Considering New Boxster as only car - 4Cyl Refresh Options?
Discussion
Hi All,
I'm considering a Boxster as my first ever new car. I'm new to Porsche although have owned cars with similar performance.
Does anyone know if the upcoming 4 Cylinder engines are to replace or go along side the 6 cylinder units? I asked my local dealer and was told a 4 cylinder refresh is coming but they had no concrete details. Obviously if the 4 cylinder is cheaper with similar performance that would sway my decision to buying after the refresh (Although I really like the sound and character of my current 6).
I also have a few option specific questions. Is the smaller steering wheel available with the manual? (Dealer told me only with PDK but the configurator suggests it is OK). Also what is the deal with DAB radio? I was told that it is included with Bose and Burmester audio but again the configurator thinks otherwise.
Are people able to get any kind of discount on the 2.7 Boxster of late?
I'm considering a Boxster as my first ever new car. I'm new to Porsche although have owned cars with similar performance.
Does anyone know if the upcoming 4 Cylinder engines are to replace or go along side the 6 cylinder units? I asked my local dealer and was told a 4 cylinder refresh is coming but they had no concrete details. Obviously if the 4 cylinder is cheaper with similar performance that would sway my decision to buying after the refresh (Although I really like the sound and character of my current 6).
I also have a few option specific questions. Is the smaller steering wheel available with the manual? (Dealer told me only with PDK but the configurator suggests it is OK). Also what is the deal with DAB radio? I was told that it is included with Bose and Burmester audio but again the configurator thinks otherwise.
Are people able to get any kind of discount on the 2.7 Boxster of late?
bcr5784 said:
I personally like the NA 6 and agree your probably right about resale. But I think much of the appeal of the engine to many is the exhaust noise. You won't find much about exhaust noise on Caterham forums - and they are surely much more hard core enthusiasts than the average Porsche owner.
Having had two Subarus I do miss the mid-range grunt of a turbo, which is a significant alternative compensation. That grunt on the Turbo 4 Porsche's will make the frequent criticism of the long gears probably go away. The 4's should also be a fair bit lighter too.
So while I can see why there will be many who mourn the passing of the 6, I do see an upside too.
Your thinking seems similar to mine. I guess the six if anything is more important in the Boxster than the Cayman. Having had two Subarus I do miss the mid-range grunt of a turbo, which is a significant alternative compensation. That grunt on the Turbo 4 Porsche's will make the frequent criticism of the long gears probably go away. The 4's should also be a fair bit lighter too.
So while I can see why there will be many who mourn the passing of the 6, I do see an upside too.
It is not just the change of engine though that is interesting for the upcoming refresh, improvements to the electronics (Audio/Nav) are actually quite important to me as this would be a daily drive. Does anyone have any details on the upcoming refresh? Being a Porsche I suppose we wont see any drop in price for the loss of 2 cylinders.
This is why I'm unsure to buy a 6 now for better noise and character or buy a refresh model for slightly cheaper running and better day to day use. Not a track racer but redline my current C350 daily and love the noise with the roof open but handling seems poor in the Merc.
Anyone running a 2.7 daily? Or does everyone have a GT4 😀
Anyone running a 2.7 daily? Or does everyone have a GT4 😀
Liked the vid (The Cayman S review by the same person was good too). Seems the money I have means I can only have performance or handling if I want a new car. SLK55s can be had for 43K new which look like a very nice engine for the money. I suppose I need to actually test drive a Boxster and see how it handles.
truck71 said:
Ran a Cayman 981 2.7 as a daily in lieu of a co car for 10 months/ 24,000 miles. It was dynamically very competent, practical, efficient (40mpg on longer trips) well made and great fun when I was in the mood; I'd often take rural routes up and down the country to enjoy the car whilst on business..
Negatives would be the stop start function (easily fixed by programming the system to default to off), ergonomics of the centre console (very fiddly and get lost behind the gear selector) and like many new cars lacked soul.
The engine needed a ringing to extract any performance but I didn't find that a chore- the gearing as has often been discussed would be better if it were 10mph lower per ratio (even in PDK form) but it wasn't the end of the world for me. When I bought it in Dec 2013 discounts were available, no idea on the current state of the market.
Thanks for the useful feedback Truck. Will the dealer change the stop/start default?Negatives would be the stop start function (easily fixed by programming the system to default to off), ergonomics of the centre console (very fiddly and get lost behind the gear selector) and like many new cars lacked soul.
The engine needed a ringing to extract any performance but I didn't find that a chore- the gearing as has often been discussed would be better if it were 10mph lower per ratio (even in PDK form) but it wasn't the end of the world for me. When I bought it in Dec 2013 discounts were available, no idea on the current state of the market.
Edited by truck71 on Monday 18th May 09:41
Some of the magazines are claiming a Frankfurt reveal for refreshed Boxster. Despite the seemingly blowout Black edition (A load of discounted extras I don't want) it seems discounts are thin on the ground. I can help but think Bluetooth and DAB should just be included and probably will be in the refresh.
I spoke to my local dealer who was helpful and not too worried about offering some discount on a to order car; also added that an additional £1500 was available as a PCP contribution if that is what I wanted. I need to drive one and I think I will organise a Friday off work in the next few weeks and try all the cars over a couple of days, short list:
BMW M135
Nissan 370Z
Boxster
Toyota GT86
VW Golf R
BMW M135
Nissan 370Z
Boxster
Toyota GT86
VW Golf R
Well started my test drive process on the lowest rung today with a Leon Cupra 280. Seemed to have everything included, grip was good, the cabin was better than I expected and it dealt quite well with full throttle out of a junction but steering seemed too light, brakes too bitey, didn't seem that powerful and sounded crap compared even to my C350 SC.
