Same as a 996, for the most part. Parts are fairly pricey. Porsche indy's tend to charge a bit of a badge tax. But they're manageable if you are willing to be proactive, maybe do a bit of spannering yourself.

Get a grip. Of course it's just an opinion.

Much pricier to run than an MX-5 and also a bit less accessible and fun on track. Too much grip on the rear axle on the Box.

WOW! at that sort of money it would make an amazing KIT car donor! what about that great chassis with a light weight Lancia Stratos replica body on top? Or say a Ford GT40 replica? Hmmmm got me thinking.... just need someone who can build me an exotic body! anyone good with the old fibreglass??

Surprised at the cheapness of this, at least to buy. Still not a massive fan of the earlier Boxster's looks though so if it was my money, I'd save up a few hundred more and get one of these... http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012... ...kudos to the person who does by the Porsche though. If it turns out not to be a lemon, they've got a well cheap entry into Porsche ownership

If you picked one of these up with a knackered engine would something 'a little more interesting' from a 911 drop in there?

Same as my old MX5, 1994 and 130bhp!

A good friend of mine is on his second Boxster. Loves the cars, but reckons one thing you cannot do is run them on the cheap. He reckons somewhere between £1800 and £2000 a year on servicing and upkeep is a sensible budget. Parts prices are on the steep side, to put it mildly.

There was an article in CAR Magazine a few issues ago that covered used Porsches you could get to coincide with the launch of a new one. It stated that it's improssible to tell whether these, and the 911 engines, need a new or rebuilt engine without splitting them. I think they said something like budget on spending on the same again on another engine if it has this fault. At least an RX-8 you can get compression tested rather than taking a punt on one of these.

Was it Hartech where I read some technical document about the engine problem and mention ovalised pistons and two stroke bore technology? It put me off.

So what's the likely cost of getting the engine on these and 911s with the same liner issues if they need doing?

Brilliant cars, a regular customer of ours leaves his with us when he goes for his annual 6 week trip back to India as he doesn't have a garage or anywhere to keep it, he asks us to keep it and drive it a couple of times a week for his peace of mind. They're better on fuel than the MK1 mx5 I had at the time of use, with more power and a better sound track. And this one hasn't come to us for anymore than routine servicing in the four years he's owned it. Would love one myself!