considering 2005 boxster, need advice

[larez2]

It's all relative. What car are you coming from? If you are coming from a SUV or large sedan, the Boxster is of coarse very different as a commuter. You're limited on passengers and cargo space (although the 2 trunks can hold quit a bit). I personally don't like commuting in my Boxster in stop and go traffic because it's a manual. But that's really the only thing that bugs. The noise and ride are fine and do not bother me.

For the maintenance, it's more expensive. The 30k service for my Boxster runs about $1k (from the dealership) vs about $450 for my honda. Although I DIY'd the Boxster 30k service for about $120. 18 tires are relatively expensive - if they are the same size as mine, then you are looking at around $1200 every 15k miles for Porsche approved tires; it's a lot less (maybe half) if you use different tires.

Engine issues did plague a batch of 98'- early99' Boxsters, but I have not heard of any of those issues occuring on newer ones.

Price - I was at the dealership the other day and I saw a sign that said $10k off MSRP 05 Boxsters. That puts the base model stripped at just under $35k, then add options from there. So i think you can get a great deal.

One thing about gas mileage. I get 23+ and sometimes 25+ per gallon, but I have the 2.5 engine.

HTH,
Larez2

[limoncello]

re: noise - it all depends.
The Boxster is one of the slickest "Jekyl and Hyde" acts ever to come along. The wife and I took a 400 mi. ride last weekend - cruise control set on 75, stereo easily audible, conversation at slightly elevated levels, but no complaints from the wife. Stock suspension is nice enough on the interstate. Good gas mileage too.
On the track - 10 mpg, lots of the best noises for sale on the market anywhere when the variable cam is goes into the exitement range, flat out handling my 911-owning instructors admire.
You get 2 cars in 1: the under 3500 rpm car and The Beast.

[John Y]

Question for you guys who already own...Are Tequipment prices for items available as factory options more expensive? I assume so; I'm thinking of items available either way, like wheels, wheel caps w/colored crest, windscreen.

Thanks...

John Y, the short answer is YES! It is usually cheaper to order as a foctory installed option, vs aftermarket through Tequipment. Especially the items you listed in your posting.

John Y, for example, here are the 2006 Prices for factory options (on a 987S) you have listed:

Windstop (#551) $375

Wheel Caps & Colored Crests (#446) $185

19" Carrera S Wheels (#403) $1,550

19" Carrera Classic Wheels (#405) $1,940

19" Sport Design Wheels (#407) $1,940

I don't know the Tequipment charges, so you need to do the comparisions. Hope this helps.

[deliriousga]

Originally Posted by John Y

Question for you guys who already own...Are Tequipment prices for items available as factory options more expensive? I assume so; I'm thinking of items available either way, like wheels, wheel caps w/colored crest, windscreen.

Thanks...

From what I have seen, out of those choices, the windscreen is the only one I have seen that is the same cost later. Everything else is available from other vendors so you can get them at better prices later. That and many folks put new stuff on theirs and eBay becomes your best friend.

Like bmussatti said, if you get it through Techquipment, it's more expensive later.