Helpful thoughts on a Boxster or SL
Discussion
Hi Pistonheads!
I have quite a dilemma in my head and no amount of badgering my wife on the subject is any help, so maybe any advice you could offer is very welcome. I was at this junction nearly 5 years ago when I couldn’t decide on a NC or a Z4. The advice from this site was very helpful and I went with the NC.
So, I now have a very nice low mileage MX5 ND 30AE, the orange one. It is a lovely car and has given me a lot of joy. However, this is my fourth MX and I’m wanting a change. Also i’m beginning to find the cabin a little tight and the storage space lacking. I retire soon and fancy doing a bit more travelling over the UK and into France in the not far off future. I also do a return journey to Whitby twice a month, taking in over 230 miles a trip. I want to stay with an open top car and would like either a Boxster or a SL and I have a budget of about 30K.
My head is saying get a Boxster and in my budget I could get:
2017 718 2.0T with reasonably low mileage @ 31K
2015 981 2.7 with low milage but a very base spec and i’m partial to a heated arse @ 29K
2012 981S with average mileage @ 30K
I would buy with an inspection and from hopefully a reputable specialist dealer.
I’ve also never had a Porsche
My only other car to consider is the SL
2016 SL400 V6 Twin Turbo with low mileage @ £28K
Both totally different cars I know, but similar speeds and emissions. 20 years ago I had a R129 280 and adored it, but i was much younger and maybe I recall it through tinted specs.
I have never tracked a car and I have no intention of ever getting the back end out. I just enjoy motoring in the peaks, taking my camera out and getting a few early morning pics. My 3 times a week commute to work consists of 21 miles each way, plus a weekend away with my partner about every six weeks.
I’m not too concerned about what it will be worth in 3 years as I cant see a 17 year old Boxster with 80K on the clock being that sort after. Nor an old SL. I just want to enjoy the car, as i’ll be over 60 by then.
Obviously I want the car to be trustworthy and reliable and I get the impression that a maintained Boxster is ok. I have read a few forums saying the R231 is considered generally reliable. But really I have no idea.
So please, if you wish, tell me your thoughts and any real world experience you may have of either car.
Best Wishes,
Nick
I have quite a dilemma in my head and no amount of badgering my wife on the subject is any help, so maybe any advice you could offer is very welcome. I was at this junction nearly 5 years ago when I couldn’t decide on a NC or a Z4. The advice from this site was very helpful and I went with the NC.
So, I now have a very nice low mileage MX5 ND 30AE, the orange one. It is a lovely car and has given me a lot of joy. However, this is my fourth MX and I’m wanting a change. Also i’m beginning to find the cabin a little tight and the storage space lacking. I retire soon and fancy doing a bit more travelling over the UK and into France in the not far off future. I also do a return journey to Whitby twice a month, taking in over 230 miles a trip. I want to stay with an open top car and would like either a Boxster or a SL and I have a budget of about 30K.
My head is saying get a Boxster and in my budget I could get:
2017 718 2.0T with reasonably low mileage @ 31K
2015 981 2.7 with low milage but a very base spec and i’m partial to a heated arse @ 29K
2012 981S with average mileage @ 30K
I would buy with an inspection and from hopefully a reputable specialist dealer.
I’ve also never had a Porsche
My only other car to consider is the SL
2016 SL400 V6 Twin Turbo with low mileage @ £28K
Both totally different cars I know, but similar speeds and emissions. 20 years ago I had a R129 280 and adored it, but i was much younger and maybe I recall it through tinted specs.
I have never tracked a car and I have no intention of ever getting the back end out. I just enjoy motoring in the peaks, taking my camera out and getting a few early morning pics. My 3 times a week commute to work consists of 21 miles each way, plus a weekend away with my partner about every six weeks.
I’m not too concerned about what it will be worth in 3 years as I cant see a 17 year old Boxster with 80K on the clock being that sort after. Nor an old SL. I just want to enjoy the car, as i’ll be over 60 by then.
Obviously I want the car to be trustworthy and reliable and I get the impression that a maintained Boxster is ok. I have read a few forums saying the R231 is considered generally reliable. But really I have no idea.
