porsche boxster fans

nashhorn

nashhorn

5,000+ Posts
Ok. Thinking of a Boxster, yeah middle age crisis maybe (no too old for that) but wanting to get back into fun car. What I want to ask the experts - is there a year that was special. Would recommendation be 05 vs 06, etc? Any particular year to avoid?
Still fighting myself with 'get an old one with reasonable mileage' or 'newer with higher mileage'. In other words, would I regret going older to save $, or are there significant upgrades in certain years?
Thanks,
Hookem
 
O&W that is an issue I am apprehensive about - maintenance costs. Can you give me some insight? And those are great looking cars but my one criteria, hence, besides the lower cost, the boxster.

Bernard I am working in the $35,000 and lower leaning thinking Boxster S is worth it because after 3 yrs or so difference in cost is minimal.
 
If think maintenance cost is an issue, what about depreciation? That is what you should really be worried about. Depreciation, by far, is usually the most expensive part of owning a car.

You can get a lot for $35k. Let me ponder a bit on the options.

Bernard
 
Thinking I could get newer for that price on Boxster vs 911. Depreciation is why I was looking at the 3+ yr old. Seems drop off declines pretty much after the 3rd 4th yr. Mileage seems bigger factor, or as big, in pricing once get to 3+ years. Other reason for Boxster was convertible is absolute.
Can you give any thoughts on what expectation of maintenance costs might be? I was originally intent of the SC Lexus (that should give you indication of my 60 age) but when I saw the prices on a 2/3 yr old one the Porsche dream from all my driving years was rejuevenated.
 
The difference in a 2003 911 with 30k miles for 35k, and a 2005 Boxter with the same miles for the same money, is that in another 5 years and 30k mi, the 911 can still be worth 25k+, while the Boxter will be closer to 12-18k.
 
Good point HornBud.
Haven't looked at 911's so don't know if that was an exceptional deal. I would be a bit nervous about that one because was repo'd and only has one key. May be silly but on a car like that, listing 5 owners and all, I would be gun shy.
thanks though cause the difference in depreciation is striking.
 
One key? Are you serious? That's a $250 issue. You're focusing on all the wrong details. This is probably why you are 60 years old and still waiting to pull the trigger on a sweet ride. Repo means very little. Have the thoroughly checked by a reputable mechanic before purchase. If there are issues, find another. If you can afford $35k for a car, you can afford the maintenace.

Spending $80k on a 911 is a waste. Spending $35k on a 911 is awesome. If you don't like that one in particular, find another. There are plenty out there. Come one, man. Don't you hear the clock ticking? Driving REALLY fast in a sporty convertible as the sun goes down on a beautiful Texas highway is going to bring a WHOLE LOT of enjoyment to however many year you have left on this planet.

Find one you like and buy it. Stop trying to calculate if the cost of a break job or clutch replacement is going to break your bank. It won't. If you have an unexpected repair bill, i'm sure you can find a few other places in your budget where you can offset it. Live a little, man.

Bernard
 
Bernard you certainly know how to nail it. The 'how many good times left' is an issue discussed often among my age. Deliberating over the right time to retire focuses on just that.

thanks for the help. October ends my companies fiscal year and my career. 911 here I come, watch out open road!
Hookem and push em
 
I can probably comment on any Porsche if you would tell me a few things.
1. What is your budget? The general rule is buy the newest one you can afford.
2. If you can afford a bit extra always get an "S" version all else being equal. More power, better brakes, more options included
3. Will this be only a 3rd "fun" car, or a daily driver? If a fun car for limited use the Boxster is incredibly hard to beat
4. If you want more a daily driver with ability to carry small passengers in the back seat for reasonable distances, or occasionally adults very short distances the 911 is probably more your car
5. There are insane deals to be had on 911's at this point which is not to take away from the fact that the Boxster is a fantastic Porsche as well
6. I have been a Porsche owner for a while now, and maintenance costs are high when needed. However, the cars have a 2 year or 20k mile maintenance interval and that includes oil (speaking of 2002 and newer models). I have also found the cars to be incredible reliable and have yet to have to take mine in for anything other than planned maintenance i.e. nothing has broken that required maintenance...yet. Those who talk about maintenance nightmares IMO are probably not speaking from experience.
7. I have found that every moment i have spent driving not driving a Porsche was an opportunity lost, and a waste of time. If you can get one do it. They are a ton of fun.
8.If the Boxster is your choice do not let anyone tell you it is not a real Porsche, or you only got it for badge and because you could not afford the 911. That is pure unadulterated bullsheet from someone who does not know anything about the capabilites and heritage of the Boxster. It is a fantastic drivers car, and one that you will love.
 
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2001 911 Carrera with 23,076 miles; $17,500.

Estimate $10K of transport and repair through an Authorized Porsche Dealer. Or less if you just want to get it road worthy and fix the cosmetics along the way.
 
BTW if you are looking at the 996 model of 911 make sure you get the 2002-2004 version. It has more power, a nicer interior, and to me looks quite a bit better. Really I think you can look at the 2005 Carrera. A nice base Carrera can be had in the low 40's with decent mileage. the 2005 was the 997 debut year, and it is a totally different car. It returned to the oval headlights, and the interior is one that looks like it belongs in an exotic sports car. The one in the 996 looks like an interior built by Toyota execs hired as consultants to help design a car on a budget. I have had both versions, and if it is possible financially to get a 997 it is an absolute no brainer.
 
Wow, 911 you are definitely the expert. Took awhile to get back on site, wife and I did a weekend trip to S Padre - first timers there, nice.

