Boxster S, Z4M or TT 3.2 cab?
Discussion
Right - I've been faffing around asking about Porsches for a couple of weeks, and have finally looked around to see what else is available for the budget (~17k now I think).
I *think* I've finally narrowed it down to three cars I've yet to drive.
Audi TT 3.2 Cabrio S-Tronic (DSG sort of thing, it seems) from the local Audi dealer. Looks very nice in black, seems brisk enough on paper, expecting a quality bit of kit, and it'll come with the dealer warranty, which is nice, and is the newest of the three as it's from 2007 and has the lowest miles.
BMW Z4M in black, from a local-ish BMW dealer. Also looks very nice, has sat nav (which is a bit of a bonus, as I keep forgetting to take the Tom Tom with me), and once again it'll have a main dealer warranty. Also on paper the fastest (at least in a straight line). 2006 and with the most miles on it (50k or so), but not too worried with a warranty in place.
Porsche Boxster S, from a local indy. Looks quite nice, dark blue with tan leather (not sold, but think it'd grow on me) and sat nav. No dealer warranty, but I know this can be added at a later date after the check at a Porsche garage. The oldest, at 2005.
Planning on having a good look around and drive of each of these next week some time, but which would you go for and why? I'm very tempted by the Boxster, except I fear the running costs... Not sure how much the others cost to run, etc.
I *think* I've finally narrowed it down to three cars I've yet to drive.
Audi TT 3.2 Cabrio S-Tronic (DSG sort of thing, it seems) from the local Audi dealer. Looks very nice in black, seems brisk enough on paper, expecting a quality bit of kit, and it'll come with the dealer warranty, which is nice, and is the newest of the three as it's from 2007 and has the lowest miles.
BMW Z4M in black, from a local-ish BMW dealer. Also looks very nice, has sat nav (which is a bit of a bonus, as I keep forgetting to take the Tom Tom with me), and once again it'll have a main dealer warranty. Also on paper the fastest (at least in a straight line). 2006 and with the most miles on it (50k or so), but not too worried with a warranty in place.
Porsche Boxster S, from a local indy. Looks quite nice, dark blue with tan leather (not sold, but think it'd grow on me) and sat nav. No dealer warranty, but I know this can be added at a later date after the check at a Porsche garage. The oldest, at 2005.
Planning on having a good look around and drive of each of these next week some time, but which would you go for and why? I'm very tempted by the Boxster, except I fear the running costs... Not sure how much the others cost to run, etc.
Rubbish.
The Z4M is the drivers choice and the most special of the 3 imo, you don't see many around (at least not where I live) yet porsches and TT's are all over the show.
The TT is nice enough as a cruiser if thats what you want, but for the overall experience I rate the Z4M very very highly.
The Z4M is the drivers choice and the most special of the 3 imo, you don't see many around (at least not where I live) yet porsches and TT's are all over the show.
The TT is nice enough as a cruiser if thats what you want, but for the overall experience I rate the Z4M very very highly.
Had similar thoughts recently (well, 9 months ago). Went for the Boxster S, but bought it from Hartech so could use their extended warranty/maintenance package - a bit a month covers all labour costs for servicing and problems, with only parts to pay for, which means no absolutely crippling surprises - there is a known problem with engines going, but it's probably slightly over-reported and over-worried about - unless it happens to you.
Why did I buy it? was selling the 111R elise as needed something with more comfort for the daily commute down the motorway, and sitting in motorway jams in one is not the best experience. Wanted soft top. Considered the BMW and Audi, but the TT didn't realyl do it for me in terms of looks or driving experience (and I'm not a fan of DSG, though haven't had acar for long enough to have a definite view on it yet) - Z4M interesting car but couldn't find a good one and had awful, and consistently awful, service from BMW dealers so wasn't too keen to go that route either. Didn't give either of these a decent test drive, however.
