Boxster or alternative?

[minipower]

For some background, 2 years ago I was looking to sell the Marcos, mini and MX5 and buy an Exige v6/Corvette C6 Z06 to run alongside my wife’s Abarth 595. I then got all sentimental and couldn’t bring myself to sell both Marcos and Mini despite covering only about 30 miles between them over the last year. I ended up selling the MX5 and buying back my old Corvette C5.

Moving on, my wife no longer needs a car to commute in and I only have to go to the office 3 times a week. I’ve been missing the convertible and that got me thinking about what I could replace the Abarth with. Main contender for the role is a Boxster 987 with the 2.7 engine but I thought best to check with PH whether I was missing anything. Spec wise I’m considering the following:

Convertible (not including targas)
Up to £13,000
Reasonable mechanical running costs
No consideration for mpg or road tax
Preferably two seater
Manual
Handling over power (to complement the Corvette)
Up to 90,000 miles
Ability to take us in reasonable comfort to Italy once a year (this is mainly the Vette’s job but good to have an alternative)
Not too old ie minimum year 2000
Not much need for practicality. I use the Corvette like an El Camino and have use of a family Kia Optima estate if I need to move a wardrobe.
The Corvette must stay.

Other alternatives I’ve thought about and excluded (price range may also be out):
370z - I have access to my Dad’s 350z so would rather something different. I found the 350z to be a bruiser and although very fun, surprisingly didn’t handle as well as the C5 and the LS pulls harder across the revs than the V6. Would the 370 be much different?
BMW Z4 - tried a friend’s Z4 3.0 previously and didn’t get on with the electric steering. Z4m annoyingly out of price range as would love that engine.
Honda S2000 - hero car for me although I’d struggle to pay so much for one. I nearly bought one some years back at £6k and have kicked myself for missing out ever since.
Lotus Elise - targa plus not sure it meets the Italy brief. Prices are very strong as well.
TVR - too much like the vette and Marcos rolled into one.
Mercedes Slk55 AMG - auto and again big brawny v8. Already got the v8 covered.
Audi TT - not sure at all although wife likes these.
Mazda MX5 - I checked ND prices and out of my range. Also was not sure about the 1st model year due to gearbox issues.
124 - out of price range and prefer the MX5.

That brings me back round to the Boxster. 2.7 between years 2006 - 2008 seems to be the sweet spot although I have the following thoughts:

1. IMS issues. Very few seem to have engine rebuilds that I’ve seen which is good. 2006 -2008 has uprated IMS as well and no bore scoring. Has this issue really been overblown?
2. Further to the above, I’ve checked Hartech and they offer a warranty at £86/month which seems reasonable. Does anyone have experience of this or could suggest an alternative? I’m going to call them to find out about their pre-inspection.
3. Any other major mechanical issues to consider?
4. Why the bloody hell are they all black and silver!

I may have just answered my own question and should go straight to the Porsche forum! Would be very grateful for a more rounded view though.

[ZX10R NIN]

Try the 370Z it's a good car & a clear step on from the 350Z:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106254...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107235...

Also test drive the 2.7 boxster as if you found the 350Z lacking, it may not be for you.

Z4 wise go for 35i:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106173...

[minipower]

ZX10R NIN said:

Try the 370Z it's a good car & a clear step on from the 350Z:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106254...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107235...

Also test drive the 2.7 boxster as if you found the 350Z lacking, it may not be for you.

Z4 wise go for 35i:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106173...

Thank you. After writing off the 350z I then didn’t check 370z prices. Seems a lot of car for the money.

Also went straight to the E85 Z4! I didn’t realise the 35i was that quick. Do these have good handling?

[ZX10R NIN]

minipower said:

Thank you. After writing off the 350z I then didn’t check 370z prices. Seems a lot of car for the money.

Also went straight to the E85 Z4! I didn’t realise the 35i was that quick. Do these have good handling?

It is a lot of car & then you see the price, the Z4 is actually a decent steer not as good as a Boxster but good & they go very well.

[minipower]

ZX10R NIN said:

It is a lot of car & then you see the price, the Z4 is actually a decent steer not as good as a Boxster but good & they go very well.

5.2s to 60 is better than I thought they did. Retractable hard top would be a bonus as well. The car will be left outside and used through all weather conditions.

[drgoatboy]

I came to say mx5 but you discounted the ND. Any reason not to get an NC? They are very good out of the box and respond well to a good geo set up. Lots of further tweaks can be made to sharpen up the chassis if you want to for not much money.
The retractable roof is one of the best out there and seems to be reliable and not leaky like a lot of them....

[anonymous-user]

You won't get a much better handling car than the boxster for the money

[minipower]

drgoatboy said:

I came to say mx5 but you discounted the ND. Any reason not to get an NC? They are very good out of the box and respond well to a good geo set up. Lots of further tweaks can be made to sharpen up the chassis if you want to for not much money.
The retractable roof is one of the best out there and seems to be reliable and not leaky like a lot of them....

The only reason not to go for the NC is because I’ve had one and sold last year. Would like to try something different although agree, it was great. 125,000 miles and nothing more than standard servicing. Clean underneath as well. Wish I’d never sold it!

[LunarOne]

As the owner of a 981 Boxster S, I'd heartily recommend one. I'm not sure I'd be saying the same with a 2.7 as the only thing the Boxster wants for is more power. The only 987 I've driven was a Cayman R, and that was an even better steer. But again, not a Boxster and not a 2.7.

