Here I am again. Unable to decide between.... - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

SeaNile31 · 08-10-2022, 08:41 PM

Seems like this is never ending for me. Back to looking for a fun 3rd car. Down to the usual two choices for me. A 91 300ZX TT or an 01 Boxster S.

Quick comparison. The ZX has 171k miles, all maintenance done, well cared for with tasteful mods. Has a cracked front lower spoiler and the AC "needs recharged." Color combo is awesome, stock wheels, etc.

The Boxster S has 86k, IMS is original and it sounds like the same owner for the past 16 years. Planning on seeing the car in two weeks when the owner returns from vacation.

There is also another 01 S with 111k miles, original IMS and blows hot air when AC is on...

I've had I think 5 Boxster cars previously and put probably 75k miles on them, all trouble free except for an alternator replacement in my first 99. I've had 2 TTs before and probably only put 500miles on them combined. For no good reason.

TT is my childhood dream car. The Boxster in my personal experience is just so damn near perfect (only because I've never had a real issue!) that you can just walk up to it and go. Mentally I think the TT is more delicate and I'd think twice about taking it for a random drive.

Well, Thanks for listening again and letting me think out loud. Going to check out the Z tomorrow because I am all about instant gratification!!

Boxstard · 08-10-2022, 09:56 PM

Life is too short to buy the same car twice… but it’s just me. What made you buy and sell five 986/ 987 Boxsters to date and yet thinking to buy another?

Starter986 · 08-11-2022, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaNile31

Seems like this is never ending for me. Back to looking for a fun 3rd car. Down to the usual two choices for me. A 91 300ZX TT or an 01 Boxster S.

Quick comparison. The ZX has 171k miles, all maintenance done, well cared for with tasteful mods. Has a cracked front lower spoiler and the AC "needs recharged." Color combo is awesome, stock wheels, etc.

The Boxster S has 86k, IMS is original and it sounds like the same owner for the past 16 years. Planning on seeing the car in two weeks when the owner returns from vacation.

There is also another 01 S with 111k miles, original IMS and blows hot air when AC is on...

I've had I think 5 Boxster cars previously and put probably 75k miles on them, all trouble free except for an alternator replacement in my first 99. I've had 2 TTs before and probably only put 500miles on them combined. For no good reason.

TT is my childhood dream car. The Boxster in my personal experience is just so damn near perfect (only because I've never had a real issue!) that you can just walk up to it and go. Mentally I think the TT is more delicate and I'd think twice about taking it for a random drive.

Well, Thanks for listening again and letting me think out loud. Going to check out the Z tomorrow because I am all about instant gratification!!

Get the Z. Childhood dream car? No brainer.

When I was in grade school the Lincoln Mark IV was my go to. Yup, a 10 year old wanted a boat. Never bought one. See one on occasion and ask the wife, "Could you do that?". "No".

Get the Z. No regrets. Best wishes.

steved0x · 08-11-2022, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starter986

When I was in grade school the Lincoln Mark IV

Me too, I read an article about one of the upgraded versions of this car, which was then driven by Timothy Dalton in "License to Kill" which is one of my favorite Bond movies. Q was featured in it quite a bit. I thought it was the coolest car. I don't think I have seen one in the road in quite some time ..

Starter986 · 08-11-2022, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steved0x

Me too, I read an article about one of the upgraded versions of this car, which was then driven by Timothy Dalton in "License to Kill" which is one of my favorite Bond movies. Q was featured in it quite a bit. I thought it was the coolest car. I don't think I have seen one in the road in quite some time ..

I see them on the road from time to time. Rare.

For context.... I was 10 in 1972.

steved0x · 08-11-2022, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starter986

I see them on the road from time to time. Rare.

For context.... I was 10 in 1972.

I was 4! Which means it was probably a different car for me :-) I looked it up and the one I was thinking about from that movie was the Lincoln Mark VII LSC.

I looked up the Mark IV. A girl used to work with at McDonald's when I was in high school had one. It was very big!

Seadweller · 08-11-2022, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starter986

When I was in grade school the Lincoln Mark IV was my go to.

That's funny, I wanted one of those too. Cannon fan?

SeaNile31 · 08-14-2022, 05:10 PM

Found a beautiful 94 300zx TT, all original but man it's expensive. 30k..not sure I'd be able to sell it if I buy it at 30k.

There are a few Boxster S around me, all 01, manual and the prices go from an "asking 10k" to $14,995 to a crazy $22,500.

Planning on checking out the 14k one tomorrow. Has 79k miles and the IMS is original.

papasmurf · 08-14-2022, 07:38 PM

I had an NA z32 before my '00 base boxster. I owned it for about 8 years from 85k miles to 160k+ miles. I regret selling it everyday. Get the Z32 IMO...they are getting rare. Working on them in a total pain in the rear though. My car never left me stranded but there is more maintenance than the boxster as you have the timing belt and associated wear parts that go with it, and my car went through two steering racks and a crank angle sensor among other basic running costs. I was not as much of a DIY back then but working on that car left my arms bruised and battered every single time but they are gorgeous cars and quite well built.

Goldenzrule · 08-15-2022, 05:42 AM

If you find a Z in very good condition, it might be a better investment. I cannot tell you the last time I have seen one on the road. I believe it will cost more to purchase, so depends on what you want to spend really. Good luck whichever way you go

dbear61 · 08-18-2022, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starter986

I see them on the road from time to time. Rare.

For context.... I was 10 in 1972.

At least your dream car wasn't this:

I was 11 in 1972. My dream car was a Corvette. By 1975, it was a Porsche 911. In 1981, (okay, no longer a child) it was a Lamborghini Countach (Tara Buckman and Adrienne Barbeau being co-drivers of it in "Cannonball Run" had some influence).

My adult dream car was the Corvette ... until I got my 01 Boxster S 10 years ago. It became my dream car.

Dream cars can change, because there are always newer cars to replace the older dreams.

To the OP, try to get the car you dream about NOW. If that isn't a Boxster, get the Z. I've never driven a Z (other than a 1971 240Z that a friend bought in 1979), but other than "Color combo is awesome" and how it looks, I doubt you will like it more than a newer Boxster.

DBear

SeaNile31 · 08-18-2022, 07:51 PM

Decided on an 01 S with LN IMS, new clutch and a few other upgrades including the wheels and brand new tires. AC blows warm but I have a feeling it's the foam not allowing a damper/vent to open or close.

Starter986 · 08-19-2022, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaNile31

Decided on an 01 S with LN IMS, new clutch and a few other upgrades including the wheels and brand new tires. AC blows warm but I have a feeling it's the foam not allowing a damper/vent to open or close.

Double check the air recirculator (whateverthefeck it's called, sits under the cabin air filter) to be certain it closes when you hit the recirculation button.

dghii · 08-20-2022, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaNile31

Decided on an 01 S with LN IMS, new clutch and a few other upgrades including the wheels and brand new tires. AC blows warm but I have a feeling it's the foam not allowing a damper/vent to open or close.

Doubt it's the foam....the stuff is so thin that its hard to imagine it staying together and jamming up a flap.

Besides, we all know the only function for the foam is to disintegrate and blow out the vents...