Boxster-worth it?

[Osprey01]

All right- so I'm a 31 year old male, I have a good job and could afford a 911 new if I wanted, but I don't want to spend that much. I think $35K is about what I want to spend right now, and I consider that to border on the wasteful, but what the heck...

I am not so much into badges, I'm looking for a sports car. I drove a Cayman S and like it quite a bit, but they're currently still pricey and a friend told me that they had heat issues with the engine right behind you with the closed roof. so I'm thinking about a Boxster.

Do you guys think the Boxster is worth the difference over a Miata, both in money and in potential for maintenance disaster? Is the Boxster reliability still a crapshoot if I look for a good one with maintenance records and maintain it religiously? I'm pretty good with maintaining my vehicles. I find the Miata to be fun, but the steering wheel doesn't quite clear my right leg, which isn't optimal. I haven't driven a Corvette, either, and I am struck by how one can buy a 2 year old non-Convertible Corvette for the same price as a 3-4 year old Boxster- I take it the Boxster handling makes up for the sheer grunt that the Corvette has? Horses for courses and such? I don't need overpowering speed, handling is fun...

Sorry for the ramble- mostly it's about trying to figure out if the maintenance gamble is worth it.

Thanks.

[Brucelee]

The three cars you mentioned are all very very different.

I recommend you drive them, all three on multiple ocassions.

The other issues you mentioned are secondary, in my mind. The issue is, which one floats your boat?

[BoxsterLewis]

Read the thread "Why did you buy your Boxster" right below this one and that should answer your question

[rick3000]

You're the only one that can decide, but I would drive all three cars like Brucelee said before making a decision. If you're after a lot of HP and straight line speed don't get a Porsche, but if you want something that can out handle just about anything look at the Boxster and Cayman. Personally, I would choose the Boxster because you have the ability to have a hardtop or a softtop, but it all really depends on what you want.

Also, the maintenance isn't too bad. You can DIY just about everything on this car if you want, and unless you have a major problem the average maintenance price is about the same as any other german car.
Good Luck with the Decision!

[Lil bastard]

IMHO...

The most Practical - Miata

The most Bang for the Buck - Corvette

The most Prestige, Best Handling, most Headaches - Boxster

All three are excellent cars and each has it's own trade-offs. Seems like you need some extensive Seat Time in each... the answer will come to you.

[BoxsterLewis]

I beg to differ on the most bang for the buck, i got an Awesome deal on my 2001 Boxster S and i get alot more overall car than i would of spending the same amount on a American less well put together Vette

[Jacques79]

I don't think the Boxster handles better than a Corvette.

The Boxster has more tactile feedback in it's steering and other imputs, but in terms of carrying speed around a corner and chassis stiffness the Corvette is equal if not better.

[Osprey01]

How expensive is the RM Seal to fix, if it does go out. I assume it is fixable? Does Porsche help out of warranty if it's a known defect?

[Lil bastard]

Originally Posted by Osprey01

How expensive is the RM Seal to fix, if it does go out. I assume it is fixable? Does Porsche help out of warranty if it's a known defect?

Not all RMS is fixable - Porsche uses a measuring tool to see if the case and crank are within tolerances, otherwise it's new engine time. Small percentage, but it does happen.

[rick3000]

If you notice an oil drip and you get the car towed to your mechanic and it is an RMS seal, they can replace it for about $800. If you don't catch it and all the oil comes out on the freeway your looking at a 10k engine replacement. That is why I went with an extended warranty that covers me up to 50k miles, because once you get past 30k it is unlikely to happen.