May 2025 Cars and Coffee Highlights

There’s something about rolling into a Cars and Coffee meet in the 986 that still catches people off guard. It’s not the loudest car in the lot. It’s not the most expensive. But there’s a purity to the flat-six sound bouncing off the pavement, the low snout cutting through the morning air, that earns its place in any gathering.

May 2025 brought one of the better local meets of the year — a mix of rare exotics, tastefully built domestics, and a handful of air-cooled classics that reminded everyone in the lot why these events matter.

The 986 Gets Some Attention

I’ll be honest: the 986 Boxster doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves at shows dominated by 911s and supercars. But this month was different.

A handful of attendees stopped specifically to talk about the 986’s place in Porsche history — the fact that it was the car that saved the company in the mid-’90s, that it shared development with the 996, that the flat-six in base trim is one of the more characterful engines Porsche ever put in a road car. Those conversations are part of what make these events worth attending.

By the time the morning wound down, I’d answered more questions about the Boxster platform than I had at any meet in recent memory. It’s a good sign for the 986’s growing reputation as a legitimate modern classic.

What Was in the Lot

Every Cars and Coffee has its anchor cars — the builds that draw the first crowd and hold it longest. This month was no different.

The Rare Builds

A few standouts from the morning:

• Second-generation Chevrolet Camaro Z28 (late 70s/early 80s) — This one looked like a late second-gen example based on the front fascia and air induction hood. It was displayed hood-up with a very clean engine bay.

• Classic lowrider lineup: Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme and Buick Regal — The orange car up front was a mid-80s G-Body Cutlass Supreme, followed by a magenta/purple Buick Regal. Parked to the right was a vivid blue Honda Gold Wing motorcycle.

• 1962 Chevrolet Impala lowrider — A heavily customized ‘62 Impala in mint green with extensive gold-plated grille and headlight trim, plus a highly polished engine bay. A quintessential lowrider build.

• Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32) — Deep red, right-hand-drive import, with the classic Godzilla silhouette. Visible aftermarket intercooler and engine modifications made it an instant crowd magnet.

• Mazda RX-7 (FD3S) — Gray, aggressive front bumper, and hood up to reveal a large single-turbo rotary setup. Definitely a modified Series 6-8 style enthusiast build.

Everyday Drivers Making an Appearance

What I love about local meets is that it’s not all million-dollar exotics. Some of the best conversations I had were next to a clean first-gen Mazda Miata, a low-mileage Volkswagen Corrado, and a surprisingly well-preserved third-gen Camaro Z28. These are the cars that real enthusiasts drive — and talk about with real knowledge.

Owning a Modern Classic in 2025

The 986 sits in an interesting category right now. It’s old enough to be appreciated as a classic (values on clean examples have been trending upward for several years), but young enough that parts availability is still reasonable, and the mechanical simplicity means a knowledgeable DIY owner can keep one running without breaking the bank.

What the Market Looks Like

Values on clean, well-documented 986s have moved significantly in the last three to four years. Rust-free cars from dry climates have become noticeably harder to find. The IMS bearing narrative has also shifted — buyers who’ve done their research know the risk, know the fix, and adjust their offer accordingly. The cars with documented IMS work done command a real premium now.

For someone who wants a proper sports car experience without 911 money, the 986 remains one of the best answers in the used market.

Daily Reality

Running a 25-year-old car in 2025 means accepting a few things:

• You’re going to have maintenance surprises. Budget accordingly.
• Soft tops on older examples need attention — either restoration or replacement.
• The interior plastics show their age. You can live with it, or you can address it gradually.
• Modern traffic and modern connectivity mean you’re adapting the car to your life more than the other way around.

But none of that changes what the car does when you’re on an empty road and the revs climb past 5,000. That part is exactly what it was in 1999.

The Community Aspect

The best part of the monthly Cars and Coffee circuit isn’t the cars. It’s the people.

One of my favorite moments from this meet was getting a photo with close friends in front of our cars.

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Event: May 2025 Cars and Coffee
Car: Porsche 986 Boxster
Highlights: Camaro Z28, Cutlass Supreme and Buick Regal lowriders, 1962 Impala lowrider, Skyline GT-R R32, Mazda RX-7 FD3S
Vibe: Strong community turnout, great weather, good conversations

Video Recap