Newbie Introduction and Convincing Parents
 

Hello everyone, I've been interested in Boxsters for awhile, and just a few days ago I found these forums. So far it's been very helpful and enjoyable. :)

I also have a question I'd like to ask. I'm 21, in college, and have never had a car that is truly mine. After bringing this up to my mom, she offered to pay for part of a used car that I'll enjoy. Great! The only catch is that she will only help pay for it if she approves of the car. I would love a Boxster the most, but somehow I know she will be very skeptical - she's one of those people who think SUV's are the only safe cars out there, etc. Luckily I have convinced her that a Lexus IS300 is safe and practical if the Boxster doesn't work out.

Anyway, what sort of suggestions does everyone have about convincing her that the Boxster can be practical/safe? ie: cargo space, weather, collisions, maintenence, insurance, etc.

Thanks so much, and hopefully I will be around to enjoy the Boxster with all of you!

-Slayer

Mmm...well,

Insurance is more expensive.

Good cargo space for a 2 seater, WAY more than a 350z, not nearly as much as the IS.

Maintenence is really expensive, might as well own a 911-about the same maintenence costs.

It does have side airbags but an IS will be safer because of the roof brings more support to the structure, more safety behind you and in front.

Handles good!

I think you'll need to get a little sneeky on this one.

KRZ

Here are some pics of rollovers. Of note is "No Injuries". These cars actually have as strong or stronger roof structures via front cowl and roll bars as any car out today.
http://www.wreckedexotics.com/boxster/boxster_121102_005.shtml
Car:
Porsche Boxster
Description:
Driver Comments: "These pictures were from my accident on July 4 2002 in my 2002 Porsche Boxster. My girlfriend and I were going to my parents house out in the country. As usual I was pushing the car to the limits. When going around a corner we lost control, spun out, went through the road, up an embankment and then kicked back out to the road upside down."

Injury Report:
No injuries


Note the condition of the windshield here:
http://www.wreckedexotics.com/boxster/boxster_20030820_001.shtml
Look at ragtop here as well:
http://www.wreckedexotics.com/boxster/boxster_20030820_002.shtml
Car:
Porsche Boxster
Description:
Rolled 2-3 times


More info on chassis materials of construction are here:
http://www.porsche.com/filestore.aspx/normal.jpg?pool=usa&type=image&id=bo-detail-safety-passivesafety-xl&lang=none&filetype=normal
Also look here under "Passive Safety": http://www.porsche.com/usa/models/boxster/boxster/indetail/safety/

Yeah. I'd definately mention how much cheaper it is than say a Ferrari. Insurance is definately cheaper than a Viper. Maintainence costs are certainly less expensive than the Space Shuttle. It's safer than a bicycle on the highway. It gets better gas mileage than a Ford Excursion. Nearly every state has at least ONE certified Porsche mechanic. She won't have to worry about you hauling around 5 of your best friends (note: find ONE best friend). Oh, it's got more storage space than my Harley... Well, maybe not. But it DEFINiTELY has more cylinders.

Seriously, I think it's great you're thinking of a Boxster. But, I'm sorry, I just struggle with this as a First Vehicle particularly if you can't actually afford it yourself. How is this really YOURS if you're not actually paying for all of it? Does that mean that your Mom's on the hook for insurance and/or any maintenance or repairs? Can YOU afford it? If so - then GO for it. If not, you really need to move on.

Hey - just my opinion. I truly wish you the best and hope you get a car you love and enjoy.

hahaha...nice.

Denver Pete is correct though.

What will you do when you take it in for an oil change and drop $150? Or better yet a $500 major service? I don't know but every time I go into the shop for a regular service I drop at least $1,000. My last trip was $1,600 included 45,000mi service, coil over install, alignment, and coolant reservior replacement. If your pockets can handle that, then your've found a new Boxster to cruise and enjoy every day :cheers:

KRZ

KRZ

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

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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!

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.....

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 :cheers:

I tried that once with a Triumph Spitfire. When I bought it, it had 65,000 miles and no maintenance records. I changed the oil 13 times in two weeks, but it was still a piece of junk.

Ahhhh. I think I see your problem. Next time, change the oil once, then change the CAR after two weeks!

Hi,

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

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

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.

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!

:cheers:

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!

Enjoy the dream!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Very good points about spoiled rich kids. I hate it when people get things and take them for granted, or act like they're better than everyone else just because they have an M3 when they're 16.

Luckily, I wasn't brought up this way. To be honest, I wouldn't view my family as "rich," and I wouldn't say we are too different from anyone else. My mom isn't putting in too much money for this one, and I'm paying for all other car related costs. I refuse to be the snobby spoiled kid who is unappreciative and a general a-hole. I just enjoy Porsche like you guys :cheers:

well 21 isn't that young (well nowadays). So Having a Porsche isn't too outlandish.

one thing, driving sportscars brought me to the world of Autocross/Driving schools which has made me about 1000X's the driver the average motorist today is.
actually,m After the first event I was a 3X's better driver then I was the day before.
I've avoided accidents that I highly doubt I would have avoided if I didn't have experience REALLY laying into the brake and a very sharp turn of the wheel.

i doubt you'll ever learn to do that with a big sedan. Does Lexus make a good second hand coupe?

