Discussion
Replacement engines are, indeed, expensive - although there are independents and breakers who offer other solutions than ordering a new engine from Porsche at circa £12K!
How much are you spending?
If buying a relatively recent car you may be able to obtain one that is still under a Porsche warranty. If so you can extend this (£900 a year) and it covers the engine, RMS (an oil leak onto the clutch) and anything else that shouldn't wear out.
If the car is not under warranty you can still get it inspected by an OPC (£250) and buy a warranty (£900) after you have put anything necessary right (£???).
If you buy a car from someone like RSJ they can arrange for an inspection, I believe they will put anything necessary right - I think I saw this on their website, and then you can buy an OPC warranty.
If you buy from Porsche they usually give you a year's warranty as part of the (suitably expensive) purchase.
Things to look out for:
1) Buy the S version.
2) If in doubt see rule (1) above.
3) Make sure it has the necessary basic options - like a Wind Deflector, Climate control.
4) Heated seats are a must. They extend the time of the year its nice to drive with the roof off.
I've had two. Like as not I'll have another eventually.
How much are you spending?
If buying a relatively recent car you may be able to obtain one that is still under a Porsche warranty. If so you can extend this (£900 a year) and it covers the engine, RMS (an oil leak onto the clutch) and anything else that shouldn't wear out.
If the car is not under warranty you can still get it inspected by an OPC (£250) and buy a warranty (£900) after you have put anything necessary right (£???).
If you buy a car from someone like RSJ they can arrange for an inspection, I believe they will put anything necessary right - I think I saw this on their website, and then you can buy an OPC warranty.
If you buy from Porsche they usually give you a year's warranty as part of the (suitably expensive) purchase.
Things to look out for:
1) Buy the S version.
2) If in doubt see rule (1) above.
3) Make sure it has the necessary basic options - like a Wind Deflector, Climate control.
4) Heated seats are a must. They extend the time of the year its nice to drive with the roof off.
I've had two. Like as not I'll have another eventually.
nashby said:
ok great, cheers mate, i am looking at spending around £17000 so it will be about a 1999 or 2000 car, if not a boxter i thought about going back to a 5 ltr chimeara?
Boxster won't be anywhere near as quick as the Chim. (I own both!) Handling is in a different league, though.
yes i know the tvr is quicker, trouble i have is, i just bought an 07 harley vrod witch is great but im starting to think i want a rag top as i will use it more, so i want something reliable, i thought boxster but it seems they have problems and it sounds expensive, tvr's r simple but not really an everyday car, i dont know what to buy thats reliable quicketc
nashby said:
yes i know the tvr is quicker, trouble i have is, i just bought an 07 harley vrod witch is great but im starting to think i want a rag top as i will use it more, so i want something reliable, i thought boxster but it seems they have problems and it sounds expensive, tvr's r simple but not really an everyday car, i dont know what to buy thats reliable quicketc
Well - I've had a few years of Box ownership. Never suffered RMS (yet!).
Both Boxs I had had teething troubles from new but were then rock solid reliable. The Box most certainly is an everyday car - no problem. I don't use mine as an everyday car but I certainly could. The roof is electric - which helps a lot with actually using it and having the roof off - but a MY 2000 car will have a plastic rear window that, unless it is really warm, will require the roof half lowering, exiting the car, performing the "Boxster Chop" (as it's known) getting back in and then finishing the lowering action. This is necessary to get the plastic to fold properly. MY03 on cars (£10K more than your budget) have a glass rear window that eliminates the need.
Later MY00 cars I believe came with Traction Control as an option but did not feature "PSM" - the stability control system. MY01 cars on may have been optionally fitted from new with PSM. Both my cars have had it and it is WONDERFUL.
At your budget I'd still try and get into an 'S' - 3.2 litre. The cars had 252bhp around 00.(MY03- 260bhp, Anniversary edition 266bhp, 987 model got 280bhp and MY06 987 cars have the Cayman S 295bhp I believe!) My first Box was around the age of car you are after - and it was certainly quick enough and a great drive.
So if you want a Porsche - the 00 Box can be a bloody good car. On the other hand if what you want is a trouble free roadster with good performance you have to consider the competition. You can can a newer Honda S2000 for the same money and they are completely brilliant little cars. I test drove one and I can honsetly say if I hadn't already got the Box I'd have got one instead. Yes - the Boxster is better - but is it £25K better (comparing new prices)?
Whatever car you get - enjoy!
I bought myself my first Boxster about 3 months ago. I went for the S on a 51 plate, mainly because it came up at the right time as a trade in from the dealership the wife works at. I paid £15,500, only 1 owner FPSH and 50k on the clock. I can honestly say I absolutely love it. Yes it isnt the quickest car you can buy, but its quick enough to satisfy the odd splurge. It also feels solid and firmly planted on the road. The good thing is it is refined and you can cruise up the motorway or into town with no worries.
I would reccomend the S. I drove an older 2.5 Boxster last year and wasnt too impressed. The S is the one to go for. Also on the convertible front I have had the roof down for the past 2 days on mine. Just give the inside enough time to warm up and get the rear screen a bit more pliable before you put the hood down.
My advice is go and buy one
I would reccomend the S. I drove an older 2.5 Boxster last year and wasnt too impressed. The S is the one to go for. Also on the convertible front I have had the roof down for the past 2 days on mine. Just give the inside enough time to warm up and get the rear screen a bit more pliable before you put the hood down.
My advice is go and buy one
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