1999 Porsche Boxster Base

1999 Porsche Boxster Base

Price: $17,997

The 1999 Porsche Boxster represents something Porsche had not attempted since the 914: a purpose-built, mid-engine, open-top two-seater designed from a clean sheet. When the 986-generation Boxster arrived for the 1997 model year, it was not a parts-bin special or a trimmed-down 911. It was engineered specifically as a roadster, with the engine mounted behind the driver and ahead of the rear axle — the ideal placement for balanced, predictable handling. By 1999, the Boxster had already proven itself as one of the most capable driver's cars available at any price, and Porsche had worked through the earliest production teething concerns. That makes a well-preserved 1999 example a particularly sensible choice for a buyer who wants genuine Porsche driving character without the premium attached to later variants. The base Boxster in 1999 used a 2.5-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine producing 201 horsepower. That number may sound modest by today's standards, but the Boxster weighed roughly 2,800 pounds, and the engine sits amidships — giving the car a near-perfect 50/50 weight distribution. The result is a car that responds to driver inputs with an accuracy that larger, heavier sports cars cannot match. The Boxster S, which arrived for the 2000 model year with a 3.2-liter engine, gets most of the enthusiast attention, but the 2.5-liter car with a manual gearbox is the purist's specification. It is lighter, simpler, and every bit as engaging on a twisting road. This specific car is finished in black over a grey leather interior and equipped with the 5-speed manual transmission — the correct combination for anyone who wants to use the car the way Porsche intended it to be driven. The 2.5-liter flat-six in this 1999 Porsche Boxster is a water-cooled unit — an important distinction for buyers familiar with Porsche's history. Porsche transitioned its road cars from air-cooled to water-cooled engines across the late 1990s, and the Boxster's M96 engine family was part of that shift. The engine sits longitudinally behind the cockpit, low in the chassis, where its weight contributes to a low center of gravity. Power routes through a 5-speed manual transmission, which is the gearbox most Boxster buyers specify when they are buying for driving enjoyment rather than convenience. The suspension is fully independent front and rear, using MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link setup at the rear. Four-wheel disc brakes are assisted by ABS, and power steering keeps the effort manageable without disconnecting the driver from road feel. The Michelin tires visible in the photos are an appropriate choice for this chassis, which was developed with performance tire feedback in mind. The undercarriage photos in this listing tell the most important story. The floorpan, subframes, and suspension components are clean and solid. This is a car that has not been abused, has not lived in a rust-prone climate, and shows the kind of care underneath that typically reflects how the car was treated overall. Finding an early Boxster with this caliber of undercarriage condition at this price point is not common. The grey leather interior is intact and consistent throughout. The bucket seats — a defining feature of the Boxster's cockpit — retain their shape and show expected use but no significant damage. The leather on the seat bolsters shows some natural softening with age, which is honest wear on a 25-year-old driver's car. The dashboard is all original, with the instrument binnacle positioned correctly and deeply hooded to reduce glare. The tachometer takes center position in the gauge cluster, which is a deliberate design choice by Porsche — this is a car where engine speed matters. Flanking the tach are the speedometer and a secondary gauge display for fuel level, oil temperature, and odometer. The factory Porsche CDR-220 head unit is present and correct in the center stack. The CDR-220 was a Porsche-branded AM/FM/cassette unit offered during this production period, and having the original radio intact keeps the interior looking as it left the factory. The automatic climate control panel sits directly above the radio and uses the same oval design language that carries through the entire dashboard. Door panel speakers are fitted on both sides, providing audio coverage without aftermarket modifications. The integrated roll hoops rising behind each headrest are structural, not decorative. In the event of a rollover, they are designed to protect the occupants. They also contribute to the visual silhouette that makes the 986 Boxster immediately recognizable from any angle. Both front and rear storage compartments are functional, which gives this two-seater more practical carrying capacity than many roadsters of its era. The black exterior is honest and correct on this body style. The 986 Boxster's body lines — drawn under the direction of Pinky Lai at Porsche's design studio — are round and smooth, drawing from the 550 Spyder and the 1969 914 concept without copying either. The front fascia houses the air intakes and framed headlights, while the rear is defined by the engine lid grille and the single oval exhaust tip centered in the bumper. That exhaust tip is signature Boxster — clean, simple, and functional. The black soft top is fitted with a glass rear window, which is the correct specification for a 1999 Boxster of this build. Glass holds its clarity over time far better than plastic, and it allows the rear-mounted defroster to function properly. The factory 5-spoke silver wheels are the correct style for this generation and fit the proportions of the car well. Michelin tires are mounted all around. The undercarriage photos show the belly pan panels, suspension pickup points, and exhaust system clearly. The structure is solid, the hardware is intact, and there is no indication of collision repair or deferred maintenance issues below the car. For a Florida-registered vehicle, this condition is encouraging and reflects a history of appropriate care. The 1999 Porsche Boxster checks the right boxes for a buyer who understands what this car is: a purpose-engineered mid-engine roadster with genuine Porsche heritage, in the correct manual transmission specification, wearing a clean black exterior over a grey leather interior, and presenting a solid undercarriage that supports confidence in its history. The 986-generation Boxster is now old enough to qualify for collector plates in many states, and values on clean, unmodified examples have been moving upward as buyers recognize these cars as legitimate entry points into early water-cooled Porsche ownership. This one is not a project. It is a driver. To learn more about this 1999 Porsche Boxster or to schedule an in-person inspection, call Skyway Classics in Sarasota, Florida at 941-254-6608.

  • Mileage: 53,199 mi
  • Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
  • Body Type: Convertible
  • VIN: WP0CA2984XU627916
  • Stock #: MIU28563
  • Location: Sarasota, FL