Here's my deal. I said when I retired I was getting a Lexus SC 430, put the top down and wife and I just go. Seems I was a bit one sided in my plans, because she does not want to give up the convenience, etc of her Lexus Rx. So now have to update her 02 300 and I have started saying I'm getting me a convertible sports car and her car be the primary for road trips, hence enter the Boxster. I never realized I could afford to drive what has always been a dream - a porsche. My most fond car experience growing up was always sports cars, from MG's to the last I could do with all the kids coming along, an Mazda Rx7 (great car).
From Boxster to 911 was only when Mr B on here started mentioning it. So yeah, primary objective is fun but I am not doing the Miata bit and while I am sure a great car, do not really get off on the Z'car. Just want to put the top down and go through the gears like I used to do. Seems I can get an older 04-05 Boxster very reasonable and enjoy for a few yrs then, if so motivated, move to a 911 or get out of the dream.
Hookem
 
The Boxster was a new model update in 2005 so if you can get that version i recommend you do it. With Porsche things generally evolve slowly, but each new generation while often not stylistically very different often has lots of updates, upgrades, and performance add ons for engine, suspension, brakes, and interior. So if staying with the Boxster it sounds as if a 2005 Boxster S would be well within your budget.
 
So, just out of curiosity, have you considered either the BMW or new IS Convertible? Or is the Porsche option a done deal?
 
Hornbud,
IS convertible? really? wow. I wouldn't put that in the same league as any Porsche. not even a 924. ok.. maybe the 924.
 
HB -
When the SC was prime target did look up IS but only one considered was 350 and because only available new was higher than wanted to go and, while nice, is not a SC.
Then when wife informed me her car needed replacing, and she could not see grocery shopping in the SC, priorities changed. My car would no longer be the prime travel car if I got her a newer Rx. So $ available for my convertible dropped. Enter my opportunity to get back into the sports car world and discussions of a Boxster came to life. Yeah my processing did go from new to nearly new Miata, Nissan 350s, even the Saturn Sky. On a whim I googled Boxter. When I saw price for a 3-4 year old Boxster seemed reasonable to someone who has always wanted a Porsche, and as Bernard points out, with reasonably only a limited remaining years to truly enjoy it I have focused on the Porsche. For whatever reason, even seeing several on line discussions comparing the BMW Z's with the Boxster have stayed with the Porsche. Might be because a co-worker whom I do not like has the z3.
That's about it.
Hookem
 
Something to consider . . . it certainly made me re-think the Boxster.

The car is a beautiful car to drive. Maybe too beautiful. You want to take your hands off of the wheel because it "sits" down so well at higher speeds.

Trouble is - it's almost perfectly balanced front to back, which meant trouble for me. The mid-engine sideways boxster engine puts the weight distribution more evenly over the 4 wheels, but also make the car a virtual "spinning top" if you should ever have the unfortunate loss of control that I had on MoPac late one night.'

Hit a patch of spilled oil. Spun off the road doing 360's while still moving forward at over 60mph. Seriously, it was just like a top.

All the rules about "turning into the slide" do not apply to a mid-engine. Once it decides to spin, it won't come to rest until it loses momentum, regardless of what you do.

Fortunately, I ended up in the grass, off-road, without a scratch.

Put it up for sell the next day.

Get the 911 without the mid-engine handling problems.
 
Wow Tx - like the moniker - certainly something i never would have thought about. To take the plunge into a Porsche first time the cost diff between 911 and Boxster is just a bit choking me after all the good things I hear about Boxster - until your warning of course.
I dunno, wife has put a crimp now that she has 'informed' me of her need for a new Rx 350 (not new new, just upgrade like 07 08 but not expected regardless. Gonna require some new thought on this whole thing. Saw an older Boxster the other day - had not looked below 05 before mainly from 911Horn's advice - but this was a beautiful 02 for $19 with low miles.
I don't know, just glad Horns kick it off this weekend!!
Hookem
 
The 911 has an engine that is bolted behind the rear wheels. It will spin much worse than a Boxster that is balanced. That recommendation makes no sense at all. I will say the most recent versions of spin control in both cars make it damn near impossible to spin one of them, but it can be done mucn more easily in a 911 with the way imbalanced weight distribution. They put the engine in the wrong place in the 911, and have spent the last 40 years trying to reverse engineer the laws of physics. They have done it at this point. German engineers vs God. German engineers FTW.
 
Hey lazy, I had two of the generation before, one coupe then my fav ever the dark blue convertible. From the surround sound stereo in the headrests that compensated for outside noise to the sweet high rev quiet power I loved that car. Both were totaled by daughters who walked away, thank God, each time. Last one was a rain storm in Tenn where a semi just blew her off the road when she hydro'd. Actually left the ground when went over the ground (at least we could find no tracks in ground for several feet, hit a wire fence, sliding along before coming to a stop. Never turned over - lucky. Insurance paid me more than I bought car for!
This car, Boxster I'm thinking, will only be driven by me by God. And not nearly as fast as either of my teenage daughters, he he he.
Thanks 911, thought that sounded kinda funny about the skidding. Question if you get back on the thread - if I were to try and get older so I didn't spend over $20M would I be at serious risk? Tried to stay with your 05 or newer advice but if I have to get wife car I would have to wait longer than I want to for that yr. So been seeing some 02 and older with mileage less than 50K that look really good. Plastic window is a turn off but I will not have top up during 90% of my driving - yep I run heater and AC with top down - least I did with others. What's your advice? What things would you check for - other than a mechanic taking a look of course.
Thanks - Hookem
 
Lazy, forgot to mention I did test drive one of that 3rd gen Rx's (turbo) and felt like the rear end was too light. Broke loose on me rounding the curve several times, when I hit the pedal a few times too, may have had some bad tires because was way easy to break loose.
 
I am watching from the sidelines and hope you get the 911. Most amazing car and hopefully one day i'll be in a position to buy.
 
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