Which c.15k Porsche...
Discussion
probably come to the wrong forum for this question but...
which is the best in terms of running costs (i'm unlikely to do more than 5K/yr), depreciation, and all-round reliability (alot of cold starts, stop-start journeys)?
i've been hankering after a Porsche 968 for some time, but have been advised to go for a Boxster S instead. i'm not really looking to spend much more than £15k, as i have a runaround to do mundane stuff like shopping (though the ability to carry a few sportsbags / guitar would be desirable)?
hairdressers comments aside, as i appreciate cars for their driving qualities rather than the badges on the back, any opinions on which is the better buy. ideally, i would wait for the Coxster (Boxster Coupe) but i imagine that it's going to be a long wait till those depreciate <£20k.
which is the best in terms of running costs (i'm unlikely to do more than 5K/yr), depreciation, and all-round reliability (alot of cold starts, stop-start journeys)?
i've been hankering after a Porsche 968 for some time, but have been advised to go for a Boxster S instead. i'm not really looking to spend much more than £15k, as i have a runaround to do mundane stuff like shopping (though the ability to carry a few sportsbags / guitar would be desirable)?
hairdressers comments aside, as i appreciate cars for their driving qualities rather than the badges on the back, any opinions on which is the better buy. ideally, i would wait for the Coxster (Boxster Coupe) but i imagine that it's going to be a long wait till those depreciate <£20k.
Edited by fido on Friday 27th October 11:02
The 964 is worth looking at for £15. Yes it will be older than a Boxster, but I think they are a good car to drive. Mine is a bit of a garage queen but in the last month I have driven it more than the rest of the year put together, and I had had forgotten how nice it was to drive, just for the sake of going for a drive.
I have had the car for 4 years and it is probably worth £2k less than I paid for it. Servicing is an expensive job, but what car is cheap? My work Audi costs more to service at a main dealer than the Porsche does at a specialist.
I've not had a 968 but my 944S2 was a good car, so the 968 would be even better I would assume, as it was an evolution of the'44.
RegardsPaul
I have had the car for 4 years and it is probably worth £2k less than I paid for it. Servicing is an expensive job, but what car is cheap? My work Audi costs more to service at a main dealer than the Porsche does at a specialist.
I've not had a 968 but my 944S2 was a good car, so the 968 would be even better I would assume, as it was an evolution of the'44.
RegardsPaul
Edited by PH5121 on Friday 27th October 11:11
Edited by PH5121 on Friday 27th October 11:18
shadowninja said:
I read a thread recently which suggested that 968s were hard to sell on because people in that market prefer a newer looking car ie the Boxster. Much prefer a 968CS, myself, though. 
that's my worry, it's alot more than a 944s2 - i've seen a late (93/94) low mileage 968 for about £14k - but then i could get a modern & well-sorted 2001 Boxster S for £19k.
911 3.2 - i can see the charm in driving one of these but the rear-engined handling is likely to catch me out - might be fun trying though...
I'd second beaky on the 3.2, especially as you say you have an everyday runaround for other things. Not to say the 3.2 would not work as an everyday car in terms of reliability, it just happens to be a very involving drive which means most of your attention is actually devoted to 'operating' the car, rather than looking at the landscape or talking to the person next to you.
...however, the latter does not really pose a problem in a 3.2 Carrera, as above 4000RPM you would not hear them either because you would probably have your window open and stick your head out to hear the engine sound directly...
...however, the latter does not really pose a problem in a 3.2 Carrera, as above 4000RPM you would not hear them either because you would probably have your window open and stick your head out to hear the engine sound directly...
I dont think a Boxster is as reliable as a 968 personally and the build quality is not as good as the older Porsches. You may find the 968 a little dated and slow plus it has its own little niggles. I certainly wouldn't pay a premium for a low miles car far better to buy one that has been used and constantly maintained, had cams done and updated flywheel, otherwise no doubt you will have to shell out for them in the near future. Carrera 3.2 has a real sense of occasion, as does a high miles 993, and in the middle a 964 if you dont mind the slightly higher maintenance associated with these cars. For me the Boxster, good as it is to drive would be last on the list, I will never want one, I find them dull and BMW like, had an S for a few days and I was bored to death, couldnt wait to get back in my 968.
