New Boxster Options

Grouchmonkey · Dec 6, 2008

I have got my name down for a 2009 model Boxster and now have to finalise my order on colour, options etc. I am in a quandrary on a few things and would welcome advice from you people out there who know more than I do as you already drive one. In particular:

1) Colour: I originally went for the midnight blue with beige partial leather, but I saw a car in this colour and it seems very dark-almost a blue-black which I don't like, so am now trying to decide between the new porsche green with beige or the traditional guards red with black. Is it worth paying extra for the metallic?

2) Wheels - is it worth paying extra to up the spec to 18" wheels?

3) Is it worth paying the extra for Active Suspension Management?

4) Are there any other options which are likely to make a big difference to enjoyment and ownership of the car?

I would welcome any advice

Rickster · Dec 6, 2008

I will never have another car without heated seats........

notechmike · Dec 6, 2008

I think its down to persional choice but if it were me then I'd avoid beige interior. Out of the paint colours you listed then red would be my choice but I do prefer silver or grey - yes I know everyone goes for those colours but there is a reason for that - they look great! Wheels - go for 18" wheels Suspension - avoid the active system; hard is too hard and soft is too soft; standard is best comprmise. Spend the money saved (plus a bit more) on:- Heated seats - essential for spring ande autumn open top motoring Stereo Upgrade - Bose is great but even the sound plus is much better than std Park assist - its impossible knowing where the back of the car is accurately Sports wheel - the thicker rim feels much better. Sports exhaust - if you have a few bob to spare and you like your boxster to growl Does trhe 2009 have the new PCM - if so, consider this plus multifunction wheel. But what ever the spec you'll love the car so dont worry too much - just buy, drive and enjoy.

Dylan1 · Dec 6, 2008

if the boxster has the lsd option like the gen 2 cayman s i woul definately go for that and yes to the heated seats and sports wheel. for me also xenons a must,if not standard on the gen 2

chrisH · Dec 7, 2008

ORIGINAL: Grouchmonkey I have got my name down for a 2009 model Boxster and now have to finalise my order on colour, options etc. I am in a quandrary on a few things and would welcome advice from you people out there who know more than I do as you already drive one. In particular: 1) Colour: I originally went for the midnight blue with beige partial leather, but I saw a car in this colour and it seems very dark-almost a blue-black which I don't like, so am now trying to decide between the new porsche green with beige or the traditional guards red with black. Is it worth paying extra for the metallic? 2) Wheels - is it worth paying extra to up the spec to 18" wheels? 3) Is it worth paying the extra for Active Suspension Management? 4) Are there any other options which are likely to make a big difference to enjoyment and ownership of the car? I would welcome any advice

Having owned one with 18ins, PASM and Sports Wheel I would say definitely to these. I did not find PASM too soft I thought the ride was much more comfortable than standard but well controlled. I agree hard is too hard for the road but a nice option. As to the colour mine was silver and looked great and the finish was excellent. I too am speccing a facelift and trying to decide on this as I am not convinced you will get the even higher option price of Â£602 now for metallic at trade in. My OPC suggested red or white and I agree these colours suit the car well. I had BOSE but would not pay the 840 extra for it. Found the rear sensors annoying when backing in my garage as they sound continuously although rear view is very poor.

Rob Edwards · Dec 7, 2008

Hi I specced heated seats on both my boxsters and would not have a soft top without them. I would not bother with full electric seats again unless I really needed the lumbar support. Having tried a Gen 2 C2S cabrio with vented seats, I would be tempted by these as on a hot day they are actually quite pleasant, and do help cool - I initially thought 'what a waste of time', but after using them was somewhat impressed. Park Assist - yes, definitely! The cost to repair/replace a valance is more than the cost of them and they are very discreet nowadays. BOSE - I have always had it, but not so sure having heard a recent sound upgrade pack, which is pretty good. IPOD connectivity - you betcha, although at around Â£225 it's a bit pricey. Colour - go with what YOU want, it's your car not anyone elses. I personally like white, which looks pretty good with metropole blue hood and ocean blue leather. The phone module is meant to be greatly improved, so might be worth thinking about if you use the phone frequently in the car. PASM - I would only bother with this if you intend tracking the car. I have it at the moment and have only ever used the firm setting for very short periods on the road - it's just too hard for normal roads. As Dylan says though, an LSD might be an interesting proposition though for extra traction out of bends.... Have lots of fun speccing your car - that buzz of anticipation is great, surpassed only when you sit in it for the first time and then drive it away![

] Regards Rob

oliver · Dec 7, 2008

ORIGINAL: Rickster I will never have another car without heated seats........

Totally agree. Years ago I thought heated seats were a gimmick, but someone convinced me to have them on a Boxster - brilliant option. So cosy in winter and doubles the number of days you can run with the roof down, without dressing like 'the man from Millets'. I'd also have pccbs - reckon the benefits would be brilliant - but accept that most people wouldn't appreciate the cost/benefit.

chrisH · Dec 7, 2008

ORIGINAL: Rob Edwards Hi ........... IPOD connectivity - you betcha, although at around Â£225 it's a bit pricey. Colour - go with what YOU want, it's your car not anyone elses. I personally like white, which looks pretty good with metropole blue hood and ocean blue leather. The phone module is meant to be greatly improved, so might be worth thinking about if you use the phone frequently in the car. PASM - I would only bother with this if you intend tracking the car. I have it at the moment and have only ever used the firm setting for very short periods on the road - it's just too hard for normal roads. As Dylan says though, an LSD might be an interesting proposition though for extra traction out of bends.......

