Should You Buy A Porsche Boxster 981 S? Review | Test Drive

[@EnglishSpitfire]

I have one of these beautiful 6 cylinder cars and will never sell it. I would recommend getting the full leather, as when you get in it after it's been parked over night the smell of the leather is just so luxurious. If you're into performance, then get the chrono package (comes with a nice clock) that adds launch control and auto adjusting engine mounts to improve handling - all the American tests test the PDK/Chrono/launch cars to be either 0-60 in 4.1 or 4.2 secs, the 5 second cars are manuals. Be careful as they are very expensive cars to run, I struggle to get more than 20 mpg out of mine. In my view the S is a bargain, and I've driven many 911s which truth be told are not as enjoyable to drive as the Boxster. With the wind in your hair, that fantastic noise from the high revving engine that screams to nearly 8,000 revs there's simply no better sports car on the planet. The feel good factor is immense. I'd advise getting the PDK, it's dual clutch is like lightning, superb. One other point, some suggest the sports exhaust, but personally I don't like it. The standard exhaust is loud and sounds great, and personally I do not like all the annoying "pop.. pop.. pops" of the sports exhaust - just stick with he regular exhaust. But above all, buy one of these cars - you'll never regret it. My own car which I bought at 2 years old and is now 8 years old today sells for the same price at Porsche dealerships as it did when I first bought it.. just over £40,000, so I haven't lost a penny. A really good investment, that in my opinion will gain significantly in value over the coming years.

[@clu4u]

😊I agree, 981 Spyder here. No PDK available for the Spyder, either manual or PDK are best in the business!

[@TucsonDude]

Wow! I am tempted to trade my 2020 Miata ND in for a 2013 Boxster S (chrono). I am a bit appalled at the infotainment, tho Would the performance make up for it?

[@bmcallister1974]

I’ve just left my own comment for this video and then found yours. I couldn’t agree more with you on every point. I’ve got the 981S Boxster loaded with everything PASM, Chrono, PTV, the dynamic lighting etc and all the goodies for the interior. What I don’t have is the sports exhaust. I too love the sound of this engine the way it is. I can’t lie and say I wouldn’t use the sports exhaust if I had it. But I’d have it off 90% of the time and thus can’t justify spending several thousand to get the PSE added. The car has also appreciated in value since I bought it 4 years ago which I was not expecting. I just can’t imagine letting it go though…what would I be able to buy in remotely the same price range that would be better?

[@bmcallister1974]

@@TucsonDude I have one and the infotainment console is definitely the weak point of the vehicle. Mine has the Bose system so it sounds okay. But one speaker has rattled on some heavy bass songs since I bought it. Had to buy an adapter to even play songs through Bluetooth and you need to use your phone to change songs which isn’t safe. The nav is horrible so again I just use my phone. All that said, it’s so much damn fun to drive…all of that other shit doesn’t even matter. 😂

[@TucsonDude]

@@bmcallister1974 Thanks for your answer. I'm all for the pure driving experience as I'm also an avid motorcyclist and just listen to the wind. However, I do like the Bose system in my Miata. I have an issue on spending over $50K for a used 981 that can't even play decent music. Thanks!

[@paulreilly5987]

Just bought one in black. Very happy. Tremendous value. Brilliant build quality.

[@michaeldeangelo5599]

Have one. Will never get rid of it

[@Stevensonbenson]

I'll have you arrested if you do it would be criminal to

[@happyswissjoe]

You pay 57% for 95% of a 911 feeling. Value for money. How do I know? I got mine last week.

[@TDS981]

But that reads like the 991.1 is a better steer when it isn't. For that particular generation the 981 is the better Porsche.

[@RonaldV1968]

Such a nice car to drive, great looking and fantastic handling! Get the 981S with PSE...U won't regret!

[@jamielegg8553]

Essentially

[@taggrdao]

😂🤣

[@Alex-ed3eh]

Lovely review

[@J._Campbell]

Amazing beautiful car!

[@invictusporsche]

Thank you

[@Jonathanbaker]

Looking at this car to use all the time what are your thoughts about it.

