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Thread: Porsche Boxster - Views

  1. #1
    Craftsman
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    Porsche Boxster - Views

    Hello

    Starting to investigate ownership possibility.

    Has anyone got any experience of buying, owning, do's and don'ts?

    Any guidance appreciated.

  2. #2
    Grand Master number2's Avatar
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    I suspect the search function will keep you busy for a while.

  3. #3

    Budgets and engines

    I e had the S and the 2.7
    Both great cars


    Never spent a penny on them in repairs as super reliable

    Try a specialist like PCT in Coventry
    He has a few in normally and good warranty


    They are v well balanced but alas my back stops me buying now

  4. #4
    Not had one myself, but close family have.

    Early sub 3-litre models not rated much - performance adequate but no more. A couple I know both traded theirs for Honda S2000. Expensive to maintain, even DIY (parts are dear and not prolific after-market compared to some) . Porsche badge means morecostly that equivalent models - but that carries through to residuals/resale too so not necessarilya bad thing.

    Not a great looking car IMO, but we all like different things. Depending on what level of performance you're after, I'd opt for large cc BMW Z4, S2000 or even MB SL.

  5. #5
    Grand Master number2's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by afcneal View Post

    Not a great looking car IMO, but we all like different things. Depending on what level of performance you're after, I'd opt for large cc BMW Z4, S2000
    Agreed better options in my humble opinion.

  6. #6
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    Having had Z4 2.5, 987 S, 981 S in the household and driven a S2000 a fair few times, the opposition does not come close.

  7. #7
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    Check out Hartech website and buyers guide. That's what I did, good info and guidance.

  8. #8
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    My view of a Porsche Boxter........................................ usually a rear view!
    :)

  9. #9
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    Get the bores scoped...

  10. #10
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    Chaps

    I had a friend who was a Porsche nut. Every time I saw him he was driving a different Porche.

    His view on the Boxster was that it was 95% of a 911 for 50% of the cost.

    The only downside is that they don't hold their price.

    Regards

    Mick

  11. #11
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    I used to own a 987 Boxster S and still think it it one of the best cars I have owned for the overall package. Not crazy money to buy or service, fun to drive and there are some great used examples out there.

    I would not buy without a FSH personally. There is a good used Porsche buying book on amazon which tells you the thing she to look for. I don't recall the title will see if I can find it.

    Having also owned a 911 afterwards, which is obviously great. But on balance if buying again I would probably go Boxster, the current model is very pretty I think.

  12. #12
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    I agree with the first comment, less so on the second!

    Have mentioned this on the previous threads, have ownership experience of a 987.2 S (now sold) and have been in/driven a 986 (and a 997)

    Looking at Autotrader, if I were selling it now (at the worst time), I would have lost only about £5k in 3.5 years of driving and 20,000 miles which for a car priced in the late £20,000's doesn't sound that bad to me. I agree however that if you add loads of optional specification, most of the cost of that is lost when you sell if from new.

    Quote Originally Posted by Mick P View Post
    Chaps

    I had a friend who was a Porsche nut. Every time I saw him he was driving a different Porche.

    His view on the Boxster was that it was 95% of a 911 for 50% of the cost.

    The only downside is that they don't hold their price.

    Regards

    Mick

  13. #13
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    My missus ran a vanilla 2.7 987 for 4 years before she changed to the 2.9 cayman she runs today. A 'cayman with a soft top' wouldn't be far off the mark as a description of the boxster. Great cars both of them. And I disagree about not holding value. Definitely at the lower end of the depreciation spectrum provided they're kept in order which is surprisingly inexpensive to do.
    Last edited by wolf; 17th December 2016 at 16:41.

  14. #14
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    The horror stories for a car with 80k miles 14 years old and costing £10 grand, steered me to my immaculate 08 3.0 Z4 same money with equal performance and lower upkeep

    Mind you I have completely contradicted myself by buying a Discovery 4 knowing their reliability record, mind you it's still got 2 years warranty. But what do I know
    Last edited by hilly10; 17th December 2016 at 17:21.

  15. #15
    I still have my S. I doubt I'll ever sell it. I tried every 2 seater under around £40k when I bought it many years ago, I took each one for a lap around the TT course, and it was the only one that made me smile from ear to ear.
    It's just a matter of time...

