Boxster S - Worth a look?
Discussion
I currently have my TVR Cerbera Speed Six up for sale and it should be sold fairly soon. So I've been thinking of possible replacements and thought of the Boxster S.
Originally a 911 was my Porsche of choice but I've heard a lot of comments regarding the 'S' being worth considering as an alternative.
What I want to know is:
Are they quick (and I'm not expecting it to be like the Cerbera so don't worry !)?
What do they cost to run (perhaps in comparison to a 993)?
Are there any known problems to look out for?
Any other useful 'gems' of info I should know?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Cheers
Paul
Originally a 911 was my Porsche of choice but I've heard a lot of comments regarding the 'S' being worth considering as an alternative.
What I want to know is:
Are they quick (and I'm not expecting it to be like the Cerbera so don't worry !)?
What do they cost to run (perhaps in comparison to a 993)?
Are there any known problems to look out for?
Any other useful 'gems' of info I should know?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Cheers
Paul
Yes, they are quick - anything doing 0-60 in under 6s and 170mph top-end is quick in my book. Handling is outstanding and will embarass many a higher-powered car on a track day.
If you can get over the "haridresser" crap that this forum is plagued with (mostly coming from people who have issues with what they purchased) then it is a good all-round car.
Costs - "average" porsche costs - 1st service between £200 and £310 depending on how hard you bargain and if you supply your own oil etc... Running costs - 27mpg, insurance reasonable for a sports car.
Problems to watch out for - only known issue with Boxster (and 996) is the RMS (rear-main-seal) oil leak. Porsche claim 3% of cars are affected. If the car has a full Porsche service history they are known to fix as a "goodwill" gesture, if not a good independent will fix for approx £300.
If you can get over the "haridresser" crap that this forum is plagued with (mostly coming from people who have issues with what they purchased) then it is a good all-round car.
Costs - "average" porsche costs - 1st service between £200 and £310 depending on how hard you bargain and if you supply your own oil etc... Running costs - 27mpg, insurance reasonable for a sports car.
Problems to watch out for - only known issue with Boxster (and 996) is the RMS (rear-main-seal) oil leak. Porsche claim 3% of cars are affected. If the car has a full Porsche service history they are known to fix as a "goodwill" gesture, if not a good independent will fix for approx £300.
Paul
I can't add much to what I've said on previous threads (see my profile). Having come from a 4.5 Cerbera (and 3 other TVRs before that) this might give you an idea of what the change would be like, though it's bound to be a very personal thing. Best thing you can do is persuade a dealer to loan you an S for the weekend. AFN Guildford did this for me and I didn't want to give it back at the end of the weekend and get back in the Cerbera!
John
I can't add much to what I've said on previous threads (see my profile). Having come from a 4.5 Cerbera (and 3 other TVRs before that) this might give you an idea of what the change would be like, though it's bound to be a very personal thing. Best thing you can do is persuade a dealer to loan you an S for the weekend. AFN Guildford did this for me and I didn't want to give it back at the end of the weekend and get back in the Cerbera!
John
PSM is handy
Avoids unwanted slides in the wet, amazing amount of them end up in the repairers.
Our first one a pal put the rear into the armco coming on to the motorway from a slip road (ex racing driver as well
)
Get the Porsche sound package or better if you can, makes a real difference to hood down music enjoyment
Heated seats are good let you get the hood down in the winter and stay nice and cosy.
The first one had 17" wheels steering had more feel, less weight to it , maybe very slight ride benefit .
The 2nd one has the 18" Carrera's, slightly less feel but more weight, car "feels" more secure and gives less feed back as you approach the limit still plenty of feel for me andprefer the extra wieght.
Sports seats are good and keep you well in place, but if you are quite broad across the shoulders the standard seats can be more comfortable on long trips.
Great steering and chassis , loads of grip, can alter the attitude of the car on the throttle, great cars
Avoids unwanted slides in the wet, amazing amount of them end up in the repairers.
Our first one a pal put the rear into the armco coming on to the motorway from a slip road (ex racing driver as well
) Get the Porsche sound package or better if you can, makes a real difference to hood down music enjoyment
Heated seats are good let you get the hood down in the winter and stay nice and cosy.
The first one had 17" wheels steering had more feel, less weight to it , maybe very slight ride benefit .
The 2nd one has the 18" Carrera's, slightly less feel but more weight, car "feels" more secure and gives less feed back as you approach the limit still plenty of feel for me andprefer the extra wieght.
Sports seats are good and keep you well in place, but if you are quite broad across the shoulders the standard seats can be more comfortable on long trips.
Great steering and chassis , loads of grip, can alter the attitude of the car on the throttle, great cars
Boxster S is a great car.
Much cheaper to run than a TVR (longer service intervals at 12k miles / 12 months) and each service is cheaper especially if you go to a specialist and not a main dealer (many around - just look for other posts here and www.boxa.net).
In 3 years mine has had its basic services, the only problem I had was replacing one rear wheel bearing (£200), and a set of tyres.
Dont get me wrong, I love TVRs and nothing gives you more smile factor in my opinion. I've had 3 Tivs and and cant wait to get another - but as a reliable every day car the S is a great compromise.
Much cheaper to run than a TVR (longer service intervals at 12k miles / 12 months) and each service is cheaper especially if you go to a specialist and not a main dealer (many around - just look for other posts here and www.boxa.net).