So please, if you wish, tell me your thoughts and any real world experience you may have of either car.
Best Wishes,
Nick
I had a 2008 Boxster S which was fine. It handled quite well but I found it a bit underpowered, it had too long gears and the ride was very crashy. It was significantly faster than the MX5 I had however and a better car. But not a GT at all, it was tedious on the motorway.
I have not had an SL but have had an SLK which I preferred to the Boxster. The ride was better, and the car was better most of the time except for the occasional sunny day with empty back roads, which almost never happens.
Out of the two I would choose an SL. The SL is a bit big though.
I think you should also consider a 997 911 which is in budget, as a coupe or a cab. The 3.6 I had was more than fast enough and it was a far better car than the Boxster. Pre-2009 doesn't get PDK (which mine had) so I'm not sure how it is with the tiptronic. But manuals are in budget.
I think you should also look at an SLK 55AMG. I have not driven this but I bet it is good.
Ropey (coupe only) R8 4.2 V8 are just in budget. I have not driven an R8 but had this engine in an RS4 and it is exceptionally good, revving to nearly 9k rpm.
I have not had an SL but have had an SLK which I preferred to the Boxster. The ride was better, and the car was better most of the time except for the occasional sunny day with empty back roads, which almost never happens.
Out of the two I would choose an SL. The SL is a bit big though.
I think you should also consider a 997 911 which is in budget, as a coupe or a cab. The 3.6 I had was more than fast enough and it was a far better car than the Boxster. Pre-2009 doesn't get PDK (which mine had) so I'm not sure how it is with the tiptronic. But manuals are in budget.
I think you should also look at an SLK 55AMG. I have not driven this but I bet it is good.
Ropey (coupe only) R8 4.2 V8 are just in budget. I have not driven an R8 but had this engine in an RS4 and it is exceptionally good, revving to nearly 9k rpm.
Panamax said:
Simple "enthusiast" answer,
Why buy an SL with a V6? You need a V8.
Why buy a Boxster with a 4-pot? You need a flat-6.
Why no F-type in your list?
Coming from an MX5, I'd buy the small sports car, not the execo-barge..
I'd have the four pot Boxster. Owners seem to love them. Proper nod to brand heritage. I'll own one one day!! Why buy an SL with a V6? You need a V8.
Why buy a Boxster with a 4-pot? You need a flat-6.
Why no F-type in your list?
Coming from an MX5, I'd buy the small sports car, not the execo-barge..
I've owned several 986 Boxsters, still got one, as well as a 981 GT4.
A friend has a 500SL and it's blisteringly quick, but nowhere near as much fun to drive as a Porsche IMO.
Not sure you're comparing apples with apples in your choices, but if it's a drivers car you want go for a 6 pot Porsche.
A friend has a 500SL and it's blisteringly quick, but nowhere near as much fun to drive as a Porsche IMO.
Not sure you're comparing apples with apples in your choices, but if it's a drivers car you want go for a 6 pot Porsche.
I'm 53 and have an mx5 RF ND2. I feel the same as you really in that it is very small and the cabin a bit snug. Great fun of course but I'm also starting to think about where I go next. A bit bigger, more comfortable and a nicer more powerful engine sounds good and I'd also like to try an auto having never had one before.
You mentioned that you looked at the Z4 in the past. Did you know you can get the latest Z4 M40i in your budget?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603240...
I've been thinking about one of those as a next car. It's a bit newer and reliability should be decent. I also read that they drive very well.
You mentioned that you looked at the Z4 in the past. Did you know you can get the latest Z4 M40i in your budget?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603240...
I've been thinking about one of those as a next car. It's a bit newer and reliability should be decent. I also read that they drive very well.
Thanks for all the reply's! Isn’t Pistonheads great.
Well I’m reading all these reply's with great interest, I can answer in no particular order:
Evora, mini supercar, love it, but needs to be open roof.
911, I think I may struggle to run one as a daily. Obviously I’d love one but my 30k would put me in older car territory. SLK55, not sure why but not for me. R8, wow yes but again I think I’d struggle as a daily.
F-Type, unfortunately not in consideration.
