Moving Overseas - should I take my 987?

I may be moving overseas / Korea (at least for 2+ years and not know when / if we will be returning) and wondering whether I should sell or take the car as the company will likely cover all / most of the shipping - if not, a no-brainer and sell it here in the US / NJ. Some of my thoughts include: 1. Want to keep the car as it is a rather-rare one with an OEM hard top (as @foodbiker indicated, an "unobtanium") 2. Somewhat emotionally attached as I have been maintaining it for last 2.5 years AND my son learned to drive manual with this car 3. There are a few reputable shops in Korea 4. Will live in an apartment complex with underground parking (no personal garage - looking into one but won't be cheap) without an electrical outlet 5. VERY difficult to find a manual 987 in Korea plus mine is a "late" 2005 2.7L model with the larger IMS bearing, 2nd owner, 3 keys (one is plastic), etc. 6. If I sell it here in NJ, I will be lucky to get around 20k with a hardtop (86.5k miles, running smoothly as ever, will include PIWIS III, etc.) 7. Storing the hardtop will take up a small bedroom (in an already small apartment like NYC) - maybe I can store it somewhere else?? Should I take it? What is the implication to the car, if I take the battery out during the winter, and trickle charge at home? Any detrimental effects when I reconnect? Just many thoughts running through my head....thank you in advance for your thoughts / advice.

Again, congrats on this potential opportunity! I know we directly discussed this briefly, but here's more of my hot-takes given more info: 1. Want to keep the car as it is a rather-rare one with an OEM hard top (as @foodbiker indicated, an "unobtanium") If you decide to get back into it again, rest assured that 2005 admittedly isn't terribly rare and you could probably get back into one at a later date. They made so many, that all of the 987.2 series combined total is all of 2005 MY production. Hope that's reassuring. The key thing about the 2005 MY base is I believe the engine was made with cast iron -- which means negligible bore scoring issues = high reliability like the 987.2. If you're absolutely certain that it's a late model IMS that was used with 2006-2008, you again have a lower risk car -- as a former 2005 owner, I researched the hell out of this and it's tough to tell. If I had to pick a 987.1 to replace my 987.2 per reliability, yours would be next in line. Your hardtop is what's stupidly rare and finding a matching one ever again seems very unlikely. 2. Somewhat emotionally attached as I have been maintaining it for last 2.5 years AND my son learned to drive manual with this car Parting with cars can be emotionally very difficult. Ask me how I know. 3. There are a few reputable shops in Korea That's a major plus to just bring it with you. I'm assuming you'd be just fine in that regard. What's the weather like where you'll be driving? 4. Will live in an apartment complex with underground parking (no personal garage - looking into one but won't be cheap) without an electrical outlet You'll be fine, but just assume you're not going to do your own maintenance while in Korea. I would just factor that into longer-term added cost. It's not the end of the world to have someone else do that stuff. Especially if you get a pay bump with your move, just add that to the cost of doing business. 5. VERY difficult to find a manual 987 in Korea plus mine is a "late" 2005 2.7L model with the larger IMS bearing, 2nd owner, 3 keys (one is plastic), etc. If you ever wanted to sell it in Korea, what's the market like over there? 6. If I sell it here in NJ, I will be lucky to get around 20k with a hardtop (86.5k miles, running smoothly as ever, will include PIWIS III, etc.) I think it depends per pricing. What does everyone else think per the market? Again, I'd absolutely sell the hardtop separately. 7. Storing the hardtop will take up a small bedroom (in an already small apartment like NYC) - maybe I can store it somewhere else?? This is a tough one. Especially if Korea isn't a permanent move, I'd just leave the hardtop on the car and enjoy it to something akin to a Cayman. In fact, one of the original Cayman designs looked like our Boxsters with the hardtop on. My hardtop ideally stays on for about a third of the year anyhow. In fact, I'm on my long-distance 3K+ mile trip and having the hardtop has proved invaluable to knock down road noise. Should I take it? What is the implication to the car, if I take the battery out during the winter, and trickle charge at home? Any detrimental effects when I reconnect? Just many thoughts running through my head....thank you in advance for your thoughts / advice. Zero problems with just taking the battery out and reconnecting it later. I do that all the time with various cars. You may get a PSM error or "Drive Off" error (later cars?), but they go away very quickly after driving again. Meanwhile, I'd consider driving it year round like I do! The key thing here is that the Boxster is clearly still "sparking joy" for you. Some people golf, some hang glide, some play the violin, etc. I don't know about you, but driving/riding/cooking are "my things" as many of you know via Food Biker, and only you know what gives you pleasure. If it's just going to be shipped to Korea and will sit there unused, you're better off selling it now, stashing the money away for a few years, and then revisiting your future car options. There's always a cool car to get into. If the shipping wasn't included, by all means - I'd simplify things and just sell it on here. But if the Boxster is still speaks to you and you're still turning around and enjoying a glance at it most times after you park your car, then keep it. Keep in mind that if you're coming back to the US, you may NOT be paying for return freight the next time around. But in that case, I'm curious what the Korean resale market is for an imported car! You could take it with you, enjoy it for a few years, and then sell it on. Regardless, I certainly don't know your time frame -- but what I would seriously consider doing if you are indeed taking it with you -- is to do or have done -- ALL major maintenance here stateside before you leave. This way, if you are in Korea for quite a few years, you'd likely be fine outside of oil changes and the like (brakes, brake fluid, coolant, maybe differential fluid, etc.) That's being conservative, but this way you might not pay a premium to have it done overseas. I couldn't say. No wrong answers here, my friend. If you still LOVE the car and could easily sell it on in Korea at a premium if you're not using it, just take it and enjoy it with the hardtop on abroad. I don't think you could get hurt. Let us know what you decide to do, and again - congrats at this incredible opportunity.

