Bubble? What Porsche Bubble?

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by lkchris

I think Boxsters will eventually gain value simply from the fact that they're currently priced in the Dodge Neon range and therefore attract a crowd that's going to ruin many of them.

I think they'll attract people due to the price, but not the crowd you're referring to.
In the decade plus of driving this car I've been approached by all kinds of people asking questions, simply making comments all unanimously positive. One thing I noticed repeatedly is that many people who were currently driving "Dodge Neon range" cars when they approached were all very hesitant or absolutely terrified about the costs of running a Porsche, or any high end German car for that matter. The only people who did not run away when I told them what it costs to maintain, were guys who were in pretty nice cars already but didn't know much about Porsche. These tended to be guys in their late 30's to mid 50's, dressed well, maybe wearing a nice watch and just gave you the impression that they were established in their careers. And even since prices have fallen to below $10 for the first Boxsters, I've not seen ANY young people in these cars. All of the Google searching that comes up with IMS probably has a role in getting young people or people on limited budgets turned off to these cars. But I agree, a very high % of Boxsters will be in the scrap heap simply because defferred maintenance can quickly outrun the cost of buying the car in the first place. It's really a DIY'ers car, and one with space, time, tools and $$$ to install the overpriced parts... a small slice of the public.

[lkchris]

I hope you're right about the owners, but there sure are some awful customs happening. Fender flares? Big wings?

[thstone]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

... I've not seen ANY young people in these cars.

This is an interesting point. To my sensibilities, I would expect younger people to be drawn to an affordable sports car like the 986 Boxster.

But I think that the threat of high repair prices drives off almost anyone on a budget - they take one look at $120 vs $39 for an oil change and walk away from the Boxster, never to return.

[Timco]

Originally Posted by thstone

This is an interesting point. To my sensibilities, I would expect younger people to be drawn to an affordable sports car like the 986 Boxster.

But I think that the threat of high repair prices drives off almost anyone on a budget - they take one look at $120 vs $39 for an oil change and walk away from the Boxster, never to return.

They all drive Subaru and save trees and animals with their purchase.

[jdraupp]

Originally Posted by thstone

This is an interesting point. To my sensibilities, I would expect younger people to be drawn to an affordable sports car like the 986 Boxster.

But I think that the threat of high repair prices drives off almost anyone on a budget - they take one look at $120 vs $39 for an oil change and walk away from the Boxster, never to return.

I'm younger (people tell me this, I don't feel that way) at 27, had my box for 2 years now. However Porsches have always been my dream car. The boxster was my dream car from a young age followed closely by the 2000 Carrera 4 when it came out.

So despite the high maintenance costs I'm just too infatuated with Porsches to own anything else, especially now that I've owned one. I love the look, the engineering behind them, everything. As such, I could never desecrate one like it was a Honda del sol. Don't get that and never will.

[BIGJake111]

Originally Posted by thstone

This is an interesting point. To my sensibilities, I would expect younger people to be drawn to an affordable sports car like the 986 Boxster.



But I think that the threat of high repair prices drives off almost anyone on a budget - they take one look at $120 vs $39 for an oil change and walk away from the Boxster, never to return.

They'd all rather have more horsepower instead of a good handling car.

And the prestige argument doesn't work on a testosterone raged teenager that demands a truck or something manly.

That leaves little interest in the boxster for young people, those that would get a boxster tend to drive mx5s instead as they still are cheaper.