I think it has to come down to the Boxster or SL. It seems some think the 4 pot ok, some not.
I agree, seems to be some hate against the 2.0T but there is heritage in their decision.
I have been in many Boxster’s and a good friend has the 718 RS Spyder, says it’s his favourite Porsche he’s had but the roof does his head in.
Too expensive and too extreme for me.
Really I don't drive that fast at all, above friend noted on a trip to Whitby that I rarely went above 3000 RPM.
Veniosnpie, at least you've had Boxsters, but now settled on a R230. Why is that, bad back as well?
At the moment the SL is appealing to my back and my lovely wife I think would prefer it, not that it matters.
I’ve just looked out my window, there is my plucky orange MX5, beautifully set up by Rodders, Meister CRDs and new Goodyear F1’s. However (always a however) it’s time to move on. Feel guilty though.
If anyone cares, I’ll keep you posted.
Well I’m reading all these reply's with great interest, I can answer in no particular order:
Evora, mini supercar, love it, but needs to be open roof.
911, I think I may struggle to run one as a daily. Obviously I’d love one but my 30k would put me in older car territory. SLK55, not sure why but not for me. R8, wow yes but again I think I’d struggle as a daily.
F-Type, unfortunately not in consideration.
I think it has to come down to the Boxster or SL. It seems some think the 4 pot ok, some not.
I agree, seems to be some hate against the 2.0T but there is heritage in their decision.
I have been in many Boxster’s and a good friend has the 718 RS Spyder, says it’s his favourite Porsche he’s had but the roof does his head in.
Too expensive and too extreme for me.
Really I don't drive that fast at all, above friend noted on a trip to Whitby that I rarely went above 3000 RPM.
Veniosnpie, at least you've had Boxsters, but now settled on a R230. Why is that, bad back as well?
At the moment the SL is appealing to my back and my lovely wife I think would prefer it, not that it matters.
I’ve just looked out my window, there is my plucky orange MX5, beautifully set up by Rodders, Meister CRDs and new Goodyear F1’s. However (always a however) it’s time to move on. Feel guilty though.
If anyone cares, I’ll keep you posted.
ChrisH72 said:
I'm 53 and have an mx5 RF ND2. I feel the same as you really in that it is very small and the cabin a bit snug. Great fun of course but I'm also starting to think about where I go next. A bit bigger, more comfortable and a nicer more powerful engine sounds good and I'd also like to try an auto having never had one before.
You mentioned that you looked at the Z4 in the past. Did you know you can get the latest Z4 M40i in your budget?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603240...
I've been thinking about one of those as a next car. It's a bit newer and reliability should be decent. I also read that they drive very well.
I do like the Z4, and curiously I’m in Austria with my brother in law, who until recently worked at Magna where the Mk3 was made.You mentioned that you looked at the Z4 in the past. Did you know you can get the latest Z4 M40i in your budget?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603240...
I've been thinking about one of those as a next car. It's a bit newer and reliability should be decent. I also read that they drive very well.
Unfortunately though not on my list.
Im 56 and I just feel with my 30 that I’ve now done them. Plus on longer journeys I get really bad hamstring pain (tendinopathy) a combination of age and the smaller cabin. I’ll miss my 5, I know I will and my kids love it, but time to move on.
nickd164 said:
Thanks for all the reply's!
Veniosnpie, at least you've had Boxsters, but now settled on a R230. Why is that, bad back as well?
At the moment the SL is appealing to my back and my lovely wife I think would prefer it, not that it matters.
I didn't buy a Boxster, went for a Cayman when they first came out but drove Boxsters to try. They're different cars which I had at different times, I much prefer GT cars now which the SL in folding hard top form does really well.Veniosnpie, at least you've had Boxsters, but now settled on a R230. Why is that, bad back as well?
At the moment the SL is appealing to my back and my lovely wife I think would prefer it, not that it matters.
Maybe try a v8 R231 - they are properly fast.
nickd164 said:
Thanks for all the reply's! Isn t Pistonheads great.
Well I m reading all these reply's with great interest, I can answer in no particular order:
Evora, mini supercar, love it, but needs to be open roof.
