Help convince me to keep my '5..
Discussion
Strange post I know guys, but for the last week-ish, I've been considering chopping in the '5 and getting a Boxster.
I still love my car, drove it on the weekend and had loads of fun, roof down, exhaust rasping as I undertook people round a roundabout in the sun.. It's mechanically tip top and I've just serviced it, has MOT until the end of the year, recent brakes, tyres etc, so wont need any money spending on it for a year.. But because I can just about now afford a Boxster; I can't shake the fact that I could be driving one with the roof down, instead of the 5.....
There's a yellow one I've spotted that I really want, and it means I can finally buy the personalised plate I've wanted, but couldn't put on the '5 due to the age of it...
The alternative is to keep the car for another year and then buy something else next year instead. But I'm young and spontaneous and really want to blow my life savings right now. I've also got an R6 for going fast so don't need a new car really....
Bit of a waffle I guess. Maybe if said car turns out to be a dog (but doesn't sound it) then I'll be tempted away
I still love my car, drove it on the weekend and had loads of fun, roof down, exhaust rasping as I undertook people round a roundabout in the sun.. It's mechanically tip top and I've just serviced it, has MOT until the end of the year, recent brakes, tyres etc, so wont need any money spending on it for a year.. But because I can just about now afford a Boxster; I can't shake the fact that I could be driving one with the roof down, instead of the 5.....
There's a yellow one I've spotted that I really want, and it means I can finally buy the personalised plate I've wanted, but couldn't put on the '5 due to the age of it...
The alternative is to keep the car for another year and then buy something else next year instead. But I'm young and spontaneous and really want to blow my life savings right now. I've also got an R6 for going fast so don't need a new car really....
Bit of a waffle I guess. Maybe if said car turns out to be a dog (but doesn't sound it) then I'll be tempted away
wilbo83 said:
Not helpful to the 5 vs. boxster debate but if you do decide to sell your 5, I could be interested and I am local too.
This does help, as selling to someone who is an enthusiast and knows how great these cars are will help, rather than some average Joe who comes round and doesn't understand what these cars are capable of and just thinks of it as an 'old mazda'. I really don't like selling privately, but want it to go to a good home if I do sell..If you can "just about" afford a boxter, are you buying at the bottom end of the used market?
Odds on a higher mileage older one will need work doing, and I can't imagine porsche servicing or spares are cheap.
If your mx5 is fully serviced and proven it's a know quantity, and servicing/sundries are pretty cheap...why not save up a couple grand and turbo it?
Means you have something nearly as quick as a boxter, but cheap to maintain and more reliable...better the devil you know and all that.
Odds on a higher mileage older one will need work doing, and I can't imagine porsche servicing or spares are cheap.
If your mx5 is fully serviced and proven it's a know quantity, and servicing/sundries are pretty cheap...why not save up a couple grand and turbo it?
Means you have something nearly as quick as a boxter, but cheap to maintain and more reliable...better the devil you know and all that.
I'm really just echoing the sentiments above. Being able to afford a car and being able to afford it's running costs are something very different. If it's out of warranty and something goes wrong, you could be talking a lot of money.
For example, a few years ago I bought a BMW 750i, 1998. I do a lot of motorway driving so it seemed the ideal car. It only did 21 MPG, but as the depreciation was virtually nil, theoretically, I didn't mind that too much. I paid about £8K for it.
The car was gone in less that 2 years. I got £2K as a trade in and had spent over £10K on maintenance and repairs during that time. It was a very unhappy ownership experience I can tell you.
Now a Boxster isn't going to be as problematic as the 750i, as there less that can go wrong with it technology wise (unless it's a very high spec Boxster), but I'd still say you need to have a decent sum of money held back, just to be on the safe side. You could get lucky and never have to do more than routine maintenance, but as the saying goes, expect the best, but be prepared for the worst.
For example, a few years ago I bought a BMW 750i, 1998. I do a lot of motorway driving so it seemed the ideal car. It only did 21 MPG, but as the depreciation was virtually nil, theoretically, I didn't mind that too much. I paid about £8K for it.
The car was gone in less that 2 years. I got £2K as a trade in and had spent over £10K on maintenance and repairs during that time. It was a very unhappy ownership experience I can tell you.
Now a Boxster isn't going to be as problematic as the 750i, as there less that can go wrong with it technology wise (unless it's a very high spec Boxster), but I'd still say you need to have a decent sum of money held back, just to be on the safe side. You could get lucky and never have to do more than routine maintenance, but as the saying goes, expect the best, but be prepared for the worst.
[quote]Now a Boxster isn't going to be as problematic as the 750i, as there less that can go wrong with it technology wise
[/quote]
Boxsters can be very expensive if you get a wrong 'un... trawl through the Porsche forum on here to read about the possible problems. Ideally you need to get a pre-purchase inspection done and if you go ahead and live close enough it would be well worth signing up to a Hartech service/warranty agreement to insulate you from future costs
[/quote]
Boxsters can be very expensive if you get a wrong 'un... trawl through the Porsche forum on here to read about the possible problems. Ideally you need to get a pre-purchase inspection done and if you go ahead and live close enough it would be well worth signing up to a Hartech service/warranty agreement to insulate you from future costs
I went from my Mk1 R-Ltd to a 986S... then back to a Mk3.5.
The Boxster felt like a GT after the Mk1, and also compared to the 3.5.
Boxster pros:
- engine noise
- power
- ride quality
- road presence
- refinement
Boxster cons:
- axle tramp off the line
- costs of absolutely everything when compared to a 5
- Boxster chop with the roof (google it!) - you can't put the roof down in one swift movement on plastic window cars (pre-facelift 986) - you have to get out of the car and sort out the window
- the most important for me - can't really play with it on the limit, hence for me it was less fun to drive, and why I got back into a 5
The Boxster felt like a GT after the Mk1, and also compared to the 3.5.
