Boxster as an everyday car?

[Guest]

Hello,

I'm new to this forum and joined up because i am considering buying a Boxster and I always find it very valuable to talk to people who own them before buying. I was not considering one until a few weeks ago and i've been surprised at the good models you can get for around £10-12k (my budget).

However, one of my concerns is living with the Boxster as an everyday car. Most of my driving is in traffic to and from work and around town. Other than that it's on the motorway for a few hours to visit the in-laws. I do manage to get out and about a bit on the weekends, but not loads. I owned a Civic Type R last year and loved driving it when i had the chance, but i got rid of it in the end because it was a bit hardcore to live with everyday (although to be fair mine had low suspension and a few mods).

So what's the Boxster like as an everyday car? How is it in traffic or on the motorway? What's it like owning one during the winter? I've always loved Porsches and this would be my first. I understand the reliability is supposed to be very good - is this true? I've looked around the posts on this forum and there doesn't seem to be any major weaknesses like on many other cars.

Any thoughts would be really helpful, Thanks.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Many people use as an everyday car. OK - It's not so useful for runs to B&Q, but should do for all your criteria []

Many use all through the winter - with or without a hardtop. The only thing is to watch out if you have a plastic rear-window and the weather is cold. - just don't fold the roof if it is under 5 degrees C !

 

[sbloxxy]

One of the main reasons I bought my Boxster is its ability as an everyday car (compared to my 911). It feels like a modern car to drive - it has most of the gadgets that we all love these days and all the controls and well thought out and easy to use. As Mark says, you are never going to carry great big loads in it but it does have two boots - ideal for the shopping run.
We bought ours as a compromise (I wanted something as quick as my 911 and she wanted a convertible that didn't scare the living daylights out of her). The Boxster is perfect for this - the chassis is simply wonderful and allows you to use the full performance of the car easily, yet its just as happy tootling along in traffic.
Th most annoying bit is the plastic rear window that means you have to physically get out of the car and smooth it into position, halfway through folding the roof down. A glass screen conversion would sort this out though.
So its fast, good on juice (25 -30+mpg), handles beautifully, has unbelievably good brakes, looks superb, great build quality - ok so I'm biased but it would make a great first Porsche.

 

[JCB..]

ORIGINAL: dashfield

Hello,

I'm new to this forum and joined up because i am considering buying a Boxster and I always find it very valuable to talk to people who own them before buying. I was not considering one until a few weeks ago and i've been surprised at the good models you can get for around £10-12k (my budget).

However, one of my concerns is living with the Boxster as an everyday car. Most of my driving is in traffic to and from work and around town. Other than that it's on the motorway for a few hours to visit the in-laws. I do manage to get out and about a bit on the weekends, but not loads. I owned a Civic Type R last year and loved driving it when i had the chance, but i got rid of it in the end because it was a bit hardcore to live with everyday (although to be fair mine had low suspension and a few mods).

So what's the Boxster like as an everyday car? How is it in traffic or on the motorway? What's it like owning one during the winter? I've always loved Porsches and this would be my first. I understand the reliability is supposed to be very good - is this true? I've looked around the posts on this forum and there doesn't seem to be any major weaknesses like on many other cars.

Any thoughts would be really helpful, Thanks.

Get hold of a back issue of the Porsche Post from earlier this year (maybe last year?) there's an article about the Boxster as a daily driver.

Any queries ask me as I wrote it based on 6 years doing just that. []

 

[Carl.Young]

I've had mine for 4 years and have recently had to start using it as a daily driver - and it's superb. Obviously you'll need to think about the running costs compared to a 'normal' car but everything the guys above have said applies. My daily drive is around 40 miles of A road which the Boxster just breezes, barely even breaking a sweat. The performance allows me to safely dispatch slower moving stragglers, and the handling makes A roads an absolute joy. Go for it!

 

[channella]

I also use mine every day - 57k in 4 years. Part of the joy of finishing work each day is the drive home. I wouldn't want it any other way.

 

[Glyn]

Mine is a daily drive summer and winter alike, Previous Boxster for nearly 5 years and only had the soft top, perfect in winter - good heater and no problems with draughts or water ingress.
Now have another - but got the hard top this time as well.
Damn reliable car, great drive - i have manual but if you live in an area with very heavy traffic consider a Tip- more relaxing if you spend a good deal of the time in traffic jams.

