Buying a Boxster S

Gary Bullen · Feb 23, 2004

Sorry guys you've probably covered these questions a million times already but here goes anyway -

I am looking to purchase a Boxster S for `the one that shall be obeyed`.

1/. Are there any foibles or peculiarities specific to Boxster S ownership or do the usual Porsche rules apply.

2/. What do you reckon to be worthwhile options rather than gimmics?

3/. Would you rate the tiptronic over manual and why would you chose one from the other?

4/. What does the `sound pack` give you over and above the standard stereo and is the standard stereo pants?

5/. Does the wind deflector really work?

6/. What is the best product and process for cleaning the hood externally?

7/. Looking at Dark Blue external/Light Grey leather + aluminium. Which colour options/spec have you chosen and why?

8/. Turbo look 17" wheels are our preferred style for best comination of looks and cleaning...any comments from you regarding looks, cleaning and ride comfort? Which make and type of tyres are reckoned to be the preferred option for fast road use (car is unlikely to go on track)?

9/. Do you insure via Norwich Union/Royal & Sun Alliance or are there better deals for Boxster owners?

10/. Does anyone own a removal hardtop for their Boxster. If so would you buy another one (would you recommend them) and what are they like to install/remove.

11/. Which web sites do you visit that have the best Boxster related info?

No prizes but your comments and answers will be greatfully received by Er indoors!

Thanks for your time.[

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JCB.. · Feb 24, 2004

1/. Are there any foibles or peculiarities specific to Boxster S ownership or do the usual Porsche rules apply.

Hair dryers air not mandatory

2/. What do you reckon to be worthwhile options rather than gimmics?

Depends on how you use it -

3/. Would you rate the tiptronic over manual and why would you chose one from the other?

Never driven a tip.

4/. What does the `sound pack` give you over and above the standard stereo and is the standard stereo pants?

Extra speakers - the standard is pants apparently

5/. Does the wind deflector really work?

Very much so.

6/. What is the best product and process for cleaning the hood externally?

Water and a very dilute shampoo is what I use.

7/. Looking at Dark Blue external/Light Grey leather + aluminium. Which colour options/spec have you chosen and why?

Triple Met black because it looks the business.
Dark Blue with tan/beige int looks good in my book too.

8/. Turbo look 17" wheels are our preferred style for best comination of looks and cleaning...any comments from you regarding looks, cleaning and ride comfort? Which make and type of tyres are reckoned to be the preferred option for fast road use (car is unlikely to go on track)?

Any N rated tyre. At road speeds the only thing you are likely to notice is the noise level of the different tread patterns. I use Conti's solely because a friend gives me a very good deal. I think other people go for the most exotic sounding name.

9/. Do you insure via Norwich Union/Royal & Sun Alliance or are there better deals for Boxster owners?

Normal post code lottery applies

10/. Does anyone own a removal hardtop for their Boxster. If so would you buy another one (would you recommend them) and what are they like to install/remove.

I have a hardop and it transforms the car in winter. It's easy for two to get on and off but it helps to have big garage so that you can stow it without too much fuss.

11/. Which web sites do you visit that have the best Boxster related info?

Porsche Petes Boxster Board if it's not in the archives it hasn't happened.

Guest · Feb 24, 2004

Hi Gary, hope to return the favour:

From comparing between Boxster S and 996 my experience is:

1) Rear main seal leak as per Boxster forum and I had it changed under warranty.
2) PSM, Sat Nav, heated seats, electric seats with memory (if you have different drivers, but you won't be able to get the sports seats for better stability with this option), soundsystem see point 4.
3) I personally chose manual and would not want any different at the moment. Faster acceleration (but obviously more challenging on track, some may say more rewarding as well unless you count winning because you didn't have to concentrate on gearshift as 'more rewarding').
4) Had the upgraded sound pack on Boxster S, my partner wasn't impressed to be honest. I thought it was OK, but nowhere near as good as the Bose. I went for CD changer because I couldn't have MD with PCM at that time (don't know now). Personally I would go for MD if possible now, because I have fast copy on HiFi and that gives me more options instead of changing CDs all the time. So easy to make your own MDs (and deling tracks you don't like) sompared to burning a new disc every time.
5) Yes, go to OPC and have a test drive with and without. Long haired women (and I guess men too) know the difference.
6) I have used the Porsche cleaning set (little suitcase with hood clener, shampoo, leather cleaner and winddeflector cleaner (is not glass and therefore easier to scratch. Worked very well and kept hood with "water pearl effect" for the 2 years I had the S. After long soak all hood look soaked, but never had a leak.
7) Sounds nice, I chose silver with alu chrome pack. Why? Looks good, doesn't look dirty too quickly untilke the darker colours that show it easily. but cleaned they look great!
8) From what other people tell me the driving charcteristics seem to be better on 17''. I always had 18'', so cannot compare. Turbo look wheel is easy to clean, also beyond the 'spokes'.
9) Was with Barclays at the time, now with Performance Marque as broker (R & Sunalliance, good service so far!!).
10) Never had it for S, but for C4 Cab. Need 2 people to do it. sound insulation is of course better. Had some reports that these are not alarmed, hence some thefts if not in garage. Know someone who had one stolen out of his garage (not on car). I wouldn't say these are essential, especially with the new Boxsters having heated glass rear windows.
11) PCUK of course.

