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Porsche Boxster / Cayman 986 S

Boxster S (986)2000–2004

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

8 reviewers · 18 videos · 2 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 performance and handling, but split on value.

across 8 reviewers

// where reviewers split
Value
4 say · liveable

"one of the best value sports cars out there because you can pick up a decent one for under £10,000"

JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 9:03
1 say · critical

"I break down 5 things I absolutely love about the car... and 5 things that genuinely frustrate me, including some issues you might not expect in a car at this price point."

Performance Road Trips · ▶ 0:00
// the categories
// 01

Performance

4.5/58 of 8 reviewersstrong consensus

“thesee faster down the straights one quicker through the aplex down the straights I think it's got the edge on the Porsche but through the corners it has not”

positive · Autocar · ▶ 4:04

“the 2.5 seems to really... really is a smoother engine than the 2-liter... it just seems to pull a lot better with the 2.5 litre”

positive · MyRightCar · ▶ 2:26

“Its 350-horsepower mid-engine now follows the trend and is only four cylinders... since this one is turbocharged, it’s faster and runs very smoothly.”

positive · Centímetros cúbicos · ▶ 1:05
// 02

Handling

5.0/58 of 8 reviewersstrong consensus

“The stability while I'm driving it hard is really good. And it's very easy to drive fast.”

positive · Performance Road Trips · ▶ 0:17

“it's really interesting just driving them just the natural agility that this car's got and the more you lean on it the better you get an understanding of how good the balance is”

positive · Drivetribe · ▶ 10:45

“nicely balanced though this really nice Poise and balance to it I like it”

positive · Autocar · ▶ 6:34
// 03

Fun to drive

4.5/58 of 8 reviewersconsensus

“this is basically an understated road legal race car that delivers one of the best driving experiences you can get”

positive · MyRightCar · ▶ 3:53

“The driving experience it delivers is fantastic.”

positive · Kennan Rolsen · ▶ 13:24

“It's so efficient in going fast that you never feel it.”

mixed · Performance Road Trips · ▶ 3:35
// 04

Daily drivability

4.5/57 of 8 reviewersstrong consensus

“it is a more habitable interior and all of that adds up to the fact that the porush weighs... it is a more rounded you might argue more complete car”

positive · Autocar · ▶ 7:05

“despite it being 23 years old... you could still use this thing every single day.”

positive · Kennan Rolsen · ▶ 18:09

“The third thing I like about the car is how it is practical... You can take much more than you think.”

mixed · Performance Road Trips · ▶ 0:40
// 05

Value

4.0/57 of 8 reviewerssplit

“one of the best value sports cars out there because you can pick up a decent one for under £10,000”

positive · JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 9:03

“like really nice 986s feel undervalued to me.”

positive · Kennan Rolsen · ▶ 13:18

“if you can afford to splash out for the s package you really will appreciate that 350 horsepower”

positive · MyRightCar · ▶ 7:48

Hear it in the reviewer’s words

Kennan Rolsen
Posted Apr 21, 2026Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
Daily Motor
Posted Aug 23, 2020Open on YouTube
carwow
Posted Aug 18, 2020Open on YouTube
More Porsche Boxster / Cayman reviews
Head to head
From the press · 13 articles
EngineM96/21
Power258 hp
TX6-speed manual or 5-speed Tiptronic
Curb2,855 lb
Manual✓ available