The problem here is that people, especially on a popular forum such as this, get to hear about almost all bad things that happen to these cars, however the vast majority of satisfied people never bother to come onto a forum to simply say they are satisfied. The result is that you get a very scewed impression of what the true reliability of these things are.
Another problem is that people often walk into Porsche ownership with a perhaps unrealistic expectation, probably from a Porsche enthusiast friend, and inevitably end up disappointed and slag the cars off, not because they are bad cars, but because they failed to meet their unrealistic expectations.
Also alot of people have an axe to grind due to the poor way they feel they've been treated by the Porsche aftersales care.
Bear in mind my comparison in handling is in reference to my 944 on KW's which updates the handling of the 944 such that it feels like a much more modern car. I must say i've not found the electronics in the Boxster too intrusive. I never ragged the cars as they were friends cars, but accelerating hard out of roundabouts I found the tail to be fairly predictable and the electronics would even allow the tail to step out a bit without intervening. In anycase on a mid engined car electronic intervention is needed due to twitchier handling. Go on, I guess it is down to personal taste and experiences. These are road cars afterall driven by people who often like to think they are better drivers than they really are and I include myself as one of these people - but at least i've admitted it to myself and am wary of my overconfidence.
All Porsche are very good cars and in many ways the Boxster is maybe (dare I suggest it) the future for Porsche. The Cayman is, after-all, a Boxster with a roof on, and many have written that pound for pound that the Cayman the best road going sportscar money can buy. Personally I prefer tin roof's so would hold out for depreciating Cayman in preference to a Boxster.
ORIGINAL: pauljmcnulty
I've clocked up quite a few miles in Boxsters now and find them to be a superb car. Feel very much like a 944 in the handling department and the price the early Boxsters are going for now they are a steal.
Then, if you've honed your 944 to perfection over 4 years why change to something (on borrowed money) that is very much like a 944 in the handling department but an unknown quantity? And, it's got a smaller boot, no rear seats... [8|]
A very good point well made. I personally wouldn't get a Boxster, though i'd never say never, but if the lack of rear seats are not an issue and the lack of boot space isn't and you want a ragtop then why not? 944s are not without their problems, as this forum shows, and are not getting any younger or more reliable. I personally am getting to that age and situation in life where I no longer have the space, time and often the inclination to get out the jack and tools to fix a problem. Unfortunately cars to me now are a practical tool used for getting from A to B rather than a hobby - my next Porsche will be a good 5yrs away. And even Porsches, as good and robust as they are, are not immune to the relentless march of Old Father Time. Battle with the tin worm, fading paintwork, niggly problems, risk of parts becoming hard to get or suddenly increasing three fold in price. More modern cars are certainly a more attractive proposition to me.
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