Well; tried a Cayman and Boxster S today. Had 3 or 4 hours in the Cayman and a quick try in the Boxster for comparison. Both cars were on the largest wheels with PASM, the Boxster had optional exhaust on lots of trim options.
First impression was the engine is quite lethargic in traffic but I got used to just being a little more generous with the throttle. Things got better from then on; steering is much weightier and nicer than anything else I've tried, brakes were good and nicely progressive and above 4000RPM the engine really starts to sing and speed begins to gather. Definitely wont be going PASM or indeed large wheels, one due to speed bumps and the other due to road noise. Spent about an hour on tight country roads and some single track tarmac and it seems the chassis is indeed as good as they say. The S model seemed much torquier in traffic (Much more similar to my C350 in traffic) but I found it not that much better above 4000RPM and by the time was revving in 3rd I had to slow down so it doesn't seem like I really need the 3.4.
Options wise was more muddled. The Bose setup seemed a bit overly harsh to me, event with treble and bass in the negatives; I heard the Burmester in a 911 convertible and it was better but still too harsh for my liking. Sound pack plus was a bit better tonally and not too short of volume, standard audio was poor. Not too sure on Burmester I wonder if it sounds better in a hard top cabin but Caymans with Burmester seem to be as rare as Rocking Horse Poo. It seems they've removed every seat option I like too, I wanted Agate Grey and Orange but both this and the Grey/Green and even plain Grey have gone so my specced car now looks quite boring.
Will see what the A45 and M135 are like tomorrow.
First impression was the engine is quite lethargic in traffic but I got used to just being a little more generous with the throttle. Things got better from then on; steering is much weightier and nicer than anything else I've tried, brakes were good and nicely progressive and above 4000RPM the engine really starts to sing and speed begins to gather. Definitely wont be going PASM or indeed large wheels, one due to speed bumps and the other due to road noise. Spent about an hour on tight country roads and some single track tarmac and it seems the chassis is indeed as good as they say. The S model seemed much torquier in traffic (Much more similar to my C350 in traffic) but I found it not that much better above 4000RPM and by the time was revving in 3rd I had to slow down so it doesn't seem like I really need the 3.4.
Options wise was more muddled. The Bose setup seemed a bit overly harsh to me, event with treble and bass in the negatives; I heard the Burmester in a 911 convertible and it was better but still too harsh for my liking. Sound pack plus was a bit better tonally and not too short of volume, standard audio was poor. Not too sure on Burmester I wonder if it sounds better in a hard top cabin but Caymans with Burmester seem to be as rare as Rocking Horse Poo. It seems they've removed every seat option I like too, I wanted Agate Grey and Orange but both this and the Grey/Green and even plain Grey have gone so my specced car now looks quite boring.
Will see what the A45 and M135 are like tomorrow.
A45 was interesting. Suspension was more complaint than I expected, variable steering was at least better than VW, brakes better than anything else I've tried so far. The powertrain was good too with plenty of urge and grip. Wont be buying an A45 though as the cabin is appalling for tall people, large A pillars make visibility a problem while low roof line and seemingly small windscreen make it feel somewhat claustrophobic.
TB303 said:
I'm curious to see what you make of the M135i. As I've previously said I find mine boring but fast, and couldn't personally consider instead of a boxster.
Just finished my last test drive; the M135. Way better than the other hatchbacks I tried and I'm trying to decide between this and the Cayman. M135 had by far the easiest going and torquey engine which was keen enough to rev too with what seemed like lower gearing to the Porsche. Variable stering was a bit light but perfectly good and the brakes didn't suffer from the Seat/VW switch like operation; it was crashier on 19s over bad roads than the Cayman was on the largest wheels though and the Cayman chassis/looks might just be worth the extra 10K.TB303 said:
Excluding the perhaps more practical golf R, the M135i is definitely the drivers hatch choice.
Steering is extremely numb but still a pleasant enough car to drive, but less sense of occasion than a Porsche of course.
Your test drive had 19in wheels? Is that a new model as mine has 18s (2014 MY).
Not sure, it was the larger of the two alloy sizes. The one I drove was 18 months old so did not have the slightly improved transmission or extra 7hp but representative enough; was surprised after 7 years in an auto that could still work a manual box.Steering is extremely numb but still a pleasant enough car to drive, but less sense of occasion than a Porsche of course.
Your test drive had 19in wheels? Is that a new model as mine has 18s (2014 MY).
The Porsche looks much better and seems to attract good and bad attention quite readily (One trip to the local petrol station was interesting); the main thing I'm weighing up is if I actually want that in a daily driver.
My first three seat option choices are now unavailable so here is my potential Cayman in "Envoy" spec:
http://www.porsche-code.com/PG4T7RB2
Some other interesting things I found on my test drive, my phone went crazy until I enabled "SAP" in the CDR options so I need the full telephone module or a new phone; worked very well once this was enabled though. Also front parking snesors were really annoying as they kept warning me I was close to long grass on country roads.
Anyone know if Sound Pack plus with CDR Plus still support 5.1 audio? (Assuming it would downmix to 5.0)
Edited by Krobar on Saturday 11th July 12:07
ORD said:
Good spec. The automatic dimming mirror thing is ugly and useless in any car I have seen it in, but I don't know about Porsches. Always seems a waste of money and an aesthetic no-no to me, but maybe Pork have integrated it seamlessly.
Good point, will have to check. The important bit is the auto headlights which seem to be included in the current model.
Gassing Station | Boxster/Cayman | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff