Possible new owner

[Sam77]

Hi All,

Looking for some advice.

I am thinking of getting a Boxster as my next car. Current have Alfa GTV TS and would like more power and better handling car. It will be my only car and as I do a lot of motorway miles so it needs to be relatively practical and comfy on long journeys. I will be looking to spend about 15-17k. Questions are;

Should I go for 2.5 or 2.7 (Will I struggle for 2.7 with my budget?) Apart from the power are there any other differences between the cars, cosmetic or performance.

What are servicing costs likely to be and how frequent, 10 or 12k. As dealers are rare and probably over priced is a good specialist worth his weight in gold.

Any things to look out for apart from usual FSH condition etc?

Will be my first cab so what is wind noise like and is it worth getting the hardtop especially in the winter?

I am 6'2 so will I even fit in it comfortably?

Finally will golf clubs fit in the boot, rear one obviously.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Cheers

Sam

 

[thboxster]

Good choice!

Looking at the market currently, I would expect to find quite a reasonable car for 17k. I dare say that going directly to an OPC would not provide you with the choice for your budget so a private sale would be necessary.

As an example, this time last year a 2.7 (02) with reasonable spec, but in very good condition went for 20k. OPCs where offering less in P/X.

So a year on you could perhaps find something of a similar nature. There are plenty of cars for sale at the moment.

The first thing you'll notice with a cab and with the engine in the back is the noise. You can hear a lot more of what is going on outside that you can in a tin-top. That's not necesarilly an issue though. I lived with my first Boxster for 3 years, enjoyed it all year, whatever the weather. I also did not have a hard top, I simply didn't see the need and still don't. You have to bare in mind though that it's just my opinion and I know there are people on here who would disagree with me about the hard top.

As for being over 6", can't comment as i'm a tiddler. Go and test drive one and see how you get on and take your golf clubs and try them in the boot.

When I got my first Boxster the salesman told me that you could get 'your golf clubs' in the boot. I don't play golf but I suspect that you would need a half set in a specially designed Porsche golf bag rather than you normal sort. Happy to be told itherwis though.

Servicing on a car pre-'05 is every year or 12,000 miles and there's a link here to a page from an official brochure. But that's using an OPC, you could get cheaper at an independant.

http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=192918

 

[Sam77]

Hi Tony,

Thanks for that, I am die to test a few at the weekend, do I need to listen out or look for anything particular?

Cheers

 

[Elliot Davies]

Im over 6'2" and fit in fine, i could really do with a bit more leg room but i have sports seats which apparently dont help.
The steering column adjusts outwards and upwards together to clear your legs
I also took the centre console out to allow more left leg room and fitted a GT3 Console delete kit which is of great help
http://gallery.rennlist.com/gallery/albuq44?&page=1

Re: golf clubs
i play myself and the rear boot takes my 9.1/2" tour bag
you then thread in the woods, i personally put the woods in the pass. foot well
my small fold up trolley fits in the front boot with shoes etc.
Ive read somewhere that the boot takes 2 bags if they are smaller

 

[Elliot Davies]

some Boxsters here too
also look a the link for the service costs at an independant like Northways
http://www.northwayporsche.co.uk/car_sales/car.asp?ModelName=996+and+Boxster

 

[Sam77]

Great re golf clubs, the car is sounding better and better. I'm almost convincing myself its a pratical all rounder.

 

[daro911]

http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=192370

Sam checkout this link, according to this article you should comfortably find a decent 2.7. Good luck with your hunt for the best sports car in its class []

 

[thboxster]

ORIGINAL: Sam77

I'm almost convincing myself its a pratical all rounder.

Yes, well let's not be too hasty[] The car is good and on average I think you could use it for the majority of things, I use mine as a first car. It does have it's limitations though which usually come down to transportation of larger objects.

I bought a new home theatre system a few weeks ago, would it go in the Boxster? Not even if it had both seats free. There are times that an alternative is needed, but there are often ways around it. My other half has a Renault Clio which effectively fills the gap so if you have a backup, you're sorted.

 

[A Clift]

ORIGINAL: Sam77

Will be my first cab so what is wind noise like and is it worth getting the hardtop especially in the winter?

>200 KPH last September on the Autobahn, roof down and very comfortable, no buffeting.

I've got the hardtop - didn't use it at all last winter, but did fit it this time. If I bought a newer model with the glass rear window, I wouldn't bother getting a hardtop again. If you're thinking about 2.5v2.7, you're probably looking at a plastic window and the hardtop just comes down to whether you can afford it or not. It's not absolutely necessary. Just watch the temperature when you move the roof, plenty of topics on here about split plastic windows

 

[Sam77]

Thanks for all the help/advice, great forum by the way. Will def be looking for a 2.7.

 

[Elliot Davies]

also at 6'2 you will get the top of your head in the breeze
shrink to 5'10 and you should be okay

 

[Andy Tims]

Obviously try one for size, but I have several tall friends who found their knees hit the underside of the steering wheel. Perhaps they had long legs relative to total
height?
I'm not sure the earlier car's had height adjustment on the wheel, but maybe the seat could be lowered.

