Considering a Boxster-looking for advice

[super66]

buy it....don't think twice about it....ready? here you go....

1) How practical is it to drive a Boxster in the winter?
I live in Chicago, pretty harsh winters, get a set of snow tires and you will not have any problems....they only time you will actually have a problem is on the days when EVERY car has a problem and the ditches are filled with the almighty SUV's....we've only had one of those so far here....

2) Does the Boxster lose much of it's appeal.....
absolutely not!!! I daily drive it and twice a week commute downtown and even on those days it is still the best car to drive period....one thing you may want to consider is the tip trans, I have a manual and some days I curse it....until I drive an automatic and realize that stick is the way to go....I just took my box to the shop, I got 2 loaners...long story.....Mercedes c230 Kompressor, and then a brand new Cayenne.....both times I was depressed and simply wanted nothing more than the box back, it doesn't get old.....


3) What sort of impact does time of year have in terms of used market pricing? I'd assume that prices would drop over winter, and move upwards again as spring approached. Is that assumption correct, and if so, how large are the price swings? What months are best to buy in?
I bought my 05 in January 06, didn't plan it, old jeep got totaled, I got about 10K off the MSRP....I was just at the dealer and they are willing to deal right now...they actually had markdowns on the car windows....that wasn't the case when I bought mine....

4) Is there a specific model year(s) that would represent the best value? Are there specific model years to stay away from?
IMHO I would go 05 and up simply becausse I prefer the interior...also the base 05 has about as much power as the earlier s models....I may be wrong but I think 240 vs 258 on the 04 S.....

5) Are there any "must have" options, or options that should be specifically avoided?
get windstop, top bose system, auto climate, seat warmers, and the rims you want

6) I currently drive a 2006 BMW 330xi sedan, which I personally consider to be an excellent car, and lots of fun to drive. For anyone who has owned both, what's your take on the advantages of a Boxster over a 3 series BMW?
I've driven a ton of BMW's and my bro currently has a Z3, they don't hold up....the handling, the way the car handles and feels, its like nothing else, not sure if you have test driven one but just do it and you'll see

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

No offense, but this is the wrong place to receive an unbiased opinion. Research the car at Consumer Reports and such, test drive it, along with it's many competitors and make your decision. If still interested in a Boxster, a PPI is a must. Good Luck!...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[z12358]

If you can afford (to drive and park) two cars then consider a Box for top down joyrides in the summer (stored for winter). If you can only have one car, the 330xi is already the optimal car for you -- sporty enough for fun in the twisties (the 3 series BMW are still the best sport sedans out there), and all-wheel drive for those 5 snowy months. Just my opinion, of course.

[Ronzi]

Sports cars are inherently impractical, and most specifically so in the snow. Lack of ground clearance and big fat tires are a prescription for getting stuck on a regular basis. If you can handle that aspect, through another vehicle, public transportation, begging rides from friends, the a Box is a great choice for those other seven months.

[Brucelee]

Drive as many Boxsters as the dealers in your area will allow.

If you drive the car enough, your answers will be revealed.

[YellowPorscheMan2002]

Hi:

1)You can drive almost any car in the winter, if you have a set of snow tires, weigh down the rear axle, and have experience driving in snow. But, the Boxster is at heart a sports car, so it will never be like a heavier sedan or SUV in snow; that's not what it was built for.

2) No way doesn the car lose any appeal in the city; just whip around those corners dude!

3) Best time to buy a sprots car is in the winter. Simple question of supply and demand. Less demand in the winter for sports cars.

4) Tough question. Someone summed it up nicely earlier. Newer models are a bit nicer, and faster, but more money. Just depends what you're willing to spend.

5) I would recommend staying away from 16" wheels in olders models. Also, get a 2003 or newer if you can; the plastic window I have is lousy.

6) I've owned 3 series Bimmers, and I currently own a Benz C32 AMG as my everyday car. Go and test drive a Boxster and see what YOU think are the pros and cons. Bimmers are nice cars, but I've always found the seats to be less comfy than the Benz, but the car is definatly more driver oriented than the Benz. The Boxster is a pure sports car, so you'll find the handling to be even tighter, and more of a bumpy ride than your 330ix. By the way, nothing like 4 wheel drive in the snow. If you want a Porsche in the snow, I'd go for a Carrera 4S.

[djomlas]

you can drive pretty much any car in winter time with any tires, well not in 6 feet of snow of course, but whatever the cearance is.
i drove a muscle car(camaro LS1) with summer ony 315s as a daily driver for 2 yrs, and i was perfectly fine (no sandbags or anything of that nature)