I always post this video when someone is thinking about a Boxster as it really highlights what the car is all about. I think it applies equally to the 987 or 718 GTS 4.0 as it does to the 981 as you really get the sense of that musical flat six engine on song.

[drgoatboy]

minipower said:

The only reason not to go for the NC is because I’ve had one and sold last year. Would like to try something different although agree, it was great. 125,000 miles and nothing more than standard servicing. Clean underneath as well. Wish I’d never sold it!

Fair enough. I have a fair bit of regret from selling mine too!

[minipower]

Mr Spoon said:

You won't get a much better handling car than the boxster for the money

This is what I’m thinking. Will make a nice alternative to the Corvette with focus on handling rather than 2 seats strapped to a big v8.

[Fink-Nottle]

Boxsters are great cars, though a Corvette will take you to Italy in more comfort.

But why do you say Boxsters from 2006 through 2008 have no bore scoring? It is a clear and present danger in 996s, 987.1s, and 997.1s, though less so for the 2.7 engine. Nobody knows what the percentage of afflicted cars is exactly. But I just browsed some 997.1s and sure enough 2 or 3 of them had had an engine revision.

Talking to Hartech re. a PPI sounds like a great idea.

[minipower]

LunarOne said:

As the owner of a 981 Boxster S, I'd heartily recommend one. I'm not sure I'd be saying the same with a 2.7 as the only thing the Boxster wants for is more power. The only 987 I've driven was a Cayman R, and that was an even better steer. But again, not a Boxster and not a 2.7.

I always post this video when someone is thinking about a Boxster as it really highlights what the car is all about. I think it applies equally to the 987 or 718 GTS 4.0 as it does to the 981 as you really get the sense of that musical flat six engine on song.

Thank you. I’m sitting here with a queue of Boxster videos so just added this one as well.

[cerb4.5lee]

I can definitely recommend the 370Z Roadster. I've had mine over 2 years now and I still love it to bits. Mine has a few nice upgrades(full exhaust/HFCs/stillen intakes) so it really adds to the experience of driving it for me.

I also used to have a Z4M Roadster and I personally much prefer the 370Z in comparison. The 370Z is lovely and rare, plus they are cracking value for money, and they are solid reliability wise as well. I love the older school feel to the way they drive big time.

I think that it is definitely well worth you trying one, and I fell for mine on the test drive for sure.

[cerb4.5lee]

Here is my readers car thread if you are interested.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[minipower]

cerb4.5lee said:

I can definitely recommend the 370Z Roadster. I've had mine over 2 years now and I still love it to bits. Mine has a few nice upgrades(full exhaust/HFCs/stillen intakes) so it really adds to the experience of driving it for me.

I also used to have a Z4M Roadster and I personally much prefer the 370Z in comparison. The 370Z is lovely and rare, plus they are cracking value for money, and they are solid reliability wise as well. I love the older school feel to the way they drive big time.

I think that it is definitely well worth you trying one, and I fell for mine on the test drive for sure.

Good to know thank you. I am drawn to the 370z as I think it would also be the most reliable. I do not mind higher running costs but don’t like the thought of catastrophic failures. I’ll be keeping the car for two years so really big bills would leave a sour taste. My Abarth has two years left on its warranty so I’ll be taking on some risk.

Do you find the 370z handles better than Z4m?

[minipower]

cerb4.5lee said:

Here is my readers car thread if you are interested.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Can’t believe I missed this with my usual lurking around these forums. Thanks, looking forward to reading it.

[cerb4.5lee]

minipower said:

Good to know thank you. I am drawn to the 370z as I think it would also be the most reliable. I do not mind higher running costs but don’t like the thought of catastrophic failures. I’ll be keeping the car for two years so really big bills would leave a sour taste. My Abarth has two years left on its warranty so I’ll be taking on some risk.

Do you find the 370z handles better than Z4m?

No worries.

Handling wise between the 370Z and Z4M is quite different to be fair. The 370Z feels bigger and a bit heavier to drive, however I much prefer the ride/suspension/chassis overall in the 370Z though. I also prefer the gearbox in the 370Z too.

I'm much more confident driving quickly in the 370(even though it is more GT than sports car to be fair), because the Z4M always felt that it could throw you off the road because there is next to nothing in terms of suspension travel. Whereas the 370 is much more compliant in comparison.

[cerb4.5lee]

minipower said:

cerb4.5lee said:

Here is my readers car thread if you are interested.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Can’t believe I missed this with my usual lurking around these forums. Thanks, looking forward to reading it.

[minipower]

cerb4.5lee said:

No worries.

Handling wise between the 370Z and Z4M is quite different to be fair. The 370Z feels bigger and a bit heavier to drive, however I much prefer the ride/suspension/chassis overall in the 370Z though. I also prefer the gearbox in the 370Z too.

I'm much more confident driving quickly in the 370(even though it is more GT than sports car to be fair), because the Z4M always felt that it could throw you off the road because there is next to nothing in terms of suspension travel. Whereas the 370 is much more compliant in comparison.

Interesting you say that about the Z4 as I thought similar about the 3.0 model. The ride matched with the electric steering has made me discount it. I would have hoped to overlook the ride when combined with the Z4m’s hydraulic rack.