Boxster -should I? Or stretch to Cayman? Or something else?

[PompeyPaul]

Hi guys,

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I haven't posted for a while. I have had various cars of differing performance, and am now thinking at the ripe old age of 32 I should seriously look at treating myself to a Porsche, having been a long time admirer of them.

I have heard various comments about hairdresser etc, but am used to that having owned an MX5 a few years back!

Budget is around 12-15k, could stretch towards 20k at a push.

I am going to go and proactively look when off from work, but was just wondering peoples views generally within the Porsche world of the Boxster? I would be looking at the 3.2 I would imagine. Are the roofs decent at insulation etc? I have also been looking online at the Cayman which is obviously top end of my budget, but is it worth the stretch?

Or any other vehicles to consider? It's just myself and my partner so no worries about space. Work is only 5 miles each way and would be used as a daily drive.

Many thanks for all your time,

Paul

[BIRMA]

As a local recent buyer of a Boxster I can say that I think it's a great little car, for your top end budget you could stretch to a 987 3.4 Boxster I suppose the question you have to ask yourself is if you want an open top or a coupe.

[DavidCBevan]

Paul,

I struggled with exactly the same dilema, and ended up buying a very highly spec'd 3.2s 2006 (06) one-owner car. Its the best thing I've ever owned bar-none.

I get 30mpg in the summer 28mpg in the winter, servicing from a specialist is every 18k miles, and £600 for a big service (provide nothing's wrong).

I bought mine with 15k on the clock, I'm at low 30's now and it is a joy to own.

I was looking for a 2.7 but wanted a 6-speed box and I also found most 2.7's I went to look at were poor spec, the 3.2's seemed to have more of what I wanted (19" alloys, leather, a/c, etc).

Enjoy - you won't regret it!

Can't seem to upload a pic at the mo' but will try again later

Edited by DavidCBevan on Friday 25th January 17:39

Edited by DavidCBevan on Monday 28th January 14:42

[walm]

The question you really have to ask is why not?

Ever since the 911 on your wall as a spotty teen and ever since Tom Cruise trashed his dad's 928 in Risky Business you have known that one day you will own some Pork.

I am biased - '05 3.2S Boxster owner (987) and had a 986 S in the past.
I love them both. Current one is my daily driver.
Really pretty fast when you want it - relaxed and calm when you don't.
Great build quality, obviously.
Surprisingly reasonable servicing (if your engine doesn't blow up).
Pre Mar-06 even the tax is reasonable.

I am not sure what you mean about roof insulation.
Temperature wise I am fairly sure you would be just as cold in a Cayman at this time of year.
Noise wise - I have always found there is a little wind noise while at M-way speeds but not much below that.

I never really considered the Cayman because it was out of budget and I wanted some roof-off motoring in any case.
Some people love the shape though. Not sure the driving experience is miles different.

Other cars to consider if you must:
996
997 (just about in budget for something leggy)
Elise S2
Exige S2
Tuscan
T350
Tamora
Z4M
M3
RS4
Noble (probably out of budget)
SLK
350Z
370Z
S2000
Maser 4200

etc...

[plastic toad]

I had the same dilema with the same budget this time last year
I started looking at Boxster 986,then 987 and a few Caymans
In the end I bought a low milage 996 facelift model
In short ,the best buy that I have ever made,a lot of car for the money
sensible running costs and drivable in every situation.

mike

[PompeyPaul]

Thanks for all the feedback so far guys, much appreciated!

walm said:

I am not sure what you mean about roof insulation.
Temperature wise I am fairly sure you would be just as cold in a Cayman at this time of year.
Noise wise - I have always found there is a little wind noise while at M-way speeds but not much below that.

Yep sorry I was referring to noise wise, just worded what I was trying to ask badly!

[FarQue]

Porsche cabriolet roofs are good - you'll not have wind noise issues. The big question is whether you want a convertible or a coupe, I'd say. We had a 986s for 3.5 years, loved it and never once had a 'poor mans Porsche' or 'hairdressers car' comment. we've now changed to a 997s coupe and Mrs FarQue does miss the convertible roof - I'm not so bothered.

A friend had a 986 and changed it for a Cayman - he reckons his Cayman is twice the car to drive that his Boxster was, and says he wished he'd purchased the Cayman sooner than he did... I can't comment on Caymans because I've not driven one. The only thing I would say is that I think they look much better 'in the metal' than they do in photographs.

[Fire_2]

Rather have a 987 boxster then a cayman for the road, roof down feels epic

[Mr Ping]

I really like my 98 / 99 996 manual c2 cab - cheap as chips to buy and well within budget to stick IMS / RMS upgrades on there.

The rear seats are really handy too, they are good for sticking the shopping in - occasional drunken friends who you dont mind torturing to a cramped lift seeing as they have blagged you for one, as well as also handling a baby car seat pretty good for short distances too!

[Chrisp5782]

FarQue said:

Porsche cabriolet roofs are good - you'll not have wind noise issues. The big question is whether you want a convertible or a coupe, I'd say. We had a 986s for 3.5 years, loved it and never once had a 'poor mans Porsche' or 'hairdressers car' comment. we've now changed to a 997s coupe and Mrs FarQue does miss the convertible roof - I'm not so bothered.

A friend had a 986 and changed it for a Cayman - he reckons his Cayman is twice the car to drive that his Boxster was, and says he wished he'd purchased the Cayman sooner than he did... I can't comment on Caymans because I've not driven one. The only thing I would say is that I think they look much better 'in the metal' than they do in photographs.

I have to agree, I've had both (currently still have the Cayman)the Cayman is a much better drive, it looks nicer too.

I found, although I never once had a problem with the hood, that you just don't get enough decent days to get it down.

It's all personal opinion of course but I rate the Cayman way above the Boxster, although I loved my Boxster at the time.

[Actus Reus]

Had a 56 plate Boxster S (so the 3.4 engine), and now have a late Gen.1 Cayman S (08 plate, so also the same 3.4 engine). Both cars are superb - on the odd day I miss the roof down of the Boxster, but overall I prefer the Cayman - it's a little more forgiving, a little more communicative, and so, overall, a little better to drive. Not much in it I'd say, but for me I'd choose the Cayman - prices may sink a little when the new one comes out, though at your end of the market I'd suggest that the difference it'll make would be small.

Good luck - I'm on the Herts/Essex border if you want to take a look at the car or just have a chat about them!

ETA: though your username pretty much gives away that you're a fair way from here!

[DS240]

Only you know whether you want a convertible or hard top and that will decide whether you look at a boxster, cayman or 911 variant.

I wouldn't say you should look at it like the cayman is a step forward over a boxster.

Take two models of each to the same spec and in driving terms the boxster really loses nothing in the real world. If anything you gain a whole lot more with the convertible.