In 3 years mine has had its basic services, the only problem I had was replacing one rear wheel bearing (£200), and a set of tyres.
Dont get me wrong, I love TVRs and nothing gives you more smile factor in my opinion. I've had 3 Tivs and and cant wait to get another - but as a reliable every day car the S is a great compromise.
Paul,
Last Year I sold my Cerb Speed Six and after much deliberation bought a new Boxster S. I loved the Cerb and it was pretty reliable but the sevicing cost an arm and a leg and I always had that nagging doubt that a big bill was just around the corner.
Obviously the Boxster its not as quick in a straight line (what is?) but it is a much better driving experience. You realy can exploit the performance of the Boxster but in the Cerb you couldnt get close. Point to point id take the Boxster as the quicker car. The handling is absolutely amazing (mine has sports suspension) and comming from the Cerb it costs nothing to run.
I've also driven a couple of 996 911's and they don't offer much more performance over Boxster S and i'd swear the handling wasn't as good though i'm sure I'll be corrected on that one by some 911 owners.
Last Year I sold my Cerb Speed Six and after much deliberation bought a new Boxster S. I loved the Cerb and it was pretty reliable but the sevicing cost an arm and a leg and I always had that nagging doubt that a big bill was just around the corner.
Obviously the Boxster its not as quick in a straight line (what is?) but it is a much better driving experience. You realy can exploit the performance of the Boxster but in the Cerb you couldnt get close. Point to point id take the Boxster as the quicker car. The handling is absolutely amazing (mine has sports suspension) and comming from the Cerb it costs nothing to run.
I've also driven a couple of 996 911's and they don't offer much more performance over Boxster S and i'd swear the handling wasn't as good though i'm sure I'll be corrected on that one by some 911 owners.
Rarely mentioned are the fabulous brakes. Absolutely terrific.
And then for the private purchaser, however which way you buy and sell, Boxster's residuals are better than mot in the class. Keep a Boxster nice and it's always worth good money.
Actually, along with the two luggage compartments and their mild low speed manners, the 17 second hood, they are extremely difficult to snag. The 2.7 IMHO the best Porsche made.
>> Edited by john m on Sunday 30th May 17:24
>> Edited by john m on Sunday 30th May 17:27
And then for the private purchaser, however which way you buy and sell, Boxster's residuals are better than mot in the class. Keep a Boxster nice and it's always worth good money.
Actually, along with the two luggage compartments and their mild low speed manners, the 17 second hood, they are extremely difficult to snag. The 2.7 IMHO the best Porsche made.
>> Edited by john m on Sunday 30th May 17:24
>> Edited by john m on Sunday 30th May 17:27
All I can say is that its the only car I've ever bought...and then ordered another one just the same.
Fantastic brakes and handling. Good levels of power - but piling up an airstrip is not its forte - some nice twisties and its a different matter.
Where in Surrey are you? My local OPC is Guildford (I'm based in Hampshire) and always have lots of lovely cars to salivate over...
If you want a demo drive 'mail me. My success rate so far is 75% of passengers - went out and bought one!
Fantastic brakes and handling. Good levels of power - but piling up an airstrip is not its forte - some nice twisties and its a different matter.
Where in Surrey are you? My local OPC is Guildford (I'm based in Hampshire) and always have lots of lovely cars to salivate over...
If you want a demo drive 'mail me. My success rate so far is 75% of passengers - went out and bought one!
Don said:
All I can say is that its the only car I've ever bought...and then ordered another one just the same.
Fantastic brakes and handling. Good levels of power - but piling up an airstrip is not its forte - some nice twisties and its a different matter.
Where in Surrey are you? My local OPC is Guildford (I'm based in Hampshire) and always have lots of lovely cars to salivate over...
If you want a demo drive 'mail me. My success rate so far is 75% of passengers - went out and bought one!
I'm in Camberley, so Guildford is nearby. I'll have to pop down and have a look this weekend. The Cerbera is taking a little time to sell (as expected) but hopefully I will be in a position to take a serious look at one of these very soon.
The more feedback I get the more keen I am to try one.
Thanks guys!
Definitely worth a look I would say.
I was very tempted to go for an S when I bought my Elise, but two things put me off. firstly its a bit too comfortable and easy to drive, secondly it didn't seem to come alive until very illegal speeds and i worried that even if I didn't lose my license, I could end up having a bad accident in one; and I would say PSM is a sensible move for winter driving.
The upsides are the brakes really are great, they are well built, quick and comfy and luggage capapcity is excellent.
If I wanted a car to use every day the Boxster would be at or near to the top of my list. You may find it a little soulless compared to the TVR, but it has a lot of compensating factors going for it.
I was very tempted to go for an S when I bought my Elise, but two things put me off. firstly its a bit too comfortable and easy to drive, secondly it didn't seem to come alive until very illegal speeds and i worried that even if I didn't lose my license, I could end up having a bad accident in one; and I would say PSM is a sensible move for winter driving.
The upsides are the brakes really are great, they are well built, quick and comfy and luggage capapcity is excellent.
If I wanted a car to use every day the Boxster would be at or near to the top of my list. You may find it a little soulless compared to the TVR, but it has a lot of compensating factors going for it.
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff