Hey everyone it’s my first post on reddit ever. So sorry if i do something wrong.
There is one Boxster 986 in quite specific i would say not so common Libel Turquoise Metallic color. In the garage where i park and it hasn’t been driven for 12 years.
Last 8 years i was passing by it, and always thought how it’s sad for car like that to sit and die in a garage. I wasn’t that much into Boxster, but over the years i really fell in love with it. And it became my dream car from teenage days.
So after long period of time, im finalizing the deal with previous owner. And im kinda aware of how long and expensive this process will be. The interior is awful, but underneath car seems quite correct. I know that the motor is probably a bit rusty/ pumups probably don’t work/ all kind of rubbers are probably hard as plastic…but hopefully i will be able to fix everything
I would really really appreciate any kind of advice, recommendations, comments, help ❤️
What should i take care of in the first place? Where can i find good parts? (Im from Europe) I ordered book from amazon (101 Project for your Boxster) I watched tons of yt videos But im still eager to learn more!
I wish everyone a blessed day
Well, it's an epic road, but make sure to budget serious money for the engine rebuild it will probably need, or at least a heavy service (and pulling the engine down maybe to make sure all his good inside)
Pretty sure the lifter will require to be replaced, I mean they will tick heavily with such a long immobilisation
Thank you very much, im not in a hurry so over the time i will fix it. Part by part.
I was thinking of buying spyder performance full suspension refresh if thats a good option?
It will be quite stiff, depending of the wheels ! If it's a simple 2.5L maybe it's not the top priority. Bigger brakes of the S model are very good additions
I will think about that thank you 🙏🏽
I would worry that the electrics under the seats have corroded away. Immobiliser, seat motor/heater connections etc.
OMG, I didn't know they offer cloth seats, I hate leather. Btw, what engine did u get?
Honestly i don’t think i can save this seats 🫤
It’s 2,5
Why don’t you think you can save the seats? The upholstery doesn’t look ripped in the pic.
I meant more on mold, don’t know if any professional wants to clean this and if they can fully clean and refresh the interior. But i hope they can 🤞🏽
I have not personally cleaned something this dirty, but from my experience this would be worth deep cleaning and preserving. There is a YouTuber based in the US named ChrisFix who makes all kinds of great videos on how to take care of and fix cars. Watch the video called: How to super clean cloth and leather seats and How to super clean your interior series.
I would do this first honestly, even though it doesn’t matter as much as the mechanicals. You can’t sit in and work on your car if it’s full of mold.
If you can manage the time and funds this car would definitely be worth preserving. Between that unique interior, exterior color, and the matching gauge cluster trim this is a very 90s spec. Think of how much people love the 80s spec 911’s right now.
Also, the fact that it’s a convertible means it will be easy to park in the sun to help deal with mold and mildew. But I definitely think you to have to clean it up first.
Oh i know ChrisFix used to watch his videos like crazy when i was younger and he was just starting his yt career. Thank you sooo much on recommended video.
For cleaning it first, i totally agree. It would be awful to work in that mold.
Im not in a hurry, i also have people around me that know things and they are willing to help me. So i think it’s worth a shot.
Thank you very much for recommendations and kind words ❤️
Ahh so you know what you’re doing! You’re welcome and I stand by it, I think this could be a highly desirable collectible in the future due to its very period spec and manual gearbox.
You can have your seats reupholstered. I saw some classic Porsche seats yesterday, leather sides with cloth centers. I think that's what I want for my 996
Oooo I love the seat fabric tho, it’s totally there with the turquoise metallic notes in the car, definitely save if y’can
Congratulations on your first Porsche.
First, do the deep clean. It is helpful to remove the seats to access all areas of the interior. r/Detailing may help with this.
Your Boxster has an Aluminum engine, so it has not rusted. I would change the oil, drain and replace the gas, check the coolant level, replace the battery, and fire it up.
In addition to your books, there are thousands of YouTube videos. Quality of those videos varies widely. The best place to start is with Porsche Club of America, their videos will teach you a lot.
https://youtube.com/@porscheclubofamerica?si=aviPWrnNSUj135Rx
Keep us posted with your progress. Good luck.
Thank you soooo much on kind words. Two good mechanics came to saw it now. And they told me it doesn’t look that bad, it didn’t turn on. But most probably because of old fuel and fuel pump.
I will try to document everything. And i would definitely like to video document everything, but im not sure if i would be able to think about camera when the work starts 😅😅😅
Get an inexpensive tripod, and adapter for your phone. Set it up, and forget it while you work.
Completely agree with Neo. Hold on most all of the ancillary items get it running first. It will do you no good to have a fancy/clean car just to put it up on blocks because it wont run.