Foodbiker covered it pretty well. My one concern would be - are there any S Korean import restrictions like with EU. It's a big deal to repatriate a US spec'd car back to EU. IMO, not worth the expense and effort. Maybe not an issue with S Korea since I believe GIs often take their personal vehicles over there. Also, you didn't state how long you expect to be gone. If you decide you don't like living there, would you have to reimburse moving expenses? It seems a large motivation to keep this car is the rarity of the hardtop If you only expect to be gone a few years you could rent a storage locker for the hardtop and sell the car here. You would then only need to find an acceptable 987.1 when you return . The top could be painted to match if necessary.

Thanks guys for your quick replies and insights: 1. @foodbiker I checked the engine number and well above / beyond the smaller IMS engine numbers 2. Duration - 2+ years at least and not sure at all we would actually return anytime soon as we were also contemplating our retirement (in the future) in Korea (but who knows) 3. I have it in my contract to cover return shipping; but will likely sell in Korea if we return (the market is about the same or slightly lower pricing as that magical 100,000 number dictates used car pricing - and it is KM there, like the rest of the world) 4. I think GI's have "different" restrictions compared to civilians. Having said that even for civilians "not too strict" - minor things like the blinkers must be yellow, speedometer must indicate in KM (which can be changed easily in our US 987, etc.) - one funny thing / law I heard is that you CANNOT drive on a major highway / interstate with your top down 5. Another unique thing about is there is "self-servicing" shops which provide lifts, tools, etc. at a nominal fees (I heard around $15 - 20 an hour) and even provide labor if needed (at an additional fees) Thanks again!

GI includes free shipping to S Korea too right? As long as you have a place to put it where you feel it will be safe till you feel things out, I say go for it. After all, it’s already your baby and we’re only going through this experience once PS I would be very interested in hearing what it’s like over there if you want to drop me a DM once you get there.

For GI's I think yes...I know those GIs in Japan bring in "rare" JDMs in the past. I will be living in central Seoul, which will be equivalent to living in NYC / Manhattan. Will certainly post my experience as I go through this. Was helping with fellow Korean Boxster (mostly 987) owners in the past and would be nice to hook up with them as well.

My friend is a senior manager for Hyundai, he’s been there quite a few times. I remember him saying there were people to assist him in his movements to make sure he didn’t culturally offend. The only other thing I remember is him saying if you go drinking with the South Koreans you will lose, but they insist you to go with them anyway. 😎

As long as you are a honest alcoholic, you will survive just fine in Korea

Hi @Hoster987 congratulations on your upcoming move. I lived in S. Korea for 1 year while in college as a foreign exchange student in 2002. Here's some random observations about my time: I really love driving, and I wish I could've taken my car with me. At the time, I had a 1993 Nissan 240SX. It would've been very unique to have an imported car (not sure about today). Seeing an imported R32 Skyline to me was like seeing a Countach drive by. The Korean market was probably 90% domestic. At that time, imports were mainly European, and a trickle of Japanese. Having a car gives you freedom to get out of the bustling Seoul area, and explore more of the country on a whim. Having the Boxster there could open up more friendships through car related activities and clubs. The weather was similar to what I experienced in the midwest. You could probably drive year round. Negatives: Lots of traffic Parking - small lots spaced close together. You're still in a small car but most lots have tight spaces and you'll be nervous about parking it. Maintenance - may need to punt even easy stuff to one of the mentioned shops due to the garage situation. If you do take it, I hope you'll consider keeping us informed via ongoing posts of your 987 in Korea.

