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By Department 69
Prices checked October 2026.
Six used Porsches that suit owners who want to handle routine maintenance themselves. Each price below is a CLASSIC.COM Market Benchmark (CMB) from classic.com. It describes a typical car in that group, not a quote for any single car, and classic.com says neither the CMB nor an average should be used as the exact value of a specific vehicle. A low purchase price does not make deferred maintenance cheap.
The list at a glance
| Car | Years | classic.com benchmark (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Porsche 924S | 1987 to 1988 | $11,348 |
| Boxster 986, base, manual | 1997 to 2004 | $13,397 |
| Porsche 944, base | 1982 to 1990 | $14,079 |
| Boxster 986 S, manual | 2000 to 2004 | $17,005 |
| Boxster 987.1, base, manual | 2005 to 2008 | $20,321 |
| Cayman 987.1, base, manual | 2007 to 2008 | $24,171 |
1. Porsche Boxster 986 base, manual (1997 to 2004)
What it costs: classic.com lists a CMB of $13,397 for this group.
Why consider it: A flat-six roadster. Road & Track calls the 986 one of the cheapest ways into Porsche ownership.
What to check: Road & Track says oil seepage from worn rubber seals is common, especially around the rear main seal, and that IMS bearing failure is infrequent but highly publicized. It says all 986s have the problematic bearing design and recommends a pre-purchase inspection. Ask for service invoices.
Our guides: 986 Boxster torque specs and DIY jobs
Sources: classic.com, Boxster 986 base manual; Road & Track, 986 Boxster buyer's guide; CarGurus listings checked October 2026.
2. Porsche Boxster 986 S, manual (2000 to 2004)
What it costs: classic.com lists a CMB of $17,005 for this group.
Why consider it: Road & Track says the S got a 3.2-liter flat-six making 250 horsepower, a six-speed manual and bigger brakes from the 996. It says to expect to pay a few thousand dollars more than a similar-year base car.
What to check: The same Road & Track guide applies: oil seepage at the rear main seal area and the IMS bearing design on all 986s. Have a Porsche specialist inspect it.
Our guides: 986 Boxster torque specs and DIY jobs
Sources: classic.com, Boxster 986 S manual; Road & Track, 986 Boxster buyer's guide; CarGurus listings checked October 2026.
3. Porsche Boxster 987.1 base, manual (2005 to 2008)
What it costs: classic.com lists a CMB of $20,321 for this group.
Why consider it: LN Engineering lists the 987.1 base Boxster with a 2.7-liter flat-six making 240 to 245 hp, and says most base cars have a 5-speed manual.
What to check: LN Engineering's buying checklist includes leaks from the rear main seal, transmission or valve covers, and metal on the sump plate and oil filter. It says late 2005 to 2008 cars have a larger non-serviceable IMS bearing with a much lower failure rate that is not zero.
Our guides: 987 Boxster and Cayman torque specs and DIY jobs
Sources: classic.com, Boxster 987.1 base manual; LN Engineering, 987.1 Boxster and Cayman guide; CarGurus listings checked October 2026.
4. Porsche Cayman 987.1 base, manual (2007 to 2008)
What it costs: classic.com lists a CMB of $24,171 for this group.
Why consider it: LN Engineering says the Cayman was the first fixed-roof mid-engine Porsche and that the base Cayman followed the Cayman S in 2007.
What to check: LN Engineering says to check for leaks from the rear main seal, transmission or valve covers, and to inspect the sump plate and oil filter for metallic debris.
Our guides: 987 Boxster and Cayman torque specs and DIY jobs
Sources: classic.com, Cayman 987.1 base manual; LN Engineering, 987.1 Boxster and Cayman guide; CarGurus listings checked October 2026.
5. Porsche 944 base (1982 to 1990)
What it costs: classic.com lists a CMB of $14,079 for this group.
Why consider it: Hagerty UK describes a front-engine, rear-transaxle car with near-perfect weight balance, and says parts are readily available and scheduled servicing is relatively affordable.
What to check: Hagerty UK says drive, cam and balance belt services (every 4 years maximum) should not be skipped under any circumstances, and that the water pump should be changed at the same time. It calls the rear main oil seal a weak point.
Sources: classic.com, Porsche 944 base; Hagerty UK, Porsche 944 buying guide; CarGurus listings checked October 2026.
6. Porsche 924S (1987 to 1988)
What it costs: classic.com lists a CMB of $11,348 for this group.
Why consider it: Hagerty UK says the 924S has a 2.5-liter engine that is a detuned version of the all-Porsche motor used in the 944, and calls the S the best all-round 924.
What to check: Hagerty UK says to make sure the cam and balance belts have been changed every four years along with the water pump, and that the job needs specialist tools. It also says rough running is likely due to the DME relay.
Sources: classic.com, Porsche 924S; Hagerty UK, Porsche 924 buying guide; CarGurus listings checked October 2026.
How we picked
We chose six Porsches that a hands-on owner can reasonably maintain and used classic.com benchmarks, checked October 2026, to compare what they cost. Known issues come from the sources linked under each car. Confirm every car by VIN, a specialist inspection and its maintenance history.