Newbie Introduction and Question

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

I think it's great that you have such an interest in the Boxster. But, I'm afaraid I have to side with some others and advise you that this isn't the Car for you if you don't have the independent resources to actually own one.

My suggestion is to buy something Granite reliable (a Miata would fit this Bill nicely. It's a True Sports Car and a Blast to Drive, without giving up too much Style and Panache)until you complete your studies, and keep the Boxster as the proverbial Carrot on a Stick - something to reward yourself with in a couple of years.

Buying used, you're buying an unknown to one degree or the other. Your Sports Car experience could sour very quickly if you had to leave it parked until repairs could be afforded, or if it put a steady drain on all your Fun Cash. Think it all over very carefully, with your Head that is North of your Shoulders...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[Slayer]

Thanks for all the honest replies, I appreciate them and will consider them.

As for the money/first car issues - I haven't had a car because I haven't needed one. I live on campus at college, and can walk to just about anything, and I went to a boarding school in high school. I personally have the money to buy a new Boxster if I wanted, though I would really rather not do that if there's an offer on the table to help pay for one. Also, I don't like the idea of buying a new vehicle with depreciation, etc. I'm just sick of borrowing cars

Also a question about service, now that you brought it up - how often do you take your Boxsters in for service (not counting routine things like oil, tires, etc)?

Thanks again everyone.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Slayer

Also a question about service, now that you brought it up - how often do you take your Boxsters in for service (not counting routine things like oil, tires, etc)?

Thanks again everyone.

I've had my boxster for 2 and half years. It has never had any problems and hasn't seen the dealer since it left the lot over 2 yrs ago. Hope this helps.

[RandallNeighbour]

Slayer, sounds like you are not financially strapped if you could afford a new one on your own.

Buy an 2004 S certified pre-owned Porsche warrantied Boxster if you can talk your mother into it. Then you'll have lots of warranty on the car and you will absolutely love driving it. If she's kicking in 30k or more, then buy a 2005 S and get the redesigned car, which I hear is much nicer all the way around with a zillion little improvements and a couple of big ones. If cash isn't your main concern, then shy away from the non-S cars as you'll wish you had bought an S later. Few don't regret buying the larger engine.

Just remember to be careful driving any sports car that is as small and powerful as a Boxster.

[Brucelee]

"Also a question about service, now that you brought it up - how often do you take your Boxsters in for service (not counting routine things like oil, tires, etc)?"

Porsche recommends service every 15K miles. What is done varies by mileage, from minor to major.

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

Slayer, sounds like you are not financially strapped if you could afford a new one on your own.

Buy an 2004 S certified pre-owned Porsche warrantied Boxster if you can talk your mother into it. Then you'll have lots of warranty on the car and you will absolutely love driving it.

Slayer, this is great advice from Randall (as always!). If you really want to go with a 2004 there are actually new, untitled, cars out there. I would imagine the dealers are very motivated to get these off their lots/inventory. Let me know if you'd like help finding one. Most likely this will be an out-of-state purchase, FYI.

One thing you need to consider is having such a nice car in a college environment, is vandalism. So, make sure you have a very-very safe place to park your potential new $$$$$car!

[Ronzi]

15K or yearly for service. Just because I drive my car about 3k a year doesn't mean I can change the oil then forget about it for 5 yrs.

[denverpete]

Originally Posted by Ronzi

15K or yearly for service. Just because I drive my car about 3k a year doesn't mean I can change the oil then forget about it for 5 yrs.

Well, it works if after 5 years you take it in and get 5 straight oil changes.....

[Slayer]

Thanks

It sounds like it requires a little more attention than other cars, but as much as I love the Boxster, I don't think that will be a problem.

PS: Randall your answers are always very helpful. Kudos on your FAQ and guide as well

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by Adam

... It has never had any problems and hasn't seen the dealer since it left the lot over 2 yrs ago...

Hi,

BE CAREFUL not to rile the Boxster Gods... scary ******************** that...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[RandallNeighbour]

dbth, you do make a good point about a young man with parents who can afford it and the fact that he's a responsible high achiever.

However, I'd like to point out a couple of things that you didn't mention...
1) Doing this teaches the child little about the value of money and possessions. I've had numerous rich kid friends who made 4.0 averages in high school and would say things like, "Who gives a F**k? If I wreck this one, they'll buy me another." Yes, even the ones that look like little angels around their parents can turn into spoiled, arrogant brats the second they want to turn it on.
2) Giving a sports car with this much power to someone who's only been behind the wheel for 30 months is sheer stupidity to me. I'd never do it, no matter how wealthy I was. (Now before some of you hot rodding boys tell me you had a Chevelle or a Vette in high school, stop and think about traffic when you were a teen compared to today!)

I don't have kids, but I've thought a lot about how I'd help them mow lawns or babysit when they were 12 or 13 and help them learn how to save for their own car when they turned 17 or 18... they'd have a great deal of pride of ownership, probably wouldn't trash it, and would also be paying their own insurance, fuel and maintenance on the car, or walk or ride a bike or the bus.

[Brucelee]

Randall,

You are def. on the right track. Your children (when you have them) will thank you some day. Of course, when they are teens, they will mostly just complain all the time!

See what you have to look forward to!

[RandallNeighbour]

Richard, I celebrate my 44th b-day next month. Wife is 48. We're not planning to have kids at all. But we do plan on retiring early and I plan on driving a Porsche the rest of my life

Others will have to enjoy my unexperienced parental advice!

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by dbth

Good points Randall!
However,since the parents are fairly wealthy , the young man will always have a different perspective on the value of money than the rest of the world.
But his chances of being an as*hole are about the same or less than the rest of society.
More will notice if he f*cks up , because higher visibility.Hopefully the parents have instilled the proper respect for all things ,material and otherwise.

As for the power of the car , very valid point , and I hope he doesn't take driving lessons from donjuan143 from bahrain!

My teenage daughters will be getting used cars Hondas when they start driving in a few years.They will not drive my Boxster!!!
After they learn to drive , I will do my very best to get them into a used and safe BMW 3.

I agree, although Randall...saying "I don't have kids" kind of negates a lot of it. I've had 4, on my last one and he was bought a car....a '91 Mazda 323. Not pretty, not 'fast and furious' but very reliable, easy on fuel and cheap to keep. One before that got an '89 Ford Aerostar. If I could afford one, I still would not buy them anything fancier than that for a first car. I agree on letting them learn responsibility on something less than a Boxster, for instance. But if Slayer here is 21, he has hopefully already demonstrated his ability to be and act responsibly. I hope you get one, buddy! One thing to suggest would be a driving school geared toward safety so you can learn the Boxster's limits on a track, not under a semi!

[denverpete]

The worst part about getting a Boxster as your first vehicle is that it will also likely be the one you screw-up! That's not a great feeling when it's a vehicle as nice as a Porsche. Dents in your first POS just don't mean as much.

I just went out to my Boxster to run some errands and found the passenger side had huge scrapes along the rear quarter panel in front of the duct. It looks like someone nailed it last night while I was parked on a one-way street. No real dents, but it's scratched up something fierce!

I feel like I want to throw-up.

Anyone know where I just take it in Denver?

Why couldn't they have nailed my 95 Montero? I could give a crap about that vehicle.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

Hi,

BE CAREFUL not to rile the Boxster Gods... scary ******************** that...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

lol..you're right...I better go knock on some wood.