Porsche Boxster Spyder buyer's guide: 981 Spyder, 718 Spyder and Spyder RS

The Boxster Spyder is the purist roadster: the 981 Spyder (3.8 L, manual only), the 718 Spyder (4.0 L, manual and later PDK) and the 718 Spyder RS (the GT4 RS engine, PDK only). All three are bought on spec, condition and history, and all three have a manual soft top that rewards a careful owner.

The models at a glance

What they sell for and what is listed

911 Tracker data as of Oct 20, 2026: VIN-checked sales and live US listings. A median is shown only with 5 or more sales or priced listings; the number of sales or listings behind each median is in brackets. What each car sold for, price history and what each option does to the price are on 911 Tracker with a free account.

Across the 37 cars in this guide whose gearbox we know: Manual 28 (76%), PDK 9 (24%), as of Oct 20, 2026.

Known problems to check

Model-specific issues documented by specialists. None of them means a car is bad; each one is a question to answer before you pay.

• Soft top

  The Spyder tops are manual and partly hand-folded. Check the fabric, the latches and the rear deck lid for damage from rushed folding.

• Track use

  Ask about track days and look at brakes, tires and the underside for evidence.

Checks for every car

• Records and ownership

  A continuous service history from a Porsche dealer or a known specialist, and a clean title. Gaps in the records are worth a price conversation, not just a question.

• VIN, options and window sticker

  Match the VIN to the car, the title and the build record. Options are claimed wrongly more often than you might think; decode the VIN before you pay for them.

• Over-rev report (manual cars)

  The engine computer on these cars counts over-rev events by range. A Porsche dealer or specialist can read them with a factory scan tool; higher ranges deserve an explanation.

• Leaks, brakes, tires

  Look under the car for oil and coolant. Measure pads and rotors (carbon-ceramic rotors are expensive), and check tire date codes, not just tread.

• A specialist pre-purchase inspection

  Have a Porsche specialist inspect the car before you commit, ideally with a leak-down or compression test on older engines. It is the cheapest insurance in the hobby.

Go deeper

Each model has its own market report with the full numbers we can publish: 981 Boxster Spyder, 718 Spyder, 718 Spyder RS. Every car we track is on 911 Tracker by VIN.

Own one already? See what yours is worth on the 911 value page or get a firm offer on your 981 Boxster Spyder or 718 Spyder. Dealers and brokers: see dealer access to off-market cars and auctions.