Am I nuts to consider a Boxster?

[mikefocke]

In my youth, I drove Alfa Roadsters and a Porsche 914. Then I settled down, bought a BMW 2002, got married and had children.

After the house was paid for, the college bills paid, and the retirement secure, then, and only then, did I buy a Boxster.

Looking, I drove every roadster imaginable. Corvette, Jag, Honda, BMW, other P-cars etc.

My impression of the Honda was that I felt confined in the cockpit (I was 6" 230 at the time) and didn't like the buzz of the engine. It also lacked trunk space for the trip to the beach/mountains with my wife I had envisioned.

I wasn't pro-Porsche as my 914 experience was not good in the quality of car or dealer service areas.

My first drive in a Boxster had me inside of 10 minutes. I drove it to an interstate, up to the next exit, dropped the top, drove back and began negotiating hard. Lots of room in the cockpit, luggage space fore and aft, and would pull from 1k easily. Quiet cruiser. Enough car so that it was better than I was a driver.

I bought a '99 base Boxster. 2.5 and 4 months later totaled it through inattention ...actually I was busy admiring another Boxster in a parking lot by the side of the road. When I got the insurance settlement, I immediately set out to replace the car (and since the settlement was more than I had paid for the car and it was a model year later, I decided to sample the S model). I found an '01 S, got a Pre-Purchase Inspection and bought it. I could have had the 3 years more extended warranty and paid $3k or the seller could turn in her warranty, get a refund and charge me $3k less. I'm one of those people who self insures because I don't like the odds of doing better on an insurance policy when its cost has to cover so many selling and administrative expenses (and payout from such policies averages ~20%). I declined the warranty. Now 4+ years later, I came out way ahead. In unscheduled maintenance, my costs have been less than $15 a month on average and the car has never left me stranded. (I had no repairs at all on my first Boxster in 4 months of use as a daily driver.) My second isn't a daily driver any more simply because on the average day I don't drive a car. But my wife doesn't have to ask me twice to go to the store and she knows I'll take the longest way possible. I even take the trash to the dump in it (and I have a CRV I could do it in but...). I love the car.

Both my cars were 2 owner cars when I bought them. Both I knew the maintenance history from paper records the owners had.

I buy the best tires and battery and such for the car. Have 15k on the rear tires and can see another 3-4k before I have to replace them but, when I do, that will be ~$550 for the rears alone. I could buy cheaper tires but I want the best between me and the road and I can afford them. I do perhaps 1/2 of the maintenance on the car, 1/3 at some random mechanic's place that has a lift and the dealer sees the car every 2-3 years.

I could have bought newer cars, never felt the need to. I can have 98.3% of the fun for well less than 1/2 the price buying used.

Porsche people are fun people and I've been to local get togethers and national ones. I don't track or AX.

Do some cars fail..yes. P-cars do too. But I could tell you the story of my unreliable rust bucket Honda Civic. You hear lots from those whose cars failed, and I think louder because of the intensity of feelings we have for the car.

In this uncertain economic climate, if I were in your shoes (having to be concerned over a repair bill, as you said) I'd buy neither car. I'd hunker down and save my money and drive the car I had. Once the college bills have been paid, then give yourself the treat. But I'm a conservative with money sort and that may not suit you.

Whatever you do, I hope you enjoy the result.

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[Dave S.]

I looked at an S2000, Boxster S and a 3.0L BMW Z4. All were pretty nice cars and I drove them all back to back from dealerships right next door to each other.
My impressions of the S2000 almost immediately dropped it from the possible choices as I drove it right after driving a Boxster. The S2000 ride was very harsh on rough roads and I felt like if I gained a couple more pounds I wouldn't fit in it anymore (6'1" 210lbs). The motor was kind of fun over 6,000 rpm , but was lifeless below 6,000 rpm and who drives like that all the time?
I think your right that the S2000 will ultimately be more reliable and cheaper to own in the long run, but for me it came down to a choice between the BMW Z4 3.0L and a Boxster S.
I ended up getting a 2003 Boxster S with 14,400 miles on it last October and I have no regrets. My other cars include a Lexus and Toyota so I get the whole reliability thing, but driving the Porsche...there is no substitute.

