Helpful thoughts on a Boxster or SL

[nickd164]

Hi Pistonheads!

I have quite a dilemma in my head and no amount of badgering my wife on the subject is any help, so maybe any advice you could offer is very welcome. I was at this junction nearly 5 years ago when I couldn’t decide on a NC or a Z4. The advice from this site was very helpful and I went with the NC.

So, I now have a very nice low mileage MX5 ND 30AE, the orange one. It is a lovely car and has given me a lot of joy. However, this is my fourth MX and I’m wanting a change. Also i’m beginning to find the cabin a little tight and the storage space lacking. I retire soon and fancy doing a bit more travelling over the UK and into France in the not far off future. I also do a return journey to Whitby twice a month, taking in over 230 miles a trip. I want to stay with an open top car and would like either a Boxster or a SL and I have a budget of about 30K.

My head is saying get a Boxster and in my budget I could get:

2017 718 2.0T with reasonably low mileage @ 31K

2015 981 2.7 with low milage but a very base spec and i’m partial to a heated arse @ 29K

2012 981S with average mileage @ 30K

I would buy with an inspection and from hopefully a reputable specialist dealer.

I’ve also never had a Porsche

My only other car to consider is the SL

2016 SL400 V6 Twin Turbo with low mileage @ £28K

Both totally different cars I know, but similar speeds and emissions. 20 years ago I had a R129 280 and adored it, but i was much younger and maybe I recall it through tinted specs.

I have never tracked a car and I have no intention of ever getting the back end out. I just enjoy motoring in the peaks, taking my camera out and getting a few early morning pics. My 3 times a week commute to work consists of 21 miles each way, plus a weekend away with my partner about every six weeks.

I’m not too concerned about what it will be worth in 3 years as I cant see a 17 year old Boxster with 80K on the clock being that sort after. Nor an old SL. I just want to enjoy the car, as i’ll be over 60 by then.

Obviously I want the car to be trustworthy and reliable and I get the impression that a maintained Boxster is ok. I have read a few forums saying the R231 is considered generally reliable. But really I have no idea.

So please, if you wish, tell me your thoughts and any real world experience you may have of either car.

Best Wishes,

Nick

[sneezer212]

I had a 2008 Boxster S which was fine. It handled quite well but I found it a bit underpowered, it had too long gears and the ride was very crashy. It was significantly faster than the MX5 I had however and a better car. But not a GT at all, it was tedious on the motorway.

I have not had an SL but have had an SLK which I preferred to the Boxster. The ride was better, and the car was better most of the time except for the occasional sunny day with empty back roads, which almost never happens.

Out of the two I would choose an SL. The SL is a bit big though.

I think you should also consider a 997 911 which is in budget, as a coupe or a cab. The 3.6 I had was more than fast enough and it was a far better car than the Boxster. Pre-2009 doesn't get PDK (which mine had) so I'm not sure how it is with the tiptronic. But manuals are in budget.

I think you should also look at an SLK 55AMG. I have not driven this but I bet it is good.

Ropey (coupe only) R8 4.2 V8 are just in budget. I have not driven an R8 but had this engine in an RS4 and it is exceptionally good, revving to nearly 9k rpm.

[Panamax]

Simple "enthusiast" answer,

Why buy an SL with a V6? You need a V8.
Why buy a Boxster with a 4-pot? You need a flat-6.
Why no F-type in your list?

Coming from an MX5, I'd buy the small sports car, not the execo-barge..

[Millsy]

See if you can stretch to Boxster 718S. Chalk and Cheese to the cooking 2.0L unit. Yes it a 4 pot but goes like the proverbial of a shovel, handles as well !

[Panamax]

^^ Fair comment. Again, if you're an "enthusiast" coming from an MX-5, make it a manual, not the excellent PDK.

[ooid]

Any boxster after 2009 would be fine I guess (no engine blow up risk), but porsche is expensive to maintain. Have you considered Evora ? no idea about the price range at the moment, but they would be bullet-proof and much raw -imho-

[maz8062]

2016 or later SL, all day everyday. The 400 has a twin turbo V6, the others are toys in comparison.

Compare an SL with a 911, not a Boxster.

Porsches are great - the ownership proposition not so much.

[Mr Tidy]

I assume you chose the MX5 for how well it drove.

I've never driven a Boxster or an SL, but everything I have read suggests the Boxster will be a driver's car whereas an SL is more of a GT/wafter.

But I'd try to get a drive in one of each to form your own opinion.

[biggbn]

Panamax said:

Simple "enthusiast" answer,

Why buy an SL with a V6? You need a V8.
Why buy a Boxster with a 4-pot? You need a flat-6.
Why no F-type in your list?

Coming from an MX5, I'd buy the small sports car, not the execo-barge..

I'd have the four pot Boxster. Owners seem to love them. Proper nod to brand heritage. I'll own one one day!!