Boxster Base vs S - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

hc115 · 08-28-2010, 09:04 PM

Thanks so much for the input everyone. I really want a Porsche so I've been steering away from the M's, don't get me wrong, they're fun cars too! But owning a Porsche has always been a dream of mine, and I'm finding it possible right now.

Just to clarify, I'm actually looking for cars in the Los Angeles/Orange County area, but I will be living in Santa Barbara for another 1-2 years while I finish school--Go Gauchos! Whatever car I end up with will be my daily driver.

I've just recently came across 2000 996 as well, 45k miles for $21k, looks very clean. These cars sure are taking a hit on residual value. (good for me

)

I'll definitely be test driving the Boxsters as well as the Carrera! If everything checks out with the Carrera, however, I will definitely jump on it. No offense to anyone on this forum, I'm just trying to get the most Porsche for my money.

Would anyone happen to know an estimate of how much it would cost me to have a PPI done from the stealership?

clickman · 08-28-2010, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hc115

I've just recently came across 2000 996 as well, 45k miles for $21k, looks very clean. These cars sure are taking a hit on residual value.

Be careful. The early 3.4 engines were problematic.

hc115 · 08-29-2010, 12:27 AM

Will do. Thanks clickman.

trube78 · 08-29-2010, 06:14 AM

hc,

1. The 2000 Boxster is way overpriced. If it is dealer certified and perfect Edmunds prices it at about 16K with some costly options. Note ensure the 15K service is done before you buy it.

2. The 2002 S is in the ballpark for a dealer car if perfect (actually about 1-2K high depending on options.)

3. M3s are interesting, but a completely different animal. Not as good in the twisties if stock, but incredible on the highway. The engine is a beast but they had some problems and maintenance is more $$$ than Porsche once BMW quits paying. Gas mileage is terrible if you drive like an old lady you may hit 15 in town and almost 20 on the highway. Driving it normally think 13 and 18 and if you get on it at all 12 and 16. I had an 04 Cab, best highway driver I ever had good but not great in the twisties. Overall I have liked my Boxsters more. M3s are frequently rode hard and put away wet. Get a good pre-purchase check and if possible get a certified one. Final note -- every fast and furious wanna-be with a pumpkin chucker muffler wants to race you (I was in Pensacola, FL at the time.) My wife hated the fact that at about 1/2 the lights some chuckle head was gunning his engine and or beeping his horn trying to get me to race.

A few thoughts on Boxsters. I have owned an 01, 02, 02S, 06, and 09. Currently own an 02 and 09. Get an 03 or later ... too many improvements (rear window, interior, etc.) and a low mileage 04 base or higher milage 03S should be in that range. Gen 2s have many advantages (HP, interior, better options) although some folks think the Gen 1 is better looking and some don't. There is a thread on the board that is all over the looks thing. An 06 Base can be had for about 25K and it is near an older S in HP but not torque. However, the 05 MY had reliability problems (so my dealer says.)

IRT 911 I have lusted after a 911 Cab C4/C4S on many occasions. For 20K it may not be the best DD unless you are a pretty good wrench.

Final note, I am sure you will hear both sides but the Porsche Certified program is pretty solid and can be had for not a whole lot of $$$ (of course it has to be bought from a dealer.) This time of year, if you find a dealer with a lot of used cars on the lot you can strike some deals that will surprise you and get CPO thrown in for $500 bucks or so.

Hope this helps.
Best,
Tom

clickman · 08-29-2010, 03:52 PM

Having an 01 I can certainly appreciate what I consider the major improvement of 03/04, and that's the redesigned top with the glass window. (It is easily retrofittable to MY 00-02, if you can find one at a reasonable price.)

As mentioned, once you get into the first model year of the 2nd gen (05), you're dealing with first-model-year issues. If you're trying to keep the cost low, I'd go for a well-maintained (not necessarily low mileage) 03 or 04. S or non-S would depend on how your test drives went. PPI is a must.

hc115 · 09-15-2010, 02:20 PM

I want to thank everyone again for their input, it was much appreciated.

I finally pulled the trigger yesterday and bought a car. However, it was not the 986, I found a 545i smg with 33k miles, sports/premium pkg for only 21k out the door!
After test driving the 550i I was hooked on the v8, and then found a deal on a 545i that I couldn't refuse.

I'll be over at the 5series.net forums now, if anyone wants to chat over there, I'm under the same name.

Best regards,

Henry

chaudanova · 09-15-2010, 10:34 PM

Not a bad choice! The 5 series of that generation are amesome cars. I've had the pleasure of driving a '08 535i with the twin turbo 6, and it is an amazing car in very many aspects. Power is great, and the handling is SUPERB. Steering is razor sharp, takes bumps very well, and body roll seems nonexistent... Fast right hand turns feel effortless... On the street, I find myself wondering if the 535i handles better than the boxster...

Anyone else feel the same way?

Congrats on your 5 series!

VGM911 · 09-16-2010, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hc115

I want to thank everyone again for their input, it was much appreciated.

I finally pulled the trigger yesterday and bought a car. However, it was not the 986, I found a 545i smg with 33k miles, sports/premium pkg for only 21k out the door!
After test driving the 550i I was hooked on the v8, and then found a deal on a 545i that I couldn't refuse.

I'll be over at the 5series.net forums now, if anyone wants to chat over there, I'm under the same name.

Best regards,

Henry

Well, you sure surprised me. You've been dreaming about a Porsche (Boxster/Carrera) for your transition from a BMW 323i. So what do you buy? A 545i. It's a nice car, but it's not a sports car. It's not a Porsche. What made you abandon your dream?

P.S. Enjoy the BMW - they're nice cars.

VGM911 · 09-17-2010, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hc115

I want to thank everyone again for their input, it was much appreciated.

I finally pulled the trigger yesterday and bought a car. However, it was not the 986, I found a 545i smg with 33k miles, sports/premium pkg for only 21k out the door!
After test driving the 550i I was hooked on the v8, and then found a deal on a 545i that I couldn't refuse.

I'll be over at the 5series.net forums now, if anyone wants to chat over there, I'm under the same name.

Best regards,

Henry

Henry, come back and tell us how you're liking the 545i, and why you gave up your dream for a sports car (and a Porsche, at that).