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Thanks for the comments guys. Here are a few more pictures of the floor and garage after a bit more decorating (cars and walls!). The floor is by Racedeck. They are interlocking - great product and a great company. See racedeck.com
My co-worker had a 2008 Boxster that had a defective oil seal on the cam shafts and crankshaft. It caused an oil leak leading to low oil pressure leading to thrown connecting rods. Took a dump, 5 or 6 quarts of oil on the ground at work. $25000 for a short block. It turns out that this was pretty common for the Boxsters. I hope they fixed this issue with the 2014.
My co-worker had a 2008 Boxster that had a defective oil seal on the cam shafts and crankshaft. It caused an oil leak leading to low oil pressure leading to thrown connecting rods. Took a dump, 5 or 6 quarts of oil on the ground at work. $25000 for a short block. It turns out that this was pretty common for the Boxsters. I hope they fixed this issue with the 2014.
yeah, that's most likely the infamous IMS failure, which affected 911 models as well. This was eliminated I believe with the '09 Boxster/Cayman refresh, referred to as the 987.2 models. New crate motor installed as around $15K, not 25K, but still a major black eye for Porsche and expense to many owners. My understanding is they quietly brought in Honda to evaluate their quality around that time and things have been much better since. However, owning any German car out of warranty, especially a high-end (meaning expensive to fix) one, is still I believe something to approach cautiously!
I drove an 06 or 07 Cayman S 3-4 years back as I was considering purchasing a used one as a fun daily driver. The mistake I made was getting out of my 350rwhp FD and immediately driving the Cayman. No doubt, the Cayman's build quality was far superior along with better ride quality.(FD on midrange coil overs). Besides that, I just wasnt awed by the car. Of course I'm an extreme example of a FD enthusiasts but I expected more.
I could see myself in a 996 or 997(need to drop some more in price) turbo and was impressed when I drove a 996T. But for a 2 seater I was underwhelmed by the cayman for a fun street car. If the FD had the comfort of a modern sports car it would be the perfect car.
Spend about 10k modding the FD and the cayman will sit in the garage
Well, my approach with my FD has been a little different than most. Having purchased the car new, as the years went by I was much more interested in restoring its capabilities to new condition rather than “improving” them. At about 96K miles (back in ’05) I began that process; new motor from Mazda (not a reman) ’99 spec turbos, new injectors, silicone hoses, wiring harness, etc, etc. Since then I’ve changed out most of the (if not all) suspension bits, bushings, shock mounts, etc.
Mods have been light; downpipe, high-flow cat, ACT SS clutch, lightened steel flywheel, PFS comfortsport springs, not much else. Still running stock IC, airbox, etc. My goal was to recapture the feeling of the car when new, but I have to say that’s been elusive. Having spent more than $20K, I think I’m close but not there. Now at 129K miles, I just don’t think you can completely turn back the clock. My guess is there’s a certain amount of wear-and-tear to the structure that can’t be eradicated.
So my FD is a really good example of a stock (well, slightly modded) car but it’s still not as good as it was the day I drove it off the lot.
BTW, if I hadn’t purchased the Cayman I may have been interested in that ’95 you’ve got for sale!
I drove an 06 or 07 Cayman S 3-4 years back as I was considering purchasing a used one as a fun daily driver. The mistake I made was getting out of my 350rwhp FD and immediately driving the Cayman. No doubt, the Cayman's build quality was far superior along with better ride quality.(FD on midrange coil overs). Besides that, I just wasnt awed by the car. Of course I'm an extreme example of a FD enthusiasts but I expected more.
I could see myself in a 996 or 997(need to drop some more in price) turbo and was impressed when I drove a 996T. But for a 2 seater I was underwhelmed by the cayman for a fun street car. If the FD had the comfort of a modern sports car it would be the perfect car.
Thanks for the comments. As I said above, the 2014 is a major leap from the gen 1 Caymans. Still not super fast if that's what you're after. 0-60 in about 4.6 secs. My former Audi S4 sedan is as fast as that, but this is a "total package" car. Also depends on how you want to use it. The 981 would make a great DD for most, although I'm not using it that way. And I haven't tracked mine but all reports indicate it's great there too, so an ideal dual-use car. Still love my FD but no longer want to DD it as I did the first 4 years of ownership.
Thanks for the comments. As I said above, the 2014 is a major leap from the gen 1 Caymans. Still not super fast if that's what you're after. 0-60 in about 4.6 secs. My former Audi S4 sedan is as fast as that, but this is a "total package" car. Also depends on how you want to use it. The 981 would make a great DD for most, although I'm not using it that way. And I haven't tracked mine but all reports indicate it's great there too, so an ideal dual-use car. Still love my FD but no longer want to DD it as I did the first 4 years of ownership.
I'm sure it is likely a completely different car than what I drove. I like driving my FDs often but daily it's just to harsh. I bought an AMG sedan which is faster than the rx7 but has zero sporty feel. Grass is always greener, always want something just a little bit better.
Well, my approach with my FD has been a little different than most. Having purchased the car new, as the years went by I was much more interested in restoring its capabilities to new condition rather than “improving” them. At about 96K miles (back in ’05) I began that process; new motor from Mazda (not a reman) ’99 spec turbos, new injectors, silicone hoses, wiring harness, etc, etc. Since then I’ve changed out most of the (if not all) suspension bits, bushings, shock mounts, etc. Mods have been light; downpipe, high-flow cat, ACT SS clutch, lightened steel flywheel, PFS comfortsport springs, not much else. Still running stock IC, airbox, etc. My goal was to recapture the feeling of the car when new, but I have to say that’s been elusive. Having spent more than $20K, I think I’m close but not there. Now at 129K miles, I just don’t think you can completely turn back the clock. My guess is there’s a certain amount of wear-and-tear to the structure that can’t be eradicated. So my FD is a really good example of a stock (well, slightly modded) car but it’s still not as good as it was the day I drove it off the lot. BTW, if I hadn’t purchased the Cayman I may have been interested in that ’95 you’ve got for sale!