[@williammorris3334]

I’ve had my 981 Boxster S for a year and a half. I absolutely love this car and drive it almost daily. I run most of my errands and take my trips to the gym in it. It gets about 23-25 mpg driven around my small town moderately. Over 30 mpg on the highway. It’s suspension is quite firm but well damped. It has more than enough storage with its two trunks. It’s been problem free. I do all the maintenance myself with a Quik-Jack lift to save a ton of money. The maintenance is not hard but must be done from underneath the car. The car has no timing belt or CV axles to replace ever. Be prepared to replace tires every 18 months if you drive fast periodically and put softer tires on it. It is no consolation to me at all. This car drives like a dream! It is so precise, so involving and so fun. It does not have a lot of low end torque but I grew up on 750 superbikes so I actually prefer the linear power band. The base suspension has a little more body lean than I prefer so I’ve ordered the X73 suspension kit from Sun Coast for 1750 including tax and shipping. Other than that it is perfect for around town and spirited driving on your favorite roads. The interior is high quality, comfortable and roomy for a two seat sports car. I’m six foot 220 and fit with room to spare. This car feels very solid, stiff and safe. The handling dynamics are truly sublime. You can point it precisely into any turn and it is unflappable through the bumpiest of turns. It wants to turn and has phenomenal turn in. The steering lacks feel at the limit but is extremely tight and precise with no on center dead spot. The electric steering assist is spot on, decreasing as you drive faster. The brakes are powerful and easily controllable. I can brake so hard I can initiate abs at times without losing control. I have 74,000 on mine and it drives like new. Some on forums report tracking their 981 Caymans with 150,000 miles on them with no problems other than overheating on hot days. These cars are very robust and durable. Cris Harris says Porsche makes the best engines on the world and I believe him. Get one while you can by all means. Without a radical about face politically these kinds of cars are going away fast, never to return. Hope this helps.

[@TucsonDude]

@@williammorris3334 Would it be a good upgrade from a 2020 Miata ND? It's double the money from what I'd get out of my Miata. I am a bit dismayed at the PCM, tho.

[@Stevensonbenson]

What a lovely lovely car

[@bmcallister1974]

I bought a 2014 981S in 2018 with only 3000km on it at a fantastic price. The seller had more money than brains thankfully 😂. I could sell it today for at least 10K (Canadian) more than k paid for it. And honestly I’ve thought about perhaps trading up for something a little faster or newer. But it’s such an amazing car that there’s really nothing out there for 100K or even 150K that I think I’d enjoy more. I was very intrigued to try the new mid engine Corvette so I did. I like the look of it other than the cheesy rear end that all corvettes need to have. I drove well. Certainly more power but didn’t handle as well as the 981S. The main turn off was how uncomfortable I was in the C8. I’m 6’2 and bulky (I’m not a whale or anything haha) and had no room because of that ridiculous center console in the C8. Couldn’t imagine being in that cockpit for more than 30 minutes. I can drive the 981S all day long in perfect comfort. Anyhow, Just my long winded way of stating that I don’t think you can own a better car at its price point than the 981S Boxster.

[@invictusporsche]

You have bought such a great car for amazing value. The Porsche are built so much better than corvette. I can’t see you losing money in the next few years in them so enjoy it as much as you can sir.

[@invictusporsche]

Does your car have the chrono pack?

[@progpuss]

I had 2014 boxster sold it 3years later for financial reasons, worst decision I have ever made , miss it so much.

[@invictusporsche]

I can see why, they are fantastic daily cars. Hopefully you can buy another soon

[@mattellis1325]

Overlaying the exhaust note from a manual 981 with PSE and Sports Chrono? 06:15

[@invictusporsche]

I hope that’s not the case, will get the editor to check it

[@juststuff5216]

I see you're in Bishops Stortford. I used to live at 5 Collins Cross before my parents got divorce when I was 5. *That practically makes us fam!* 😎 981s, my favourite Boxster design.