  16. #16
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    The 2.5 is downright slow but has character. The 2.7 is better but no rocket ship. The 2.9 and 3.2 are getting there and the 3.4 is pretty exciting but the reason some people rate the 911 better (and it costs more) is that it does feel noticeably quicker (other maybe than against the latest 3.4s). Since about 1990 there hasn't really been a 911 lacking in oomph, they feel roomier inside and tend to be better specified. I don't think a bore scope is really necessary on a Boxster or Cayman, it is the 911 3.8l which suffers bore issues in the main. Seals on the other hand are dodgy on many 90s/00s Porkers
    Last edited by Padders; 17th December 2016 at 18:19.

  17. #17

    Boxster

    Great car and suprisingly practical. My advice is to buy as late a car as your budget allows. Mine was a 986 3.2s. Had a few issues, coil packs, heat shields on exhaust and brake calipers. All normal stuff but they do carry the Porsche tax lol.
    Test drive a few to know a good one.
    Good luck

  18. #18
    I've been toying with the idea of getting a 986s recently. I think I would have bought one years ago were it not for the wallet-busting reliability tales you read about. I can afford a 986 boxster, but I can't afford a new engine for one.

    Still extremely tempting though...

  19. #19
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    Thanks for all the comments so far.

    I will post progress.

  20. #20
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by nitsy View Post
    I've been toying with the idea of getting a 986s recently. I think I would have bought one years ago were it not for the wallet-busting reliability tales you read about. I can afford a 986 boxster, but I can't afford a new engine for one.

    Still extremely tempting though...
    I think the 986 will have a plastic back screen where as the 987 have glass screens. The plastic ones are prone to cracking and need replacing i believe. Something to look at.

  21. #21
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    I think 2003 ish on 986 cars (with the clear indicators) have glass rear screens

  22. #22
    Grand Master Foxy100's Avatar
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    Have you considered an MX-5?
    "A man of little significance"

  23. #23
    Master Kirk280's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Foxy100 View Post
    Have you considered an MX-5?
    Is the OP a hair dresser?

  24. #24
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    I've had 3 Porsche; 2 boxsters. I would try to buy as new as possible (except for the newest 4 cylinder), option wise I'd avoid the 986 if at all possible, go for a PDK gearbox and a PSE (Porsche sports exhaust). Job done.

  25. #25
    I prefer the 986- it's the first Boxster
    It's just a matter of time...

  26. #26
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    Buy a car with impeccable history it will serve you well against a cheaper car that seems a bargain !

  27. #27
    Grand Master Foxy100's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kirk280 View Post
    Is the OP a hair dresser?
    Sold my Boxster S because my MX-5 was a better car.
    "A man of little significance"

  28. #28
    Master Kirk280's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Foxy100 View Post
    Sold my Boxster S because my MX-5 was a better car.
    Well it just shows you.

    Number 2 back and sides, please.

  29. #29
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    Quote Originally Posted by Foxy100 View Post
    Sold my Boxster S because my MX-5 was a better car.
    I intend to test drive both.

    I'd be interested to learn your deciding factors.

    I am not, and have never been a hairdresser for the avoidance of doubt.

  30. #30
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    Kind of related...

    Any ideas on the best place for PCH finance on a Boxster?
    Last edited by solwisesteve; 19th December 2016 at 12:25. Reason: not PCP!

  31. #31
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    I have only driven the 2.7 987 and can say though not the fastest thing in the world I would happily own one and I have own/ed much faster more powerful machinery.

    I also think the 987 has aged fantastically especially in lobster claw guise.

  32. #32
    Master yumma's Avatar
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    I wanted to scratch the itch myself and dipped my toe in the water with a 80,000 miler 986 2.7. It drove very well, sounded amazing, went pretty well; certainly enough for the public roads. It was pretty economical, very comfortable and shockingly practical.

    However, I did not keep it long; the reasons being: The electric hood went wrong, she blew fuses on the electric seats, the throttle bodies needed re-building, the indicator stalk broke and the prospect of owning her was becoming tainted by what was going to go wrong next.

    I have now bought a new Mini F56 JCW, which is faster than the Porsche and for a 4 cylinder sounds brilliant with the Bluetooth JCW exhaust valve open. I also have an old MX5 which is still one of the best driving machines out there at any price and even after 8 years of ownership has never needed anything more than a routine service and consumables.

