New Boxster S 981 or old F430
Discussion
First ever post here after years of lurking unseen....Really need some advice please! Maybe a daft question but it's doing my head in!
Have a deposit down on a December delivery 981. Excited about the car, though in moments of brutal honesty I'm all too aware it isn't the new GT3 I tried hard but couldn't stretch to. I shouldn't moan though, the 981 looks like a fantastic car and I'm lucky to have one on order.
But...as a wild card option that's somehow just dawned, I've always wanted to scratch the F-car itch and maybe now I should. Always been worried about ongoing costs and couldn't remotely stretch to a 458. For various reasons the F430 has always seemed the car of my dreams and now prices seem to be circa 60-70k-ish for earlier examples. I could just about convince myself one would be in budget - and maybe the tiny regret at not having a GT3 would be swept away by at last owning a 430. Am conscious I sound such a whinger here - and all of these are great cars.
But right now I am absolutely torn between a spanking new, highly specced-up 981, or a 5-6 year old F430.
I know I have to and will drive both (I haven't yet and I know they are fundamentally different machines). I even thought of buying the Boxster, having a ball for a year then trading for an F430, but by then the 430's on the market will be a year older (so pricier to maintain) and I'll lose in depreciation on the 981. Getting the 430 now means there won't be a rapid depreciation hit as I'll keep it several years (unless the servicing kills me - big if) plus it also means I grab a Ferrari one year younger in its automotive life.
I'd use the car maybe 3 or 4 days a week, commuting but with occasional blasts out and about.
I love the noise and the looks of both and from sooo many reviews it sounds like I'll love the driving feel of either too even if I'm no S Vettel and won't remotely extract all the performance from either. I imagine I'd be happy flapping paddles in both. It's really a win win I suspect.
Maybe it boils down to the heart wanting the Ferrari, just for once in life, but the head pointing out the benefits of a brand new roadster that everyone says is sensational. Maybe if I'm so worried about the 430's potential bills there's my answer already
But I'd be grateful for your views. I realise this is the Porsche section but I know many of you have experience of both marques. Very grateful for thoughts and sorry for rambles!
Have a deposit down on a December delivery 981. Excited about the car, though in moments of brutal honesty I'm all too aware it isn't the new GT3 I tried hard but couldn't stretch to. I shouldn't moan though, the 981 looks like a fantastic car and I'm lucky to have one on order.
But...as a wild card option that's somehow just dawned, I've always wanted to scratch the F-car itch and maybe now I should. Always been worried about ongoing costs and couldn't remotely stretch to a 458. For various reasons the F430 has always seemed the car of my dreams and now prices seem to be circa 60-70k-ish for earlier examples. I could just about convince myself one would be in budget - and maybe the tiny regret at not having a GT3 would be swept away by at last owning a 430. Am conscious I sound such a whinger here - and all of these are great cars.
But right now I am absolutely torn between a spanking new, highly specced-up 981, or a 5-6 year old F430.
I know I have to and will drive both (I haven't yet and I know they are fundamentally different machines). I even thought of buying the Boxster, having a ball for a year then trading for an F430, but by then the 430's on the market will be a year older (so pricier to maintain) and I'll lose in depreciation on the 981. Getting the 430 now means there won't be a rapid depreciation hit as I'll keep it several years (unless the servicing kills me - big if) plus it also means I grab a Ferrari one year younger in its automotive life.
I'd use the car maybe 3 or 4 days a week, commuting but with occasional blasts out and about.
I love the noise and the looks of both and from sooo many reviews it sounds like I'll love the driving feel of either too even if I'm no S Vettel and won't remotely extract all the performance from either. I imagine I'd be happy flapping paddles in both. It's really a win win I suspect.
Maybe it boils down to the heart wanting the Ferrari, just for once in life, but the head pointing out the benefits of a brand new roadster that everyone says is sensational. Maybe if I'm so worried about the 430's potential bills there's my answer already
But I'd be grateful for your views. I realise this is the Porsche section but I know many of you have experience of both marques. Very grateful for thoughts and sorry for rambles!
FWIW I think the Box is more discrete and therefore flexible, whilst still offering sporting thrills. It can perform more roles. The Ferrari will no doubt be an event to roll out it in but there will be occasions when you feel a bit of a prat i'd imagine...
Anyway nice problem to have, GL
Anyway nice problem to have, GL
I think I'd go for the F430, especially if you've never had a Ferrari before. I've had a couple over the years, and now the itch has been scratched, I'm happy to go back to the Porsche camp.