If you can fit, they are a fantastic car.

Not sure where you're based, but Cridfords (Ripley, Surrey) usually have a good selection of used Boxsters. The prices are competitive, especially if you don't want to PX your existing car.

Good luck.

 

[Elliot Davies]

ORIGINAL: Andy Tims
Obviously try one for size, but I have several tall friends who found their knees hit the underside of the steering wheel. Perhaps they had long legs relative to total
height?
I'm not sure the earlier car's had height adjustment on the wheel, but maybe the seat could be lowered.

Mt seat is right down as low as poss and wheel adjusted accordingly, the seat is all the way back too.
I found mostly that my left leg (clutch) was the concern, right leg was fine hence getting the delete kit.
my pics before and after attchd.

 

[Dapster]

Sam

The vertical steering column adjustment only came in on the 987 cars so a 2.5/2.7 of your budget era would not have it.

It seems like you've already settled on a 2.7 - I would absolutely recommend that as the 2.7 has more torque and more power than the 2.5 and drives a whole lot better. Additionally, if you go for a post 00/01 model year you will benefit from a host of minor cosmetic improvements - aluminium interior door handles, better interior trim, part aluminium gear lever, electronic front and rear lid releases, three spoke steering wheel and so on. No question - that's the one.

When you're looking for the ideal car, try and hunt out one with air con, wind deflector (plastic panel between the headrests attached to the roll hoops), leather seats, 17" or 18" wheel upgrade, metallic paint and perhaps the upgraded sound pack. In my view, the best place for the hardtop is on eBay![]

You won't find a 2.7 for your budget at an official dealer but you will find plenty at the plethora of specialists. Try some of these:

www.camtune.com
www.strasse.com
www.portiacraft.com
www.specialistcarsltd.com
www.paragon.gb.com
www.rsjsportscars.co.uk
www.911virgin.com

I did 55k miles in my 2.7 in 4 years and it didn't put a foot wrong. While it's obviously not a Volvo Estate it's a lot more practical than you would imagine - my most extreme moment was driving down to Gatwick in a blizzard with my snowboard poking out of the open roof! Maintenence costs are not cheap compared to most cars but it's a Porsche for God's sake, and the specialists will make it more manageable. Additionally, the lower depreciation will reduce the total ownership costs compared to the Z3/TT/Merc SLK brigade.

If you have any doubts take one on test drive this weekend and I hope for you it's sunny. Drop the top, find a bit of twisting A road, knock it into second and floor the loud peddle...... You'll be reaching for your cheque book before you get to 3rd gear.

 

[Sam77]

ORIGINAL: Dapster

Sam

The vertical steering column adjustment only came in on the 987 cars so a 2.5/2.7 of your budget era would not have it.

When did the 987 come out, I have a feeling I may have to spend more jsut to get one I could get in.

 

[Dapster]

The 987 was launched at the end of 2004 and a used 2.7 would be selling for 35k plus so would be outside your current budget. You may not need the vertical adjustment as the seat will lower. Have a sit in one and see what you think.

For your info, the 1995 - 2004 version of the car was called the 986 and the current version is the 987. The 986 had a major facelift for the '02 model year and can be distinguished by having a glass window in the convertible roof rather than the frankly mick taking cheapo plastic number in the older version. If your budget can stretch, then target the post '02 facelift car if you can as there were a whole load of improvements that were made to ensure it is well worth the additional wonga.

 

[Sam77]

Right so its 2.7 post 02 and 17K, needle in haystack springs to mind. Will spend afternoon on Autotrader. I am looking at dark blue and have seen some described as Lapis and others as Ocean, I cannot see any difference from a photo. Is it the same colour?

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: Sam77

I am looking at dark blue and have seen some described as Lapis and others as Ocean, I cannot see any difference from a photo. Is it the same colour?

Lapis& more Specialists

http://www.stirlings.co.uk/showroom.htm
http://www.autobahn.co.uk/
http://www.camtune.com/
http://www.911virgin.com/
http://www.911uk.com/default.asp
http://www.philipraby.co.uk/
http://www.gmundcars.com/website/home.html
http://www.gtclassics.co.uk/
http://www.dealer.autotrader.co.uk/hamitoncars.htm
http://www.911box.co.uk/sales.asp?make=54
http://www.paragon.gb.com/sales/default.asp
http://www.specialistcarsltd.co.uk/indexa.html
http://www.paul-stephens.com/
http://www.pauldevyea.co.uk/sales.htm
http://www.richeprestige.com/
http://www.rsjsportscars.co.uk/
http://www.rsportscars.com/eng/
http://www.saffroncars.com/
http://strasse.co.uk/cars.asp
http://www.loveporsche.co.uk/

 

[Dapster]

Here's my old one - lapis blue. Ocean is a different colour.

 

[Dapster]

And another...

By the way, Rob's car above is a post '02 facelift while mine here is a pre '01 non facelift so you can play spot the difference....