But the Boxster is great - ideal for trundling along the motorway, or sitting in traffic jams, or belting along back roads, or picking off overtake after overtake on the lorry-frequented route I have to take into work. Comfortable, torquey enough, powerful enough, great handling, and even nicer with HIDs fitted. And the sun's come out now, so won't get quite so cold when travelling with the roof down (which happened on blue sky days in the winter).
Good options are: HIDs, cruise control, sports pack. I decided to spend less than you (was considering a 987, but found my sorted 986 for less money, so went for that).
Summary: they do drive a bit differently, so drive them all and see what you prefer. TT is less of drivers car than Boxster, in my experience. Not driven the Z4M.
Why did I buy it? was selling the 111R elise as needed something with more comfort for the daily commute down the motorway, and sitting in motorway jams in one is not the best experience. Wanted soft top. Considered the BMW and Audi, but the TT didn't realyl do it for me in terms of looks or driving experience (and I'm not a fan of DSG, though haven't had acar for long enough to have a definite view on it yet) - Z4M interesting car but couldn't find a good one and had awful, and consistently awful, service from BMW dealers so wasn't too keen to go that route either. Didn't give either of these a decent test drive, however.
But the Boxster is great - ideal for trundling along the motorway, or sitting in traffic jams, or belting along back roads, or picking off overtake after overtake on the lorry-frequented route I have to take into work. Comfortable, torquey enough, powerful enough, great handling, and even nicer with HIDs fitted. And the sun's come out now, so won't get quite so cold when travelling with the roof down (which happened on blue sky days in the winter).
Good options are: HIDs, cruise control, sports pack. I decided to spend less than you (was considering a 987, but found my sorted 986 for less money, so went for that).
Summary: they do drive a bit differently, so drive them all and see what you prefer. TT is less of drivers car than Boxster, in my experience. Not driven the Z4M.
The TT 3.2 is a good point to point car but the anvil over the front axle makes for dull handling. It's also not very involved as the DSG/Quattro combo make for a 'PlayStation' experience. I've driven one extensively and have literally pulled out of a wet junction at full throttle and been able to put down the power. Great if you don't want an involving drive and you'll never lose the back end.
Boxter S - driven one once, gave it a good seeing to for thirty minutes and honestly felt a little underwhelmed. Yes it is composed, has great balance, grip and direct steering but they are very common. Was pretty quick though.
When I see a Z4M I look twice. At the others, I don't. They are rarer, more involving, quicker and a bit different.
Test drive it before you make a mistake and buy the Audi. I could live with the Porsche. I'd love the BM.
Boxter S - driven one once, gave it a good seeing to for thirty minutes and honestly felt a little underwhelmed. Yes it is composed, has great balance, grip and direct steering but they are very common. Was pretty quick though.
When I see a Z4M I look twice. At the others, I don't. They are rarer, more involving, quicker and a bit different.
Test drive it before you make a mistake and buy the Audi. I could live with the Porsche. I'd love the BM.
I'd say it depends on what you're after.
The TT is a cruiser - quite frankly the 3.2 doesn't drive as well as the I4 version and even that doesn't really drive like a sports car, although it's a damned slight better than the mk1.
The Z4M is more muscle car than sports car - a wonderful engine in, to my mind, a disappointing one-dimensional chassis. It's certainly entertaining but more for its lairiness than its delicacy and ultimate handling balance. It's probably the fastest of the three - it certainly feels it.
The Boxster is pretty much everything that its reputation suggests, extremely finely balanced and controlled, but somehow ever so slightly dull, next to the BMW.
Personally, I'd take the Porsche out of the three without any hesitation, but I could fully understand why someone would buy the BMW. If you're a really keen driver, the TT probably isn't even worth driving.
The TT is a cruiser - quite frankly the 3.2 doesn't drive as well as the I4 version and even that doesn't really drive like a sports car, although it's a damned slight better than the mk1.
The Z4M is more muscle car than sports car - a wonderful engine in, to my mind, a disappointing one-dimensional chassis. It's certainly entertaining but more for its lairiness than its delicacy and ultimate handling balance. It's probably the fastest of the three - it certainly feels it.
