Boxster-worth it?

[E Kaplan]

First of all, I don't think you need to spend $35,000 for a great Boxster. I just purchased a 2000 with 30,000 miles for $18,000. Car runs perfectly. Spend another $5,000 and you can get a low mileage S , 2002-2003.

The cost is about the same as any German car. Overall, very reliable.

I had a 1999 Miata a few years ago and there is no comparison. While the Miata is dependable, it is slower, much less solid, does not corner as well and is much louder. I could not talk on my cell phone in the Miata and have no problems in my boxster.

The Vet is a great car, but very different from the Boxster. Faster, but I don't like the ride as much and don't think it corners as well. In addition, I see so many vets on the road and don't see alot of Boxsters.

Goot luck!
Eric

[concept84]

I've owned two Vettes, an 04 Commemorative Edition Convertible, and an 06 Coupe, both loaded to the hilt, and both with any performance upgrades, such as stiffer suspension, etc. While they are very very fast, they don't compare to the Porsche, at least to me. Living here in NJ it is hard to find roads without any traffic, and in traffic both Vettes were a chore. Getting them to handle well and driving them fast is also a chore. Driving the Boxster is just......

Bliss.

[70Sixter]

Everyone has pretty well answered your question. I would only add that you should buy the best car you can afford or want to budget for. IF Boxster, then.....

The are several Boxster changes to consider like the glass rear window in 03. The 987 in 05. And which options you'd have to have and which are just nice to have.

Me - I had to have an S with 6spd, heated seats, cruise control and Carrera lites. Oh yeah, and black or basalt over Savanna or grey.

Litronics, Bose, auto A/C were nice to haves. Some options are easy to add after the fact. Others are too hard, too expensive or impossible.

[Osprey01]

Do people recommend the PASM strongly? How much is maintenance and repair on an 03 or 05 likely to run? More than $2k a year?

[ancster]

PSM is an option that depends on each person. I wanted it on mine as I wanted the extra safety factor. PASM uses the ceramic brakes and isn't a common option.
I believe PSM became standard in '05.
For maintenance costs, outside of any major work, I budget 1k a year for maintence - spring tune-up and winterizing the car. Depending on the mileage of the car and the regular maintenance that needs to be done, you could get as high as 2k.
A lot of the work can be DIY which can keep the costs minimized.

[Osprey01]

I would be looking at either the 2nd model year update (with glass window) or the 3rd (I believe 2005)- aside from the increased power after 2005, anything else to recommend either of these options?

Has Porsche definitely solved the RMS leak issue after a certain model year?

[Brucelee]

[QUOTE=Osprey01]I would be looking at either the 2nd model year update (with glass window) or the 3rd (I believe 2005)- aside from the increased power after 2005, anything else to recommend either of these options?

Has Porsche definitely solved the RMS leak issue after a certain model year?[/QUOTE]


Don't think so on the RMS.

[NickCats]

Originally Posted by ancster

PSM is an option that depends on each person. I wanted it on mine as I wanted the extra safety factor. PASM uses the ceramic brakes and isn't a common option.
I believe PSM became standard in '05.

Not quite correct...

PASM - Porsche Active Suspension Management system. Includes active managment of suspension firmness and a ride height decrease of -10mm from the standard suspension. ( $1,990 )

PCCB - Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) system. Carbon-fiber reinforced ceramic brake discs, internally ventilated and perforated, and yellow painted brake calipers. ( $8,150 )

PSM - Both Boxster models are equipped with Porsche Stability Management (PSM) as standard.

( from Porsche website referring to current models )

Nick

[Osprey01]

Oops. Thanks for that- I meant PASM. Do people recommend that?