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Prices checked October 2026.
These 6 Boxsters and Caymans run from the first-generation 986 to the last 987 cars. Each section lists individual sold prices from Bring a Trailer auctions for the years and trim in its heading, from the last 12 months. The main engine difference is the intermediate shaft (IMS) bearing: the 2000 to 2008 engines have one, and the 2009 and later engines do not. Condition, mileage and service records still move the price.
The list at a glance
| Car | Engine and gearboxes | Recent sold prices | Factory IMS bearing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 Boxster S (986) | 3.2-liter flat-six; 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic | $11,150 to $21,500 (10 manual cars) | Dual-row or single-row |
| 2003 Boxster S (986) | 3.2-liter flat-six; 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic | $12,600 to $27,000 (11 manual cars) | Single-row |
| 2005 Boxster S (987) | 3.2-liter flat-six; 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic | $19,500 to $33,250 (5 manual cars) | Single-row or larger non-serviceable |
| 2007 Cayman (987) | 2.7-liter flat-six; 5-speed manual standard | $22,500 to $30,500 (4 manual cars) | Larger non-serviceable |
| 2009 Cayman (987) | 2.9-liter flat-six; 6-speed manual or 7-speed PDK | $40,000 to $46,750 (5 manual cars) | None |
| 2009 to 2012 Boxster S (987) | 3.4-liter flat-six; 6-speed manual or 7-speed PDK | $37,000 to $52,000 (7 manual cars); $31,000 to $32,000 (3 PDK cars) | None |
IMS bearing types are from LN Engineering's IMS bearing problem years by model. A replacement engine can have a different bearing than the one the car left the factory with.
1. 2000 Porsche Boxster S (986)
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Porsche's US timeline lists the Boxster S as new for 2000. Porsche lists a 3.2-liter engine with 252 PS in the early cars. It came with a 6-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic. Porsche Cars North America history timeline, Porsche's Boxster S (986) model page and the fueleconomy.gov listing for the 2000 Boxster S manual.
What to check: LN Engineering says 2000 and 2001 engines can have either the dual-row or the single-row IMS bearing, and model year alone can't tell you which. Ask for proof of an IMS upgrade, or budget for one. The 2000 car also has the original plastic rear window, which PcarWise says can turn cloudy, brittle or cracked. A convertible top shop can replace the window without a whole new top. Porsche moved to a heated glass rear window for 2003. LN Engineering's IMS bearing problem years by model and PcarWise on Boxster common problems. Our 996 IMS bearing guide covers the same M96 engine family.
Recent sold prices: 10 manual 2000 Boxster S cars sold on Bring a Trailer from November 2025 to October 2026 for $11,150 to $21,500, with 18k to 99k miles. Sales: $18,761, 34k miles, Nov 2025; $21,250, 50k miles, Jan 2026; $11,150, 94k miles, Apr 2026; $15,000, 99k miles, Apr 2026; $20,500, 63k miles, aftermarket exhaust, Apr 2026; $11,250, 92k miles, Jul 2026; $21,500, 18k miles, Aug 2026; $18,500, 37k miles, Aug 2026; $19,250, 48k miles, Sep 2026; $15,250, 50k miles, Oct 2026.
2. 2003 Porsche Boxster S (986)
The 2003 update gave the Boxster S new front and rear ends, a revised top and a heated glass rear window. Porsche raised output to 260 PS from the 2003 model year. The gearbox choices stayed the same. Porsche's Boxster S (986) model page and the fueleconomy.gov listing for the 2003 Boxster S manual.
What to check: LN Engineering puts 2002 to 2004 Boxsters in its highest-concern group, with the single-row IMS bearing. It says this bearing may give little or no warning before it fails, so it recommends replacing an original one before trouble starts. Run the VIN for recall 22V-656 too. It covers certain 2001 to 2004 Boxster S cars that left the factory without the caps over the headlight adjustment screws. PcarWise also lists cracked plastic coolant tanks on 986 and 987 cars, often first noticed as a coolant smell. LN Engineering's IMS bearing problem years by model, NHTSA recall report 22V-656 and PcarWise on Boxster common problems.
Recent sold prices: 11 manual 2003 Boxster S cars sold on Bring a Trailer from January to October 2026 for $12,600 to $27,000, with 22k to 103k miles. Sales: $27,000, 23k miles, Jan 2026; $12,600, 84k miles, Jan 2026; $25,486, 28k miles, Mar 2026; $24,250, 50k miles, Apr 2026; $15,500, 22k miles, Apr 2026; $17,250, 65k miles, May 2026; $13,250, 103k miles, replacement gearbox, May 2026; $17,986, 58k miles, May 2026; $15,005, 68k miles, Aug 2026; $25,000, 29k miles, Oct 2026; $13,750, 65k miles, Oct 2026.
3. 2005 Porsche Boxster S (987)
The 2005 Boxster S is the second-generation (987) car. Porsche lists the 2005 to 2008 Boxster S with a 3.2-liter engine rated at 280 PS, 18-inch wheels and red brake calipers. It came with a 6-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic. Porsche's Boxster S (987) model page and the fueleconomy.gov listing for the 2005 Boxster S manual.
What to check: LN Engineering calls 2005 a transition year. Many 2005 engines use the serviceable single-row IMS bearing, and some later engines got the larger bearing used from 2006. Have a specialist confirm which one the engine has before you plan the work. The cracked coolant tank PcarWise describes on 986 cars applies to the 987 as well. LN Engineering's IMS bearing problem years by model and PcarWise on Boxster common problems.
