2002 Porsche Boxster 3.2 ‘S’ Registration Number: MF51 XBA...

Hammer

£4,400

2002 Porsche Boxster 3.2 ‘S’

Registration Number: MF51 XBA
Chassis Number: WPOZZZ98Z2U641903
Recorded Mileage: 89,700 miles

- In current ownership since 2019
- Substantial history file

In October 1991, following a visit to the Tokyo Motor Show, Porsche began to devise solutions to succeed the poor selling 928 and incoming 968 (a heavy update of the 944). In February 1992, Porsche began development of a successor to the 928 (mildly updated for 1992) and recently released the 968. By June 1992, out of 4 proposals based on dual collaboration between the 986 and 996 (993's successor) design teams, a proposal by Grant Larson and Pinky Lai inspired by the 356 Cabriolet, Speedster, and 550 Spyder was chosen by Harm Lagaay.

Introduced in late 1996 and based on the 1993 Boxster Concept, the model was Porsche's first road vehicle to be originally designed as a roadster since the 50’s 550 Spyder. The name refers to the car’s "boxer" engine in combination with the name "speedster" as first seen on the 356. The 986 stimulated a commercial turnaround for Porsche, which during the early 1990s had been suffering with an ageing product range and falling sales, and it's credited with saving the company. The 986 Boxster was Porsche's biggest volume seller from its introduction in 1996 until the introduction of the Cayenne in 2003.

Powered by a 2.5-litre flat six-cylinder engine, the base model was upgraded to a 2.7-litre engine in the year 2000 and a new Boxster S variant was introduced with a 3.2-litre engine. In 2003, styling and engine output was upgraded on both variants. The 986 was succeeded by the 987 which retained the Boxster roadster and added the Cayman fixed-roof coupé body style.

Recognising that its customers wanted something more potent, Porsche introduced the S in 1999 alongside a new 2.7-litre base model. The S came with a six-speed manual gearbox and a 250bhp 3.2-litre engine that delivered 162mph flat out and 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds. It cost £8000 more than the 220bhp 2.7 model but was still considerably cheaper than the 911 it was edging towards in performance terms. Identifying marks on the S are its red-painted brake calipers, drilled brake discs, and white-faced instruments.

This 2002 Boxster ‘S’ has been with the same local owner for the last 5 years, alongside one or two other classic cars. The Boxster has been well maintained over the years, offered with several service stamps, plus various invoices and receipts in the factory book pack.

Finished in Basalt Black with matching black leather trim and 18” Carrera wheels, this is a good looking entry sports car, offering bags of performance for a very sensible outlay.