Would you get a boxster?

[Mark_Bennett]

ORIGINAL: Suffolk944 The front end simillarity to a 911 is a downside in my mind as personally I like my cars to be distinctive and not a pastiche of another.

It's not a pastiche of the 996 - it's exactly the same car up to the windscreen! The cost contraints of Porsche at the time (they were going bust!) meant the cars were designed at the same time, and as high a common part count as possible was needed. It's the same engine as well - just turned around and using different crank throw and bore. The Boxster was launched first, then the 996.

 

[Diver944]

ORIGINAL: Mark Bennett The Boxster was launched first, then the 996.

I'm glad you said that Mark, I was fairly certain that was the case but my mind for history couldn't be 100% certain. The 911 is actually a copy of the Boxster []

 

[Fat Albert]

Have a look on Pistonheads at the 968 vs Boxster argument, some fun comments!

 

[jason]

Had a 968CS with M030 and a 944S2. Had a 996TT and a 996GT3. Have a 964RS and 964RSR and 73 RSR. Had plenty of MX5s. So feel I can comment with a bit of experience. The boxster is a GREAT car. We have a 2.7 and I find myself using it as a daily driver. The power is easily sufficient for fast road driving (bought my mother a 3.2S but tbh the gearing is not as good as in the 2.7 and the brakes make little difference and its more expensive to maintain). The handling is absolutely sublime and on good tyres will way outperform 95% of peoples ability. The power roof is great and quiet when up, the creature comforts are great and mine has cost me the sum total of sod all to run over 20,000 miles and its driven HARD. If you can handle it only being 2 seats then its pretty practical too - me and my daughter do the fortnightly shop (there are 5 of us in our family) in it all the time. Oh and 30mpg. But most importantly its massive fun, roof up or down. I tend to find people who knock it have never really driven one for any period of time. Stick clear lights on the front and rear, make the inside interesting by painting some interior trim and its a good looking roadster too. I know this is the 944 forum but if you REALLY think a 944 is better looking then....well its not even worth saying[8|] So would I get a boxster? Yes, got one and will have another one day. Sports car bargain of the century at the minute....end of.[]

 

[Hilux]

Yes - it's already on the radar for when our youngest is off to Uni and we don't need two 2+2's anymore. I drove a base specced 2.5 when they first came out and the handling, brakes and engine noise were sublime compared to our 1980's designed vehicles. A late 3.2S would suit us fine

If you are looking for a roadster type sports car experience the Boxster is the best type out there,the "S" variants are very quick, handle really well,great brakes,the power hood works brilliantly,the bootspace is really big(you have two),great engine soundtrack,my advice would be an "S" with a glass rear screen 04? onwards( the plastic screen ones on earlier cars not as good- you have to do a karate chop when the roof is half way stowed to prevent it creasing.Love Boxsters winds me up when people start the hairdresser comment stuff,usually they havn't driven one never mind lived with one.Great car.

At last, a thread about Boxsters that doesnt slag them off [8|] They ARE a great car, period, with superb wet weather handling. I have to agree that you should go for the latest model you can afford and dont get the early small engine version, you`ll find it tame. The only drawback (which is why I didnt go for one even before I bought the 944T) is that if you are tall (I`m 6' 1") then the screen header rail and sunvisor are very much in your face which I hate.

 

[jason]

Thats a good point - I'm 5'11 and 3/4's[] so cant say what it would be like for the uber tall

 

[sawood12]

ORIGINAL: jason I tend to find people who knock it have never really driven one for any period of time.

I agree - driving one changed my mind about them straight away. Still not convinced they are a particularly nice looking car though - but then again I think the only truly good looking cars Porsche have ever made are the CGT and the 928. I don't think the other models are particularly ugly, but not good looking. I don't understand why people buy cars for their looks. It is a nice to have in my opinion but if the looks are not backed up by good performance then they don't float my boat!

 

[Neil Haughey]

ORIGINAL: jason Thats a good point - I'm 5'11 and 3/4's[] so cant say what it would be like for the uber tall

That is an even better point with regards MX-5's. I am only 5'7 and in ours the way I set the seat up if I was 2" taller the seat would be against the roll hoop, and this is in the mk3 version. I should add as well that my negativity towards the other convertibles is more about the fact I see fast convertibles as pointless (if being honest any fast road car really) then any reflection on the boxster. I spent a lot of time in my bosses one and having driven over all the same roads down here in my S2 I can honestly say the stock chassis is a million years ahead of any stock setup 44 and far less harsh then the 968 IMHE. Plus the soundtrack is nicer then any of them. I guess really it comes down to what you can afford and what you want the car for. IMHO the front engined cars make a better every day car if it is one in good fettle but having spent time in them the boxster would make a vastly more satisfying weekend car.

 

[Suffolk944]

The appearance of cars as with people is always going to be subjective so yes I do think the 944 is a better looking car than the Boxster - its push-me pull-me look is a bit odd imho. I don't think any here are really knocking the Box just saying that its not for them. And unlike Scott I do see the point of really beautiful cars even if the oily bits underneath dont always live up to the image. Cars with real soul are much more than the sum of their mechanical parts. I do however agree that there aren't that many Porkers that can be called properly good looking and in truth its not really what they are about anyhow. Apologies for getting my Porsche pastiches the wrong way around. [] Must say I would be tempted by a Cayman one day though...

