Boxster Base vs S

[RandallNeighbour]

Let's see. You live in Santa Barbara. If you have a lot of twisty roads or want to drive twisty roads, get the boxster. And I would never get another boxster unless it was an S... and even that will be a little underpowered around town IMO.

Now if this vehicle is going to be your sole daily driver in town and you don't have a lot of twisty roads to navigate, the M3 will have gobs of torque and be a lot of fun as a DD, plus it has back seats and a nice sized trunk. I love my 550i and wouldn't trade it for a boxster as a DD no matter what sized motor the box had in it. It's wicked fast compared to a 2002 box S, and and M3 would be even faster, unless it's a really old one.

Either way, maintenance and repairs on both models will not be cheap. They're German.

[Lobo1186]

lol santa barbara being on the PCH I would have to say he has many MANY twisty roads near where he lives. There are some great roads down there and I have a base and I love every minute.

[RandallNeighbour]

Don't forget that some people are so freaking busy at work and home with kids that they'll enjoy a M3 more than a boxster... which they do not have time to go out and enjoy.

That's the point I was making.

[hc115]

Thanks so much for the input everyone. I really want a Porsche so I've been steering away from the M's, don't get me wrong, they're fun cars too! But owning a Porsche has always been a dream of mine, and I'm finding it possible right now.

Just to clarify, I'm actually looking for cars in the Los Angeles/Orange County area, but I will be living in Santa Barbara for another 1-2 years while I finish school--Go Gauchos! Whatever car I end up with will be my daily driver.

I've just recently came across 2000 996 as well, 45k miles for $21k, looks very clean. These cars sure are taking a hit on residual value. (good for me )

I'll definitely be test driving the Boxsters as well as the Carrera! If everything checks out with the Carrera, however, I will definitely jump on it. No offense to anyone on this forum, I'm just trying to get the most Porsche for my money.

Would anyone happen to know an estimate of how much it would cost me to have a PPI done from the stealership?

[clickman]

Originally Posted by hc115

I've just recently came across 2000 996 as well, 45k miles for $21k, looks very clean. These cars sure are taking a hit on residual value.

Be careful. The early 3.4 engines were problematic.

[hc115]

Will do. Thanks clickman.

[trube78]

hc,

1. The 2000 Boxster is way overpriced. If it is dealer certified and perfect Edmunds prices it at about 16K with some costly options. Note ensure the 15K service is done before you buy it.

2. The 2002 S is in the ballpark for a dealer car if perfect (actually about 1-2K high depending on options.)

3. M3s are interesting, but a completely different animal. Not as good in the twisties if stock, but incredible on the highway. The engine is a beast but they had some problems and maintenance is more $$$ than Porsche once BMW quits paying. Gas mileage is terrible if you drive like an old lady you may hit 15 in town and almost 20 on the highway. Driving it normally think 13 and 18 and if you get on it at all 12 and 16. I had an 04 Cab, best highway driver I ever had good but not great in the twisties. Overall I have liked my Boxsters more. M3s are frequently rode hard and put away wet. Get a good pre-purchase check and if possible get a certified one. Final note -- every fast and furious wanna-be with a pumpkin chucker muffler wants to race you (I was in Pensacola, FL at the time.) My wife hated the fact that at about 1/2 the lights some chuckle head was gunning his engine and or beeping his horn trying to get me to race.


A few thoughts on Boxsters. I have owned an 01, 02, 02S, 06, and 09. Currently own an 02 and 09. Get an 03 or later ... too many improvements (rear window, interior, etc.) and a low mileage 04 base or higher milage 03S should be in that range. Gen 2s have many advantages (HP, interior, better options) although some folks think the Gen 1 is better looking and some don't. There is a thread on the board that is all over the looks thing. An 06 Base can be had for about 25K and it is near an older S in HP but not torque. However, the 05 MY had reliability problems (so my dealer says.)

IRT 911 I have lusted after a 911 Cab C4/C4S on many occasions. For 20K it may not be the best DD unless you are a pretty good wrench.

Final note, I am sure you will hear both sides but the Porsche Certified program is pretty solid and can be had for not a whole lot of $$$ (of course it has to be bought from a dealer.) This time of year, if you find a dealer with a lot of used cars on the lot you can strike some deals that will surprise you and get CPO thrown in for $500 bucks or so.

Hope this helps.
Best,
Tom

[Lobo1186]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

Don't forget that some people are so freaking busy at work and home with kids that they'll enjoy a M3 more than a boxster... which they do not have time to go out and enjoy.

That's the point I was making.

and its a good point for sure. I was just commenting on the IF there are twisty roads in his area. no worries I agree with you and a valid point it is!

[pothole]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

And I would never get another boxster unless it was an S... and even that will be a little underpowered around town IMO.

Eh? Traffic speeds in the US are positively glacial. Even a base 2.5 is overkill for town driving Stateside.

[RandallNeighbour]

Because I live in the 4th largest city in the USA, I crave far better 0-60 performance than my 2.5 offers. It's not a top-speed issue at all. I rarely get above 80 mph.

I would just like to get to 80 mph in far less time than I get to it now