Kind regards

Jan

Guest · Feb 24, 2004

Oh, oh, oh, forgot the sports exhaust! Didn't have it on S, but on 996. What a pleasure for an open car, especially when you go through a tunnel that put a big smile on my face!

Regards

Jan

Guest · Feb 24, 2004

Just a couple of points:

Hartop - I have one with mine but personaly wouldn't have bothered if i had ordered it new. Probably more of a benifit on the pre 03 cars with the plastic rear window. I'd say road noise is slightly better but it creaks much more on a bumby road. The rear heater wire is a fiddle to connect with big hands!

I have the sound pack and once you get used to to the sound coming from the front it is very good. I have had BMW's before with Harmon Cardon systems and I would say it is better for my taste in music.

I'd also recomend the PSM. It's not too intrucive and you can turn it off but it's very reasureing on a wet road.

Hope she likes it!

Elliot Davies · Feb 24, 2004

Gary,
one important thing for you is if you drive it (Louise allowing) then think about getting the normal seats (non sports) as they are apparently not as tall and sit lower to the deck, also your shoulders may struggle fitting into the wings comfortably, GT3 may be similar [

] People have said that it makes them drive with their shoulders uncomfortably forwards
Its just a thing thats been brought up numerous times on the BOXA.NET you will like this forum, its just up your street [

]
Another point about seats...... your head WILL be in the wind as mine does get blown slightly when in my sports seats and i think you are even taller than me ! Certainly wider [

]

Ive the sound pack installed, it consists of 4 extra door speakers and an amp under the bonnet, i think it sounds great others tend to say BOSE is the only decent sound ££££££

The wind deflector definately works and i think is standard in an S anyway

I clean the hood with autoglym softtop pack which is £19 and consists of 2 bottles, cleaner and waterproofer although more and more are using scotchguard proofer from B&Q at £5 per spray can

And a tequipment sports box sounds fab too

Mark_Bennett · Feb 24, 2004

i think is standard in an S anyway

Sadly not.
But should be!

Elliot Davies · Feb 24, 2004

Ah well then ! add another £300 for that too.........

At least the windscreen comes as standard fitment

Guest · Feb 24, 2004

To the other (all accurate!) comments I'd add one thing - get the 03 model with the glass rear screen if you can. The plastic one is cr*p on a car of this cost, scratches easily, splits if you dare to attempt to lower the roof below 5 degrees C and mists up on the inside!. As for having to get out and do the "chop" !!! (rant over)

Now having the benefit of the glass one - it (for me anyway) has transformed the car into a properly useable convertible! Hood shape is much better too - follows the (nicer) shape of the hardtop.

Regards

Ian Gilmour · Feb 24, 2004

Gary

I'd go along with pretty much all that's been said. For me the important options are wind deflector (yes it does really work), sound pack - it's not great but it's better than the standard kit and much cheaper than Bose, heated seats (great on an open top car - mine doesn't have them but our Boxster 550 will have) and PSM. For looks I prefer the 18" wheels - the carrera wheels are easiest to clean although I think 18" turbos look better. My wife bemoans the fact that OBC isn't standard on a car of this value - she uses hers to monitor mpg and outside temperature in her Golf (women eh?) and that would probably be her favourite option.

I'd only go for a dark colour if you like cleaning it and would always go for a lighter interior provided it matches the outside of the car. If you have to have a black interior, get some aluminium bits to lighten it.

Our insurance is through Halifax (wife works there so we get staff discount). It actually costs us less to insure the Boxster S than it did our 944 S2 and the premium would have been something like £460 if my Mrs hadn't been done for speeding just before renewal.

Lastly if you get a post 03 MY car don't bother with the hardtop unless you going to park the car somewhere where the hood could get damaged. As far as cleaning the hood is concerned I use a dry brush to take of any stubborn marks and then use water with some proprietary cleaner (Maguiars etc.) I have the Autoglym kit but haven't used it yet.

