2003 Porsche Boxster S and a European roadtrip.
Discussion
So I am a long time member sporadic contributor. I have had quite a few interesting cars (WRX, Focus ST225) and bikes (04 ZX10R, 98 ZX7Rs, Ducati Monster and Yamaha Aerox 50 2-stroker scooter which is a hoot) over the years, I have a particular affection for
MX5s (An NB followed by an NA Mazdaspeed Spec B and followed by another track biased NB. I am also currently building a forged, ITB, VVT 05 engine for a track car project)
Porsches (Bought and imported a G50 3.2 911 to Australia a few years ago, had it for 18 months before deciding it wasn't my thing, and of course the subject of this thread, an '03 Boxster S).
2001 Renaultsport Clio 172, my long standing daily driver which I find irreplaceable, with just enough mods to make it even better on track but perfectly usable as my daily driver.
And a 2008 Triumph Street Triple which I find the ideal mix of usable urban/sports bike with loads of character.
Anyway, the Boxster S... Being a Porsche fan, Le Mans fan (been to 6 of the last 8 which is no mean feat coming from Australia) and a Mark Webber fan; I had to make a big deal of 2014. So the plan was hatched to take a long holiday and do some good English-Scottish-Welsh and French driving roads and tie it in with the IoM Senior TT, Le Mans and the NUR24. The TT and NUR24 both I haven't been to before.
So I couldn't just get a rental car for such a great holiday, plus hiring something remotely interesting would cost the earth and they all would want a ridiculous block on my credit card.
I had a long list of potential candidates, the short list was an E46 M3, 986 Boxster S or S2000. In the end, the S2000 was ruled out largely because it may not be such a good GT car with the distances I am covering, the E46 M3 was the favorite and I did look into a few but good ones seem to be getting thinner on the ground quite quickly. The Boxster S has the spectre of IMS issues, but the Porsche badge, convertible possibilities in European summer and good value sealed that the Boxster S was the choice. A short search ensued and a vehicle was bought. It hasn't been a pain free relationship so far, but it is so far proving reliable and a very good thing to cover large distances in. So much that although I was considering selling it on in a few months, I am now considering keeping it in storage. Still a long way and a lot of excitement to come though. I have also been keeping a web log of the travels if you are interested in following at petrolography.com
For now though, enjoy some photos
MX5s (An NB followed by an NA Mazdaspeed Spec B and followed by another track biased NB. I am also currently building a forged, ITB, VVT 05 engine for a track car project)
Porsches (Bought and imported a G50 3.2 911 to Australia a few years ago, had it for 18 months before deciding it wasn't my thing, and of course the subject of this thread, an '03 Boxster S).
2001 Renaultsport Clio 172, my long standing daily driver which I find irreplaceable, with just enough mods to make it even better on track but perfectly usable as my daily driver.
And a 2008 Triumph Street Triple which I find the ideal mix of usable urban/sports bike with loads of character.
Anyway, the Boxster S... Being a Porsche fan, Le Mans fan (been to 6 of the last 8 which is no mean feat coming from Australia) and a Mark Webber fan; I had to make a big deal of 2014. So the plan was hatched to take a long holiday and do some good English-Scottish-Welsh and French driving roads and tie it in with the IoM Senior TT, Le Mans and the NUR24. The TT and NUR24 both I haven't been to before.
So I couldn't just get a rental car for such a great holiday, plus hiring something remotely interesting would cost the earth and they all would want a ridiculous block on my credit card.
I had a long list of potential candidates, the short list was an E46 M3, 986 Boxster S or S2000. In the end, the S2000 was ruled out largely because it may not be such a good GT car with the distances I am covering, the E46 M3 was the favorite and I did look into a few but good ones seem to be getting thinner on the ground quite quickly. The Boxster S has the spectre of IMS issues, but the Porsche badge, convertible possibilities in European summer and good value sealed that the Boxster S was the choice. A short search ensued and a vehicle was bought. It hasn't been a pain free relationship so far, but it is so far proving reliable and a very good thing to cover large distances in. So much that although I was considering selling it on in a few months, I am now considering keeping it in storage. Still a long way and a lot of excitement to come though. I have also been keeping a web log of the travels if you are interested in following at petrolography.com
For now though, enjoy some photos
a1burns said:
Very nice, where is that last picture taking it looks very familiar?
I thought I recognised ithttps://maps.google.co.uk/?ll=52.788909,1.601826&a...
They're lovely cars aren't they
We were thinking of selling the Boxster this summer - then we thought we'd take it on a trip so we went to the Elan Valley in Wales and after a lovely weekend exercising the car and generally enjoying all it has to offer we fell in love with it all over again. I cant think of anything we'd want to replace it with bar maybe a newer Boxster or a 996 convertible. However for the mean time it answers so many questions (plus it fits more luggage than our Cooper) that we will continue to enjoy it for at least this summer. This is what a good Roadster is all about - taking it out and enjoying it on good roads with the roof down, the wail of the flat six howling away amidships and with a huge grin of your face.
We were thinking of selling the Boxster this summer - then we thought we'd take it on a trip so we went to the Elan Valley in Wales and after a lovely weekend exercising the car and generally enjoying all it has to offer we fell in love with it all over again. I cant think of anything we'd want to replace it with bar maybe a newer Boxster or a 996 convertible. However for the mean time it answers so many questions (plus it fits more luggage than our Cooper) that we will continue to enjoy it for at least this summer. This is what a good Roadster is all about - taking it out and enjoying it on good roads with the roof down, the wail of the flat six howling away amidships and with a huge grin of your face.
Thanks for the comments
ajh38 - the wheels are one of the best options I would say, they save loads of weight so should help the suspension work better I guess.
Don of Croy - Sadly couldn't stretch to the FoS this time, but have been a couple of times before. I won't be doing another holiday like this for a while..
bangerturner - bloody hell! that's well done, you must live nearby as I can't imagine too much of the world knows about Sea Palling yet. I remember before they started the coastal defence works it was a crappy little beach and over the years when I returned have seen a nice sand beach building up (I have family nearby). I haven't seen it on a nice day yet but I bet it's pretty good.
lordlee - great cars agreed, mine is behaving really well now and yesterday, perfect clear skies (on the Isle of Skye coincidentally), it was a brilliant place to be.
I am also commenting on twitter during my trip at @Aused if anyone is interested to follow, should be some good stuff to share around the TT, LeMans and NUR24
ajh38 - the wheels are one of the best options I would say, they save loads of weight so should help the suspension work better I guess.
Don of Croy - Sadly couldn't stretch to the FoS this time, but have been a couple of times before. I won't be doing another holiday like this for a while..
bangerturner - bloody hell! that's well done, you must live nearby as I can't imagine too much of the world knows about Sea Palling yet. I remember before they started the coastal defence works it was a crappy little beach and over the years when I returned have seen a nice sand beach building up (I have family nearby). I haven't seen it on a nice day yet but I bet it's pretty good.
lordlee - great cars agreed, mine is behaving really well now and yesterday, perfect clear skies (on the Isle of Skye coincidentally), it was a brilliant place to be.
I am also commenting on twitter during my trip at @Aused if anyone is interested to follow, should be some good stuff to share around the TT, LeMans and NUR24
bangerturner said:
I thought I recognised it
https://maps.google.co.uk/?ll=52.788909,1.601826&a...
That's the place!!!! I was there last month on my motorbike and was sure it was there but couldn't remember what it was called!! Thanks.https://maps.google.co.uk/?ll=52.788909,1.601826&a...
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