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Old 10-20-2009, 04:53 AM   #1
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Am I crazy for wanting to upgrade?

I've had the Boxster for over three years now... I got talking to the wife this weekend about it. She knows how bad I've always wanted a 996... and the prices are pretty attractive right now. You can get into a 1999-2002 with low miles for mid 20's. So now I'm torn... I hate selling cars too... it's a pain in the rear. I have no idea what I could sell my Box for. It's a 2000 with 61k, well cared for. The only issue is the gas tank only fills to half. I would have to discount the car or get that fixed. So I'm not sure what to do... I'm sure Porsches aren't selling like hot cakes either. Maybe a trade to a dealer would be best, but they wouldn't give me anything for my car I'm sure.

Anyway, just wanted to get opinions...

Thanks.
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Old 10-20-2009, 08:59 AM   #2
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I bought a 996 C4S back in May. Like you, I couldn't pass up the GREAT deals on these cars right now. Problem is that I've put a lot of time and money into my Box that I'd take a pretty good loss on it if I tried to sell it now. I just kept the Box and use it as my daily driver and keep the 996 as my weekend fun toy. Something to think about if you have the financial resources to do it.

Now is most definitely a BUYER'S market. I've purchased 3 cars this year! Take advantage of it and get that 996. If you must sell the Box and you can wait, just keep it until the Spring and sell it when the top-down weather returns to your state. Maybe the economy will be a little better then and it will be a better time to sell...

Kirk
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Old 10-20-2009, 11:22 AM   #3
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I definitely can't have both the 996 and 986... for a couple reasons. Expense is one, but also storing them. I have a three car garage and I do not want to leave one of our daily drivers out all winter.

I guess this time of year is not the best time to sell, however, when I was looking for my 986 I was prepared to buy in winter so I would have it come spring time. So I know there's hope. If I can't then no big deal. I LOVE the car... I just thought now is the time to move on the 996!

I'll do my research...

As far as the tank, I've tried all of the obvious fixes. I'm pretty sure it's the hoses that slipped and are blocking the other vent. I'm pretty mechanically inclined now and I'm not sure if I want to mess with the gas tank...
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Old 10-21-2009, 08:31 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bmx672
I LOVE the car... I just thought now is the time to move on the 996!
Don't get your hopes up too much if you think the 996 is going to be a big improvement over the Box. You might want to go test drive a couple and see what you really think. You might be disappointed. I like the additional power (320 HP) and awesome Turbo brakes that my C4S has. There's also more "prestige" where I live in owning a 911 - it turns more heads.

However, I am VERY glad that I also still have my Box. It's MUCH better on twisty roads. The AWD C4S is a good 400 lbs heavier and is more of a pig in turns (but that's just compared to the Box, compared to other cars it's amazing). The Box actually seems to have more usable power if you keep it above 4K RPM. When I go autocross again this weekend it will be the Box that I'll be racing, not the C4S.

My point - many people buy a Box with the hope to "step up" to a 911 later. Just consider that the Box in and of itself is an amazing sports car, so this "step up" may only be a prestige thing on the surface and not really that much of a step when it comes to performance.

Kirk
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2000 Boxster S - Gemballa body kit, GT3 front bumper, JRZ coilovers, lower stress bars
2003 911 Carrera 4S - TechArt body kit, TechArt coilovers, HRE wheels
1986 911 Carrera Targa - 3.2L, Euro pistons, 964 cams, steel slant nose widebody
1975 911S Targa - undergoing a full restoration and engine rebuild
Also In The Garage - '66 912, '69 912, '72 914 Chalon wide body, '73 914
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Old 10-21-2009, 08:46 AM   #5
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I see where you are coming from...

My two biggest reasons for wanting one are as follows:

First, 4 seats! I can put my two little girls (5 and 7) in the back and my wife in the front for short little trips. I know the back seats are small but my girls will be okay back there for several more years. We actually fit 4 adults in a co-workers 911 once. Yes very tight, but then again none of us were 35 & 50lbs little girls either And my wife and I are not that big...
My girls fight over who gets to go in the Boxster all of the time, I figured this way I could solve that problem.

The second reason is the styling, I've always loved the 911 more than any other Porsche (993 probably more than the rest).

Performance is really a distant third... So I think I'm approaching this from a good point of view anyway.
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Old 10-21-2009, 09:03 AM   #6
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Kirk is 100% right on the whole box vs 911 thing.

My brother in law has a 1999 996. It's beautiful. Sport Technic wheels, full aero kit, litronics.... for a "standard" 911, it's gorgeous. I've borrowed it a couple of times, so I've had a fair amount of seat time in it.

It's faster than my boxster, and it turns more heads. It looks more prestigious - BUT if you were to tell me that I was about to go out for a fun drive on a mountain road or a race track - I'd rather have my boxster.

the boxster handles better and is more fun to drive. Period. No comparison.

Maybe a newer more modern 911, would be such an improvement over his "older" one that I would not feel the same way...but if you're considering an "older" 996 vs a 986 - I honestly think the 986 is the more fun car.

if you HAVE to have back seats, or do NOT want a convertible, I think it would be an awesome car. It's not like I didn't like the car, but if you are looking for pure driving "fun" I think the boxster is better.

I second Kirk's idea to go test drive some and see what you think.
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Old 10-21-2009, 09:55 AM   #7
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Agree with Kirk, I have often dreamed of a Cayman S or Boxster S, given the expense of procurement and likely financial beating on a car I have carefully sorted out, I ask myself, why??

IMO, the best thing a person can purchase for themself is freedom. Better to retire a few years earlier and drive my less presigious 98 Boxster every summer day, than yoke myself to another substantial loan which by nature requires more work days.

Last edited by eightsandaces; 10-21-2009 at 09:57 AM.
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Old 10-20-2009, 07:32 AM   #8
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I saw a fix for the half gas tank issue on here somewhere. Do a search you should find it. I will try to find it. Your best bet is to sell your Box in the spring, unless you live in a warm climate(forget to look). Just advertise it in the closest largest city around you. Should only be around $30 to $50. If some one wants to see it, meet them somewhere public, preferably near a Cop Shop (just to be safe). Your bank can do the paper work. Do an ebay search in the completed acution section for your model year. That will tell you what people are actually getting. I have noticed ebay is way low so you definately have some room to mark it up.
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