Elliott

I was interested in what you said about sports seats. We are looking forward to them in the Boxster 550 but I'm a bit concerned that they might not be as comfortable as the standard ones. Will check out Boxa.net for further info.

Elliot Davies · Feb 24, 2004

Elliott

I was interested in what you said about sports seats. We are looking forward to them in the Boxster 550 but I'm a bit concerned that they might not be as comfortable as the standard ones. Will check out Boxa.net for further info.

Im a 6'2" and 13.5 st slim build bloke and I find sports seats totally comfortable. I drove to Scotland 425 miles in total comfort in one go apart from a 5 min nature break.
Leg room is my only concern, I may think about pushing the engine rearwards to gain a few inches of leg room, Is this a possibility [

]

Guest · Feb 24, 2004

Welcome to the clan.....

Would you be so good as to write down the comparisons between the GT3 and the S ? Handling, balance, steering, brakes etc.

You will find that after 15,000 miles, the engine really opens up and the car will pull like a husky with a hot poker up its' *rse.

Guest · Feb 25, 2004

ORIGINAL: Elliot Davies

Elliott

I was interested in what you said about sports seats. We are looking forward to them in the Boxster 550 but I'm a bit concerned that they might not be as comfortable as the standard ones. Will check out Boxa.net for further info.

Click to expand...

Im a 6'2" and 13.5 st slim build bloke and I find sports seats totally comfortable. I drove to Scotland 425 miles in total comfort in one go apart from a 5 min nature break.
Leg room is my only concern, I may think about pushing the engine rearwards to gain a few inches of leg room, Is this a possibility []

I also have the sports seats and am 6'3" / 14 stone. I was also concerned about them at first but having driven the car daily, sometimes doing 1000 miles per week I'd deffinatly have them again. I have never had any aches or pains and find them very comfortable but hugging you like a sports car seat should. Leg room is another matter and an extra two inches would be great!.. or possibly a slightly snaller wheel to give more knee room. This is probably fixed in the 550 without the centre console.

Gary Bullen · Feb 25, 2004

Welcome to the clan..... Thank you, much appreciated
Would you be so good as to write down the comparisons between the GT3 and the S ? Handling, balance, steering, brakes etc.

I have driven a Boxster and Boxster S before courtesy of Porsche Cars GB. Two whole days thrashing around Thruxton race circuit. IMHO - nearest 911 derivative to the Boxster S would be the 964 C2 that I owned. Don't mock because the 964 was and still is a great car. My 964 had 260bhp so similar performance. The chassis on the Boxster is better and on the limit far more controlable. I doubt that I will be thrashing this particular Boxster S in fear of marital strife as I 've bought it for "the one that shall be obeyed"![&:]

The GT3 is something you have to experience to really appreciate how capable they are. Don't ever be shy about cadging a ride in one at a track day because virtually all the GT3 owners I know love to take passengers out on track. Dez Sturdee 9964 RS register assistant) spent a session in the passenger seat on the Brands Hatch GP circuit. That was about 12 months ago and he still keeps telling everyone about it. Seems to be under the impression that I am an amazing driver. Unfortunately it is the car and the ease with which a fairly average driver can fly around a track. Very stable in corners, reassuring handling, communicative and brrrrrrraaaaaakes like you wouldn't believe!

Very happy to own both.

Guest · Feb 25, 2004

So can I expect a couple of laps at Brands later this year ????

NicD · Feb 29, 2004

Brian,

you are welcome to take a ride with me, and dont worry, wont be any low flying trees!

Funny, just when I add a GT3 to our garage, Gary does the reverse and adds an S to his!

I would agree with Garys' brief impressions on the GT3, very capable handling, super precise steering a towering engine and fantastic engine note. I just love it, BUT, the S is an easier drive, - seats easier to get into, more supple ride, softer clutch and so on. So the S is first choice for drives where you cant use the full performance of the 3.

daro911 · Feb 29, 2004

ORIGINAL: NicD

Brian,

BUT, the S is an easier drive, - seats easier to get into, more supple ride, softer clutch and so on. So the S is first choice for drives where you cant use the full performance of the 3.

Where can you use the full performance of the "S"[

]even!

Guest · Feb 29, 2004

Where can you use the full performance of the "S" even!

Now that would be telling .......

which.... ahem.......leads me to ask if anyone can recommend the most effective radar detector. Draw your own conclusions

Gary Bullen · Mar 1, 2004

It tends to be first come first served at track days. If you get in line quickly I am always happy to oblige. It's just unfortunate that the GT3 isn't a 7 seater!