Thinking Of Buying A Porsche Boxster

[scathing]

The MX5 does roll a bit, but then it is a street car.

I went through a run through the RNP on Monday with a friend who has a MX5, and on the straights at the "top" they were quicker than me. Of course, driving around on Tein Flex with the stiffest spring available for the damper doesn't help with trying to drive down a bumpy road.

When I drove it, I found it quite nice. I'd probably get a set of swaybars to flatten the cornering a bit, but the rest of the suspension I think I'd leave alone. Unless its destined for the track, I think the response and the facility to use that weight shifting to aid in cornering, as well as the compliant ride, might be worthwhile.

[BaysideBlue]

Interested to know what did you end up getting? MX5? Boxster? Cayenne? or kept your Skyline?

Edited May 27, 2007 by BaysideBlue

[HotPlates]

I drove a Porsche Boxster S a few years ago and I was dissapointed with it's lack of power. I didn't even think it was that special to drive either. An RB25DET Skyline will walk all over it. But I guess I was comparing the Boxster to an S2000 so that might have influenced my decision. The S2000 is a beautiful car to drive and soooooo much fun!

[Basti]

I'd say that the choice of car depends on what you want to do with it.

If it's a convertible you're after, the only good options that I can think of at the moment are an MX-5, an S2000 and a boxster.

I don't mind the mx-5, several friends have them (co-incidentally 3 girls and a frenchman.) they're fun.

The S2000 is the car I'd pick, but that's a style and budget decision. Easier to tinker with and service than a porsche.

But the boxster... it's a porsche. Porsche don't make shit cars. The only problem is cost. Maintaining a prestige car is expensive, and if you're intending on putting the occasional go-fast bit in, even more so.

There is always the range of merc convertibles, or the beamer Z series, or aussie convertibles (shudder) but the above three seem to be the best for their roles.

If you bought the mx-5, you'd always be thinking "But what if I bought the porsche or the S2000"

If you bought the S2000, you'd probably be happy, but you'd always wonder.

If you bought the porsche, you'd never give the other cars a thought unless something went pear shaped with it.

haha thats going in my sig. great read though this thread. changed my perception of the boxster. its not the porsche i'd choose but if it was the only porsche available for my cash then hell yeah

[eMsta]

the new mx-5 is suprisingly good....fun car to drive. Even though it lacks the power of the skyline - it has great throttle response. For some reason it felt like the take off from the lights was quicker than the skyline (but then again my r33 is now 11 years old). Engine loves to rev, and can do it without any trouble whatsoever. Clutch is very very light, and the handling...omg - just awesome. The 6spd manual was just perfect for quick changes. There is a business park behind monash uni in clayton, where me and my bro took the mx5 for a test drive....just unreal! There was a huge difference over the previous model - the new one is more sportier, and smoother to drive.

But having said all that - whether or not its worth the 45-50k price tag is another thing (specially for a new/demo car). Mazda on springvale rd here in vic wanted to sell me one for 42k - i couldnt afford it. They offered 9k for the skyline as at trade in. for around 30-35k, the new mx5 will def be worth the money i reckon.

But everything else was just mad - good if one is not keen on doing track work or deca or spirited driving - the car is basically a cruiser.

[Modena]

the new mx-5 is suprisingly good....fun car to drive. Even though it lacks the power of the skyline - it has great throttle response. For some reason it felt like the take off from the lights was quicker than the skyline (but then again my r33 is now 11 years old). Engine loves to rev, and can do it without any trouble whatsoever. Clutch is very very light, and the handling...omg - just awesome. The 6spd manual was just perfect for quick changes. There is a business park behind monash uni in clayton, where me and my bro took the mx5 for a test drive....just unreal! There was a huge difference over the previous model - the new one is more sportier, and smoother to drive.

But having said all that - whether or not its worth the 45-50k price tag is another thing (specially for a new/demo car). Mazda on springvale rd here in vic wanted to sell me one for 42k - i couldnt afford it. They offered 9k for the skyline as at trade in. for around 30-35k, the new mx5 will def be worth the money i reckon.

But everything else was just mad - good if one is not keen on doing track work or deca or spirited driving - the car is basically a cruiser.

9 K trade in for R33 S2? Thats not too bad i guess for an import. DOnt they usually give shit all for imports?

[eMsta]

9 K trade in for R33 S2? Thats not too bad i guess for an import. DOnt they usually give shit all for imports?

9k is crap regardless....i mean, its not like i go down to noble park every friday and saturday and kill the car - its in very good condition for its age....

But you are right....imports get crap all for trade in. My sis-in-laws 1997 mirage got 6 grand at the same mazda dealer. For the money i spent already, 9k was just not worth it.....like i said in the other thread...might as well keep this, stash the cash, and go the gtr or exige

[HotPlates]

stash the cash, and go the gtr or exige

Now that would be a really hard choice! The Exige would be sooo much fun! But the GTR, well that is Japan's only super car... and it's a GTR!!! There's something about that badge.

[Forged]

Now that would be a really hard choice! The Exige would be sooo much fun! But the GTR, well that is Japan's only super car... and it's a GTR!!! There's something about that badge.

I probably would go with the exige for a change, GTRs are too common in Sydney nowadays. Get a base model exige stick in a S2000 engine, now you've got something really unique.