I dont quite agree about the trip to B&Q - I used mine to get concrete, bags in the front and the rear, and long pieces of wood - I just remove the wind deflector and put the wood in the passenger footwell and rest it between the two hoops - raises a few eyebrows but i need the car to be practical as well as fun.
Shopping - well you can get loads in it - just put the fridge stuff in the front boot as the rear boot gets warm from the heat of the engine

 

[Guest]

Thanks guys for your comments, you've all convinced me that i'm making the right decision.

Now the hard part - finding a good one within my budget!

 

[Guest]

I forgot to ask - is there much difference between the 2.5 and 2.7 versions? I want to try to get the best example i can, but should i have to choose between a great 2.5 or a not quite as great 2.7, which should i go for?

 

[Mark_Bennett]

In general the thinking is usually - "the newer the better". But if you find one you particularly like - then you may as well buy it!
Take your time - there's lots to choose from.

 

[Dapster]

ORIGINAL: dashfield
I was not considering one until a few weeks ago and i've been surprised at the good models you can get for around £10-12k (my budget)...

...but should i have to choose between a great 2.5 or a not quite as great 2.7, which should i go for?

I'll be surprised if you can get a 2.7 from 10 -12k - or at least one that's not done a spaceship mileage or is in less than perfect condition. You'll find plenty of great 2.5's though. My advise would be to save a few more pennies and go for a post '99/2000 facelift 2.7.

 

[Guest]

ORIGINAL: Dapster

ORIGINAL: dashfield
I was not considering one until a few weeks ago and i've been surprised at the good models you can get for around £10-12k (my budget)...

...but should i have to choose between a great 2.5 or a not quite as great 2.7, which should i go for?

I'll be surprised if you can get a 2.7 from 10 -12k - or at least one that's not done a spaceship mileage or is in less than perfect condition. You'll find plenty of great 2.5's though. My advise would be to save a few more pennies and go for a post '99/2000 facelift 2.7.

I would like to save up a bit more, but it's not really an option. My wife and I are trying to start a family and once that happens it will be family cars for a few years. So that's why i've decided to get a Boxster now, because it's now or never really.

Are you saying i shouldn't bother getting a 2.5 and should look at similar cars such as the S2000 or 350Z?

 

[Dapster]

Are you saying i shouldn't bother getting a 2.5 and should look at similar cars such as the S2000 or 350Z?

Oh lordy no! Defenitely get a Boxster. The mantra for buying a Porker is get the newest one you can stretch to. Having said that, a well looked after 2.5 with a full service history, no accident history, choice extras (17" wheels, air con, wind deflector, leather, metallic as a min) will be an absolute peach.

Anyway, you've got the rest of your life to throw your hard earned at senseless sports cars!

 

[aburton]

Hi Dashfield
Have been reading this thread with interest, but felt the need to comment when the subject of alternatives came up. My daily drive is a 2001 Boxster S, which I have owned for 18 months. I have previously owned other Porsches and loads of sports cars, many of which were two-seaters. When considering the Boxster as an everyday car, there just is not any competition!! It wins hands down because of its two boots alone, but is also extremely comfortable and relaxing to drive, and is economical (mine is averaging 29 mpg).
The S2000 is a great car in most respects, with engineering excellence top of the list, however it does not have much torque, so it needs to be driven hard with plenty of revs to feel the benefit of its performance. This becomes wearing after a while, when you are constantly having to change down to overtake, etc., and could give the impression to passengers (wife) that you are deliberately being 'boy racer-ish', whereas you would have cruised past in top in the Boxster without even noticing.
Previous comments re the Boxster plastic rear window are valid, and I intend to have my roof and window changed before this winter. I understand a Company called BAS do a very cood conversion for less that £700 (see other threads)
Hope the above helps
Alan Burton

 

[thboxster]

There's not a lot else to say that isn't repeating what has already been posted.

I've used a Boxster for the last 6 years as my main car and even though my original car had a plastic rear screen, it wasn't an issue, I just kept the roof up during the cold season.

The glass one in the latest model is better but you won't find one of those in your price range.

When I first looked at them back in 2000 I loooked at a number of open-tops, Z3, Corvette, TVR and I suppose history tells the story as I went for the Boxster and have never looked back. If there is 1 downside to it, it's that my personal circumstanses have changed and I could do with an extra seat in it. Maybe i'll just buy a companion Porsche, for use at the weekend with more than 2 seats.

Happy hunting.

 

[Guest]

Thanks guys for your comments and thoughts - i appreciate everything that has been said.

I have 2 cars up for sale at the moment and can't do much until they sell, although I'm keeping my eyes open for good Boxsters in the mean time. I'll keep you posted when i find one.