Porsche Boxster S (986) | PH Fleet

We all have grand plans when it comes to any kind of project car, be it our own one or – in the case of the Boxster – one you’re temporarily guardian of for a while. It’s all too easy to be tempted by this shiny upgrade or that noisy exhaust or some other trinket to show off. Because we like people admiring the cars we’re in, and lustrous paint or snazzy wheels are very good for doing that. 

Those are to come for the Porsche, I hope. And knowing the potential that’s in 986s, from driving a racer to a mint Porsche Classic example, I’m as keen as anyone to throw thousands of pounds of suspension and GT3 bits at it. On the other hand, I have to be realistic: this isn’t my car, and this isn’t automotive fantasy YouTube. The aim isn’t to make the fastest or loudest or silliest open-top Porsche out there. It’s to bring a much-loved old Boxster back to something like its best. And maybe improve a few bits along the way. 

With that in mind, I’ve just returned from Wrightune in Wallingford. They’re a well-regarded Porsche specialist that covers everything from the air-cooled stuff to Macans, aren’t too far from me, and liked the idea of a 986 enjoying some time in the spotlight. While they’ve picked up from their absolute lowest in terms of value a few years back, it still feels like they’re not quite held in the highest regard against even 996s of the same era.

A feast of 911s outside Wrightune HQ was encouraging, as was the comment that RU51 POR wasn’t the worst 986 they’d seen. So that’s something. Bossman Chris reckons that, as happened with the transaxle cars not so long ago, when certain Porsches get cheap to buy, they’re run on a shoestring – and that’s where the problems start. Porsches always cost Porsche money to run, if not to buy. Sadly, it’s often only when they start being worth something that expert help is consulted. 

Chris and Joe at Wrightune have been through the car, and while it’s not terrible, there are a good few things to sort. Some of it is to be expected from a 25-year-old car that’s lived its life outside: crusty suspension, an exhaust that’s in bad shape, an oil leak that needs tending to. Other stuff was a little weirder, including some brake lines that weren’t quite right, missing undertrays and bolts, plus an air-con condenser that needs replacing. And which might need the engine dropping to replace. Erk. But good to know if you’re looking at a 986 with air con that’s not perfect – it might be a bit more than a regas. 

Elsewhere, and encouragingly, it seems like it might just be low voltage causing the electrics to misbehave, and that’s certainly a simpler fix than feared. There’s very little rust, too, which was a concern. And, perhaps most importantly, nothing that the Wrightune guys hadn’t seen before on 986s. The one thing we didn’t want to be doing was chasing mysterious gremlins and wasting valuable driving time. 

Because it’s still a lovely old sports car, even if it does feel predictably tired. When the sun is shining and the manky old roof is down, it’s great fun to have a manual, flat-six Porsche to fizz around in. The first modification was some fresh rubber; good tyres are so important (I once spent £400 on tyres for a Civic worth £800, like a proper fruitcake), and with our Michelin discount code still running it seemed daft not to. There were Pilot Sport 4s available for the front axle, though oddly only PS2s in the correct size for the rear 255/40 R17s; presumably that’s an odd size now, quite broad but not very big, and not in much demand.

Whatever, they’ve worked wonders as new tyres always do, the Boxster now keener, quieter, and comfier. Imagine how much better it’ll feel once some other bits are resolved. The initial quote should be landing soon – then we can think about the fun, shiny bits. 

Car: 2001 Porsche Boxster S (986)
Run by: Matt Bird
On fleet since: April 2025
Mileage: 59,066
Last month at a glance: Seems alright on the road; what about on the ramp?

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Is a bargain Boxster sports car bliss?