    If you can afford it get the newest, lowest mileage and best example you can find, plus as someone else mentioned, get a Cayman instead; at least the electric hood can't go wrong on that!

    Boxsters are great cars but cheap ones like mine was wont be cheap to run, you are better off with a Mini JCW, MX5 or Fiesta ST to get modern cheap and reliable driving thrills. If you can afford a newer Boxster then I'd get the last of the flat sixes.

    Good luck, it's a nice predicament to have.

  33. #33
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    Quote Originally Posted by Foxy100 View Post
    Sold my Boxster S because my MX-5 was a better car.
    I went in the opposite direction and swapped by third MX5 in a row for a 911. Not regretted it too much so far...

  34. #34
    Quote Originally Posted by Tomaitch View Post
    Buy a car with impeccable history it will serve you well against a cheaper car that seems a bargain !
    My 986s hasn't been to a garage since the warranty expired - it's only needed service items mind (counting exhaust heat shield bolts as service items).

    Only done 40 odd thousand miles and treated gently. No issues, no rattles or squeaks and a great engine.

    Plastic screen is an issue, you have to look after it - I always ensure its folded neatly and give it the hindsight treatment, every now and then.

  35. #35
    Master
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    As I said in my post earlier get yourself a E85/ E86 Z4 great soundtrack from one of the best straight 6 engines ever made they are very reliable with only a couple of issues mainly being the electric water pump.
    Last edited by hilly10; 19th December 2016 at 17:28.

  36. #36
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    I bought a 2005 987 2.7 a year and a half ago and it has probably been the best thing I have ever bought. It's pretty base spec but has heated seats and cruise control and an aftermarket Parrot thing for Bluetooth and iPods.

    I got a good deal on it but it needed things doing (brake lines badly corroded, O/S shock and a few other not so substantial bits). It certainly is fast enough to get you into big trouble, especially on the twisty stuff. Straight line speed isn't ridiculous but it lets you use all the revs in most of the gears which sounds fantastic, even more so with the PSE or similar aftermarket one.

    Mine is on 17" rims which makes it ride supremely and the increased tyre sidewall height has minimal effect on the handling. I have driven new Boxsters with 19/20" rims and it was quite surprising what the difference in ride comfort was.

    Boxa.net is a great forum and there is a buyers guide on one of the sub-fora and certainly helped me out when doing my research. Whatever you do, get a pre purchase inspection.

    I ran hot-hatches before the Boxster and you simply can't compare them. The Boxster was designed from the ground up with the end-purpose in mind whereas the majority of the current hot-hatches have had a big engine (or the boost turned up!) shoehorned into them with generic upgrades to the brakes and suspension.

    Apples and oranges.

    Good luck on your quest!

  37. #37
    Master j0hnbarker's Avatar
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    Here's a question for the Boxster experts:

    I currently drive a 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STI and for a long time have been thinking about getting a Porsche. My initial thoughts were a 996 or even one of the later 928s. I'd discounted the Boxster but reading this and other threads has made me wonder...

    There is a nice 987 for sale locally. It's the 2.7 engine, and I have always, always gone for the biggest engine available in my previous car choices. I wonder if after the Subaru, the 2.7 will feel a little underpowered? Is there a massive difference between the 2.7 and the 3.4S on the road? I know coming from the Subaru I will obviously miss the turbo, but in normal driving conditions you're off-boost most of the time anyway.

    TIA

  38. #38
    Master
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    had plenty of Boxsters over the years as courtesy cars and they are great fun.

    for day to day craic they are excellent and dare I say it, in normal format much better bang for your buck than a 911. Not better as such, but a really great daily softop that handles brilliantly and always delivers.

    might have to sell my 911and would seriously consider a value Boxster as a 'run-around' alternative with the added benefit of not being so precious about it.

  39. #39
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    Quote Originally Posted by j0hnbarker View Post
    Here's a question for the Boxster experts:

    I currently drive a 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STI and for a long time have been thinking about getting a Porsche. My initial thoughts were a 996 or even one of the later 928s. I'd discounted the Boxster but reading this and other threads has made me wonder...

