Boxster Work Commute?

[jpbecker]

I am starting a new job next month and will have a rural (motorway) 100 mile round trip each day. I'm trying to decide whether to buy a cheap small car to do the trip in to save the miles on the Boxster plus depreciation fuel etc or use the Boxster every day. My Boxster is and 08 plate 2.7 with 7,500 miles on the clock.

What do you all think?

Thanks

Jase.

 

[stussyman]

Take the Boxster and enjoy the drive to and from work!

 

[spyderman]

Yep, definitely commute in the Boxster. I do - and sometimes wish I lived further form work!

 

[THX911]

If you can afford it then it is probably going to be the best motorway drive you will have everyday. Seems you will be doing 20K miles every year; mechanically it is reasonable for a car which sells well in US where 20K is normal annual mileage...

 

[Black80XSA]

Depreciation wise your current low mileage means you can do 9-12months miles without too much damage. However you are going through £70/week of fuel which would help fund another more economical vehicle. Add in winter motoring in the 987 and you find an argument stronger for another car. I've covered 44kmiles in an old golf tdi in the last 2.5 years and it's cost very little even with cambelt changes, Tyres and mot repairs. 55mpg helps too! Only downside is the Boxster has only done 6k miles so I've missed out on the drive!

 

[pattersonoxford]

500 top-up motorway miles a week in a Boxster? Sounds like expensive drugery to me. Not my idea of fun or of what the Boxster was designed for. Top down in any season on country roads (so long as it's not raining) using the gears, the roadholding, the acceleration and the braking, listening to that marvellous exhaust noise for me.

 

[jpbecker]

Thanks guys for your comments. It's a toughie, but it's winter that worries me most. As an Aussie I couldn't believe the gritting trucks last winter chucking grit all over your car as they past on the motorway. I'm hoping to keep my car for a long time and perhaps take back to oz in a few years. So I'm keen to keep it in the best nick I can.

Trouble is I only have £2500 to spend on another car!!

 

[pattersonoxford]

There's a red 63,000mi 1999 VW Golf 1.9GT TDi 3 dr manual with A/C for sale privately on Autotrader for £2600. That would do nicely for a 500 mile per week motorway car.

 

[jpbecker]

thanks Jerry.

 

[jpbecker]

Ah little far away from this one, I live in Fleet, Hants. Open to other suggestions!! Panamera diesel?[]

 

[Black80XSA]

Drive the Boxster in 5 inches of snow and you'll wish you bought that Golf i can tell you - 20mph with the throttle on tickover revs only in third gear , PSM on and flashing maddly, steering wheel turned 30', going in a straight line relative to the road lane, but at a heck of angle to it - an almost half mile opposite lock slide !!

Gritters [][]

Seriously my Golf is one of the last MkIIIs, its not the prettiest or sportiest at 90bhp, but hell it'll hold its own on UK A and B roads, catching many a faster car by surprise [] £1500 purchase price, £900 in repairs and tyres, £180pa tax, 50-58mpg, £250pa insurance. Never missed a beat - now at 147k miles and feels as strong as the day it left the factory engine wise. 44k miles, costs so far incl purchase and all repairs, tax, mots etc - £3478.19. Thats 7.8p/mile including depreciation to zero value. Even adding £900 for fuel, its 9.87p/mile. Ironic eh ??

 

[Dylan1]

sound financial sense but HECK youre a long time dead so why drive an old golf diesel every day while still alive[]
,when you have the option of the box!!!!!!!!!-its a no brainer!
enjoy

 

[jpbecker]

[] very good point Dylan!

 

[Black80XSA]

Easy - i do 500 miles a week through Wales - work out the costs over 20k miles per annum and its a no brainer.

mpg 53 vs 30
tyres £150 for 4 Michelins every 30k miles, £1000 for 4 Michelins every 20k miles
insurance - the cost of the Golf insurance is only the extra the Porsche premium would increase by for the additional miles
servicing - £70 (2 x DIY) vs £500 per annum
depreciaiton - virtually nil vs additional £2k pa for the additional mileage on the Boxster


Time difference on my 112 mile A road (no motorway) trip - NIL - if anything the quickest trips have been in the Golf.

The Boxster is just far too obvious on the road ; yes it's quicker in and out of roundabouts and its easier to overtake a line of multiple cars/lorries, but in rush hour periods there just aren't opportunities anyway. In quiter periods like early morning your brain will limit your speed , not the cars potential performance.

Thinking about my trip in winter months with ice and possible snow and i just wouldn't do the trip in the Boxster on summer tyres and would still think very hard about it on winter tyres.

Driving enjoyment ? - the Golf is quieter and the fact i HAVE to use better positioning, observation and planning in the Golf actually provides more pleasure.

Would i give up the Boxster ? - Hell NO, but after 27 months of Golf commuting i have a 4 year old 987S with 23k miles on the clock, not a stone chipped and worse for wear 70k miler.

Work out your own costs, the number may well rule your heart !


Dylan - i take your point, but on a 200 mile motorway trip can you honestly say your Cayman is THAT much better than Lindas derv burner or a lesser car ?.

Horses for course, everyone has a different budget and a different view - in my case its a no brainer [][]

 

[colinbythesea]

If you bought your Boxster to enjoy driving it then driving to work gives you a lot more opportunities. Of course it will hit the value in the long term and you will have a bit more effort to keep it clean and tidy but I don't think it will cost any more in time and money compared to buying a second car.

 

[vitesse]

I'd buy the commuter car & on the really nice days or when your heart needs a lift,give yourself a treat & use the Porsche.

 

[tobesetc]

Your head says buy a small car, your heart says drive the Boxster - but what good is a head if your heart has stopped?

 

[jpbecker]

[][][] tobesetc

I hate seeing my car damaged on the roads so doing the commute in the Boxster wouldn't help, especially since I won't be updating it every few years. I'm leaning more towards the hack car at the moment but reading all of your comments very carefully. Many Thanks.

 

[944s2]

A quick search in Autotrader should find plenty cars in your area within budget

use the more search options to filter down to what you want price etc

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/advert+search/N-240,Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236/search_form.action?showMoreOptions=&formSearchParams=N%3D240%26Ne%3D2%2B4%2B5%2B6%2B7%2B8%2B27%2B44%2B49%2B53%2B61%2B64%2B67%2B103%2B133%2B146%2B236&make=&model=&min_pr=&max_pr=&referrer=quick&postcode=&radius=1500&e_make=&e_model=&e_min_pr=Ne%3D2%2B4%2B5%2B6%2B7%2B8%2B27%2B44%2B49%2B53%2B61%2B64%2B67%2B103%2B133%2B146%2B236%26N%3D240%2B15&e_max_pr=

 

[drgav2005]

I know a few people who commute in tatty old rust-buckets and savour their 'real' car for high days and holy days... I can see their point, it keeps their good car special to drive, in great condition, lower mileage etc. etc. so they minimise their 'hit' when trading in later down the line... which they inevitably will.

I know they've broken down several times and had to be rescued by the AA/RAC, and to be honest I wouldn't let my family get in their 'commuting' cars just in case they are involved in an accident as I'm sure all that would be left is a big pile of rust.

I'm sure they save money in the long term, but come on - is that what Porker ownership (or any other decent marque) is all about ?

Not only that, do you really want to pay the Government 2 sets of road tax!!! []

Life is unfortunately way, way too short. Get out there and enjoy it as much as you can. If you reckon a 2 car solution is best for you then I'm sure you'll gets loads of enjoyment out of your Box whenever you get the chance to drive it... me, I'd keep the garage / driveway clear and use the Boxster! []