early 996 or boxster S?

[davey68]

Just curious what you peeps think would be the better one to go for? would it be better to save that bit more cash for an early 996c2 (they seem to be around for under 30k now) or go for a boxster S? is that a big difference in running costs? the 911 does have that extra kudos (and performance).

[Glenn McMenamin]

Davey,

Depends on what you want to do with it 1st IMHO.

If soft top is important then Boxster will be cheaper and better value, and not much slower.

But if the occasional trackday, and the extra on road grunt is a priority, then a C2 Coupe would be best, and
if you can get one with the GT3 body kit, i think that would be a great buy.

I love the Boxster for its purity though.

G.

[Don]

This really, really is going to depend on what you want.

BoxS is a cheaper car (not worse - just less expensive) and has less expensive running costs (they say). They are brilliant, handle very, very sweetly have a decent level of grunt.

Importantly the roof comes off - if this matters to you - if you don't care for alfresco motoring you shouldn't buy a convertible at all as they are compromised to allow it!

Me I went for the BoxS. Two of them in fact. There is only *one* 996 that could tempt me away from it and that's the Turbo...which would involve parting with a hefty wedge of cash for the upgrade.

[davey68]

Thansks for the replies, ive wanted a 911 for a long time and 996 prices are coming within reach. ive had a
few convertibles and would like another, so a very nice box S is tempting as opposed to paying another 4-5k to get a hi miles 996.
cheers

[Glenn McMenamin]

Don,



I had this dilema when i had Box S, i wanted to go to 996 Cab but the the Carrera just didn't do it for me.

So i waited for my Turbo cab to come along.

After running it for a few months now, have decided that it was the biggest waste of £100k+ i could ever make, and wish i waited for the New Box S, and could have saved £60k.

Ho Hum....

[verysideways]

Glenn McMenamin said:

After running it for a few months now, have decided that it was the biggest waste of £100k+ i could ever make, and wish i waited for the New Box S, and could have saved £60k.

GM,

Sorry to hear you say that, but i guess that follows on from what Don said earlier about a cab needing to be a cab from the start, rather than a compromised coupe.
Still, at least you didn't buy an SLR eh?

VS

[Don]

Glenn McMenamin said:

Don, I had this dilema when i had Box S, i wanted to go to 996 Cab but the the Carrera just didn't do it for me. So i waited for my Turbo cab to come along. After running it for a few months now, have decided that it was the biggest waste of £100k+ i could ever make, and wish i waited for the New Box S, and could have saved £60k. Ho Hum....

Still it wasn't a 100K mistake. Its a few K of depreciation if you chop it in quickish...

I must say I'm dissapointed - I wanted to hear that the Turbo Cab was brilliant as I am a dedicated wind-the-hair-alfresco-motoring type....

Having said that the Turbo I have been considering in due course would be a Coupe...as we have a TVR Chimaera I will still be able to use...

Ho hum. What was it you don't like about it? The engine-in-the-rear handling? I would expect that to make the car less sweet in the corners...although you win when it comes to getting the power down in a straight line as the rears have the weight of the engine over them...

[Glenn McMenamin]

verysideways said:

Glenn McMenamin said: After running it for a few months now, have decided that it was the biggest waste of £100k+ i could ever make, and wish i waited for the New Box S, and could have saved £60k. GM, Sorry to hear you say that, but i guess that follows on from what Don said earlier about a cab needing to be a cab from the start, rather than a compromised coupe. Still, at least you didn't buy an SLR eh? VS

SLR !!!

That's just a Dodge Viper in disguise isn't it !! G.

[Glenn McMenamin]

Don said:

Glenn McMenamin said: Don, I had this dilema when i had Box S, i wanted to go to 996 Cab but the the Carrera just didn't do it for me. So i waited for my Turbo cab to come along. After running it for a few months now, have decided that it was the biggest waste of £100k+ i could ever make, and wish i waited for the New Box S, and could have saved £60k. Ho Hum.... Still it wasn't a 100K mistake. Its a few K of depreciation if you chop it in quickish... I must say I'm dissapointed - I wanted to hear that the Turbo Cab was brilliant as I am a dedicated wind-the-hair-alfresco-motoring type.... Having said that the Turbo I have been considering in due course would be a Coupe...as we have a TVR Chimaera I will still be able to use... Ho hum. What was it you don't like about it? The engine-in-the-rear handling? I would expect that to make the car less sweet in the corners...although you win when it comes to getting the power down in a straight line as the rears have the weight of the engine over them...

Nothing wrong with the car at all really, it's in gear acceleration is awesome, the thing is, i'm so smitten with my GT3, which gives all the adrenaline you can handle, and when you come to the Cab, it just feels a bit heavy and safe.
On top of that, i don't think it looks £100k worth, or to put it into context, worth same as 2.5 Boxsters S's!!


G.

>> Edited by Glenn McMenamin on Wednesday 22 December 13:48

[kamal996]

Go with a later Boxster S-They dont seem to have the issue of hairline cracks on the cylinder liners. I think that it is this problem and therefore the model's repution that is beginning to make them cheap. Henry F has yet another car with a replacement engine for sale for due to this problem. Fine while Porsche pay for it..less so when not as they are unlikely to for older models.

Additionally,having owned a C4 tip and a 2.5 the Boxster was the better drive (poss cos of the 4 wheel gubbins adding weight and interia and the tip box)

>> Edited by kamal996 on Wednesday 22 December 16:10

[rougeleo]

Boxster just doesn't do it on looks for us , so we went for the 996 C4 Coupe . Happy so far .