 

[henry944]

BOXTER = no. No one wants to say it on here so i will. Its the poor mans porsche. Dont do it...

 

[graham.webb]

Disagree...for example I can't imagine why anyone would buy a new 911 in preference to a Boxster/Cayman. Engine's in a better place, a "clean sheet" design not hampered by outdated conventions (don't forget a lot of early Porsches were mid engined). I would still agree the 944 configuration is the optimum compromise (but it's not about compromise is it?) I wouldn't swap my S2, but IF I had to I'd look at the Cayman or Boxster first.

 

[jason]

ORIGINAL: henry944 BOXTER = no. No one wants to say it on here so i will. Its the poor mans porsche. Dont do it...

I'd never get a car I couldn't spell either. Poor mans Porsche? What did the 944 become? And if you want a 2 seater roadster which Porsche do you suggest? As an alternative to what other 2 seaters were on the market it was a world beater. And what does that make the 911 now? Poor mans Panamera? Nope cos the Panamera is still but ugly whatever that oh so important 'price' [] I do wish they had made the Cayman to its potential though. The chassis can handle way more power and a nice stripped out hardcore cayman RS would have been a blast....

 

[ChasR]

ORIGINAL: jason

ORIGINAL: henry944 BOXTER = no. No one wants to say it on here so i will. Its the poor mans porsche. Dont do it...

I'd never get a car I couldn't spell either. Poor mans Porsche? What did the 944 become? And if you want a 2 seater roadster which Porsche do you suggest? As an alternative to what other 2 seaters were on the market it was a world beater. And what does that make the 911 now? Poor mans Panamera? Nope cos the Panamera is still but ugly whatever that oh so important 'price' [] I do wish they had made the Cayman to its potential though. The chassis can handle way more power and a nice stripped out hardcore cayman RS would have been a blast....

VW Porsche 914-6? Prices are quite high now though! I loved my mate's 914 2.0 but I can be odd like that. As for it being a poor man's Porsche of the 70s so be it!

 

[jason]

Friend has an original race 914-6....pretty cool[8D]

 

[TTM]

Never drove a Boxster, but the looks just don't do it for me, and if I don't like how a car looks I am just not bothered driving it.

 

[browser]

You really have to be careful with this decision, Having owned both I still love both models and miss my 944 turbo to distraction from both a practical point of view and the drive which being an older driver was slightly oldy worldy and to my taste as it reminded me a bit like a small Aston but of course more nimble and looked wonderful to my eyes The 944 Turbo and especially being later the S2's are best bet for many buyers as its still a great car today and cheap and better in my view than anything of same period and value for money including the 911 of same year - but I would have to agree that the Boxster S for example is ( a late 3.2 facelift Sept reg 2004) is certainly far superior technically and with its performance a great car but not so practical daily and an issue to be thought about before buying, but agree with other contributer that if you want to get modern they are better to drive than a 996 Convertible and more precise around the country roads than even a 911/996 that I have driven, Financially they are more MONEY to Run than a 944 as brakes/tyres/insurance/servicing all need to be thought about 18" tyres are nearly £700 a set for Michelin's and I would look hard at a recommended specialist to keep costs reasonable..best of luck.- If you do Buy do it , only with full history and full Inspection and your be happy.

 

[Hilux]

Its the poor mans porsche. Dont do it...

???????? That title belongs to 944`s in most people`s eyes. Also (but not quite the same) to the Boxster ie: anything that isnt the 911 shape aint a proper Porker.

 

[charles.y]

I will. I only went for the 944 S2 cab 4 years ago as I have a young family and my son was still young at the time and I only wanted a classic convertible Porsche which I can afford. And now my son has grown and we can't fit three of us in the cab at the same time and the S2 cab will have to be replaced by a Boxter 'S' (or something similar) soon. For those who wanted a more modern Porsche roadster, the decision is a no brainer.

 

[blaine54]

I still regret selling my 550 boxster & not just because the wife's never forgiven me [] Fantastic handling on the road, worthy of a play on the odd trackday and great top down motoring when the sun comes out. The boot spaces are generous, engine noise is great and if you get a 2.7 you can save yourself some road tax as well []. Cabin wise, you might as well be sitting in a 996 or 997, both versions of the Boxster have their big brother feel and thinking back to how much I sold both of mine for, they are very good value for money second hand....Damn I really should have held onto one of them!!! As for them not being a proper Porsche! That's a complete crock of doodoo. A Boxster will give you as much driving involvement/pleasure on the road as any modern day Porsche. Try a couple out, dealers are falling over themselves to offer test drives & I'm sure you'll come away impressed.

 

[supersport]

ORIGINAL: henry944 BOXTER = no. No one wants to say it on here so i will. Its the poor mans porsche. Dont do it...

Just goes to show you that 944 owners can be just as snobby as everyone else! Can't say I have seen too many 2K Boxsters around so maybe I am looking in the wrong place. There is no such thing as a poor man's Porsche just the same as there is no such thing as not a real Porsche which some accuse the 924/944 of being. Personally I love the Boxster always have done, looks good, sounds good and if it drives anything like a Cayman should be an absolute hoot. Trying to get my mum in one at the moment actually.