It’s been over a year now since I have had a weekend toy in the garage, so I started looking again a while back.
I had ticked the V8-smoker box with the E55 (I still miss it) and have been underwhelmed a few times with older cars I have had, so I wanted something i could jump into & enjoy driving after the week in a diesel auto.
Initially, I fancied another MX5, as they are fun & hassle-free, but they are getting scarce due to rot and lanes rallies!
I had always fancied a 996 Porsche, but that’s beyond my budget at the minute, so the 986 Boxster is probably the next best thing!
Reading @Cartunes post in an MX5 thread, made me nervous about owning one, but almost made me want one even more!! I spent a few weeks researching them and after reading that every squeak, rattle, uneven tyre wear & flat battery was a sign of a failing IMS (lol), I decided that I’d rather have slightly more peace-of-mind than slightly more power, so an early 2.5 it would be.
I then went and looked a few. In doing so, I learned the difference in ‘cheap’ and ‘good value’ and ended up buying a car advertised just a few miles from home.
On going to see the car, I spent more time chatting to the seller than looking round the car itself. I knew from talking to the guy that the car was for me. He was an ex-Motorsport mechanic & petrol-head and had had a turn of ill-health and wasn’t fit for the wee car any more. I think it was annoying him that he wasn’t able to take on the minor jobs that he knew needed doing. We agreed a deal and he seemed genuinely happy that of all the viewers he had, I was the person buying it!
So, I spent most of yesterday afternoon just enjoying driving the car for the sake of it. The Mrs took it for a run (she hasn’t driven manual in 4 years - Lol) and even my Ma has to get a go in it. Everyone gets out of the car with a big smile on their face, it’s just that type of car & that’s exactly what I wanted.
The car itself is a 1998 2.5 manual, with the more robust dual-row IMS. It came with all its original manuals and a full service history. It has had a few nice bits added along the way. The audio has been updated with Kenwood components running off an Alpine V12 (which I only found when trying to diagnose no sound through the speakers) and what seems to be a £700 Dansk Stainless back-box! The car will need rear tyres soon and probably 6 plug tubes, but mechanically, it’s running like a Swiss watch.
I will post better pics when the sun comes back out, but here is the Mrs & our daughter on their first run & a few images from the ad:
The great thing is, I have spent about 2 hours on the car and have sorted virtually all of the niggles already!
I will post better pics when the sun comes back out
I had ticked the V8-smoker box with the E55 (I still miss it) and have been underwhelmed a few times with older cars I have had, so I wanted something i could jump into & enjoy driving after the week in a diesel auto.
Initially, I fancied another MX5, as they are fun & hassle-free, but they are getting scarce due to rot and lanes rallies!
I had always fancied a 996 Porsche, but that’s beyond my budget at the minute, so the 986 Boxster is probably the next best thing!
Reading @Cartunes post in an MX5 thread, made me nervous about owning one, but almost made me want one even more!! I spent a few weeks researching them and after reading that every squeak, rattle, uneven tyre wear & flat battery was a sign of a failing IMS (lol), I decided that I’d rather have slightly more peace-of-mind than slightly more power, so an early 2.5 it would be.
I then went and looked a few. In doing so, I learned the difference in ‘cheap’ and ‘good value’ and ended up buying a car advertised just a few miles from home.
On going to see the car, I spent more time chatting to the seller than looking round the car itself. I knew from talking to the guy that the car was for me. He was an ex-Motorsport mechanic & petrol-head and had had a turn of ill-health and wasn’t fit for the wee car any more. I think it was annoying him that he wasn’t able to take on the minor jobs that he knew needed doing. We agreed a deal and he seemed genuinely happy that of all the viewers he had, I was the person buying it!
So, I spent most of yesterday afternoon just enjoying driving the car for the sake of it. The Mrs took it for a run (she hasn’t driven manual in 4 years - Lol) and even my Ma has to get a go in it. Everyone gets out of the car with a big smile on their face, it’s just that type of car & that’s exactly what I wanted.
The car itself is a 1998 2.5 manual, with the more robust dual-row IMS. It came with all its original manuals and a full service history. It has had a few nice bits added along the way. The audio has been updated with Kenwood components running off an Alpine V12 (which I only found when trying to diagnose no sound through the speakers) and what seems to be a £700 Dansk Stainless back-box! The car will need rear tyres soon and probably 6 plug tubes, but mechanically, it’s running like a Swiss watch.
I will post better pics when the sun comes back out, but here is the Mrs & our daughter on their first run & a few images from the ad:
The great thing is, I have spent about 2 hours on the car and have sorted virtually all of the niggles already!
I will post better pics when the sun comes back out
very nice to drive!
.