Thanks for your kind note and I love that "Sylvia" On a different note, I did live in Japan 1999 - 2004 and considered buying a R34 and bring it back home (thank god I didn't as there was an infamous fraud case by Motorex who imported R34 "illegally" to the US with fake crash test results). As for the drive, group etc...yes. In fact, I have also joined a Korean Boxster forum, and personally been in touch with a few (mostly 987 owners). They basically go out of Seoul 4AM, drive on twisty roads, get some breakfast and come home. As for the car scene, you can probably see more super cars in a specific area in Seoul than anywhere else in the world - maybe except for Monte Carlo (not necessarily due to "many" super car owners but mostly it is a "small - size wise" city with 15+ million people) so....my car will be an ancient, old, vintage, whatever you want to call it but who cares. Will keep you posted - on a side note, I was wondering whether I could leave the frunk "open / unlatched" during shipping just in case the battery runs out. According to the shipper, it will take 1.5 - 2 months to arrive at least (maybe a bit longer for a car to clear inspections / customs).

If I was in your shoes, I would definitely take it with me, you can ship it inside a 20ft container, where you can secure it inside with moisture absorbers for the 4-6 weeks transit time, the only concern would be that I believe that Korea drives on the wrong side of the street, like the UK, Japan, and Austraila.. but other than that not a big issue. PS: good ised ato leave the frunk open with a towel covering the latch..

Where are you going to live vs. work, where are you going to park the car in Korea? My wife's brother worked several years as General Manager over a couple of plastic molding plants in South Korea. He said even with a driver, it's a tough adjustment in Seoul, almost always took a train, which are beautiful and clean. and much faster. It's the in's and out's of the country as RSchwerer mentioned. Driving in and out of a major city takes the fun out driving? My experience on international transfers isn't great, and God help you if your car it gets selected for a contraband search? It needs to be cleaned as if you were going to sell it, no loose papers, coins, electronics, maps, flashlight batteries, evidence of modifications, tools, spare tires , jacks, wheel locks off, water bottles, 'things" ... they may ask for you to remove the U.S. tags, etc...etc.. etc. You need some heavy mojo and support from the company that employs you to facilitate those transfers. Personally on international shipments on company transfers my experiences are POOR. Also, companies in this day and time aren't terribly helpful on the way "out"... the old devil's story.... those floors are for "prospects", you're a "customer" now! Things get lost, scratched, and accumulate years of wear and tear they wouldn't otherwise receive. I assume your employer will help you stand these transfer risks included the movement of your personal car too, and you have a 'turnkey' transfer reimbursement agreement for this auto contained within your employment agreement? I also assume you've been an expat before so you know how this all goes... and a good ex-pat CPA firm so the taxes are grossed-up for U.S. & foreign ICT? Rent is really high in Korea so it blows your marginal tax rate into the very highest brackets so tax planning and negotiations are critical.... and social customs are a huge deal there, as someone mentioned, and must be followed. OMG.... Insurance?? Emission certifications? My comment.... NO WAY would I take this hassle on for a car to which I had an attachment! One man's opinion. Some countries require the car be imported/exported "dry" too? Can you see, you hit a nerve.

I took my 2005 Boxster 2.7L 6-speed with me to England for 3 years. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Even though I couldn't pass anyone (because I was in a lefthand drive car driving on the left side of the road), it was still great to drive my baby while I was there. Definitely take it with you.

Korea is like the US...LHD so no worries there. A great idea about the moisture absorbers... Thanks!

Thanks for the insights. The moving company is a "pro" who takes care of all Samsung related moves (in and out of the US). I will most likely live in central Seoul but will take the subway / bus which is (as you said) faster than driving (there are "bus-only" lanes throughout the city, hence faster). The car will be parked underground of an huge apartment complex or the office parking space (will see). Yes, the moving company will advise me with the prep - e.g., clean, only car-related parts can be in the car, etc. Thanks!