Boxster S or 911?
Discussion
OK, I know it's an odd question on the face of , but I am looking to replace my 2002 S2000 sometime soon and am looking at either 2002 Boxster or 1998/9 996
The dilemma I have is that the S2000 has been been fabulous, cheap to run and totally reliable and I don't want to expose myself to massive costs if I can help it. Obviously a warranty is a must, but I'd be interested to hear people's opinions on whether a 4 year old S is going to be cheaper to run than an 8 year old 996?
Thanks
The dilemma I have is that the S2000 has been been fabulous, cheap to run and totally reliable and I don't want to expose myself to massive costs if I can help it. Obviously a warranty is a must, but I'd be interested to hear people's opinions on whether a 4 year old S is going to be cheaper to run than an 8 year old 996?
Thanks
JRM said:
That's what I thought, but the list price for parts for the Boxster and 996 are near as identical on the bits I've seen listed, which is what made me wonder..
The problem is, I drove a Box S and loved it, if I get in a 996, I KNOW I'm going to want it more!
Not necessarily! I went from an early 996 to a new Boxster S in 2003, and although the power was a touch down and I didn't get that "I've got a 911" feeling, I've never regretted the switch. OK, it helps that I was able to spec the Boxster exactly as I wanted, but it feels better put together than the early 996 did and has a slightly better interior. There are plenty of reasons to prefer a post-facelift 986 Boxster to a pre-facelift 996.
Mind you, saying that I'm now thinking of going to a 997, but that's another story ...
Boxster S is a brilliant car...buy with a hard-top and Fanny's yer Auntie!...you can get them for (relative) peanuts these days....£19K should buy you a minter low-mileage with good spec.
A good 911 C2 will cost you more...expect to pay £30K for a clean one under 60K miles. C4 is harder at resale..(purists prefer the C2...lighter you see).
Either will be the D's B's however for sheer value (including hood-down option) and chuckability, the Box is impossible to beat for the money involved. Plenty on the market so take your time.
Ali
A good 911 C2 will cost you more...expect to pay £30K for a clean one under 60K miles. C4 is harder at resale..(purists prefer the C2...lighter you see).
Either will be the D's B's however for sheer value (including hood-down option) and chuckability, the Box is impossible to beat for the money involved. Plenty on the market so take your time.
Ali
JRM said:
Surely the 1st question should be tintop or softtop?
It would be tintop 996, but to be honest, I'm not that bothered about dropping the hood, I've had years of that and the 911 tintop is just beautiful...
I think you've answered your own question.
If you have no desire to drop the top, then why even consider the Boxster over a 911? The question then becomes which 911... ah, that's another question altogether...
anniesdad said:
There were reasons why I bought a new Boxster at £36K, but suffice to say that if I could negate these reasons I would have spent the money on a 911.
If I had your choice, Box. S or 996 C2 I would plump for the 996.
Thanks, interesting to hear all the opinions. I assume the reasons weren't just to do with reliability of a new car over an older one? That's the only concern I have with buying an 8 year old (originally very expensive) sports car.
Having owned a Boxster S and driven many 996s (and currently saving up for a 996TT) I would say if I wanted a convertible I'd get a Boxster S every time (911 cabrios look wrong and are strictly for boulevard cruisers IMVVVHO whereas the Boxster was designed as a "roadster" from the off). There isn't a vast power difference in performance from a cooking early 996.
The soft top experience is a big plus but if you are not bothered by a soft top it makes zero sense to me to buy one given you pay a price in stiffness, noise, security and refinement.
I now find the early 996 shape (by which I mean non GT, TT or 4S cars or ones with added GT3 kit) starting to look dated and would rather a 993 or newer Boxster (with high spec and clear lights)
The soft top experience is a big plus but if you are not bothered by a soft top it makes zero sense to me to buy one given you pay a price in stiffness, noise, security and refinement.
I now find the early 996 shape (by which I mean non GT, TT or 4S cars or ones with added GT3 kit) starting to look dated and would rather a 993 or newer Boxster (with high spec and clear lights)
JRM said:
There were reasons why I bought a new Boxster at £36K, but suffice to say that if I could negate these reasons I would have spent the money on a 911.
If I had your choice, Box. S or 996 C2 I would plump for the 996.
Thanks, interesting to hear all the opinions. I assume the reasons weren't just to do with reliability of a new car over an older one? That's the only concern I have with buying an 8 year old (originally very expensive) sports car.
We needed a new car with warranty, because we've provided the car a couple of times to a couple of our customers. We would not have been comfortable doing this with even a 2-3 year old car.
Putting business aside, with £36K in my pocket, I'd have gone for a 996 C2 with manual box.
I should have mentioned in my original post that I had 2 Boxsters & yes they were great cars, but the 911 is more of an event.
Don't worry about age in particlar. I went from a 4 year old Boxster S to a 15 year old Carrera 3.2 Cost no more to run and (yes OK it was a Club Sport) nothing in depreciation.
An older 996 will be much closer to having levelled off in depreciation terms.
If you want to track it or drive hard, it might be worth seeking out an M030 suspension car.
Don't worry about age in particlar. I went from a 4 year old Boxster S to a 15 year old Carrera 3.2 Cost no more to run and (yes OK it was a Club Sport) nothing in depreciation.
An older 996 will be much closer to having levelled off in depreciation terms.
If you want to track it or drive hard, it might be worth seeking out an M030 suspension car.
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