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Boxster or 993

That is the one South Queens ferry there is a meeting this Wed 9 at 7.30 if you are eating, if not go along around 8ish and join them at the table (they are the noisey ones ) so easy to spot .The usual date is the first Thursday of each month at 7.30 do not know if Kevin is going tommorow or not as I may not be going myself as i come from Glasgow a 100 round trip ,keep in touch
Brian
 
MY2006 Boxster 2.7 if you can't run to the S - that 0.5l makes a big difference.
2006 engines were improved (intermediate shaft bearing)
 
My 2p. Never owned a Boxster but thinking of trading my 997 for a 987 now. I have owned a 993 and would say that costs seem important to you. If so, you stand a chance of shelling out big money on a 993 - remember these are old cars now and they require more maintenance, parts are more likely to wear out and (whisper it) like all old Porsches before them they rot (if you don't believe me, pay a trip to somone like 9meister and look at the rot that afflicts galvanised 3.2's and 964's).

I paid out £12.5k in 2 and a half years on my 993 which was a 1995 C4 with pretty average miles (75k when I sold it 18 months ago). you may be lucky and get one that doesn't cost you much but don't believe the pap put around by the motoring press, yes you can buy these cars relatively cheaply but they cost lots when they go wrong. Certainly if £900 for a warranty on a Boxster is too steep for you it will be heart in mouth time when you take it for service and that's at independent, not OPC, prices.

My choice would be a 3/4 year old Boxster with an OPC warranty which you can renew each year. Your potential outlay will be predictable and as long as you ignore the 911 snobs you'll be a happy owner.

If you have to buy a 993 because anything else will be a poor substitute then whatever anyone tells you won't change your desire and you'll always want one. I did that but I was mighty relieved to get out of it. I learnt the hard way that it was a lot of money and worry just for a very nicely shaped car to be sitting on my driveway (sitting being the operative word on occasions as it was the most unreliable of cars). I still see 993's for sale and think to myself 'maybe I would again' but then I remember how I felt, shelling out £2-3k a time when it went in for what was meant to be a simple service. It was not nice.

Ultimately it's a very personal decision isn't it and you have to go for what you really want and can cope (financially) with, plus what level of risk you are prepared to take. Good luck deciding.
 
Hi
Lots of sensible words have preceded so I won't state what's already been mentioned.
I owned two Boxsters, 986S and 987S from new and now have a 997S.
Both Boxsters were extremely practical, reliable and handled brilliantly, and through the twisties felt even more predictable and planted then my current 911.
IMHO, the 993 is a fine car and for many was the epitome of the classic air cooled 911 - and there is the difference. The 993 is an 'end of era' car where most purchasers buy it for the 'experience' of the classic 911 rather than for outright modernity and in many cases buy with their eyes wide open, and are aware of foibles and the fact that as with any 12 yr old car, it will need repairing and maintenance from time to time.
The Boxster, on the other hand is a new direction for Porsche, combining modern design (with a passing nod to the 550 spyder) and new technology. The experience is a car that handles predictably and safely and with many creature comforts and safety designs that older cars just cannot muster.
For me, it's a toss up between that classic experience and modern style. Don't get me wrong, both cars are excellent, but they evoke (in me) very different driving requirements. Believe me, I've thought about chopping in the 997 for a 1988 Carrera Club Sport on several occasions, but frankly I'd miss the modern cosseting nature (and superb performance) of the 997s, especially on those long hauls to the south of France.
Try and drive both before you decide - I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun making your mind up!!
Rob
 
Rob just wondered how you felt about the differences between the 997 and the 987 seeing as I'm thinking of going in the opposite direction to you.
 
If worried about the running costs, the tyres for a 993 are much more expensive and quite hard to come by by the comments on the general forum.

I have a 987 2.7 with the standard 17 inch wheels- my rears (ps2) where ~130 and the fronts ~115

For a 993 they appear to be about 220 for the rears and 130 for the fronts.
If your having to change them every year that will soon mount up (10,000 miles for the rears wouldn't seem untypical)
 


I have a 987 2.7 with the standard 17 inch wheels- my rears (ps2) where ~130 and the fronts ~11
[/quote]

Is that 29 and 36 in old money [:D]
 
Hi Huw
Although very pleased with my 997S, to be honest, the 987S was better handling and more planted through the twisties. More practical for 2 people and equally as well screwed together as the Carrera. And of course, the sun on the face and wind in the hair, and all at the touch of a button up to 30mph!
Plus points for the Carrera - more secure (tin roof) more legroom (seat travels further back) and a real step up in performance, although the Boxster S is no slouch. 'Getting' the 911 is quite something too.
I may very well be tempted back myself, but for now the carrera S has to be the best car I've ever owned, period.
I will be looking at the new Boxster S and Carrera S cabrio next year though.......ah, decisions, decisions eh?[;)]
In a perfect world for me, there would be a Carrera S cabrio for sunny days and the South of France and a 1988 Carrera CS for high days and the Nurburgring![:D]

Oh yes, forgot to day - the Boxster easily took 2 weeks luggage for the 2 of us to SofFr many times and in comfort. On the Autoroute, hood up over 90mph, down for cruising at 70-80. Of course, great to 'pop the top' in the sunshine through sleepy villages or twisty coastal roads too! Some folk become 911 snobs and look down on the Boxster - well, that's their problem - I think you and I both appreciate the Boxsty for what it is - a real Porsche and an exquisite driving machine!
ATB
Rob[;)]
 
Thanks Rob. I was sort of hoping you'd say 'don't be an eejit, you can't compare them' but it sounds that the Boxster would be a good alternative. My local OPC currently doesn't have any suitable ones in stock which is a good thing because it might give me time to cool down and take my time deciding what to do. Ideally I think I'd like a Carrera cab but they are a few £ more than the coupe. Plus I've owned a few Roadsters in the past (mx5 and S2000) and really enjoyed them, top down in the Winter and Summer.
 
cheers for the views guys. Got a big decision to make but as I'm in no hurry I'll take the time and try to get a good few drives under my belt as I reckon that will go a long way to making up my mind.

Brian, I'll have a word with Kev993 and see if we can make the Feb meet.

cheers

Kev
 
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