No disrespect intended at all but you can completely restore a car to original feel or even better ideally. The approach you've taken with your fd certainly won't do that though. You've babied it with minor bolt ons expecting to a return to new feel? What am I missing here? The unibody isn't going to "wear and tear" unless you run it off the road. I'm not into Porches, maybe the older 911 turbos but these cars just don't do it for me esthetically. It's your basic, mid life crisis I have some play money so let me buy this car, car... As Fritz was saying, with a little money in the right direction and you could have something really special in the garage. Instead, you have the car voted most popular at the golf coarse, Enjoy.
So this is a parallel to the FD > Cayman viewpoint.
I have an FC Vert and my dad drives a 986 Boxster S. His was owned by the PCA president and it was treated as such. Its placed at numerous Porsche club races as well as placing at several national concourse events.
Going from a streetported FC vert to a Boxster S is a VERY different experience however I think the core things are there.
Handling is amazing on both. At the limit grip is less with the FC however if you screw up in the Box it will push.
The box gives you the sensation that you are in the center of the car like an inner tube. The RX feels a tad more carlike comparably.
However the topdown experience is better in the RX. The little winglet windows and tall windshield keep you well out of the wind. In fact my dad and I sped through a thunderstorm on the freeway and never got wet!
The box blows my hair all over and fatigues you more on long drives (I'm driving it 200 miles to the cabin/cruise for labor day weekend. )
Sportscarwise, the RX can do burnouts. The Box has so much grip that getting the tires to spin shifting to second is really tough.
Appearance wise, I get catcalls and mocked in the Boxster by younger people like myself. They view it as a very expensive car and natural jealousy abounds. Good and bad I guess.
The RX brings the laughs and a little shock sometimes. Nobody knows what it is, so they just see an unknown sportscar that shoots flames and is super loud. Totally different reaction than the box.
I'm not really sure where I was going with this, but I guess that should help others considering switching from Zoom Zoom to the Land of No Substitutes.
No disrespect intended at all but you can completely restore a car to original feel or even better ideally. The approach you've taken with your fd certainly won't do that though. You've babied it with minor bolt ons expecting to a return to new feel? What am I missing here? The unibody isn't going to "wear and tear" unless you run it off the road. I'm not into Porches, maybe the older 911 turbos but these cars just don't do it for me esthetically. It's your basic, mid life crisis I have some play money so let me buy this car, car... As Fritz was saying, with a little money in the right direction and you could have something really special in the garage. Instead, you have the car voted most popular at the golf coarse, Enjoy.
Did you buy your FD new? If not, you never knew how good these cars were out of the box, before most got hacked by hacks. I don't want a "better" FD, I want a new FD. Two different goals. The list of parts I've replaced on the car is very long, much more than "minor bolt ons". So my car is approaching the driving experience of a new, stock car. Not quite there, but close. Anyone with an appreciation of that would find my FD to be much more than "most popular at the golf course". And yeah, the structure will age over time. Stands to reason to me that welds, etc weaken with mileage, especially in a stiffly sprung car. No disrespect
I'm sure it is likely a completely different car than what I drove. I like driving my FDs often but daily it's just to harsh. I bought an AMG sedan which is faster than the rx7 but has zero sporty feel. Grass is always greener, always want something just a little bit better.
yeah, I had a 2011 and then a 2013 S4. Great cars, but sports sedans and not sports cars. The S4's were just too big and heavy to feel real sporty to me. And yes, to car guys the grass is always greener :o)
Did you buy your FD new? If not, you never knew how good these cars were out of the box, before most got hacked by hacks. I don't want a "better" FD, I want a new FD. Two different goals. The list of parts I've replaced on the car is very long, much more than "minor bolt ons". So my car is approaching the driving experience of a new, stock car. Not quite there, but close. Anyone with an appreciation of that would find my FD to be much more than "most popular at the golf course". And yeah, the structure will age over time. Stands to reason to me that welds, etc weaken with mileage, especially in a stiffly sprung car. No disrespect
Love driving nice low mileage FDs
However even better is a nice FD with some bolt ons making approx 300 to 320 which to me is absolute street car paradise......and a cayman of any sort won't touch it from any perspective. Looks, drive, handling, feel, etc.... no comparison.......... other than the cayman's superior comfort or cadillac feel which is exactly why I'm not driving a cadillac
I bought my FD in Sept 92, I have tried to sell it a few times but could never quite do it. This car is amazing to look at and drive, every time I park it I find myself looking back at it for some reason. I have never owned another car that made me feel that way. So mine is slightly modified I still have the stock twins and would not have it any other way for street use. It is very reliable and the driving experience is right on. It makes about 380hp at the FW which is more than enough for a 2800lb car. The handling is second to none, what I really love is you don't see one around every corner, yes there are cars that are faster but they don't get the response these cars seem to. For me I would go back to the twins add a PFC and new intercooler and port the waste gates and a
new catback exhaust.
I too had a Cayman S for several years, it was a great car, put a smile on my face every time I drove it! But I am happy with my modded FD, I have had lots of Mazdas and I guess will always be a rotard.
Someone mentioned that it was difficult to get the rear wheels to spin in a boxster and having a stock fd with eibach springs, I find the fd to have too little grip in the rear especially when putting down power out of a turn. A stock fd may be better with a larger rear wheel patch or softer rear sway. Otherwise, still love a stock fd.
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