Dave S.

[CRCGuy]

I currently have a MY08 S2000. The shifter is perfect, build quality is perfect, ergonomics perfect, and I have no doubt it will go a couple of hundred thousand miles without needing a single repair. But I've had it 8 months and am going to switch to a Boxster S. The first 3-4 months it was a blast to drive...but the high revving, raw nature wore on me. Driving on the interstate even for 30mins sucks. The engine note is not beautiful---one might say harsh at high RPMs. And the S2000 does have a dark side as any owner will tell you. I lost the back end suddenly once in a decreasing radius turn that blew all my confidence in the car--stability control just barely saved my butt. it was not fun. It did not break progressively---was sudden (snap oversteer). Beware of pre-stability control (VSA) models since it's up to your fantastic driving skills (or a tree) to keep you from going over a cliff. The car was made to enjoy on a track, not mountain twisties. and buy lots of ear plugs.

The Boxster S (987) I test drove was much more balanced, seems to break at the limit progressively and predictably, has a heavenly exhaust/engine note and is 100x more fun to drive in my opinion. I agree with comments to go for 987 vs 986. Go for the S. Life is short. At the end of the day, what is a few thousand bucks for the difference? So what if it needs some repairs? One day you will be 6ft underground or in a vase on someone's mantle. That's it--game over. As my grandfather said before he died--buy the best, because you'll always be happy with it. it's true. Money is no object. If you want something bad enough, you will find a way to pay for it (maybe by foregoing something else). For me, the 987S is that thing.

Just my $0.02

[Gougoushu]

I loved my '02 RSX base model -- great looks, fun to drive, 7000 miles with $0 in repairs, awesome website [clubrsx.com]. But I let it go after just one year after I drove a few 986 Boxsters. The Boxster is superior in only one way, but it's a big one: fun.

Unfortunately it's been very hard to find a repair shop that doesn't want to charge extra for it being a Porsche. With kids in school, control costs by doing your own repairs with help from the many Boxster websites; having the RSX on hand will allow you to take your time doing them. :dance:

[GT_YellowJacket]

I'd like to give a whole-hearted vote for the Boxster (get an S please) and make a correction to mylamb's post. You don't need to be looking '05 or newer to get CPO.

You can get a CPO Boxster from a Porsche dealer probably near your price range. Just a month ago, I picked up a low mileage CPO '03 Boxster S for decent price (especially compared to my local market). Got exactly the year, color, and options I wanted. Just be willing to shop around and travel to a less expensive market to pick up your car. Because I have the warranty, I already had a few picky things repaired, and Porsche replaced entire assemblies without question.

[mylamb]

Right - my apologies - I was thinking the original 48 mos based on the factory warranty. CPO qualification is indeed up to 6 years old (up to 100K miles total.)

[mts]

Originally Posted by CRCGuy

I currently have a MY08 S2000. The shifter is perfect, build quality is perfect, ergonomics perfect, and I have no doubt it will go a couple of hundred thousand miles without needing a single repair. But I've had it 8 months and am going to switch to a Boxster S. The first 3-4 months it was a blast to drive...but the high revving, raw nature wore on me. Driving on the interstate even for 30mins sucks. The engine note is not beautiful---one might say harsh at high RPMs. And the S2000 does have a dark side as any owner will tell you. I lost the back end suddenly once in a decreasing radius turn that blew all my confidence in the car--stability control just barely saved my butt. it was not fun. It did not break progressively---was sudden (snap oversteer). Beware of pre-stability control (VSA) models since it's up to your fantastic driving skills (or a tree) to keep you from going over a cliff. The car was made to enjoy on a track, not mountain twisties. and buy lots of ear plugs.