I think the thing is, you have to scratch the itch yourself or it does'nt count; also suspect the F430 will depreciate a lot less than a new 981, so you can always go back fairly easily to the Porsche camp if the Ferrari does'nt live up to your expectations.
Good luck.
I think the thing is, you have to scratch the itch yourself or it does'nt count; also suspect the F430 will depreciate a lot less than a new 981, so you can always go back fairly easily to the Porsche camp if the Ferrari does'nt live up to your expectations.
Good luck.
TheDeadPrussian said:
At £60k - £70k I'd buy a 997.1 or 997.2 GT3. Less depreciation and you get your GT3...
If stretching to buy an F430 – you might regret it if things go wrong as little on an F-car is a cheap fix!
I think if you do decide to go down the Ferrari route, just make sure you buy one with a decent warranty, just in case.If stretching to buy an F430 – you might regret it if things go wrong as little on an F-car is a cheap fix!
Your profile says Dubai: Is the car for over there? That could influence your decision...
Commuting in a 'special' car can be fun but some say that it can make it feel less special... I disagree with this and would love to commute in a Ferrari and would like to think that I wouldn't care if it picked up a few dings and scratches a long the way. It's just a car after all and could be restored to as new condtion at any point in time, funds permitting.
I have commuted in my Boxster for 12 years on this basis but I consider it no less special and there are times when it is truly the highlight of my day!
P.S. I did spec. a sober blue colour though so as not to attract too much attention in the office car park but I still feel that it probably cost me the job that I had at the time that I bought it as the boss, a miserable old bugger, rolled in a Sharan!
Commuting in a 'special' car can be fun but some say that it can make it feel less special... I disagree with this and would love to commute in a Ferrari and would like to think that I wouldn't care if it picked up a few dings and scratches a long the way. It's just a car after all and could be restored to as new condtion at any point in time, funds permitting.
I have commuted in my Boxster for 12 years on this basis but I consider it no less special and there are times when it is truly the highlight of my day!
P.S. I did spec. a sober blue colour though so as not to attract too much attention in the office car park but I still feel that it probably cost me the job that I had at the time that I bought it as the boss, a miserable old bugger, rolled in a Sharan!
Really helpful, thanks people. I didn't mention Dubai as often the assumption is that it's bling city so buy a Ferrari you'll feel right at home etc. Though to be fair it IS bling city!
The warranty packages I've seen aren't great at all so that may clinch it. I had a 996 turbo in the uk that cost a fortune in service costs - reckon I just boughten v poorly but the memory lingers.
I'm keen on the paddle changes so sadly rules out the 997 GT3.
I like the idea of trying the F car once and if it doesn't work out, I know and love our Stuttgart chums so could switch back.
Guess I need to get in both and also pin down the warranties on offer.
Cheers again
The warranty packages I've seen aren't great at all so that may clinch it. I had a 996 turbo in the uk that cost a fortune in service costs - reckon I just boughten v poorly but the memory lingers.
I'm keen on the paddle changes so sadly rules out the 997 GT3.
I like the idea of trying the F car once and if it doesn't work out, I know and love our Stuttgart chums so could switch back.
Guess I need to get in both and also pin down the warranties on offer.
Cheers again
The warranty on a new Porsche compared to a used Ferrari unfortunately is not comparable. However, do your research and buy the right car and it doesn't have to be an expensive exercise.
I'd be willing to bet that you could run the Ferrari for 3 years for what the Boxster will cost in depreciation over the same duration.
I've had 2 Boxsters (987.1 & 987.2) and currently have an F430. There is no comparison. Sure the Boxster is better a being more discrete, but when sitting down with your list of tick boxes for your new car purchase where does 'discreteness' come in? Surely performance, looks, sound, specialness, running costs, deprectiation etc all come much higher on the list? Which, apart from running costs, the Ferrari wins them all.
I had a 981 S on a 24 hour test and was reasonably underwhelmed and was disappointed that I felt that way as I really wanted one!
When I bought my Ferrari it was a very special experience and still is whenever I drive it. I try to take it into work as often as I can and some days that's 5 times a week, other times I don't get a chance. Trust me, it doesn't lose that special feeling.
Scratch that Ferrari itch now, they're not going to depreciate much at all. The 981 will always be there for you to spec up again should you hate it.
I'd be willing to bet that you could run the Ferrari for 3 years for what the Boxster will cost in depreciation over the same duration.
I've had 2 Boxsters (987.1 & 987.2) and currently have an F430. There is no comparison. Sure the Boxster is better a being more discrete, but when sitting down with your list of tick boxes for your new car purchase where does 'discreteness' come in? Surely performance, looks, sound, specialness, running costs, deprectiation etc all come much higher on the list? Which, apart from running costs, the Ferrari wins them all.