    There is a nice 987 for sale locally. It's the 2.7 engine, and I have always, always gone for the biggest engine available in my previous car choices. I wonder if after the Subaru, the 2.7 will feel a little underpowered? Is there a massive difference between the 2.7 and the 3.4S on the road? I know coming from the Subaru I will obviously miss the turbo, but in normal driving conditions you're off-boost most of the time anyway.

    TIA
    Interesting question. I came from a mapped GTI which was pretty epic when the boost came on and the tyres were up to the job (never experienced wheelspin in third before that!) but the power band was narrow and pretty on/off like.

    The biggest difference was the immediacy of the power delivery and the way in which it delivered it - it was much more drivable. Of course 5k rpm upwards is where the best power is at (and noise!).

    The 2.7 vs. 3.4 debate is long standing but my view is that the 2.7 allows you to use all the power most of the time whereas the 3.4 gets you there quicker with less gears so is not quite so engaging (plus the insurance was cheaper for someone in their mid 20's).

    Take it for a test drive and make your mind up from there. I don't think a 928 will provide anywhere near the same driving experience. It's very mucha grand tourer and the manual gearbox model is rare/expensive. They are appreciating however!

    Good luck.

  40. #40
    Bought the 2.7 for the wife ,shes always wanted to try a porsche and this was in our price range.Buy a well serviced one and it should be fine.Use specialists and not main dealers(too expensive) Things break just like any car,just done the rear discs and pads on ours £80 for all the parts which aint bad


  41. #41
    Grand Master Foxy100's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by bobar View Post
    I intend to test drive both.

    I'd be interested to learn your deciding factors.

    I am not, and have never been a hairdresser for the avoidance of doubt.
    Yeah, he's a dick and always comes out with the hairdresser comments. You'll get plenty of them for owning a Boxster too, and remember it's 'not a real Porsche'.

    The NA MX-5 weighs 940kg, the 986 Boxster S, 1,295kg, and that's a big bugbear for me. You can rag the hell out of an MX-5 all day long and take it to its limits fairly easily, with the Boxster you have to be breaking the speed limit by a long way to get it to feel like it's actually doing anything, and feel like you're actually driving it. I prefer weight over the front wheels and a loose tail (ooh err!), with the Boxster you need to be carrying someting heavy in the front bonnet to make it give it decent front bite, and the amount of grip is phenomenal. The Boxster wins over the MX-5 in lots of ways but for me it's about having fun driving at all speeds and in all weather conditins, whether I want to rag the car or not, and while I found the Boxter hugely capable it was also dull to drive, relative to the Mazda.

    It all depends what you want from the car and how you intend to drive it. I realised with the Boxster I was going to lose my licence in a big way if I continued trying to have fun driving it. I also found it incredibly uncomfortable, while I fit in an MX-5 perfectly. They're beautifully engineered, mine never had condensation on the inside of the windscreen, the front and rear boots do allow you to carry a lot of stuff and so on and so forth. My MX attracts condensation like a bitch, rattles, doesn't have an extremely good speaker/stereo system and so on and so forth.

    I'd have a 911 (a 996 Carrera would be nice) at the drop of a hat but it's a different car to the Boxster. If I'd wanted a coupe instead of my 986 I would have gone for a 968 or Integra Type R but I didn't. As a convertible sports car the MX just works for me. If I do get a 911 it will be as well as the MX, not instead of one, and I'd approach it as a GT car, not a sports car like the Boxster or MX.

    If you do look at an MX, avoid Mk2s. They rust from the inside out.
    "A man of little significance"

  42. #42
    Master Kirk280's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Foxy100 View Post
    Yeah, he's a dick and always comes out with the hairdresser comments. You'll get plenty of them for owning a Boxster too, and remember it's 'not a real Porsche
    That's not very nice. Didn't they teach manners at hairdressing school?

    For the record, I know the MX-5 is supposed to be a great car, in its many iterations.

    If Sir wants a 'fun' driver's car may I suggest an offering from Lotus?

  43. #43

    Red face Boxsters are great 'drivers' cars and the handling is really balanced...

    I have driven several (plus Caymans) as courtesy cars over the years and was always impressed. Buy the newest one you can afford and put a warranty on it.

