What is your next car up from a Boxster?

[Burg Boxster]

LOL - I wish the Miata was out when I was just a school kid

Anyhow, don't discount the 911s. I currently have a 997 C2S cab and it is fantastic! I absolutely miss my Boxster as it was a great vehicle, but the 997 is a great car as well. Similar vehicles yet much much different. Having driven and considered a 997 TT instead of my C2S, I can say the TTs are absolute beasts... but not practical enough for my purposes. Would love one but as a limited use 3rd vehicle I couldn't justify to myself let alone my wife . Not sure how well a 360 Modena c/would handle daily driver status if that's your intent but think it's safe to say it'd be no where near P-cars in that regard.

Having said that, you can ask all you want but it's really a personal choice you need or should make alone.

Incidentally, I've never heard ALL (or any) Porsche owners categorically gravitate for Ferrari's as next car. Sure some have, others would never consider and even more go a completely different route (bulls, Audi, Lotus, nothing or you name it).

Good luck in your decision

[Perfectlap]

p.s.s.
I don't think there is another car "up" from a Boxster S unless you move out of the roadster for under $100K category . Then you're into sports coupes, track toys (Boxster Spyer, Lotus, etc) and GT's which is something all together different and is not at all the same driving experience.


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[dallison]

Since i sold my boxster, i would get a 911 or turbo as the next car. I am not as fond of the convertible and want a coupe as the next one. I may miss the boxster characteristics if i buy a 911.

[Lil bastard]

There are problems with Ferraris.

First, they're really heavy. They come from a mindset of GT Cruisers, can't really manuever well, but can run at 140MPH all day. Be sure you know what you want the car to do before buying.

Second, relatively few people can afford to buy a Ferrari, but even fewer can afford to keep a Ferrari. Don't plan on putting anywhere near the mileage on a Ferrari as you did your Boxster.

Their timing belts need to be swapped every 6,000 miles at a cost of some $6,000 - that's $1/mi. just for timing belts, and that's not the end of it. Ferrari's are real China Dolls. Compared to them, the Boxster is a Mack Truck!

Sure, they're the pinnacle of the breed, and just like a thoroughbred horse, they cost as much to keep. This is one reason why it's rare to find a high-mileage Ferrari. A high mileage Ferrari has been bought many times over by it's owner.

I have moved on from my Boxster, but chose to go 'Old School' with the ride below.

Cheers!

[ekam]

Speaking of Ferrari, just heard my friend's buddy who has a 355 Spyder...

Took it to his mechanic to fix the world's worst designed drop top. It needs lubrication and a new motor which costs $1k new.

Then the mechanic found out the header (on one side) is cracked...$4k from Ferrari. Head gasket also done - $20k job.

He was furious... he bought it new and it only has 5000km (3000miles) ... car is worth nothing now and he needs to dump $20k on it all of a sudden.

F355 is my dream car, but like I said before, all cars have its problems...

Didn't make me feel so bad about my new engine after hearing that.

[Perfectlap]

F355 was a real head turner in the 90's. I once watched a woman in South Beach go into convulsions after a guy pulled up in one outside this restaurant on Washington. That had to be the first time I ever saw a non-male get that excited about a car. A buddy of mine sent some pictures of work being done on a 360 or 355, can't remember which. But what a mess underneath. NOTHING like a tidy German Porsche.
by the way I find the latest news out of Ferrari regarding their little private test track interesting. They sent Schumacher to the N-ring on private test in a car that they'd tested extensively and figured it was ready for some new bragging rights lap times. Unfortunately the F1 driver promptly put the car up in the trees as did another test driver. No more relying on the tiny track.

[blue2000s]

I've been strongly considering an F355 to replace my Boxster. I only put about 3000 miles on my Porsche every year and would do the same with an F-car.

The price is very attractive and the performance and sound is phenomenal. LB, it's the same weight as a Boxster S, I'm not sure where you're coming from with the weight comment.

The car feels much more special than a Boxster. Driving it around is an occasion and you don't see several of them every day. I'm just not excited about the $10k timing belt replacement/service every 5 years in addition to all the little things that fail along the way.

The key, of course, is picking the right one, just like with a Porsche. It needs to have an aftermarket exhaust system as the stock one cracks and the cats disintegrate, and it needs to have enough miles on it to ensure that the valve guides are robust. As with any car, research and service history is your friend. These cars are like any other and need to have a history of regular use. Just like with Porsches, the main failure modes are well documented and solutions are available, but not cheap.