No More Boxsters ?

[Immortal1520]

The easy answer would be to go for a 911, but considering I bought an 04 Box at around 25k... I can't imagine getting a 911 for 25k that wasn't riddled with problems and covered in a cloud of smoke most of the time. To an extent, it's the same with an M3 as well.

Considering that I'll have a kid in the back, anything with a high level of torque is out of the question. I don't feel like catapulting my child through the windshield. Even if he or she is crying a lot. If I'm going about as a family, I'd like to go about in something classy. And usually when I think classy, I think Mercedes. And I'd easily take a Merc CLK.

Sure, Merc's are a bit on the heavy side and don't growl like their other German bretheren. But who cares? You're taking your family around, you don't need to worry about going at a screamingly fast speed. Instead, you want them to enjoy a nice, luxurious ride. A CLK can do that for you, and considering that I could buy a somewhat-new one for the same price that I got my Boxster for... and I'm lacking the financial funds to get another car, I'd take the CLK as a replacement.

Or, I could always sell that newborn on eBay and get a Cayman/Carrera, haha. Totally kidding.

[fatmike]

Tough comparisons coming from a Boxster. The 335 might be the best of that bunch -- but I was deeply disappointed with mine. Why? Throttle response was poor. Steering too light and the road feel is numb (maybe because of the run flats?). The clutch is too light, and the shifter engagement is vague even for BMW standards. 335 was lacking the interaction on the driving inputs that makes the Boxster so much fun.

335 Pros:
The 335 is wicked fast. Its smooth and quiet on the highway. It gets remarkable gas mileage for its size and speed. The BMW bluetooth is impressive.

I would consider an M3 - possible a certified used one if price is an issue.

[unklekraker]

Nick, how you doing? I knew it..the box has to go to make room for the new princess

I rented a 09 G37 last night and I'm taking the whole familia to San Diego this morning and I will let you know what do I think of it when I get back on Sunday.

So far what I like about it is the start button, the steering wheel, the seats will adjust by itself, it has 7 speed (Sportshift), trunk is large enought to fit 4 regular suitcase/small ice cooler and that thing could accelerate.

I took it last night on the backroads and the handling is not bad...got tempted to test it out...hehehehehe

[Topless]

Nick,
Congrats on the Bambina. Drive a Lexus IS and a BMW 3 series. Not Boxsters but engaging to drive and useable back seats with 4 doors.

[Pilot2519j]

An Obamobile runs on hot air which the government gives at no charge!

[Sammy]

Buy a "Smart" car... and then run it over with the Hummer you bought as the baby-mobile...

Or is this too much money???

[nola911]

Nick.. I did the same thing 1 year ago. When I had the baby girl I sold my boxster. I bought the 996 thinking it could do everything I needed it to do. That was a mistake. A huge one.

Though fun, the 996 is not a family car. It does not do baby seats well. I sold mine, bought a proper 3 row suv.

My dad has the clk500... It really is a great and comfy car. it has tons more room than the 911 and is much more practical. It has a trunk that can do strollers, back seats that do forward and rear facing seats and is a much better (smoother) driver.I was about to buy the clk55 just last week to fill the "toy void" but bought something else instead.

My vote is for the CLK..

EDIT: I want to add that I totaled an eclass last year and you would be amazed at how little damage was done to the car. In an 8 car pileup, the merc took it extremely well.. front and rear had trucks on top. I had 0 damage, and not as much as a sore neck. Heavy=safe when it comes to your child.