Thinking Of Buying A Porsche Boxster

[nachoman]

go the lotus elise

not many people have them and they do have street cred ( if that topic ever comes up in conversation)

they handle well, brake well and look the goods

some models are a bit spartan inside, ie no power windows, no aircon , no radio etc but in retrospect, thats the true lotus in the eyes of colin chapman

[NA power]

why the hell would you blow 50gs on some euro old man/hair dresser/girl/look im gay car anyway????

Go Buy a 350Z or any of the GTR's and work it, or a Supra or a WRX and spend money on them......

You will get heaps heaps more repect plus heaps more fun, plus better resale....

theres heaps better cars than over priced, old people cars.

Oh and think of the service bills.

times your Nissan one by about 5 and you will understand what i mean.

[BaysideBlue]

Anyone who knows anything about cars would not respect a Boxter driver!! I know I don’t, I wouldn't look twice at them, I view them in the same light as a Toyota Corolla....but if you want to delude yourself that you own a Porsche and that is impressive then it’s your prerogative!!

or are you just jealous? have you ever driven one yourself? if you have and you still think its a corolla then its obvious either you dont know how to drive or you know nothing about cars.

Edited November 28, 2006 by BaysideBlue

[dangerous_daveo]

go the lotus elise

not many people have them and they do have street cred ( if that topic ever comes up in conversation)

they handle well, brake well and look the goods

some models are a bit spartan inside, ie no power windows, no aircon , no radio etc but in retrospect, thats the true lotus in the eyes of colin chapman

LOL spartan! Dude a VN executive was spartan. Yeah the elise is an AWESOME car, but its just a different market. You can drive them everyday, but you wouldnt.

[Topaz]

The one thing I hate about boxsters is the exhaust note. If anyone ever gets one please for the love of exhaust notes everywhere change the puffer system.

+1 for the elise though

[bubba]

Having had EXTENSIVE experience driving a particular 1986 911 I can say that it is an amazing car, but it is 20yo so expect to pay through the nose for repairs. Do NOT get a convertible, it cost my old lady $4.5k to redo the roof (with genuine Porsche materials), $7k to rebuild to gearbox back to stock spec.

So yes, expensive to maintain, but a LOT of fun to drive. I have put that 911 through a lot of hell that I wouldn't even think of trying in my R32, and it loved it. Not super quick, but the standard 3.2L 170kW was good for a 14sec 1/4 and 0-100kmh in 6.4sec. Not bad for a mid eighties car.

It easily went off the clock in terms of top speed but it's almost like driving a turbo car, it has a noticeable powerband, if it's below 4500rpm then she ain't goin' anywhere!

Basically, if you've always wanted a Porsche and are prepared to open your wallet wide, then you can't go passed an 80s (930) 911. If you can afford a little more and get a 930 turbo.. oh boy! Otherwise, stick to something that is easier/cheaper to extract power from.

[700HP-GTR33]

Hi All,

Thinking about my next car. I don't necessarily want a car with loads of power. Would like something that feels good to drive and every review I have read suggests that the boxster is a great drive.

You can get an early model boxster for around $50 large.

My only concerns would be the drop in power (the 2.5 litre boxster generates 150kw at the fly). Currently my skyline is generating around 155kw at the wheels so there may not be a huge difference as I am led to believe that Porsche tend to understate their power figures if anything . Also concerned about ongoing costs.

What do you guys think. Is there anyone who has driven one and how much more is ongoing maintenance than say the average car?

Cheers

Don't waste your time............its either 911 turbo or nothing .

Aim at 100K and your good for 996 style.......

A Honda 2000 or Bmw m3 both which are convertables are a better car dude.Thurther more....you can have a track day with them and not be disappointed.

[tridentt150v]

If you buy a porsche, do yourself a big favour and go to the phone box and buy the best long range mobile phone on an unlimited plan that money can buy as well.

Then program in NRMA's number at No.1. Hey look on the bright side, your mechanic will send you a Xmas card (they do that with all their best customers).

I'd forgetc it, keep the car you've got and go and buy a jetski or flying lessons or something.