[@invictusporsche]

Aww no way, that does. Where do you live now? If you are in town, surely pop in for a chat ☺️

[@juststuff5216]

@@invictusporsche I'm down in Plymouth, Devon now.

[@davidbaber5445]

Your certainly not wrong ❤

[@invictusporsche]

Thank you sir

[@peterj5751]

So if it was your choice to buy one, would you be going the 981s with the classic flat 6 or the faster 718 with the flat 4 turbo?

[@invictusporsche]

Personally if it was down to me and the budget allows, I would choose the 718 2.5 S. They are equally incredible if not a much better car overall. We have a 718 2.5 S coming in stock tomorrow, if you are near us. Fee free to call on for a test drive.

[@bmcallister1974]

981S all day every day. They are both great cars but for me the sound of the screaming flat 6 outweighs the increase in speed with the turbo 4. And the market agrees. The 981S have appreciated in value whereas the 718s have been dropping in price. They’re not as sought after. Porsche purists wouldn’t touch em

[@peterj5751]

@@bmcallister1974 turns out I agree with you. I picked up and immaculate 981s. After driving it, I couldn’t go past the flat 6.

[@PeterNorthCumshotLegend]

​@@invictusporscheyou absolute donkey! A flat 4 isn't going to compare to that beautiful whine of the flat 6. 6 cylinder is Porsche. 4 cylinder is Golf R farts.

[@davidmacgown321]

Can you drive a PDK just like an automatic or do you have to use the paddle shifters?

[@invictusporsche]

You can absolutely drive it in automatic mode, and if you want a more engaging experience, you can always use the paddle shift. It is very easy to transition between the two and the PDK gearbox. It’s absolutely phenomenal. I would highly recommend trying one out if you haven’t yet done so

[@davidmacgown321]

@@invictusporsche thank you for your reply!

[@Enigmatic_Music1]

The 986 was launched in 1996, not 1998, but yeah very good 👍

[@bmcallister1974]

I noticed that too lol

[@TucsonDude]

I'm looking at a 981 with the same PCM. It has a button that says PHONE. Does it have bluetooth or at least a USB outlet somewhere?

[@invictusporsche]

Good choice, it does have Bluetooth connectivity

[@TucsonDude]

@@invictusporsche Thanks!

[@blademanx]

None of the issues were covered. I suppose sell sell sell!

[@invictusporsche]

What do you think are the issues with this model? We find them very reliable

[@blademanx]

​@@invictusporsche Engine Mounts £2400 pair, AC Condenser, exhaust valve failure, taillights frozen over. etc

[@PeterNorthCumshotLegend]

​@@blademanx I bet you're fun at parties.

[@rigilchrist]

The third version was the 987.2 - the 981 is the fourth.

[@invictusporsche]

Thank you

[@PaulWoolner-u3s]

Want one forever.

[@invictusporsche]

You won’t regret it

[@Dave-un7fh]

986 came out in 1996. Not 1998

[@invictusporsche]

Agreed thanks for the correction

[@tonyadeney1245]

have owned porsches --- 911s great but boxsters have got so much better than the first generation why go mad and buy a 911 unless you are silly rich - also found boxster was more discreet lower costs - even basic model with a few options is great -- if you want track days use a track day experience centre porsche will then let you try all models -- if you do buy one third party security really is worth it and a secure place to park -- // some owners just do top down good weather but the heating system is so good you dont get cold -- in the rain above 10 mph you wont notice -- decent hat its fantastic all weathers ..

[@invictusporsche]

You are spot on, they provide phenomenal value for money. Which Gen boxster do you have?

[@PeterNorthCumshotLegend]

​@@invictusporschestop saying essentially. You come across as an absolute dork.

[@chris_4044]

Nice video! But it’s not Porschuh. Its porsche😊

[@invictusporsche]

Thank you Chris

[@taggrdao]

Drinking game: Drink every time he says essentially.

[@invictusporsche]

It will be essentially too much to drink

[@bmcallister1974]

Amazing review.

[@invictusporsche]

Thank you. What do you drive?