BOXSTER QUESTIONS.....

[Melv]

Mrs Melv looking at changing her 2 YO Alfa Romeo Spider and has some q's on the Boxster.....(and the Merc SLK ...[])

Assuming her budget is £17K.......

Servicing costs? On about 8,000m p.a......

Tyre costs/expected mileage?

MPG (daily 30 mile West London commute)?

2.5/2.7/3.2???

Auto or manual?

Boot space for the weekly shop -what CAN you get in???

Usual things to look for/avoid/dealer recommendations???

What else does she need to know???

"What are the nicest things you know about your car? In other words, why a Boxster and not a SLK???"

 

[Black80XSA]

budget will get you a facelift (52/03) 2.7 - glass rear screen, updated bumpers, glovebox! etc

weekly shopping - about 8 or 9 carrier bags in the front and 4/5 in the rear - the rear gets a little warm on longer trips so no frozen stuff in the rear !

servicing at independents - £230 minor, £350 major (12/24k) - on that milegae yu could keep it on the annual servicing schedule at an OPC, but this is nothing more than an oil change. brake fluid every 2 years £50 indi, £107 OPC

Tyres - i had 18s, got 15k from rears, fronts good for 20k, but i do a lot of short trips and lots of braking/accelerating [] Michelin £200each rears, £175 front; Pirelli 20% cheaper but don;t last as long. 17s more like £550 a set

MPG on a decent steady run 30-35, commute stop start 24-27 dependent on traffic !!

things to look out for decent service history, rms leaks, wear n tear on roof, damp carets/bottom of doors (blocked drains, failed door membranes - all easy fix), and uneven tyre wear. Also a few incidences of blocked oilways on tappets leading to camshaft wear which sems to affect the early facelift cars

 

[Melv]

Fantastic!! Will forward.

 

[MikeW]

Does she want a Sports Car or a shopping trolley?
An easy decision really, because the Boxster is both and the SLK isn't.
Engine options just add to the fun, but with the commute the Tip would be sensible.
It's a buyer's market and there are lots for sale. Bide your time and look around until you find a good one to your spec.
Good luck.

 

[pete36]

ORIGINAL: Black80XSA

budget will get you a facelift (52/03) 2.7 - glass rear screen, updated bumpers, glovebox! etc

weekly shopping - about 8 or 9 carrier bags in the front and 4/5 in the rear - the rear gets a little warm on longer trips so no frozen stuff in the rear !

servicing at independents - £230 minor, £350 major (12/24k) - on that milegae yu could keep it on the annual servicing schedule at an OPC, but this is nothing more than an oil change. brake fluid every 2 years £50 indi, £107 OPC

Tyres - i had 18s, got 15k from rears, fronts good for 20k, but i do a lot of short trips and lots of braking/accelerating [] Michelin £200each rears, £175 front; Pirelli 20% cheaper but don;t last as long. 17s more like £550 a set

MPG on a decent steady run 30-35, commute stop start 24-27 dependent on traffic !!

things to look out for decent service history, rms leaks, wear n tear on roof, damp carets/bottom of doors (blocked drains, failed door membranes - all easy fix), and uneven tyre wear. Also a few incidences of blocked oilways on tappets leading to camshaft wear which sems to affect the early facelift cars

What he said []

Keep the miles under 9k and the car will cost much less to service.

More combined boot space than my old M3!

I'd add drive the car over some speed bumps listening for suspension creaks and low speed steering groans, which are either bushes [] or wishbone ball joints [].

Radiators can rust, check through side vents with torch.

Window regulators can fail, they squeal when used on a hot day.

Bit of smoke on startup is ok, provided it clears quickly.

OPC warranty covers the big bills, but it doesn't cover everything [nothing I've mentioned above] so care still required.

I'd go for the facelift if you can. The clear lights look much more contemporary, while the roof has the glass window and it a better construction apparently.

For your budget a med-high mile S could be on the cards but it may be a little on the ropey side. As tempting as it would be I think I'd be cautious and go for the 2.7 or a pre-facelift 3.2.

How much power does she want...?

 

[Mark_Bennett]

ORIGINAL: pete36

Radiators can rust, check through side vents with torch.

Better still, check through the front intakes...[&:]

Side vents have nothing to do with the front-mounted radiators.

 

[pete36]

ORIGINAL: Mark Bennett

ORIGINAL: pete36

Radiators can rust, check through side vents with torch.

Better still, check through the front intakes...[&:]

Side vents have nothing to do with the front-mounted radiators.

I don't like him, but he's got a point![]

 

[Mark_Bennett]

ORIGINAL: pete36

ORIGINAL: Mark Bennett

ORIGINAL: pete36

Radiators can rust, check through side vents with torch.

Better still, check through the front intakes...[&:]

Side vents have nothing to do with the front-mounted radiators.

I don't like him, but he's got a point![]

[]

 

[Dapster]

"What are the nicest things you know about your car? In other words, why a Boxster and not a SLK???"

Although not depreciation proof, a well looked after used Box will hold it's value much better than a common or garden SLK or Z3/4. At sell on time, that leaves more in the kitty for shoes, handbags, facials and expensive cosmetics (and you can get the missus some stuff as well!).