edh
New member
I thought I'd be a bit provocative [
]
but how does this sound?
86k miles, 250hp flat six, ~£5,000
Ok you'd pay a bit more from a dealer, but would you pick up an S2 of similar spec for that money these days? And it would be 10 years older. I bought the Boxster to fill the "convertible" gap in my fleet - wasn't really looking at the 3.2, just a cheap 2.5 /2.7 but this one came up at the right price. New hood (with glass screen), Aircon rebuilt, Litronic headlights, plenty of TLC in the last couple of years from Ron. This one has the clear indicators and rear lights, so looks like a facelift model. I have to say I prefer the ambers, but apparently the Litronics didn't come with amber indicators, so I'm still mulling over just changing rear and side indicator lights.
First of all the engine is an absolute beauty - silky smooth, revving to 7k+, wonderful induction noise, everything a 944 isn't really.. the 3.2 is also plenty powerful enough. I've driven the 944 and Boxster back to back and the Boxster is a fair bit quicker.
Then of course it's a convertible - the hood is very easy to use and I'm really looking forward to using it in the summer.
The interior is nice - mine has the extended black leather - dash, doors etc.. and sports seats. It's a little creaky, I think a factor of a. limted use and b. open top. I'd probably say it doesn't feel quite as solid as a good 944, but it's a very nice place to be.
So what's it like to drive? very easy and quiet around town, although quite firm on the 18's (I plan to change to 17's). The engine has lots of torque so you can just waft along. Given the opportunity though, it's always worth dropping a gear or two to hear the noise []. I'm starting to come to terms with the driving, pushing it a little more. I am wary of the mid engined design as I have no idea exactly how much grip it has and which end will let go first.. But in the dry at least, I can't see how you'd ever lose traction, and the front end grip is enormous. What's really impressive so far is the chassis balance and feel - you're very much in touch with what both front wheels are doing, and the car is very easy to place. I had a quick'ish drive over some of my favourite back roads last weekend, in the dark so maybe not the best conditions and I found that where i needed to make minor corrections in the corners the car was still very composed. The brakes are very strong, albeit with a limited pedal travel like most modern cars. I think I prefer the more progressive longer action of the 944. The pedals are nicely paced for heel & toe work. Gearbox is fine, not outstanding, but better when warm.
I took the 944 over the same roads - not a fair comparison really as my springs are too stiff for those types of roads, but it was definitely slower and less composed. My 944 is firm and immediate, with racing seats. The Boxster is much softer in comparison. I guess it might fall down on the track and be a bit wallowy, but I suspect with a little work it would be a great track car...
So what are the downsides? None I hope [] Speaking to PH he suggested that the cars don't have the same longevity as 944's and that by 100k miles they will need a fair bit of remedial work, much of which mine has already had. There's obviously the IMS risk, which will destroy your engine in much the same way the S2 cam / chain issue will. I think I probably just have to ignore that - and after all, I've already capped my risk at £5k less the breaking price of the car. I might get an IMS guardian fitted, which can provide early warning of bearing failure. There are a few more electrical things to go wrong than a 944, but i think it was only the later generation of cars that got fully kitted out with PASM, PSM etc..
Oh yes - rust - talking to my bodyshop he says the only one's he's seen with rust are the ones that have been crashed / repaired.
More pics when I get a good chance to clean it
]but how does this sound?
86k miles, 250hp flat six, ~£5,000
Ok you'd pay a bit more from a dealer, but would you pick up an S2 of similar spec for that money these days? And it would be 10 years older. I bought the Boxster to fill the "convertible" gap in my fleet - wasn't really looking at the 3.2, just a cheap 2.5 /2.7 but this one came up at the right price. New hood (with glass screen), Aircon rebuilt, Litronic headlights, plenty of TLC in the last couple of years from Ron. This one has the clear indicators and rear lights, so looks like a facelift model. I have to say I prefer the ambers, but apparently the Litronics didn't come with amber indicators, so I'm still mulling over just changing rear and side indicator lights.
First of all the engine is an absolute beauty - silky smooth, revving to 7k+, wonderful induction noise, everything a 944 isn't really.. the 3.2 is also plenty powerful enough. I've driven the 944 and Boxster back to back and the Boxster is a fair bit quicker.
Then of course it's a convertible - the hood is very easy to use and I'm really looking forward to using it in the summer.
The interior is nice - mine has the extended black leather - dash, doors etc.. and sports seats. It's a little creaky, I think a factor of a. limted use and b. open top. I'd probably say it doesn't feel quite as solid as a good 944, but it's a very nice place to be.
So what's it like to drive? very easy and quiet around town, although quite firm on the 18's (I plan to change to 17's). The engine has lots of torque so you can just waft along. Given the opportunity though, it's always worth dropping a gear or two to hear the noise [
]. I'm starting to come to terms with the driving, pushing it a little more. I am wary of the mid engined design as I have no idea exactly how much grip it has and which end will let go first.. But in the dry at least, I can't see how you'd ever lose traction, and the front end grip is enormous. What's really impressive so far is the chassis balance and feel - you're very much in touch with what both front wheels are doing, and the car is very easy to place. I had a quick'ish drive over some of my favourite back roads last weekend, in the dark so maybe not the best conditions and I found that where i needed to make minor corrections in the corners the car was still very composed. The brakes are very strong, albeit with a limited pedal travel like most modern cars. I think I prefer the more progressive longer action of the 944. The pedals are nicely paced for heel & toe work. Gearbox is fine, not outstanding, but better when warm.I took the 944 over the same roads - not a fair comparison really as my springs are too stiff for those types of roads, but it was definitely slower and less composed. My 944 is firm and immediate, with racing seats. The Boxster is much softer in comparison. I guess it might fall down on the track and be a bit wallowy, but I suspect with a little work it would be a great track car...
So what are the downsides? None I hope [
] Speaking to PH he suggested that the cars don't have the same longevity as 944's and that by 100k miles they will need a fair bit of remedial work, much of which mine has already had. There's obviously the IMS risk, which will destroy your engine in much the same way the S2 cam / chain issue will. I think I probably just have to ignore that - and after all, I've already capped my risk at £5k less the breaking price of the car. I might get an IMS guardian fitted, which can provide early warning of bearing failure. There are a few more electrical things to go wrong than a 944, but i think it was only the later generation of cars that got fully kitted out with PASM, PSM etc..Oh yes - rust - talking to my bodyshop he says the only one's he's seen with rust are the ones that have been crashed / repaired.
More pics when I get a good chance to clean it
