Boxster-reliable daily driver-maintenance costs?

[aBsOlUt]

I drive an 04 S daily for a year and a half. No significant problems, never have I seen the "Check Engine Light" or had serious engine problems.

I take good care of the car though. I've had tiny problems such a brake light not working which took the dealer 10 minutes (free) to fix.

I do a full detail on the car twice a year.

Go for it! One of the best cars to drive... While I certainly recommend the S, from personal experience your gas expenses will increase since we are talking about a daily driver. The 3.2 sucks up gas quick.

enjoy!

[rdancd816]

I've got a '97 and it is a daily driver. Mostly highway and 70mph. (tollway!) I bought the car with 9,700 miles on it two years ago November. I now have 22,300 on it and love the car. I've done tires, 2 alighnments, had to replace roof cables ($1500) and a radiator cap that resulted in a $350 tow. The dealer fixed it for free. Overall this is not like my old Lexus. Little stuff that I am always tinkering with. But the fun of owning this car can not be minimized...hell I go for a drive around the 1 mile square I live in just to get the sound fix it offers any time I can! I do agree with Randall that the cost of ownership can be steep, it's a gamble. I guess in my mind I bought this thing "cheap" and I'll pay as I go. But for the money so far it's been a blast. If you are a true "Car Guy", I expect you'll buy a lawn chair for your garage so you can sit and look at it when you have time. Good Luck!

[KevinH1990]

I've had some issues with my 2000, but nothing fatal. I had about $1000 of unplanned expenses in my first year of ownership including the Mass Air Flow sensor and a fuel system vent tube.

You can make Boxster ownership more practical with some planning.

1. Find a good independent Porsche mechanic. I know you said you thought that the dealer was the only option in your area, but with some research you may discover another option.
2. Plan for tire replacement. Learn about the available options and buy over the Internet. This can save you several hundred dollars on each tire change. The same advice applies to the battery.
3. Learn to do some maintenance yourself and buy the parts on line. Changing the oil is not that difficult. You should also be able to handle the cabin filter and the air filter.

[RandallNeighbour]

Buy an S. Don't settle for less. No one ever says, 'Gee whiz, I should have bought the slower one with the smaller engine.'

And if you are patient, you can find a garage queen in NJ that some guy bought and never had time to drive.

With all my mechanical problems, I still love my car. I drive it like I stole it once or twice a month and put it back in the garage.

However, I'd be happy to drive it every day to work if I wasn't carpooling with my wife and golden retreiver.