[writeoff]

The majority of people offering opinions here would never have driven any model Porsche (or a Lotus, S2000, MX5 for that matter) and are therefore giving opinions on what the car looks like, their 'perceived' image, and what they've read or seen in Top Gear or 5th Gear (both whom really rate the Boxter btw) . The Boxter is not a poor-man's Porsche - it is the first step of a lifetime of Porsche ownership (Porsche holds the record for customer loyalty). An A Class compared to a S Class or SL could (would here) be considered a poor-man's Merc but the idea is to get people into these brands at an earlier age.

I hired a Cayman S in Germany last year and took it around the Nurburgring for 4 days. It was brilliant. Sure it could have done with more power but in all honesty it had enough for my driving ability on that particular racetrack. The responsiveness, the communication between road and driver, the handling and noise were all outstanding. My mate and I travelled ~1200km in 4 days and never once even thought to put on the radio or play a CD because we loved the sound of the engine right behind our ears. Having said that I was hanging to drive my GTR again.

Test drive all the cars you are considering. Do some research. Determine what is/isn't important to you. And figure out exactly what you want. eg 2003, 2.7, black, <60,000km for $x. And then be patient. While you wait for the exact car you want you will learn so much about the cars. Good luck.

Edited May 30, 2007 by writeoff

[HotPlates]

I've driven the Boxster S tip-tronic and it was weak. Actually, performance wise it's pathetic for that money. Cayman S I have never driven but by all accounts sounds like a really good car in almost every respect. However I've never driven one. IMO, the Boxster is not worth the price tag unless you are just looking for status.

The S2000 isn't as luxurious or prestigious as the Boxster, but a lot more punchy and fun. Again though, they are not worth the money either. The MX5 seems the best out of the bunch for the money.

I've had the privilage to drive in a few nice cars so far. My dream car (at the time) was a Lambo Diablo. But after 5 mins I wasn't that thrilled. Too cramped, crappy finish (I was shocked about this especially) and crappy gearbox. Would have been better if it was kept a fantasy. Best car I've driven would have to be the Porsche 911 turbo & the Audi RS4 in a close second. I used to know someone who was a car review editor.

[scathing]

The majority of people offering opinions here would never have driven any model Porsche (or a Lotus, S2000, MX5 for that matter) and are therefore giving opinions on what the car looks like, their 'perceived' image, and what they've read or seen in Top Gear or 5th Gear (both whom really rate the Boxter btw).

I've driven the current MX5, previous generation Boxster, and Rover engined Lotus Elise.

To be honest, as a driver's car I can't see the point of buying a Boxster over buying an MX5 unless you're actually worried about lap times. Yes, the Boxster is quicker because of the extra power but it doesn't feel that much quicker. As an experience the MX5 offers the same thrills, but at a fraction of the cost. Unless you're running them head to head, Initial D style, or against a stopwatch on the track you'd be hard pressed to say one is quicker than the other.

And the NC MX5's cabin is not that shabby. The seats are nice, the switchgear is well laid out, and the Bose stereo sounds great. For around $50K (for the hard top, a great feature not offered on the Boxster) its hard to top. The Elise isn't in the same class, as it isn't anywhere near practical to own. Those of us who are willing to sacrifice practicality for performance won't mind, but a typical person looking for a sporty daily driver wouldn't last long in one.

The Boxter is not a poor-man's Porsche - it is the first step of a lifetime of Porsche ownership

This is something I agree with. I hate seeing that phrase; it just smacks of people regurgitating other people's bigotry. Its not a "poor man's 911", its a different Porsche. Its not meant to be a 911. If they wanted it to be some kind of 911, then they would have made a 101th variant of it to go with the other 100 different models of 911 Porsche sells rather than spending the money to design an all-new platform.

And few of those naysayers would turn a Boxster down if they were given one instead of, say, a BMW 3 series convertible or Mercedes SLK of the same price.

It is meant to be a roadster, and while the 911 has always been the "road going race car" the Boxster was always meant to be a street car only. And just because its the cheapest in the range doesn't mean its rubbish. Does anyone bag out the Gallardo for being the "poor man's Lamborghini"? Its cheap (in Lamborghini terms), and its missing the iconic scissor doors and V12.

[BaysideBlue]

my R34 GT-T is poor man's R34 GT-R

[kralster]

I'd take a GT-t over a GTR any day of the week if i were paying for it. I loved my GT-t.

I just prefer them over GTR's.

[32line]

^^wow. thats interesting, a gt-t over a gtr....hmm

Edited May 30, 2007 by 32line

[kralster]

yeah i don't know why either, i just love the r34 GT-t shape, and the 5 speed rear wheel drive drivetrain.

[STATUS]

yeah boxster= 318 bmw.... poser value only. no performance only a badge.

[hungry6]

I've owned 2 gtrs and 1 gts and currently drives a rb26 powered gts, I thought i was the only one that thought the gts is a nicer drive, but not as fast as the gts.

[kralster]

i wouldn't call it the same as a 318 BMW.

Heck it would handle better than half the skylines on here.

[32line]

im sure the mx-5 is a great lil' car to drive....but the styling of it...seriously, wat a pansy lookin car...