Leftover '06 models?

[cfos]

"As for "why would you buy Boxster if you can afford more?". That's the logic of someone who really isn't into driving sports cars. More someone who is into collecting and flaunting them. I'm a SINK, single income no kids. I only spent $30K on my sports car but could well have spent much more. Had a loan check good for up to $100K when I signed the paper work. But spending more would have been absolutely "bling bling" motivated. I'm not a poser."

I agree with Dr. Kill and I dunno if I buy your "logic". I would think a Ferrari 360 or a 430 is also a "sports car" (have you driven either?) and one (or the other) I'd much rather own than a Boxster. Rather, I think your opinion is more of a sense of Boxster-pride, not-that-there's-anything-wrong-with-that. Of course, I'm not saying I am a "car" guy and I don't participate in autocross, etc. so take that statement as you will. Of course, you have to ask yourself why seemingly everyone on this forum is down on people that own, drive and enjoy "ricers". I'm sure their opinion of Porsche owners falls in the same caste system as people here view ferraris. Nothing more than a shifting scale.

As for the amount you spent and the amount you could have spent, you do realize the increasing rate of bankruptcy in the good 'ole USA because people are taking out more than they should... close to their limits and not being able to pay for it 2-3 years down the road...? It was probably very wise not to go closer to the $100 K limit. I think that is just more good financial sense rather than good car sense. Again, just an opinion.

[BoxsterBob - CA]

While I think Boxsters look great in white, it certainly isn't the most popular color. I see several Boxsters a day and rarely see them in white. Silver, black & red seem move off the lot faster.

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by cfos

"As for "why would you buy Boxster if you can afford more?". That's the logic of someone who really isn't into driving sports cars. More someone who is into collecting and flaunting them. I'm a SINK, single income no kids. I only spent $30K on my sports car but could well have spent much more. Had a loan check good for up to $100K when I signed the paper work. But spending more would have been absolutely "bling bling" motivated. I'm not a poser."

I agree with Dr. Kill and I dunno if I buy your "logic". I would think a Ferrari 360 or a 430 is also a "sports car" (have you driven either?) and one (or the other) I'd much rather own than a Boxster. Rather, I think your opinion is more of a sense of Boxster-pride, not-that-there's-anything-wrong-with-that. Of course, I'm not saying I am a "car" guy and I don't participate in autocross, etc. so take that statement as you will. Of course, you have to ask yourself why seemingly everyone on this forum is down on people that own, drive and enjoy "ricers". I'm sure their opinion of Porsche owners falls in the same caste system as people here view ferraris. Nothing more than a shifting scale.

As for the amount you spent and the amount you could have spent, you do realize the increasing rate of bankruptcy in the good 'ole USA because people are taking out more than they should... close to their limits and not being able to pay for it 2-3 years down the road...? It was probably very wise not to go closer to the $100 K limit. I think that is just more good financial sense rather than good car sense. Again, just an opinion.

See allot of people lump all sports cars together. That's not right.
You have coupes, roadsters, convertibles (sorta a sports car), GTs, exotics, track only sports cars. In its category, the Boxster probably is the best car. Endless numbers of reviews by journalists and professional drivers have backed this. In my opinion the s2000 is just as good when driven fast but non-performance factors work for and against the Honda.

as for my budget, as much as I screwed up in my formative years I can knock on wood and thank the big man up above that a $100K car would not have exceeded 7% of my earnings (financed over 5 years). So to have spent less than half and have basically everything a more expensive car has is a win win. I now find myself having to look in other categories because I really don't think I'll do better other than just buying a newer version of what I have now. Which doesn't really appeal to me.

p.s.
Have driven the 360 (in New Orleans back in 2000) never drove the newer ones.
Probably my favorite cars of all time in the coupe category. My buddy here in Jersey has one and his neighbohr on the left has a Murcielago and his neighbohr on the right has one too! But if I were to blow that kind of money on a Coupe or GT I'd go for Maserati Gransport in pearl white, with an Aston Martin DB9 close to behind. Ferraris are becoming very 1990's...

[cfos]

"See allot of people lump all sports cars together. That's not right.
You have coupes, roadsters, convertibles (sorta a sports car), GTs, exotics, track only sports cars. In its category, the Boxster probably is the best car."

I probably fall into that group of people, although I ask: Where is the glossery of sports cars and what is the Boxster's category? Convertible? That's what my insurance company says... If that's the case, wouldn't you say that it is only "sorta" a sports car, then? Judging by how many I see, I don't think it is that "exotic"... Not really a "GT" especially since Porsche did produce a Carrerra GT model... not really a track-only car judging by how many forum goers don't necessarily drive exclusively on the track... Possibly a roadster? What is the difference between a roadster and a convertible? When I hear "roadster" I usually think of older cars that have been souped-up. As for coup, I usually think of a hardtop although I'm not sure if the definition has to deal with being a two-seater as many manufacturers seem to consider the necessary requirement of the"coup" designation as having 2 doors. So what category does it rank "best" in? From what I've read in magazines, it typically ranks well in sports cars within a certain price range.

[Perfectlap]

A Convertible is a car that probably existed as a coupe at one point and to increase sales they decided to hack off the roof. But thats not a strict rule.
Audi A4, S4, TT'; Porsche 911 Cabriolet; BMW 3series, M3 convertible etc.

A roadster is a car designed to be a drop top from the get go. There's a long long history of these cars the British variety stand out the most. Triumphs, Lotus Elan, etc. And recently you Miata, Boxster, S2000 and Z3...all very succesful
Essentially roadster is rwd, two seats, long hood and short wheel base..not very practical.

GT is a grand touring car. Its the Oprah Winfrey of cars, expensive and heavy.
The 911 has essentialy become a GT. They get heavier and heavier and more and more expensive loaded with creature comforts. Not sure why they decided to brand the Carrera GT with the "GT". Its the last car in the world you would want to spend a long drive on wehre you can feel every seam in highway asphalt and the gear shift feels like a Peterbilt. If anything they should have called it the Carrera LMP. That car was never intended to be a street car, which may be the most extreme type of Exotic.

Me thinks a sports car is essentialy a car that is extremely well suited for the track. The more 'civilized' it becomes, (more than two seats, higher and longer stance, more weight,etc.) the less of a sports car it becomes (I think EVO and STI are the rare exceptions). If you visit your average track or autocross you'll notice its predominantly the same 10 or 11 cars no matter where you go, even though the 'sports car world' features dozens, most are pretenders! more luxury than fun.

The more cars I drive these days, some very expensive, the more I realize what an excellent job Porsha did with essentialy the first true roadster in its history. A second hand S2000 and Boxster are excellent, excellent sports cars. You can spend more but you aren't really getting allot of added performance for each dollar.

[Topless]

To summarize,

Yes Boxter sales are down this year, clearly affected by the sweet new Cayman and the cooling economy.

Do people settle for a Boxter? Some do, but I believe most got it because they wanted one. I spun off a part of my business in 05 and after paying off some debt still had a wad of cash left over. I invested most of it and treated myself to a shiny little used Porsche with the rest. I considered a new one, a 911TT, I considered a Ferrari, a Z06, a Saleen Mustang, I got what I wanted. I don't need to impress anyone. I got a Boxter for me.

If I had unlimited funds would I still drive a used Boxter...probably. It's not what you make it's what you keep. Bill Gates daily driver is a 10 yr old 911.