I agree with this post. I had a 2005 S2000 and got rid of it for a 2004 Boxster S and could not be more pleased. Don't get me wrong I thought the S2000 was a fantastic car though I can honestly say I wouldn't own one again with out VSA (MY 2006-on).

The Boxster S is just a different experience for me and I really enjoy it a lot more than the S2000, especially for mostly street driving.

All that being said, and even though I've not had 1 minute of problems with my Porsche, I am well aware of the fact that there will be more repairs needed to the Boxster S than the S2000 probably 95 times out of 100. Along with that, they will be more costly when they are needed.

I'm lucky enough to have the ability to cover those higher costs if they happen. However, if I had any real concerns in that area I would get the S2000.

[schnellman]

In my humble opinion, if you test drive a Porsche and the question is still an intellectual one, maybe you should go with the Honda. Porsche ownership isn't dollars and cents, it's your gut and your senses. Although my Boxster has not been a money pit, routine maintenance and parts are expensive and the price of admission. The car has to pay you back in more ways than transportation. I've owned and driven Porsches for over 25 years and if it were a balance sheet decision, I'd be driving something else. I just love Dr Porsche's cars.

[turbo23dog]

I say you only live once. Go with what tickles your fancy. The factors that feed into that for me were looks from the outside, fit and the overall appearance of the inside, and most importantly how it drives. For me, hands down, that was my current 00 Boxster S. I though long and hard about what other cars were out there in my price range and at some point I knew there was no other choice.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by turbo23dog

I say you only live once. Go with what tickles your fancy.
Good luck.

this is how I feel - except I usually say "if it feels good do it" at which point my wife will give me a nice smack....but you are only going to go around once,,,use the good china.

[Trade911forBoxster]

I have an 06 S2000 and an 03 Boxster S right now. I bought the Boxster outright after selling my 87 811. I leased the S2000 from new, and I'm turning it back in at the end of the month.

I generally agree with what most have said here. The S2000 will clearly be more reliable, and far less expensive to fix if it ever does break. If anything, I'd say the S2000 has sharper turn-in than the Boxster, and is easier to maneuver at low speed. The shifter is drastically crisper in the S2000. If you drive sedately, and stay out of the high rpm range, they can be shockingly efficient. Right after I got mine, I drove it 200 miles at 55mph and got 34mpg. My Boxster is definitely more rattly than the S2000, and some of the interior plastic in the Boxster is not wearing well at all.

On the other hand, any flat 6 is smoother than any inline 4, esp. at idle, or high rpm. The S2000 is noisy and buzzy when cruising at high speed, when the Boxster is pretty placid, for a sports car. The Boxster has a lot more torque, so it's easier to drive smoothly around town. The Boxster also has a lot more interior volume, and probably three times as much cargo capacity. It has far better ride comfort too, as the S2000 feels very brittle, since you're sitting much closer to the rear axle. The Boxster pedals are perfectly designed for heel-toe driving. I find the S2000 pedal positioning just a bit more awkward, but the effort is a good bit lighter (esp. clutch), which is important of you have to drive in traffic a lot.

[Viper5]

Get the Boxster S!!! It is hella fun. Also make sure you get the convertible . But seriously, I've never ridden a s2000 before but it's a honda as someone said. Get the car with attention. The one that people look at and say "that guy has class." To me it's a no brainer. Also, as far as parts and repairs go, just do it yourself. It will cost less than half if you don't pay for labor. And seeing as how you wouldn't ride it that often, you should have time to fix up stuff. You also get an amazing sense of accomplishment.

Having said all that, it would be cool to have a push start...

[mikefocke]

Just got a quote of $350+ to replace an O2 sensor at the dealers. And had it been the other sensor it would have been $450+. I guess they told me that to make me feel better.

My Porsche sensor cost $110 and $49 labor to install.

Generic sensors cost $25.

My Porsche has been cheaper to maintain than my Honda or Accura over the last 2 years by a bundle.

So the Honda is cheaper to maintain mantra isn't always true.