Have the whole interior disinfected and Cleaned. I see mold! I have the same car - forget about suspension for a second and focus on the basics- engine, oil leaks, plastic hoses health, all radiators, spark plugs, check the air filters and oxygen sensors and replace them all. You can do it yourself. Check the coolant for leaks and start changing just the struts. Anything plastic will be hard as fuck. Good luck
Im even thinking of changing whole interior, it’s super moldy and stinks as fuck 😂.
Thank you very much brother, i will try to do as much as possible alone.
Rent a upholstering cleaning machine from a diy store, after cleaning everything w soap and mold killer run a good cycle of cleaning w the machine. Make sure you have the tools to remove the seats. Order the basics so the car can start: oil, oil filter, spark plugs, cabin filter, battery tender, and coolant liquid. The coolant tank might be broken, but take it slow. That book is good but assumes you know a thing or two about cars.
I took on a £1500 1996 2.5. I've put £3k into it to get it up and running, It still needs an engine rebuild and full paint job. Was it worth it? No. I could have bought a really nice one for £4500. If you love tinkering, have the time and space then go for it. If any of the work will need to be done by a garage then you will always be at a loss as the values are really bad. Mine is now back in storage after 3 years of work because I couldn't keep spending on it.
Two mechanics are coming today to see it, and to tell me if it’s worth trying. Honestly i was looking at him for 8y. And i don’t mind taking it as slow as possible to fix it.
Anything is possible, but sometimes, it's just not worth it. I missed my old 986 and I also had a 911 but I didn't have much money to buy another one, I thought I would do what you are doing but in reality if I had just saved the money for a year I would have ended up with a better car. I have also fixed around 6 leaks, which involved taking the dashboard out and replacing the roof and it still leaks. I just had enough. But I do miss driving it.
Congrats! What a lovely spec. Pretty sure the color is Ocean Jade Metallic. And those seats are RARE! I'd say keep them and try to restore them, but I understand it’s not everyone’s taste. Super uncommon, only available in super early model years as far as I know.
They are delightfully 90ies.
Thank you brother, i will give my best to save it!
Топ 😍
Was it flooded?
I don’t think so, owner said it wasn’t
I hope you love this color so much. The interior I would only have it treated by a professional. There is mold where you can’t see. That’s the main problem.
I totally agree, i just hope that professionals can save it
Briefly read the comments but the magic of this car is the color and most importantly the seats.. do what you can do keep those man. Very interesting spec.
Thank you, i will 🙏🏽
I don’t think you move forward with this purchase. The car is a basket case and may end up costing you much more then it is worth. A motor isn’t cheap. The interior appears to have mold which is a nightmare. You need carpet new seats and all the sound deadening removed. Sadly the 2 big problems Are the engine and supporting pieces power steering AC and what not l. As well as the transmission.
If I was to take this on I would get it running. Drain clean possible remove the fuel tank. Replace filter blow out lines rebuild or replace injectors. Drain the motor and cooling system. Get the car running.
Have you pulled the dipstick what does it look like. A motor sitting that long I would also think of pulling it to go over hoses seals and rubber bits. Take out the plugs spray some oil down the cylinders. Get it rotating again. This just goes on and on and. On.
Actually it has oil, and it looks pretty good, for how long it didn’t move. It looks like previous owner didn’t driven it like crazy and like he changed everything right before putting it in garage. Especially brakes.
Narrator: "He wasn't"
Most probably 🤣🤣🤣
Interior? You need to replace everything first. All rubber and other materials.
Don’t forget the belt behind the Seats!
Man this is definitely a gamble, it could very easily cost more than it’s worth, but you could also get lucky. Best of luck and enjoy the process
This car is like a totalled car mate. Its a huge project. Its worth $0. Don’t pay much for it.
Don’t get me wrong, it will be fantastic, just a big thing to cut your teath on.
I hope you are a good detailer. Great that you want to get handy. You absolutely will need to if you want to do it right and don’t want to spend a fortune
Help me DIY is way more useful that 101 projects - got the same when i bought my 986.
FCP euro videos on 996, and cayman and even 997 are useful too.
Spareto is where i get my parts and also partworks.de.
Try and go OEM when possible to get good quality without porsche price. Meyle, FEBI, and UROparts (electronics) when not.
TRW = most control arms, drop links, tie rods, and non strut/damper suspension parts.
Lemforder = top mounts and engine mounts.
FAG (Shaeffler and subsidiary companies) e.g. wheel hub bearings.
Research for others.
Its not magic, if a shop tries to charge you porsche tax go somewhere else. In saying that specialists really know the car and can give good advice in complex issues. In my experience, nothing you can’t figure out though.
You have chosen what I consider to be the finest sports car ever built. It’s absolutely perfect for fun on public roads. Nobody needs hundreds of hp to safely enjoy a car on the street. I am actually going to sell my 911 GT3 Cup car and build a race car using this model Boxster as the donor car. It’s called a “spec Boxster” and it is a go cart through the turns. Enjoy the process and congratulations!
Thank you soo much on kind words ❤️, i wish you all the best too!