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Porsche Boxster / Cayman 986

Boxster (986)1997–2004

Porsche's mid-engine two-seater — from the 986 that saved the company to the last flat-six GTS.

14 reviewers · 23 videos · 5 hours watched · 13 press articles

Generations
9861997–2004986 S2000–20049872005–2012987 S2005–20129812013–2016981 S2013–2016981 GTS2015–20169822017–2025982 S2017–2025982 GTS2018–2025
// 00 the verdict

Reviewers strongly agree on its handling and value, but split on performance and fun to drive.

across 14 reviewers

// scorecard at a glance
// where reviewers split
Performance
7 say · liveable

"It's also got the most horsepower of the three at 250 horsepower. ... It just builds power so linearly."

Gaijin Touge · ▶ 13:50
1 say · critical

"The motor, it's almost too smooth. It's too quiet. It's polite."

ElevenAfterNine · ▶ 9:00
Fun to drive
13 say · liveable

"This is my car this is the one that i want."

EverydayDriver · ▶ 16:20
1 say · critical

"On a 1 to 10 excitement scale on back roads in New Hampshire, my 981 is a seven or an eight. And this, I really could say, is probably a two or a three."

ElevenAfterNine · ▶ 8:30
Daily drivability
11 say · liveable

"you'll never be in a German car where you're like lacking for headro"

TFLnow · ▶ 3:54
2 say · critical

"owning a used porsche comes with a little bit of headaches"

CarBuzz · ▶ 19:46
// the categories
// 01

Performance

3.5/514 of 14 reviewerssplit

“It's also got the most horsepower of the three at 250 horsepower. ... It just builds power so linearly.”

positive · Gaijin Touge · ▶ 13:50

“2.5 liters flat 6 about 200 horsepower 180 pound-feet of torque it's not fast nor was it really intended to be”

EverydayDriver · ▶ 12:10

“The motor, it's almost too smooth. It's too quiet. It's polite.”

critical · ElevenAfterNine · ▶ 9:00
// 02

Handling

4.5/514 of 14 reviewersstrong consensus

“It's the dynamics it's the weight transfer it's the mid-engine beautiful handling that it has the balance how neutral it is it just speaks to me.”

positive · EverydayDriver · ▶ 14:35

“once into pocono's curves however the Porsche quickly pushed its way to the front offering better balance than any rear engined Porsche ever did”

positive · MotorWeek · ▶ 5:45

“it still drives like a go-cart even now and this is just a pure driving fun”

positive · Autogefuhl · ▶ 12:56
// 03

Fun to drive

4.5/514 of 14 reviewerssplit

“This is my car this is the one that i want.”

positive · EverydayDriver · ▶ 16:20

“it's remarkable handling competition grade powertrain and striking styling all in a package that's forgiving yet offers a true Porsche feel makes it our Undisputed number one”

positive · MotorWeek · ▶ 7:58

“it's a mid-engine Porsche that handles fantastically and puts a smile on your face when you're driving it every single time”

positive · Cars & Bids · ▶ 23:17
// 04

Daily drivability

4.0/514 of 14 reviewerssplit

“you'll never be in a German car where you're like lacking for headro”

positive · TFLnow · ▶ 3:54

“this cabin is so much more spacious than the Miatas. And of course, you're taking a 300lb weight penalty, but for a bigger guy, I think you'd probably want to get this car.”

positive · Gaijin Touge · ▶ 7:24

“I'm always surprised by how roomy these cars are I've got plenty of room for my body my legs my shoulders.”

positive · EverydayDriver · ▶ 11:40
// 05

Value

4.0/514 of 14 reviewersconsensus

“a mid-engine Porsche that handles fantastically and puts a smile on your face when you're driving it every single time for not that much money”

positive · Cars & Bids · ▶ 23:17

“this is a lot of car for the money”

positive · EverydayDriver · ▶ 53:24

“The Porsche 986 is at the bottom of the depreciation curve. It is completely at the bottom now.”

positive · Hernan SPEED · ▶ 5:16

Hear it in the reviewer’s words

ElevenAfterNine
Posted Dec 20, 2025Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
Cars & Bids
Posted Jun 19, 2023Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
Porsche Club America
Posted May 30, 2017Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
More Porsche Boxster / Cayman reviews
Head to head
From the press · 13 articles
EngineM96
Power225 hp
TX5-speed manual or 5-speed Tiptronic
Curb2,750 lb
Manual✓ available