A good 968CS
A good 3.2
A good 964
All of the above are great cars end of story.
3.2 and 964 no difference in performance in real terms albeit the 3.2 is cheaper to maintain and is starting to hold it value better, but both great.
The 968CS fantastic trackday fun, and will out handle anything on the road in the right hands.
You could be really wild and get a 930, but for 15k may be a money pit.
A good 3.2
A good 964
All of the above are great cars end of story.
3.2 and 964 no difference in performance in real terms albeit the 3.2 is cheaper to maintain and is starting to hold it value better, but both great.
The 968CS fantastic trackday fun, and will out handle anything on the road in the right hands.
You could be really wild and get a 930, but for 15k may be a money pit.
I had a Boxster 2.5 for 2years and have now gone to a 968 Sport, I only do 5k/year in it and apart from servicing hasn't had any other garage bills, it is in for a service next week so it may have cost me alot more then!
I don't think I will go back to a Boxster again, As an everyday Porsche its good but on a limited mileage I would go with a classic.
It costs me £393 to insure on a classic policy (I did have quotes less but the cover didn't meet my needs!)
Tom
I don't think I will go back to a Boxster again, As an everyday Porsche its good but on a limited mileage I would go with a classic.
It costs me £393 to insure on a classic policy (I did have quotes less but the cover didn't meet my needs!)
Tom
verysideways said:
968 should cost you less than the 964 but more than a boxster because of the belt change service which is quite costly.
Given that the belt change is needed every 48000 miles or 5 years and costs a few hundred quid, I'd say this is hardly a big factor in running costs. I know some do a belt change more often, but even so you are probably talking about less than £100 a year.
to all the very good suggestions made above they've given you a lot to think about. As I see it:
1. You won't do many miles PA so therefore I guess you'll mostly use it on nice, warm days - you need a soft top.
2. You want something enjoyable but easy to drive but not likely to bite you - you need a mid-engined car
3. You want the running costs to be reasonable - you don't want something too long in the tooth.
Therefore the car that answers 1, 2 and 3 correctly is the boxster
But forget about an S because any for £15K are going to be a bit suspect. A 2.5 or early 2.7 will fit the bill nicely.
Edited by boxsey on Friday 27th October 13:04
paul968 said:
boxsey said:
2. You want something enjoyable but easy to drive but not likely to bite you - you need a mid-engined car
Really? Mid engined cars are the most likely of all to bite you if you get it all wrong because they spin very quickly. A 968 on the other hand...
I did say, 'not likely to bite you' but cant't guarantee that it won't bite you
. But I agree that the 968 is even less likely to bite and a good drive 
If a Boxster is anything like an MGF to drive (and i've given the throttle full beans round a corner in one of those) it should be fine. I do quite a bit of night / poor visibility driving so a soft-top is definitely not a requirement - in fact i like the practicality of the 968 coupe.
By the sounds of it, i should get a 911 3.2 and load up the front compartment with sandbags. Perfect.
Thanks for the suggestions.
By the sounds of it, i should get a 911 3.2 and load up the front compartment with sandbags. Perfect.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Edited by fido on Friday 27th October 13:22
fido said:
If a Boxster is anything like an MGF to drive (and i've given the throttle full beans round a corner in one of those) it should be fine. I do quite a bit of night / poor visibility driving so a soft-top is definitely not a requirement - in fact i like the practicality of the 968 coupe.
By the sounds of it, i should get a 911 3.2 and load up the front compartment with sandbags. Perfect.
Thanks for the suggestions.
By the sounds of it, i should get a 911 3.2 and load up the front compartment with sandbags. Perfect.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Edited by fido on Friday 27th October 13:22
Check out the photos of my choice!
http://justhype.blogspot.com/
Maritime 968CS. Great car for shopping and also on the track.
Everybody loves them. I get more nice comments on my 968 than my RS!
http://justhype.blogspot.com/
Maritime 968CS. Great car for shopping and also on the track.
Everybody loves them. I get more nice comments on my 968 than my RS!
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