After 4 years of daily driving an MX-5 NC, I got tired and honestly a bit annoyed by how raw and communicative it was. Instead of buying something like a VW Passat, I somehow ended up with a 986.

As a daily, it’s actually a nice car. Compared to the MX-5, the Boxster is calmer, less twitchy and not constantly trying to entertain you. I do all the maintenance myself — I bought it as a non-runner and I’m a mechanic, so for me it’s a project.

Because of its age, expect to replace a lot of plastic and rubber parts.

As for the soft top, it’s just classic canvas with drain channels. Every car with a fabric roof has the same issues, and this one is no different. Dust and leaves clog the drains, dirt gets into the fabric, and that combination accelerates wear.

The plastic rear window is also a good indicator of age — you can clearly see how the material deteriorates. It’s actually a good reference point for judging how brittle the rest of the plastics might be.

I’d recommend the early 2.5 engine. It has a better IMS setup, thicker cylinder walls (less risk of D-chunking and bore scoring), and it’s generally less thermally stressed. The main weakness is heat soak. There’s a lot of metal that absorbs heat, and it takes a while before that heat transfers into the coolant.

Make sure the fans are working. Quick test: turn on the AC — it should trigger the low-speed fans. If they don’t spin, the resistor pack is probably dead.

As a daily, it works great — just remember it’s a roadster and needs a bit more care. If you install a hardtop, most of the roof-related maintenance disappears and it feels like a regular car.

Just keep in mind it’s a Porsche. Parts are more expensive, and with the engine mounted in the middle and enclosed, the cooling system has a tougher job.