  44. #44
    Master yumma's Avatar
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    There are a great deal of very valid and very good views on this post. I agree on the view of hot hatches compared with sports cars is like comparing oranges and apples and like that analogy.

    As a previous 986 2.7 owner, I would take my NB Mk2.5 MX5 1.8 VT Sport over the Boxster all day every day, I do agree with the view if you are after a light weight drivers car to look at a Lotus Elise, but my only issue is that the Elise lacks practicality and is fragile compared to an MX5. I would say the Elise is the best car I have ever driven however but would honestly say my MX5 is well up there with the best cars too; you just have to accept the engine noise isn't going to send shivers up your back (like a Porsche flat 6) and your not going to break the rear end on power alone on a dry roundabout, but the lack of inertia, inherent chassis balance, feedback, all day every-day ability to thrash the thing and it never goes wrong is too strong a reason for me to rate it ahead of the Boxster. I really wanted to update my old MX5 this year simply because it is now 15 years old, I would have bought the ND 2.0 Sport-Nav but the boot is tiny so I ended up with my old MX5 and a Mini JCW.

    To the gent wanting to go from an Impreza to a Boxster, I fear you may find it a little under powered, therefore I'd say to go for a 3.4S, although as with most Porsche's the gearing is quite tall, my 2.7 would do 45mph in 1st, 70mph in 2nd and 105mph in 3rd, so even the 3.4 may lack the low end punch you are used to?

    Despite all of the above the Porsche was a great car to drive and I'm glad I had one, everyone should own one at least once.

    Good luck

    Yumma

  45. #45
    Craftsman
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    To the OP: apologies if someone has already mentioned it, but if you are tall make sure you are comfortable in the car. I'm not overly tall (6') but must have dis-proportionally long legs because every time I moved my foot from the accelerator to the brake I hit my knee on the steering wheel. No amount of seat/wheel movement would allow me to be comfortable and still avoid a knee/wheel interface.

    And I don't fit in an MX-5 either

  46. #46
    Master yumma's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by StackH View Post
    To the OP: apologies if someone has already mentioned it, but if you are tall make sure you are comfortable in the car. I'm not overly tall (6') but must have dis-proportionally long legs because every time I moved my foot from the accelerator to the brake I hit my knee on the steering wheel. No amount of seat/wheel movement would allow me to be comfortable and still avoid a knee/wheel interface.

    And I don't fit in an MX-5 either
    100% agree, I'm a relative short ass and only 11 stone, but the Boxster was a squeeze and not much knee room at all - still it made steering with your knees a doddle - Just kidding!

  47. #47
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kirk280 View Post
    That's not very nice. Didn't they teach manners at hairdressing school?

    For the record, I know the MX-5 is supposed to be a great car, in its many iterations.

    If Sir wants a 'fun' driver's car may I suggest an offering from Lotus?
    Not great if you actually want to arrive at your destination. Lotus should have stuck to making excellent racing cars in the 1960s which fell apart just over the finish line instead of plastic kit cars that do the same just before you get to Sainsbury's

    Still, every journey is an adventure!
    Last edited by Padders; 20th December 2016 at 11:14.

  48. #48
    Yep ,wife has the boxster but I prefer my cars a little more raw

  49. #49
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    Quote Originally Posted by Padders View Post
    Not great if you actually want to arrive at your destination. Lotus should have stuck to making excellent racing cars in the 1960s which fell apart just over the finish line instead of plastic kit cars that do the same just before you get to Sainsbury's

    Still, every journey is an adventure!
    I had two Elises and they were ALMOST 100% reliable. One had the wiper motor die due to water ingress but neither of them let me down getting to Sainsburys or Waitrose ;-)

    My only issue is they are a bit raw - pretty much all or nothing cars. So, IMHO, not great (I'm talking about the Elise here or probably the Exige as well) for road use (the roads are just too congested, in too poor condition, too enforced, too many bikes, etc...) however BRILLIANT on a track!

    I'm seriously looking at a Boxster or Abarth 124 as my next sports car... a little more comfort and a little less raw for road use.

  50. #50
    Master gunner's Avatar
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    Have always loved porsches but if I wanted a small fun car I'd be looking at MR2/MX5/Elise, for something a bit more grown up, my 993.

    Absolutely nothing against the Boxster, it just doesn't fit the way I compartmentalise the world.

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