[Roy]

Anyone who knows anything about cars would not respect a Boxter driver!! I know I don’t, I wouldn't look twice at them, I view them in the same light as a Toyota Corolla....but if you want to delude yourself that you own a Porsche and that is impressive then it’s your prerogative!!

Are you serious. They are a great lookign car, and you only have to look at how they go on the track to know they are more suspension and brakes then engine...though they still have enough engine. Having done the Vic round of the Dutton Rally this year the speed of a std Boxter blew me away. Plenty of Skylines will beat them in a straight line...but im really interested in taking a friends out for a drive now. He owes me because i have sat in the mud crewing for him when he has rallied.

That said, i have also done over 1100kms in a weekend i an Elise, including a track day at Winton Raceway. Again they are all about the driving then putting a 250kw motor in something. They are an absolutely awesome car and definitely worth the test drive.

I love my R32, it may be as quick or quicker then both of these cars but there is no way you can say that Skylines deliver near the enjoyment as either of the above car (For me anyway)

hehe...

They are a fun car...

Id rather the Lotus over this, but i still thnk this is a trick looking car

[WTF-33R]

I work for a porsche dealer in syd, and ive learnt a thing or 3 about boxsters. Great car, very reliable, a little on the costly side to repair, but an awesome driving experience.

Try and stretch for a 2.7 the extra 0.2 displacement really helps, slightly better interior as well.

Things to check:

Oil Leaks - Common areas are Rear main seal, Cam covers and Variocam solenoid seal.

Smoke on start up- while a small amount is normal, excess smoke may be due to a oil seperator failure.

Go for a car with Low kms and full service history (from a Porsche Dealer or specialist), or a car with a replaced motor, ive seen engines replaced at around 100000kms, but there again theres a 2.5 we service thats done 180000 and all thats majorly failed is the auto gearbox at 120k.

Porsche Dealer or specialist service is recommeded. It might be dearer but they know what they are doing.

to all those who say Lotus elise please let me remind you what it stands for:

Lots

Of

Trouble

Usually

Serious.

The Rover K-Series motors are proned to blown headgaskets or shifted liners in the block ($7000 a pop)

and to correct bubba 930 was the model code specifically for the 911 turbo. Anything before the 964 series was a 911.

If u wanna kmow more send me a PM.

Edited November 28, 2006 by RB_n00b

[bubba]

Blah whatever.

Edited November 28, 2006 by bubba

[Smurf]

I work for a porsche dealer in syd, and ive learnt a thing or 3 about boxsters. Great car, very reliable, a little on the costly side to repair, but an awesome driving experience.

Try and stretch for a 2.7 the extra 0.2 displacement really helps, slightly better interior as well.

Things to check:

Oil Leaks - Common areas are Rear main seal, Cam covers and Variocam solenoid seal.

Smoke on start up- while a small amount is normal, excess smoke may be due to a oil seperator failure.

Go for a car with Low kms and full service history (from a Porsche Dealer or specialist), or a car with a replaced motor, ive seen engines replaced at around 100000kms, but there again theres a 2.5 we service thats done 180000 and all thats majorly failed is the auto gearbox at 120k.

Porsche Dealer or specialist service is recommeded. It might be dearer but they know what they are doing.

to all those who say Lotus elise please let me remind you what it stands for:

Lots

Of

Trouble

Usually

Serious.

The Rover K-Series motors are proned to blown headgaskets or shifted liners in the block ($7000 a pop)

and to correct bubba 930 was the model code specifically for the 911 turbo. Anything before the 964 series was a 911.

If u wanna kmow more send me a PM.

Finally, somebody who knows something first hand.

To those nay sayers, have you ever driven one or read articles about them. Most articles suggest that they are an unbelievable drive.

Since when have they been a hair dressers car? Isn't that a Hyandai Excel. Oh you mean a really successful hairdresser who loves to drive a classic car.

Just jokes. Appreciate your comments. Never realised there was so much hatred for the boxster.

I've also considered the Elise. Too spartin for me. Would love the driving experience though would imagine it to be laborious on long trips.

