That dreaded word....

jez_anderson · Jun 21, 2007

Depreciation.[:'(][

]

Views please. I have currently have a 944 which should not depreciate unless it goes bang! I am thinking of getting a Boxster but the only one I can hope to afford is a 2.5, where prices vary from £10k to £14k. I know there are reasons for this, just like when I got me 944.

My question is what is the general feeling about the price levels for early Boxsters? Have they reached the bottom or is there a way to go yet in the coming months /years?

A good 968 will still cost twice what a good 944s2, and its been like that for the last few years. And a good 2.5 Boxster is currently the same price as a good 968.

Has the 2.5 found its level?

If I am to swap and spend more I'd like to think that I wasn't kissing good bye to hard earned cash because of further depreciation.

Alan Woods · Jun 21, 2007

I was always surprised the 68's kept their values so well when early Boxter prices starting really coming down this past year, but I guess it's a totally different buyer. Personally I can't see 2.5's down in the 7 or 8K range anytime soon, as the car still looks like the current model to most folk, so I think a good car with history would be a good bet. But who knows!
Alan.

Glyn · Jun 22, 2007

Buy the car because you want it, let your heart rule your head, enjoy it and stop worrying over whether you will loose money. I think you are approaching this purchase wrongly - the car is fun, it will bring a certain joy to your life, get rid of the 944 and throw yourself into the Boxster because once you have driven the Boxster the 944 will be permanantly parked up

OK

Now the head ruling the heart bit - dont buy it, you will loose money as the car depreciates and it will do, a 97 car in 3 years will be going for 6K and that will be a dealers price, you will pay Porsche insurrance premiums and the road tax because its a high poluter, the parts will always be expensive and dealers charges are high for servicing etc.
The 944 is just about fully depreciated so you cant loose any more.

Better still get a pushbike,

Rodney Naghar · Jun 22, 2007

I disagree. Boxsters have lost maybe 1-1.5k over the last 18 months since I sold mine. I don't believe they will hit 6k dealer (or say 4-5k private) in 3 years unless you are piling on the miles and run it into the nearest trees on a daily basis[

]. The depreciation curve has really flattened out (obviously you will lose more later, the more you spend now). Parts can be had very cheaply from www.Eurocarparts.co.uk ,and if you're handy with a spanner you can do a lot of the work yourself very easily (just ask here when you need help). Servicing is very cheap if you go to an indi.

They are incredible value for money, handle superbly,brake superbly, reliable, good looking, have won 'Roadster of the year' for umpteen years, and have all the mod cons you will need. Buy one and enjoy it.

JCB.. · Jun 22, 2007

Buy it - keep it!

It's a Porsche - isn't going to fall apart if five minutes.

Cures depreciation, negative equity and (going completely non-pc) divorce lawyer fees! [8D]

Helen Goff · Jun 22, 2007

ORIGINAL: jez_anderson

Depreciation.[:'(][]

Views please. I have currently have a 944 which should not depreciate unless it goes bang! I am thinking of getting a Boxster but the only one I can hope to afford is a 2.5, where prices vary from £10k to £14k. I know there are reasons for this, just like when I got me 944.

My question is what is the general feeling about the price levels for early Boxsters? Have they reached the bottom or is there a way to go yet in the coming months /years?

A good 968 will still cost twice what a good 944s2, and its been like that for the last few years. And a good 2.5 Boxster is currently the same price as a good 968.

Has the 2.5 found its level?

If I am to swap and spend more I'd like to think that I wasn't kissing good bye to hard earned cash because of further depreciation.

i have owned both. (2x Boxster (2.7 & 3.2) and also a 944S2) i am a huge fan of the Boxster BUT, for what it worth my opinion would be to Keep the 944s2 as your find the Boxster 2.5 very slow and frustrating by comparison....the944S2 is a better car so unless you can get a 3.2 boxster forget it.

jez_anderson · Jun 22, 2007

Thanks Helen for your honesty. I've read the 2.5 is "slow", but the published stats look very similar to the s2. I'm not a track day man (yet!) so the car is mainly used at weekend for fun. Where's the difference show up?

JCB.. · Jun 22, 2007

[/quote]

i have owned both. (2x Boxster (2.7 & 3.2) and also a 944S2) i am a huge fan of the Boxster BUT, for what it worth my opinion would be to Keep the 944s2 as your find the Boxster 2.5 very slow and frustrating by comparison....the944S2 is a better car so unless you can get a 3.2 boxster forget it.
[/quote]

Helen

Would you care to quantify how a 944S2 is a better car than a 2.5/2.7 Boxster?

2.5 very slow? frustrating? I don't think so! [&:]

Helen Goff · Jun 22, 2007

ORIGINAL: JCB..

Helen

Would you car to quantify how a 944S2 is a better car than a 2.5/2.7 Boxster?

2.5 very slow? frustrating? I don't think so! [&:]

compared to a 3.ltr 944S2 thats he is used to yes, i think he would find a 2.5 Boxster feels sluggish. the 944s2 is a very able car in more ways than one.

Rodney Naghar · Jun 22, 2007

944s2 0-60 6.9s top speed 149
2.5 Boxster 0-60 7.0s top speed 155
(Source GT Porsche)

And you get the mid-engined handling in the Boxster.
I've owned one, and been in both, IMO I really don't think they are in the same league.

jez_anderson · Jun 22, 2007

ORIGINAL: Rodney Naghar

944s2 0-60 6.9s top speed 149
2.5 Boxster 0-60 7.0s top speed 155
(Source GT Porsche)

And you get the mid-engined handling in the Boxster.
I've owned one, and been in both, IMO I really don't think they are in the same league.