So from a safety standpoint, your reaction time and sense of becoming alert to dangerous conditions become far more acute as a sports car driver
IF you make it your local Autocross. In the DC area they do them at the FEDEX Stadium. A huge course where Nationals are often run.

Other good used sports cars
Subaru STI
Mazda Miata
Honda S2000
Acura RSX
Dodge NEON RT(?)

Maybe wait a couple of years for the Boxster. Your insuracne will be cheaper and a low mileage 2000-2004 BoxsterS will be a sports car bargain. Honestly I think its a good car to move up to but not really one to start off with. Learning to drive correctly can be hard on your machinery and Porsche parts out of warranty can be pricey, much more so then any of the cars listed above

p.s.
a BMW 3 series coupe is an excellent safe and reliable car that's not too bad in performance terms.

I'd have to agree - but I would also add that the safest driver's I know also ride motorcylces. Not that there aren't crotch jockeys out there - but if you RIDE - you quickly learn to be safe.

You don't take road conditions for granted. You don't take a right just because the oncoming car is a lane over. You never assume anyone is stopping at a light, stop sign, or intersection. You are constantly aware of every car around you at all times. You always know where your "out" is for any given situation - and you never put yourself in a position where you don't have an "out". And, you always assume that the drivers around you are idiots who will act in an completely irrational and unpredictable manner.

It may not teach you to handle a car - but it will make you a safer driver.

Hi,

I agree with your premise, and I'm sure many motorcycle Riders do develop good Situational Awareness. But, there are lots of Idiots riding Bikes out there - sometimes I wonder where they learned enough to balance themselves. Riding a Bike does not automatically make you a Good Driver - Perhaps it's that the Bad Riders just get weeded out... :(

I used to ride Bikes when I was in College, in fact my '68 Triumph Bonneville (not yet a Classic back then) was struck by an old Lady running a Stop Sign at a Blind Intersection with me on it (nowhere to go and I didn't want to lay it down under her Electra 225, so I rode it out) and I had my Graduation Ceremony in a Hospital Bed with both legs in casts (turned out OK, because the Bike was totalled and I got a Norton Commander as a replacement).

My Sister and her Husband are both Surgeons, one a Trauma Surgeon, and from the stories they've told through the years, they don't call 'em Donor Machines for nothing.

But, back on point, it's partly our system. We teach people how to operate a Car and Obey the Traffic Laws, not how to Drive. No parent should hand over the keys to several Hundred Horsepower and a couple tons of sheetmetal to their Kid without much more practice and training than most people currently receive. I'm not picking on young people, but that's where all the lousy Adult Drivers come from, it's not a skill where one generally digresses...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99 (wishing he still had those Bikes of Yesteryear... ;) )

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! :cheers: 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!

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.

Actually, the driving school is a great idea. If I end up with a Boxster, I'm definitely going to do that, and I'm sure it would make my parents feel better about getting that vehicle. Plus I think it would be fun to take the Boxster out on the track and safely learn what it can do.

I also agree with starting on cars that are less of a risk. Until i was 19, I wasn't allowed to touch my mom's E420. Mostly I've driven cheaper SUV's.

Thanks for the continued replies. Did any of you guys have a nice car like this when you were younger? What did you think of the experience? Do you regret it in any way?

I know, lots of questions. I'm just trying to make sure I decide correctly - a car is a rather major decision!

I had a few: new 65 Mustang & 67.5 Firebird 400 in high school. Traded 'Bird for 66 912. Then new 914-6 after college in 70. Followed by a year-old 911 in 71. And the rest of my history does not qualify as "young." If your real question is "Do I regret blowing money on cars?" the answer is an emphatic NO! You'll never enjoy cars as much as when you are young - at least that is my story. If you have the means or have to stretch your finances a bit, then do it.

I've never had kids so that means a lot in terms of being able to waste money on cars, women, and booze. I know a lot of guys delay nice cars until they push families thru life and then become financially able to afford the finer things. I admire them for it. But for me the memories of the enjoyment and excitement of my early cars cannot be replaced. I wish my Box could do the same for me, but it does not. I love it, but not in the same way as I felt about cars at your age.

The only regrets I've had are the "ones that got away." The 57 T-Bird for $1795. A 289 Cobra for $6500. A 904 (with a 911 engine) for $6500. A Gullwing Mercedes for $30k.

Advice - go for it if you can and enjoy it. :cheers:

My first car was a 63 Stingray conv. My reget is that I sold the car to my brother and he sold it to ...................

:barf:

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