Recent sold prices: 5 manual 2005 Boxster S cars sold on Bring a Trailer from May to October 2026 for $19,500 to $33,250. The 4 cars with 36k to 90k miles sold for $19,500 to $25,500, and a 1,300-mile car brought $33,250. Sales: $19,500, 90k miles, May 2026; $24,005, 36k miles, Aug 2026; $19,500, 72k miles, Aug 2026; $25,500, 42k miles, Oct 2026; $33,250, 1,300 miles, Oct 2026.
4. 2007 Porsche Cayman (987)
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The base Cayman arrived for the 2007 model year with a 2.7-liter engine and a 5-speed manual. Porsche set it apart from the S with black anodized brake calipers, 17-inch wheels and a single oval tailpipe. fueleconomy.gov also lists a 6-speed manual and a 5-speed automatic for 2007. Porsche's Cayman (987) model page and the fueleconomy.gov listing for the 2007 Cayman 5-speed manual.
What to check: LN Engineering says all 2006 to 2008 Caymans use the larger IMS bearing. LN says it has proven more robust than the earlier single-row bearing but is not immune, and it can't be replaced without taking the engine apart. LN recommends removing the bearing's grease seal so engine oil can reach it. PcarWise also says the plastic coolant distribution pipe at the front of the 987.1 Cayman engine can leak as its seals age. LN Engineering's IMS bearing problem years by model and the PcarWise 987 Cayman buyer's guide.
Recent sold prices: 4 manual 2007 Caymans sold on Bring a Trailer from December 2025 to October 2026 for $22,500 to $30,500, with 36k to 122k miles. All 4 had the 5-speed. Sales: $30,500, 36k miles, Dec 2025; $26,000, 36k miles, Apr 2026; $22,750, 75k miles, modified, Aug 2026; $22,500, 122k miles, Oct 2026.
5. 2009 Porsche Cayman (987)
The updated Cayman went on sale for 2009 with new front and rear bumpers, LED taillights and a 2.9-liter engine rated at 265 PS. A 7-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox became optional next to the 6-speed manual. Porsche's Cayman (987) model page and the fueleconomy.gov listing for the 2009 Cayman manual.
What to check: this engine has no intermediate shaft and no IMS bearing, according to LN Engineering. PcarWise says a good number of early 987.2 engines burned oil, typically a quart every 1,000 miles, and some were replaced under warranty. It also says early versions of this engine had water pump and thermostat problems, with revised parts fitted later, so look for that work in the records. LN Engineering on IMS bearing types by engine for 2005 and later cars and the PcarWise 987 Cayman buyer's guide.
Recent sold prices: 5 manual 2009 Caymans sold on Bring a Trailer from November 2025 to June 2026 for $40,000 to $46,750. All had 38k miles or fewer. Sales: $42,500, 8k miles, Nov 2025; $41,000, 38k miles, Feb 2026; $40,000, 27k miles, Apr 2026; $42,000, 13k miles, aftermarket exhaust, Apr 2026; $46,750, 17k miles, Jun 2026.
6. 2009 to 2012 Porsche Boxster S (987)
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From 2009 the Boxster S got a new direct-injection engine with more displacement and 310 PS. Porsche made the 6-speed manual standard and the 7-speed PDK an extra-cost option. fueleconomy.gov lists it as a 3.4-liter engine. Porsche's Boxster S (987) model page and the fueleconomy.gov listing for the 2009 Boxster S manual.
What to check: like the 2009 Cayman, this engine has no IMS bearing. PcarWise says the high-pressure fuel pump on the 987.2 3.4-liter engine can fail, with long cranking, hesitation and misfires among the signs. It also lists high oil consumption on a good number of early 987.2 Boxster engines. LN Engineering on IMS bearing types by engine for 2005 and later cars and PcarWise on Boxster common problems.
Recent sold prices: we found only 1 sale of a 2009 Boxster S in the last 12 months, so this section covers 2009 to 2012. Manual: 7 cars sold on Bring a Trailer from December 2025 to September 2026 for $37,000 to $52,000, with 5k to 55k miles. Sales: 2011: $48,250, 5k miles, Dec 2025; 2010: $37,000, 48k miles, Jan 2026; 2010: $47,000, 17k miles, Apr 2026; 2012: $52,000, 22k miles, Jun 2026; 2011: $48,500, 19k miles, Aug 2026; 2011: $37,250, 55k miles, Aug 2026; 2011: $49,000, 20k miles, Sep 2026. PDK: 3 cars sold for $31,000 to $32,000, with 38k to 56k miles. Sales: 2010: $32,000, 56k miles, Dec 2025; 2011: $32,000, 38k miles, Feb 2026; 2009: $31,000, 56k miles, Sep 2026.
Before you buy
Get a pre-purchase inspection from a Porsche specialist on any of these cars. On the 2000 to 2008 cars, ask what IMS bearing the engine has and whether it has been replaced or had its seal removed. Routine jobs like brakes and fluids are realistic at home. Our 986 Boxster torque specs, 987 Boxster and Cayman torque specs and brake pad guide for the 986 and 987 cover the common ones. For IMS fixes, see what owners recommend for the 986 and 987 IMS bearing.
How we picked
The list covers 2 first-generation Boxster S cars, the first 987 Boxster S, a base Cayman from each half of the 987 run and the later direct-injection Boxster S. Together they show the main engine changes from 2000 to 2012. We list only sales we could open on Bring a Trailer, and we give a range only where we found at least 3 sales for the heading's years and trim.