Buying boxter S for Europe trip advice please

[RacingPete]

Hi peeps,

I am looking at buying a Boxter 3.2S (99 V) for hooning around Europe very soon, but the car I like has a relatively heavy clutch which is the sign it is going soon. The question really is the million dollar question and will the clutch last for a 3k hoon around Europe before needing replacing. It is more or less the tilt to whether I buy the car as I would love to have it for going around in, but may resort back to the Scooby, and thus my main reason for buying the car is gone.

Any advice would be great.

[Davey S2]

Just get it checked and if it is on the way out negotiate the price down to cover the cost of a new one.

I wouldnt do a 3000 mile hoon knowing something major on the car might be about to expire

[Geneve]

The Boxster S is brilliant for european trips - safe, comfortable when cruising, sublime when attacking the best twisty routes, practical (two boots, good economy, nicely equipped), and of course the roof can be dropped or raised in 12 seconds. But, yes, get it thoroughly checked first.

[RacingPete]

Geneve said:

The Boxster S is brilliant for european trips - safe, comfortable when cruising, sublime when attacking the best twisty routes, practical (two boots, good economy, nicely equipped), and of course the roof can be dropped or raised in 12 seconds. But, yes, get it thoroughly checked first.

That was what I was thinking

Just still worried about the clutch, the pedal has only just started getting stiffer, so didn't know if it will last another 3-4k after that till it started slipping, or this is just one of those unknown things? I would be happy if someone said that mine started going hard and then lasted another 5k after (hmmm.. that reads wrong!)

[silv]

Why would the clutch pedal become stiff if the clutch plate is worn? I would get it checked out to be sure what the problem is. IMHO it is a no brainer to even think about a 3k trip in a car with a potential problem. Good luck.

[RacingPete]

silv said:

Why would the clutch pedal become stiff if the clutch plate is worn?

Exactly what I thought, but talking to the "experts" around here they say that is a sign of the clutch going... maybe it is just a bearings thing or the clutch arm thingy (that is the technical term I think )

silv said:

IMHO it is a no brainer to even think about a 3k trip in a car with a potential problem. Good luck.

I agree, but I have been trying to find a car for my European trip for ages and now it is only 4 days away, I am going for a bit of a wing on this one.

Edited by RacingPete on Wednesday 11th July 11:37

[Schmalex]

RacingPete said:

Geneve said:

The Boxster S is brilliant for european trips - safe, comfortable when cruising, sublime when attacking the best twisty routes, practical (two boots, good economy, nicely equipped), and of course the roof can be dropped or raised in 12 seconds. But, yes, get it thoroughly checked first.

That was what I was thinking

Just still worried about the clutch, the pedal has only just started getting stiffer, so didn't know if it will last another 3-4k after that till it started slipping, or this is just one of those unknown things? I would be happy if someone said that mine started going hard and then lasted another 5k after (hmmm.. that reads wrong!)

Clutch on my car started going at 9.30am. by 2.30pm, it was off the road in the garage being fixed, as it was totally un-drivable.

Get it checked, & negotiate the price down appropriately. My new clutch was £700 all in at Northway Porsche. Personally, I wouldn't risk it as it will always be in the back of your mind & just the constant nagging doubt could ruin an excellent trip

[RacingPete]

Schmalex said:

Clutch on my car started going at 9.30am. by 2.30pm, it was off the road

But did it exhibit any signs much before then, or was it that it just started slipping.. or the pedal was hard etc?

[Dr S]

Geneve said:

The Boxster S is brilliant for european trips - safe, comfortable when cruising, sublime when attacking the best twisty routes, practical (two boots, good economy, nicely equipped), and of course the roof can be dropped or raised in 12 seconds. But, yes, get it thoroughly checked first.

2nded

[Schmalex]

RacingPete said:

Schmalex said:

Clutch on my car started going at 9.30am. by 2.30pm, it was off the road

But did it exhibit any signs much before then, or was it that it just started slipping.. or the pedal was hard etc?

The pedal went very light on an upshift & then that was that - none of the usual signals before it happened. Got progressively worse over the next 20 miles (as I drove it to the garage). By the time I get it there, it was slipping badly in every gear (not just the usual slip in 3 - 6th).

Having said that, now it is fixed I would have no problems taking it on a Euro hoon - it is a fantastically comfortable car with all mod cons, but also the ability to be highly entertaining on mountain roads.

[LeeME3]

I did a hoon round Europe in a 2.7 and found it a brilliant car for the task - but one of the main reasons for enjoying it so much was not having to worry about it mechanically (it was less than a year old so still under warranty).

Either buy another (there are hundreds for sale) or get it checked/fixed and adjust what you pay accordingly!

BTW, if it really is just for a Europe trip you could buy LHD and sell at the end of the trip...

[The Griffalo]

If you do do the clutch have the RMS done at the same time as part of your regular maintenance schedule

[RacingPete]

Don't you hate it when you know that you should get it all checked out and not risk it for a hoon round Europe... But your heart just wants it and thinks, well its a risk but it still might be good for another 3k and thus will fix it when I get back.

Heart v Head... who will win?

[histonpead]

If its heavy and bites high dont even considering going on a 300 mile trip let alone a 3000 mile one. Is the clutch slipping too? If it goes then I was told on my box s that it will go without much warning.

[The Griffalo]

RacingPete said:

Don't you hate it when you know that you should get it all checked out and not risk it for a hoon round Europe... But your heart just wants it and thinks, well its a risk but it still might be good for another 3k and thus will fix it when I get back.

Heart v Head... who will win?

You do realise just how much piss taking you'll get if it fails mid-trip, don't you

[RacingPete]

The Griffalo said:

You do realise just how much piss taking you'll get if it fails mid-trip, don't you

You obviously haven't met my girlfriend.. she is Greek you know, and if it breaks down with her in it I will happily move to the forums for the piss taking

[GreigM]

I understood the clutch was hydraulic and self-adjusting so if it feels heavy it can be other things - sticky cable or other gubbins. I always found boxster clutches to be comparatively heavier than other cars as well, so maybe get someone who knows to compare......you could risk it and get decent euro breakdown cover with hire car clause.