Thats what I assumed. I am testing driving one tomorrow so hopefully I will find out a bit more.
Out of interest the S2 is almost 50/50 weight split front to rear. Whats the difference between that and the mid-engined feel?

Rodney Naghar · Jun 22, 2007

Out of interest the S2 is almost 50/50 weight split front to rear. Whats the difference between that and the mid-engined feel?

I'm sure you'll know best once you've had your test drive!

Helen Goff · Jun 23, 2007

ORIGINAL: jez_anderson

ORIGINAL: Rodney Naghar

944s2 0-60 6.9s top speed 149
2.5 Boxster 0-60 7.0s top speed 155
(Source GT Porsche)

And you get the mid-engined handling in the Boxster.
I've owned one, and been in both, IMO I really don't think they are in the same league.

Click to expand...

Thats what I assumed. I am testing driving one tomorrow so hopefully I will find out a bit more.
Out of interest the S2 is almost 50/50 weight split front to rear. Whats the difference between that and the mid-engined feel?

you'll beable to tell us once you have had your test drive.

jez_anderson · Jun 23, 2007

Ok so here goes.

My s2 feels like its got more umphhh. Its can pull harder in gear than the boxster. The boxster must be as quick, the speedo said that, you just have to use the gear box more. Once it hits 4000 rpm it sounds fantastic. Its also a bit strange having the engine noise behind but thats cool too.

It goes where you point it and feels a much more modern car. The one I tried had air con which was good.

Head says: I am not sure if its worth the extra money. The price to change nearly twice what I got quoted as the value for mine. You dont get that shove in the back feel when you put your foot down unless the revs are right. I cant get the kids in the back.

Heart says: It looks fab. Feels like a modern car. Big grin on my face when I got out and that sound.....

I thought that test drive would help me decide, its just made the decision harder!!!

Black80XSA · Jun 23, 2007

The 2.5 needs to be revved - it was the only criticism of the car (and its price) for the first 2-3 years of its life - the 2.7 and more so the 3.2S saw off those criticisms. Its not a torquey motor like the '44 - drive it accordingly and it'll make you smile every mile.

Dylan1 · Jun 23, 2007

ORIGINAL: jez_anderson

Ok so here goes.

My s2 feels like its got more umphhh. Its can pull harder in gear than the boxster. The boxster must be as quick, the speedo said that, you just have to use the gear box more. Once it hits 4000 rpm it sounds fantastic. Its also a bit strange having the engine noise behind but thats cool too.

It goes where you point it and feels a much more modern car. The one I tried had air con which was good.

Head says: I am not sure if its worth the extra money. The price to change nearly twice what I got quoted as the value for mine. You dont get that shove in the back feel when you put your foot down unless the revs are right. I cant get the kids in the back.

Heart says: It looks fab. Feels like a modern car. Big grin on my face when I got out and that sound.....

I thought that test drive would help me decide, its just made the decision harder!!!

keep both[

][

]

Helen Goff · Jun 24, 2007

ORIGINAL: Black80XSA

The 2.5 needs to be revved - it was the only criticism of the car (and its price) for the first 2-3 years of its life - the 2.7 and more so the 3.2S saw off those criticisms. Its not a torquey motor like the '44 - drive it accordingly and it'll make you smile every mile.

think he would be much happier to change his 944s2 for a 3.2 Boxster, as THEN he will have a supirior car. [8D]but, then if he would like to keep the back seats (you didn't mention that before)then for the same money get yourself a IB 911 [8D]

Diver944 · Jun 24, 2007

I'm glad you had the test drive to make a true comparison Jez. I drove a friends 2.5 and came to a similar conclusion. The Boxster handled much easier and lighter, felt much fresher and crisper as you would expect for a much more modern suspension design on a smaller car and the engine sounded glorious at higher revs.

In a straight line it feels a little slower than the S2 but it is a little heavier and makes about the same power (but less torque) so you would expect them to be similar. In honesty they are totally different classes of car, one is a straight 2 seater sportscar, the other is a 2+2 coupe with lots of practical load carrying space.

You have to decide what you want from your Porsche (or buy both [

])

jez_anderson · Jun 24, 2007

Thanks for all the replies. I could easily become a collector of porsche cars if only I had the space and oh yes the money too.

Out of interest I started the thread with a question on depreciation. I was at the TIPEC show today and picked up a couple of 2004 copies of Porsche & 911 World. One has an article on the merits of the 2.5 compared to the "new"2.7 as was then. It listed the current (August 2004) price of a 2.5 as £20,000 and forecast depreciation over the next 3 year was going to be £3,000!!

They got that a bit wrong, turns out more like £7,000.

Interesting also are the classifieds in the back. 944s2's between £5,000 and £6,500 same as now. 968's down about £2,000 / £3,000.

Truth be told the depreciation does not really worry me. I have the car because I dreamed of owning one from being in short trousers. It was worth the wait!

Mark_Bennett · Jun 24, 2007

ORIGINAL: jez_anderson

2004) price of a 2.5 as £20,000 and forecast depreciation over the next 3 year was going to be £3,000!!

They got that a bit wrong, turns out more like £7,000.

Blame Porsche - if they were selling the same number of cars now as then (with 9-12 month waiting lists, rather than 2 months) then the market would be stronger...