Is it worth it

[BruceH]

Used is always more practical but these vehicles strike an emotional chord. So then to buy new, you have to find some sort of justification, at least I do. For me, the idea of European delivery (a no cost option) and then touring Europe for 2+ weeks in my own Boxster comes very close to justification. Have you looked at what it costs to rent one for two weeks? So you take a dream vacation and come home with the ultimate souvenir.

[thstone]

It would not be worth it to me - but only you can decide if its worth it to you. Its your money.

[crod]

Originally Posted by BruceH

Used is always more practical but these vehicles strike an emotional chord. So then to buy new, you have to find some sort of justification, at least I do. For me, the idea of European delivery (a no cost option) and then touring Europe for 2+ weeks in my own Boxster comes very close to justification. Have you looked at what it costs to rent one for two weeks? So you take a dream vacation and come home with the ultimate souvenir.

I think you nailed it. As I said if the plan is to get a car you will custom order to match every single thing you want (in my case it would be a Carrera 4S with even the leather stitching the way I want) and then keep it forever, AND you throw in an European delivery, I would say it is something I could justify doing.

But if someone is looking for a relatively common (stock) car with a few of the more desirable options (i.e. navigation, etc) I would definitely wait until the 981s start coming off leases (you will see plenty of them) and then buy an used one that almost certainly would be a CPO car. That will indeed save anyone tenths of thousands guaranteed.

CR

[crod]

Originally Posted by heliguy

Crod...we hate you...seriously, if you don't post pics it doesn't exist.

Ok here we go. The V12 and the V10 beasts. Will arrange for a nice family pic showing the Boxster S, the 750iL and the Gallardo all together.
Oh and my scooter too.

CR

[wawa]

Aqua blue discontinu?? My salemam didnot told me that when we were looking at color combo for exterior and interior in the show Room. You're sur about that?

I just check, the name of the color is blue saphire.

I just test drove a Lamborghini gallardo last week-end. WOW, simply awesome car and I was surprise how confortable and easy to drive it was. You could easily use it as a daily in summer.


Chris

[patssle]

For a brand new Boxster - the Cayman is very close in price. And unless I really want a convertible...I think the Cayman is the nicer car and is the better purchase.

But I wouldn't buy a new Porsche - it's just not worth it. It's fairly easy to find a low mileage Porsche that has been well taken care of. And you'll save $40,000 for basically a brand new car.

[recycledsixtie]

You could consider doing a matrix like this.

For instance what might be say 5 important factors in choosing a car?

These might be mine. You could consider what do you value most.

On these value factors attribute numbers from 1 to 10. Ten being the highest value.

For me five factors would be and attribution of values to them are as follows:
1. New 5
2. Reliability 10
3. Driveability - steering, brakes, suspension 10
4. Discounted price due older 10
5. Options that I want 9
Total score 44 out of 50

Now set up a matrix like this with some value factors that you value and attribute scores to them. It can help you make a decision.....other factors might be P warranty, engine, S or base etc etc....
You could put a matrix next to it of say a 4 year old Boxster and see how it rates next to new. Hope this helps!

[Meat Head]

Ultimately it is your decision but for me.......HELL NO IT'S NOT WORTH IT! If you look at it from a depreciation point of view, the 986 has hit close to rock bottom and the new car will drop like a rock over the next 10-15 years.

If you look at it from a fun factor (this is much more personal preference) I can think of many ways to better spend my money...............

Nice Porsche 986 = $15,000
Nice used motorcycle (Harley Davidson) = $15,000
Nice muscle car (Corvette) = $20,000

You can have all 3 and still have $20,000-$30,000 to travel all over the country/world sky diving, scuba diving, hiking, fishing, hunting, track days or what ever is your fancy.

[RandallNeighbour]

I've got a photo of a red 981 Cayman S on my cubicle wall and I will probably leave it up there for another 3 years and then buy a CPO example when the perfectly optioned one comes along.

I would love a 3 year old 991S but frankly, a new Cayman S with a turbo kit on it (which someone will come out with as soon as the 981s come off warranty) will keep right up with a 991S and the motor's not hanging off the back.

I have not driven one yet and have no plans to do it because I'll get a desire to buy one and I just can't afford it starting a new career. However, I can't wait to own a Porsche that doesn't need fixing all the time. It's been exhausting. All I've done to my boxster aside from take it to DE's the last few years is repair something that's worn or was poorly made in the first place.

BTW, I'm going with a Cayman S next because of the rattles associated with aging convertibles. Never again.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by crod

Ok here we go. The V12 and the V10 beasts. Will arrange for a nice family pic showing the Boxster S, the 750iL and the Gallardo all together.
Oh and my scooter too.

CR

Super cool!

