Porsche Boxster 986 $6,400: Deal or EV Trap?

The Porsche Boxster navigates between tempting used-car bargains and an uncertain future: a first-generation 986 priced at €6,400 is captivating enthusiasts while a YouTuber 3D-prints a GT3 for €140 in materials, and Porsche confirms electric versions are coming after revisiting its all-battery strategy.

"I had the chance to drive it on circuit and it was simply incredible. A Boxster-type car must deliver weight distribution, that raw karting feel, and it does." — Daniel Schmollinger, CEO Porsche Cars Australia

A €6,400 Boxster 986: Dream or Trap?

An announcement is turning heads in the United States: a 1997 Porsche Boxster 986 listed at $6,950 USD (roughly €6,400). This red roadster, described in the listing as "Ferrari hot sexy," naturally catches the eye when you know that in France, respectable Boxster 986s hover between €14,000 and €24,000. At this price, it's hard not to think you'd be crazy to walk away.

Except this 986 is already 30 years old with over 120,000 miles on the odometer. The photos reveal worn leather upholstery, a broken "Boxster" badge on the trunk lid, and wheels with visible chips. Beneath the glossy veneer lies a car that's already lived quite a life.

This first generation carries a well-documented reputation for a specific reliability issue. The infamous IMS (intermediate shaft) bearing can transform the deal of a lifetime into a financial sinkhole. Maintenance costs on a German sports car nearly three decades old can quickly eviscerate your initial budget.

When 3D Printing Challenges Porsche

YouTuber Mike Lake took on an audacious challenge: 3D-printing a full-scale Porsche GT3 in his garage. His project starts with a Boxster 986 he purchased for $13,000 that he covers with printed panels to give it the silhouette of a modern GT3.

His detailed calculations reveal surprising figures. The front bumper, composed of 61 pieces, required 381 hours of printing and 10.5 kg of PETG plastic. Result: AU$231 in raw materials—roughly €140. Each front fender also demands several days of printing but remains in laughably small budgets compared to Porsche's pricing.

In total, 62 kg of plastic suffices to dress his faux GT3. Lake uses consumer-grade printers like the Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro—priced at €330 each—and filament at €13 per kilogram.

The Electric Future Confirmed Despite Doubts

Porsche ends the speculation: electric Boxster and Cayman models are coming. After four years of development since the initial announcement, Daniel Schmollinger sweeps aside speculation about abandoning electric sportsters.

The gasoline versions took their final bows in April 2024 due to cybersecurity concerns. Their electric replacements, initially planned for 2025, are running a few months behind schedule but remain poised for launch.

When Will the New Electric 718s Arrive?

Porsche hasn't yet announced a precise date, but the tuning trials begun in 2022 appear to be reaching their conclusion. Rolling prototypes are logging countless circuit laps to refine dynamic behavior. The goal: preserve the sporting DNA that defines these models despite the shift to all-electric powertrains.

The brand is leveraging its expertise gained in Formula E to develop these sportsters with batteries. Some rumors suggest output in the 400 to 500 horsepower range depending on version, though these figures remain officially unconfirmed.

Porsche's Strategic Reversal

Faced with market realities, Porsche has revised its approach. Initially planned as 100% electric, the forthcoming 718 lineup will also offer gasoline engines. Electric vehicle sales are advancing more slowly than anticipated, and customers in the sports segment remain attached to traditional engines—a reality that forces even Porsche to acknowledge the complexity of electrification timelines.

This recalibration signals something deeper: the enthusiast market, whether shopping for used 986s at bargain prices or coveting future electric models, still craves authentic driving engagement. Neither cheap relics nor printed replicas nor hastily assembled EVs will satisfy that hunger. Only cars engineered with genuine passion—regardless of powertrain—will.