I had a 981 S on a 24 hour test and was reasonably underwhelmed and was disappointed that I felt that way as I really wanted one!
When I bought my Ferrari it was a very special experience and still is whenever I drive it. I try to take it into work as often as I can and some days that's 5 times a week, other times I don't get a chance. Trust me, it doesn't lose that special feeling.
Scratch that Ferrari itch now, they're not going to depreciate much at all. The 981 will always be there for you to spec up again should you hate it.
I absolutely hear you LeeManning. Curious that your test drive of the 981 wasn't a success as everyone seems to rave about them, but the 430 would no doubt be a different beast indeed and I guess it's (prancing) horses for courses (sorry). I suspect the man maths may kick in and coupled with the lure of a special car, not just a great one, It may lead to a 430. Must get in one soon then....
I am sure you will know as soon as you drive the cars which ones for you. Truly are chalk and cheese. The 430 is basically fairly hardcore analogue and more a car for a short weekend blast. More satisfying and sense of occasion than the softer Boxster which is more forgettable but a car for more occasions. Ferrari far more fragile, expensive to fix and service and will attract the wrong type of attention. Some would say both cars have an image problem. The achilees heel with the Ferrari is the single clutch gearbox being tediously slow in comparison to (the 458) Porsches PDK. Not unlike the old smg box in the e46 M3 the 430 somehow suits and its all part of the character! You could consider a manual, although quite rare.
Good luck!
Good luck!
If you'd consider the Boxster and swap to an F430 after a year if it doesn't work out then how about considering the reverse? As you say the depreciation on an older F430 will probably be less and for sure the price drop on a 1 year old 981 in a years time will be more than the drop in a 430. And if the 430 is ok then no need to swap. I've sort of had similar thoughts myself but ended up in a Box. Reasons being I) 430 probably too much of a stretch for me ii) with a new car you have much more certainty over running costs and iii) I use as a daily commute and don't see the 430 or similar as viable for that as too many occasions when I'd be wary about where I'm parking it. But your circumstances sound different so the 430 could work out great.
Thanks everyone, so glad I posted. Must admit I'm tending towards the Ferrari because even typing that makes me smile, which must count for something, and great as the Boxster clearly is, I'd hate to drive around and find myself pining for the F-car - the dreaded 'if only...' thought process. As someone said, I guess I could try the 430 and if it doesn't work out, it's not a hard switch into a lovely 981 later without fearsome depreciation.
The point about the wrong sort of attention is very fair, but I guess here in Dubai it's rare I don't see at least one 458, a Shelby, supercharged G-Wagons and all sorts of exotica on most trips into work. A 430 is never going to be a shy, retiring car but it's not (quite) as shouty as many out here!
I guess all my concerns are pretty familiar ground to many - worry over the cost of a new clutch, the exhaust blowing etc. But if I get it properly looked over before purchase (I saw one that has 27% clutch wear and 20% front/rear brake pad wear, that doesn't seem too bad) and don't go mental with it all the time, it could be a fantastic experience for a few trips each week and costs that hopefully can be kept under some level of control. A leap into the unknown but if I'm honest with myself it just excites me in a way the 981 can't (and it's an unfair comparison, I know). Maybe the biggest mistake I'll make, I realise...
Though the ground clearance on all my local speed bumps will need a measuring tape!!
The point about the wrong sort of attention is very fair, but I guess here in Dubai it's rare I don't see at least one 458, a Shelby, supercharged G-Wagons and all sorts of exotica on most trips into work. A 430 is never going to be a shy, retiring car but it's not (quite) as shouty as many out here!
I guess all my concerns are pretty familiar ground to many - worry over the cost of a new clutch, the exhaust blowing etc. But if I get it properly looked over before purchase (I saw one that has 27% clutch wear and 20% front/rear brake pad wear, that doesn't seem too bad) and don't go mental with it all the time, it could be a fantastic experience for a few trips each week and costs that hopefully can be kept under some level of control. A leap into the unknown but if I'm honest with myself it just excites me in a way the 981 can't (and it's an unfair comparison, I know). Maybe the biggest mistake I'll make, I realise...
Though the ground clearance on all my local speed bumps will need a measuring tape!!
The Boxster Spyder is an absolutely cracking car and running one in a climate where you can keep the top down sounds epic, but is that Dubai? You might find that you still need a top that you can raise quickly to avoid the heat/humidity (with A/C!) and quite possibly the sand!
Edited by MogulBoy on Thursday 19th September 09:41
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