Where did you find out about IPOD being 225? My understanding when I was at the OPC using their configuratoir is about 75 for the connection cable and about 425 for the Bluetooth handsfree bit. Neither IPOD nor phone appear on the new Radio screen unless you select PCM3 and get the Touchscreen. You cant spec the LSD on the Boxster, its Cayman only. The real problem right now is the UK configurator has not been updated and there is no information online about any of the facelift models, even the price for the Boxster now says "being updated". Lets hope it gets done soon.

spyderman · Dec 7, 2008

The Universal Audio Interface is listed as a Â£217 option for the 997 Gen.2, and given the 987 and Cayman Gen.2 will (likely) use exactly the same PCM 3, I would be surprised if its not the same price. That's a lot of money for a panel and a few sockets!

chrisH · Dec 7, 2008

Yes, its this cable that I was told is Â£75, trouble is I don't see how you can use it when driving if you cant see the tracks etc., on the radio display and I am not about to spend Â£2k on PCM 3 in order to get that.

DavidB · Dec 7, 2008

Heated seats and parking sensors - definitely! Short Shift and Sports Chrono I would go for again Unimpressed with the BOSE, but the Sound Pack Plus (or whatever its called!) in mine is good enough. Whatever you choose, enjoy it!!

Black80XSA · Dec 8, 2008

Midnight blue is a nice colour - very dark navy, with slight purple tinge in sunlight. As bad as black to keep clean though. Green - don't see many green Porsches nowadays - not good for resale i would have thought If you want to save the cost of metallic then red is the safe option - black is nice if you like cleaning, and white is quite popular now , but in a few years time could be a disaster come resale. Beige interior - looks awful in part leather, slightly better in full leather; either way its not my cup of tea and again not great for resale - popular in the sunnier states of the US, not liked much anywhere else. Basic items i'd always add would be park sensors, heated seats and the sports steering wheel. The rest is up to you, what you want the car to look like and how you intend to drive it. 19" wheels really need PASM to soften the ride, 18s are fine on std suspension but the ride height looks a bit high to my eyes. Unless you drive pretty hard or intend to track the car then LSD is a waste of money. BOSE sounds artificial in real terms, save some money and go for the sound package. Don't forget a wind deflector ! Short shift - if you are happy with the normal gearshift then save your money. Sports chrono - waste of money IMO, adds no more power. Xenons - normal headlights are pretty good to be honest. Sports exhaust - my std one is rorty enough thank you, emits plenty of noise acording to my other half who says she can still hear me miles away when leaving in the early hours of the morning.

Grouchmonkey · Dec 8, 2008

Thanks, everyone! This is really good, helpful advice - just what I was looking for. I'll let you know how I come out on it!

plightbown · Dec 8, 2008

Just swapped my arctic silver 986 for Red 987. It looks fantastic, sensors, sound package plus, 18" Boxster S wheels. Main thing is the car and the pure joy of driving it. What else matters? [

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Bluebox · Dec 9, 2008

You cant spec the LSD on the Boxster, its Cayman only.

I'm sure this is wrong! It's the new Boxster Gen2 with PDK that's getting the LSD (see vid below "chassis"), they didn't add it to the Cayman as it would be faster than a 911 !! The LSD is the number 1 option for the Boxster, closely followed with PDK and launch control (thats top of my options list). [link=http://www.porsche.com/microsite/boxster/flash/default.aspx?language=en&market=PCGB&pool=uk&browser=other&instance=657&variant=&section=&showintro=true&bandwidth=dsl&width=1280&height=1024&specialguest=0]http://www.porsche.com/microsite/boxster/flash/default.aspx?language=en&market=PCGB&pool=uk&browser=other&instance=657&variant=&section=&showintro=true&bandwidth=dsl&width=1280&height=1024&specialguest=0[/link]

Dylan1 · Dec 9, 2008

sorry to disappoint but the cayman is defiantely getting the lsd(even tho it brings it close to 997 territory).i am unsure whether the boxster does or not-porsche may be trying to artificially separate them -as they have demonstrated by leaving a 10hp gap between the boxster and coupe!!

spyderman · Dec 9, 2008

ORIGINAL: dyllan sorry to disappoint but the cayman is defiantely getting the lsd(even tho it brings it close to 997 territory).

This is confirmed by the latest "[link=http://www.autocar.co.uk/VideosWallpapers/Videos.aspx?AR=236404&CT=V]Cayman is wonderful[/link]" video on the Autocar website!

Bluebox · Dec 10, 2008

Nice Autocar review, maybe the best car in the world, but it doesn't have a sun roof option! ha [

] Both cars specs look fantastic, but is it worth waiting a couple more years for the completely new Boxster which willl be much lighter and will have an new 4 cyl twin turbo engine... [link=http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-porsche-boxster-to-get-four-cylinder-engine-in-2011.html]http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-porsche-boxster-to-get-four-cylinder-engine-in-2011.html[/link]

Dylan1 · Dec 10, 2008

doesn't have a sun roof option! ha [

] no point! we never get any sun here!! in the current climate(!)defimately worth waiting for the new 998 model i would say

daro911 · Dec 10, 2008

ORIGINAL: dyllan porsche may be trying to artificially separate them -as they have demonstrated by leaving a 10hp gap between the boxster and coupe!!

10hp gap would be totally lost if a heavy weight was in the Kman and a lightweight was in the Box but the Â£1000's extra for the 10hp will always be there along with the tin top and no fresh air option