Boxster pros:
- engine noise
- power
- ride quality
- road presence
- refinement
Boxster cons:
- axle tramp off the line
- costs of absolutely everything when compared to a 5
- Boxster chop with the roof (google it!) - you can't put the roof down in one swift movement on plastic window cars (pre-facelift 986) - you have to get out of the car and sort out the window
- the most important for me - can't really play with it on the limit, hence for me it was less fun to drive, and why I got back into a 5
Had the same dilemma last year, test drove a 2.9 Boxster and really enjoyed it, but it didn't feel enough of a sports car compared to the 5. It didn't feel anything like as alive and not as adjustable.
I guess in comparison to other modern cars the Boxster does feel like a proper sports car, but compared to my older car it just didn't feel as fun to drive. The noise was fantastic however...!
I decided I'd keep my Mk2.5 instead and lightly modify it.
ETA The running costs (and the ongoing IMS issue) did put me off a bit as well, they are pretty pricey to run for what they are. The IMS issue was more of a deal breaker for me though; there's no way I would have bought one without a warranty.
I guess in comparison to other modern cars the Boxster does feel like a proper sports car, but compared to my older car it just didn't feel as fun to drive. The noise was fantastic however...!
I decided I'd keep my Mk2.5 instead and lightly modify it.
ETA The running costs (and the ongoing IMS issue) did put me off a bit as well, they are pretty pricey to run for what they are. The IMS issue was more of a deal breaker for me though; there's no way I would have bought one without a warranty.
My first thoughts are, as others have touched on -
If you can *just* afford a Boxster, I'd be willing to bet that running costs will probably dilute the experience somewhat.
Sure, you could be fortunate and get one that never gives you any trouble, but equally it could start getting very expensive if things do start to go wrong.
I agree re the force induction route, interesting alternative and in the case of a supercharger, you could unbolt it and make most of your money back on it.
If you can *just* afford a Boxster, I'd be willing to bet that running costs will probably dilute the experience somewhat.
Sure, you could be fortunate and get one that never gives you any trouble, but equally it could start getting very expensive if things do start to go wrong.
I agree re the force induction route, interesting alternative and in the case of a supercharger, you could unbolt it and make most of your money back on it.
furtive said:
You want to buy a Boxster just so you can buy a vanity plate?
Holy crap! How did you know? Do you stalk me? I do actually want a private plate, but it's gotta be on something 98 onwards.. so can't put it on my car, possibly on the bike though..I originally looked into S2Ks, but then noticed Boxster's were going for the same price, and it *feels* mad buying a Honda when you can get a Porsche for the same price!
The running costs put me off slightly, especially tyres, but they're no less economical than the '5.
My biggest, and probably only gripe with the '5 is the BHP/MPG ratio. Yeah, it's cheap to run per se, but not on fuel.
It's a daily driver, and I'm looking at doing 40 miles on A roads / 60 miles motorway/A roads per day soon, so will get raped on fuel.. I would love to charge it, or swap it for a charged one (has to be white
) but the fuel costs would put me off..
Haven't read all the above so forgive me if I repeat others comments/views.
I've had 3 boxsters (2.5 and two 3.2's) and two MX5's (mk3 and mk3.5).
The 2.5 is slow the 3.2's are good and arguably a better all rounder than the MX5. They are well built and high milers don't show there age. Good luggage capacity with both boots. Cars from 2002 (i think)onwards had remote front boot opening, better interior lighting, glovebox, and glass back window. If you get a plastic back windowed car you have to do the 'boxster chop'.Lots of grunt and still oround 30 mpg.
Downsides it'll feel big and heavy compared to the Mazda, Rear main seals is a known issue, as are exhaust heatshiedls rattles, brake discs rusting on the inner face and plug caps cracking due to heat. Micro switches on the door handles that work the short drop on the side glass can also need adjusting. If you buy one without aircon you could struggle to sell it. Mine went through rear tyres in about 10k although thats probably not normal! Servicing is pricy compared to MX5's.
Wind protection with the roof off isn't as good as the MX5, I found I was always wearing a neck tube.
Go and drive one and see what you think. The reason I didn't buy another was I felt it was souless to drive (not to be confused with capable), heavy,and the higher associated running costs.
Regards, Doggydog33.
I've had 3 boxsters (2.5 and two 3.2's) and two MX5's (mk3 and mk3.5).
The 2.5 is slow the 3.2's are good and arguably a better all rounder than the MX5. They are well built and high milers don't show there age. Good luggage capacity with both boots. Cars from 2002 (i think)onwards had remote front boot opening, better interior lighting, glovebox, and glass back window. If you get a plastic back windowed car you have to do the 'boxster chop'.Lots of grunt and still oround 30 mpg.
Downsides it'll feel big and heavy compared to the Mazda, Rear main seals is a known issue, as are exhaust heatshiedls rattles, brake discs rusting on the inner face and plug caps cracking due to heat. Micro switches on the door handles that work the short drop on the side glass can also need adjusting. If you buy one without aircon you could struggle to sell it. Mine went through rear tyres in about 10k although thats probably not normal! Servicing is pricy compared to MX5's.
Wind protection with the roof off isn't as good as the MX5, I found I was always wearing a neck tube.
Go and drive one and see what you think. The reason I didn't buy another was I felt it was souless to drive (not to be confused with capable), heavy,and the higher associated running costs.
Regards, Doggydog33.
well i am kind of in the same possition. and i kept the 5 on the sole thing of only just being able to afford a boxster. why not wait till you can get a decent boxster instead of getting it cos you can afford a bottom of the pack boxster.
Edited by garrykiller on Monday 2nd April 07:32
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