Thinking long term I am thinking a BMW Z Coupe. 2nd hand in 2 years if I don't go the boxster.

RB_n00b,

How expensive is it to replace parts relative to the average Japanese cars. Are we talking double the price or tripple????

Cheers

[WTF-33R]

Im new to the skyline and Import and performance scene, so im not sure what parts prices are like for them, when i talk jap cars i think Corollas and Pulsars but off the top of my head its more: a set of brake pads is about $350 a clutch kit is about $1000 and if u need a flywheel its $1800ish.

like all euro cars u need to change rotors every 2nd -3rd pad change (cant rememeber the price off the top of my head.) but dont let it detract you from the driving experience.

as i said before they are a brilliant drive and i would own one myself, but go for a 2.7 if not a 3.2

Edited November 28, 2006 by RB_n00b

[Modena]

I heard a term they use on the UK top gear show Porsche Boxster are a Poorman's Porsche.

Still if you have enough money to buy and maintan one i said why not its would be hell alot nice to drive than a R33.

If i had the money i would get one

All this "poor man's" crap is so lame.

A car is a car. I cant stand f**kwits who say R34 GTT is a poor man's GTR... well so all other non GTR Skylines are poor man's GTR too?

Whats next? Any car is a poor man's Ferrari? Phuck off.

[Maxx]

the early batch of Boxter are known to have engine problem (slipped sleeve) and porsche admit that.

try to do a search on rennlist

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/forumdisplay.php?f=67

if the car you are buying is not daily, i strongly recommend you to buy a 911 930, they keep their value very well, it's likely that if you get a good example now, you will able to sell it for the same/more than what you paid for in a few years time

Edited November 28, 2006 by Maxx

[scathing]

Anyone who knows anything about cars would not respect a Boxter driver!! I know I don’t, I wouldn't look twice at them, I view them in the same light as a Toyota Corolla....but if you want to delude yourself

There's delusions going on here, alright.

Even the one I drove, which was apparently shagged, was still a sublime drive. It needed more herbs and a gearbox that did what it was told, when it was told, but in terms of everything else it was excellent.

[scathing]

Sure, a lot of posers drive Boxsters, but that doesn't make them a bad car. In fact from all reports they're a bloody awesome car with a bad image...

I could replace the word "Boxster" with "Skyline", and the above statement would be just as true.

[scathing]

boxter is a ghey porsche

....says the guy driving the series of Skyline people refer to as the "whale". What colour is that kettle again?

The Boxster is a great Porsche. It does almost everything right as an entry model car. Its not overly expensive (for its class), and its got more handling than power. Something that's the true mark of a balanced sports car.

[merlin6014]

I can't believe people are bagging out Boxter's - I'd love to own one and at $50K they are not out of many peoples reach. The handling is amazing, the power figure isnt huge but the car is light and nimble with a great gearbox so they are quick anyway.

As for 350Z (can anyone say overpriced and slow) or WRX's ect getting more respect - pfft maybe to 16 year old boys who spend to much time blowing their loads over the Hot 4's magazine - in the real world I don't think so.

Edited November 28, 2006 by merlin6014

[Link]

I can't believe people are bagging out Boxter's - I'd love to own one and at $50K they are not out of many peoples reach. The handling is amazing, the power figure isnt huge but the car is light and nimble with a great gearbox so they are quick anyway.

As for 350Z (can anyone say overpriced and slow) or WRX's ect getting more respect - pfft maybe to 16 year old boys who spend to much time blowing their loads over the Hot 4's magazine - in the real world I don't think so.

My thoughts exactly

If i had the chance to own a porsche it would be a gt2 hands down

A client of mine owns a 2003 M3 Semi Auto - They are a bullet!

Took me for a spin and i was really impressed - He drives it to work everyday, then n the weekend takes it down to the track and drives it home

He said they have fairly good economy as well. Interior is well appointed and seats are very comfy. The Auto gearbox is very smooth, much better than what i expected

Id have a good look into one of these as well

Edited November 28, 2006 by fat33