The Boxster is pretty much everything that its reputation suggests, extremely finely balanced and controlled, but somehow ever so slightly dull, next to the BMW.
Personally, I'd take the Porsche out of the three without any hesitation, but I could fully understand why someone would buy the BMW. If you're a really keen driver, the TT probably isn't even worth driving.
An interesting array of responses here, thanks! 
I was expecting the Porsche to win the most votes, but so far the Z4M seems to be edging ahead, which is quite encouraging.
I've got an S2000 currently, and there doesn't seem much point changing it for a newer one good as it is, the 350Z feels very cheap inside which is off-putting and the Clio V6 just doesn't appeal (quite fancy a convertible apart from anything else). E46 M3 has many good points, but too many seats for the moment - I'd like to save the more practical fast cars for when I need one, rather than having already had one. SLK 350 also a good suggestion, but a little too "girly" still for me - a friend has one and loves it and it does sound good at full throttle, but I don't think it's the car for me at the moment.
It'll be down to test drives at the end of the day - if the Boxster blows me away, I'll put the engine worries to the back of my mind!
I was expecting the Porsche to win the most votes, but so far the Z4M seems to be edging ahead, which is quite encouraging.H100S said:
Out of the three I would want to go Boxster S but the fear of engine problems would steer me to the Z4M. Mate has one and loves it.
Have you considered a late 350Z, E46M3, SLK 350, late S2000 or even a late Clio V6?
My thoughts are exactly along these lines - if I hadn't heard anything about engine problems with the Boxster, I'd have one without thinking about it. The reported "issues" are making me think twice, however.Have you considered a late 350Z, E46M3, SLK 350, late S2000 or even a late Clio V6?
I've got an S2000 currently, and there doesn't seem much point changing it for a newer one good as it is, the 350Z feels very cheap inside which is off-putting and the Clio V6 just doesn't appeal (quite fancy a convertible apart from anything else). E46 M3 has many good points, but too many seats for the moment - I'd like to save the more practical fast cars for when I need one, rather than having already had one. SLK 350 also a good suggestion, but a little too "girly" still for me - a friend has one and loves it and it does sound good at full throttle, but I don't think it's the car for me at the moment.
It'll be down to test drives at the end of the day - if the Boxster blows me away, I'll put the engine worries to the back of my mind!
I d say the Boxster is a bit of a girls car if i m honest and just so common.
TT will look dated very soon and just wont deliver the goods in looks or performance.
The Z4 M I was going to buy but my other half fell pregnant, but i d done my research and that was where my monies was going. Hence now M5 with child seat.
TT will look dated very soon and just wont deliver the goods in looks or performance.
The Z4 M I was going to buy but my other half fell pregnant, but i d done my research and that was where my monies was going. Hence now M5 with child seat.
Jason Plato did a review of the Z4M on fifth gear. Its on Youtube and i think sums up the car well. The only downsides I can think of the Z4 is the interior is quite poor compared to more modern cars and the new Z4 looks better. Good screaming engine though, really roars for the redline and so much better then the torque rich delivery of more modern engines. Bound to be a thing of the past soon unless you're in supercar territory 
DanL said:
So, in summary:
Z4M - lairy, but fun, a bit cheap inside.
Boxster - best of breed, but maybe a bit too good.
TT - not a sports car, but a rapid cruiser.
Think it's down to the Boxster and the Z4M, unless the TT really impresses on the test drive.
I'd say: Boxster bit girly and to common.Z4M - lairy, but fun, a bit cheap inside.
Boxster - best of breed, but maybe a bit too good.
TT - not a sports car, but a rapid cruiser.
Think it's down to the Boxster and the Z4M, unless the TT really impresses on the test drive.
Z4M: Lairy, uncommon, nowt wrong inside, better ownership experience and not many have them.
TT: Most probably a Golf GTI with hairdresser add ons.
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