 2.7 L base model). Top speed is 161 mph and the quarter mile is 14.1 seconds.
While the original 986 Boxster was a sweet ride, its performance began to lag behind newer competitors like the Honda S2000. Powered by a 2.5-litre flat six-cylinder engine, the base model was upgraded to a 2.7-litre engine in the year 2000. The gearbox options in the Boxster 2.7 are the same as in 2.5, but they got new type designations due to improvements. Externally, the 986 Boxster 2.7 looks like Boxster 2.5. Inside the side airbags are standard and the plastic feeling has been reduced. The fuel tank is a larger 64-liter. Alcantara trim is available on the options list.
It was Porsche's first road vehicle to be originally designed as a roadster since the 914. The first-generation Boxster (the 986) was introduced in late 1996 as a 1997 model year car. The V-Series Boxster 2.5 rolled out in August 1996 from Porsche’s factory in Zuffenhausen, Germany. The design was heavily influenced by the 1993 Boxster Concept (which was a good thing). It was an instant success, becoming Porsche's biggest seller from its introduction in 1996 until the introduction of the Cayenne sport utility vehicle in 2003.