911, I think I may struggle to run one as a daily. Obviously I d love one but my 30k would put me in older car territory. SLK55, not sure why but not for me. R8, wow yes but again I think I d struggle as a daily.
F-Type, unfortunately not in consideration.
I think it has to come down to the Boxster or SL. It seems some think the 4 pot ok, some not.
I agree, seems to be some hate against the 2.0T but there is heritage in their decision.
I have been in many Boxster s and a good friend has the 718 RS Spyder, says it s his favourite Porsche he s had but the roof does his head in.
Too expensive and too extreme for me.
Really I don't drive that fast at all, above friend noted on a trip to Whitby that I rarely went above 3000 RPM.
Veniosnpie, at least you've had Boxsters, but now settled on a R230. Why is that, bad back as well?
At the moment the SL is appealing to my back and my lovely wife I think would prefer it, not that it matters.
I ve just looked out my window, there is my plucky orange MX5, beautifully set up by Rodders, Meister CRDs and new Goodyear F1 s. However (always a however) it s time to move on. Feel guilty though.
If anyone cares, I ll keep you posted.
For me the four pot IS a nod to Porsche heritage. Some of their finest were four bangers...Well I m reading all these reply's with great interest, I can answer in no particular order:
Evora, mini supercar, love it, but needs to be open roof.
911, I think I may struggle to run one as a daily. Obviously I d love one but my 30k would put me in older car territory. SLK55, not sure why but not for me. R8, wow yes but again I think I d struggle as a daily.
F-Type, unfortunately not in consideration.
I think it has to come down to the Boxster or SL. It seems some think the 4 pot ok, some not.
I agree, seems to be some hate against the 2.0T but there is heritage in their decision.
I have been in many Boxster s and a good friend has the 718 RS Spyder, says it s his favourite Porsche he s had but the roof does his head in.
Too expensive and too extreme for me.
Really I don't drive that fast at all, above friend noted on a trip to Whitby that I rarely went above 3000 RPM.
Veniosnpie, at least you've had Boxsters, but now settled on a R230. Why is that, bad back as well?
At the moment the SL is appealing to my back and my lovely wife I think would prefer it, not that it matters.
I ve just looked out my window, there is my plucky orange MX5, beautifully set up by Rodders, Meister CRDs and new Goodyear F1 s. However (always a however) it s time to move on. Feel guilty though.
If anyone cares, I ll keep you posted.
Hi,
I’ve been sleeping on this and it has truly bothered me. My MX is superb, just been out for a blast up above Sheffield.
I think in the end I’m looking for comfort on longer journeys over anything else, so I think I’m going to get a SL. Im going to set my self a limit of 22K though, so that should get in to a 16 plate with 40 to 50K.
I’d truly love a Boxster, but somehow I tink the SL will be easier to live with.
Thanks to you all.
Nick
PS Happy Easter
I’ve been sleeping on this and it has truly bothered me. My MX is superb, just been out for a blast up above Sheffield.
I think in the end I’m looking for comfort on longer journeys over anything else, so I think I’m going to get a SL. Im going to set my self a limit of 22K though, so that should get in to a 16 plate with 40 to 50K.
I’d truly love a Boxster, but somehow I tink the SL will be easier to live with.
Thanks to you all.
Nick
PS Happy Easter
Good choice going down the SL route, they're a different class.
Ok, you've discounted the SLK - you shouldn't have. An SLK 55, 2nd gen, runs 420bhp, cylinder deactivation and incredible residuals. In fact, the SLC 43, which succeeded the SLK, has the same engine as the SL 400, with the later versions running near 400bhp in factory-tuned guise. Residuals for the SLC 43 are also rock solid, better than the SL for sure.
Either way, Merc will look after you.
Ok, you've discounted the SLK - you shouldn't have. An SLK 55, 2nd gen, runs 420bhp, cylinder deactivation and incredible residuals. In fact, the SLC 43, which succeeded the SLK, has the same engine as the SL 400, with the later versions running near 400bhp in factory-tuned guise. Residuals for the SLC 43 are also rock solid, better than the SL for sure.
Either way, Merc will look after you.
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