[husker boxster]

Originally Posted by fatmike

I hope someone can talk me off the ledge...

Jump. Jump! JUMP!

When the 08 LEs came out in Nov 07, I went to the local dealer to look at them - they had 4 in stock. And there on the showroom floor was #5. It bit me and wouldn't let go. I had to have it. I thought and thought about how I could afford a car with a $66K sticker. I did the math, calculated my job security at the time, and was going to have my house paid off in 6 mo. I could swing it. I went in on New Yrs Eve, shot them a number and walked out with the keys 20 min later. I don't care that it's worth $34K today. It's not for sale.

I bought my Cayman S Sport used, if you want to call a 3 yr old car with 7400 mi used. The sticker was $78K. Paid $42K. A lot of car for the money.

New or used, you can always find a way to justify the purchase. Let your money bring you happiness.

[Steve Tinker]

New or used, you can always find a way to justify the purchase. Let your money bring you happiness.

Husker - very well said.....

Most of us work(ed) damn hard to afford something we really want - whether its a used Porsche, a set of really good golf clubs, a new kitchen for the house or a mink coat (like Mike Focke had to pay), it doesn't matter. If you do the sums and you calculate you can come out in the black and the Finance Director who your married to give you the nod, then why not.
Personally I went with a used Boxster S, simply because I couldn't justify $US180,000 in Australia for a new one in 2008.

PS - which do you prefer driving - the Boxster or the Cayman.......what a dilemma that must be on a warm Omaha morning !!

[Perfectlap]

no doubt about it, a second-hand manual 981S will be by far the best Porsche bargain during the entire water-cooled era. The 9A1 engine seems like its going to be the 'go to' engine for Porsche for many years to come. I'm leary of the idea of PDK out of warranty so I'll be skipping all those.


I wonder how long before the aftermarket is selling 981 facelift kits for 986/987

[fatmike]

The 981offers a dizzying amount of configuration choices. Things that are a "given" on the 986 for me are completely up in the air on the new platform:

- Boxster or Cayman (could go either way)
- Base vs. S (could go either way)
- Manual vs. PDK (I am a manual traditionalist - but this is still open. The PDK is particularly well suited for the "S").
- Stripped or spend for the options?
- Buy new or wait for a car coming off lease?

Here is the inspiration:




I would probably put the Platinum satin wheels from the blue car in the last post on this car. To my eye, this is one classy ride.



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[EssexPorsche]

Front Bumper 991 Look. Porsche (911) 996 Gen1 - FSK996.1 | Design 911

[heliguy]

Beautiful Lambo! I wouldn't want it because the mirrors are all jacked up...

[Porsche Chick]

Originally Posted by heliguy

Okay, help me out here. I agree, as most of us do, that the 981 is a superior sports car to ours in almost every way. In reality you are not going to walk out the door with one under $80,000. Let's say that mine is worth $20,000 (in my dreams, but it's just to make the math easy).

Is the 981 really going to be $60,000 more fun to drive than mine? Most people looking at them, if they are not side by side, will not know the difference.

I dunno, looks aside, can you really have $60K MORE fun?

How many hours will you spend driving? How much is that $60K per hour?!

[KRAM36]

I love the looks of the 986, classic design. I wanted one since they came out and won't be letting go of it unless it gets cashed.

The newer Boxsters front/side look too much like a Toyota MR2 Spyder to me.



You'll never mistake a 986 for anything other then a Porsche.

[husker boxster]

Originally Posted by Steve Tinker

PS - which do you prefer driving - the Boxster or the Cayman.......what a dilemma that must be on a warm Omaha morning !!

Even though they're the same car, they have different personalities. It's hard to put into words. I guess the best way to say it is the Cayman is more racier. The only difference in options is the Cayman has PASM.

The Cayman gets lots more attn. The Boxster does OK, but I can never drive far without someone hanging out of their car to take a pic of the Cayman. I've found young people like the wild colors of my current cars while older folks loved my previous Carmon Cayman.

I certainly have a blessed life when the biggest decision in the morning is which 987S to take to work. But I've worked hard for them and taken a different path in life than most - no wife, no EXs, and no kids (that I know of). I paid off the Boxster 1.5 yrs ago and will have the Cayman paid off next yr at this time.

I love to take the Box to work with the top down on a warm Omaha morning. And when it's a bad weather day, the Cayman pulls driving duty. So there is a pecking order - Orange over Green. But the Cayman gets track duty, which is where I'll be this w/e. So it's not all bad being 2nd fiddle.

[fatmike]

Originally Posted by KRAM36

The newer Boxsters front/side look too much like a Toyota MR2 Spyder to me.

No - not if you see the car in person. The MR2 was trivial (looked like a small japanese car). The 981 is substantial.

You see Carrara GT roots when you see the car in person.



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