What Porsche for <20k

[miro]

Im driving myself mad trying to compare 2 pretty different cars Porsche Boxter and Lotus Elise Im really trying to get one for under 20k and keep it for 3 years without losing buckets of cash. Annual mileage is around 9k can walk to work looking for something fun. I have driven the Boxter 2.7 and the Elise 111R both are fun. Elise is more fun but getting in and out is an art form I have not mastered. I can do it but REALY wouldn’t want to in front of a load of people. If you get my drift . I like the drive in both but the real problem is what boxter should I be thinking about up against the Elise 111r given the budget and not wanting to spend loads. What age boxter and what engine and what mileage should I be looking for? Im in no rush to buy. Just want to make the right choice.

Once I have the best option from each manufacturer at my price I think I might be able to make my decision, at the moment I have an 05/06 111R at 20k up against an a boxter varying from 00 to 04 and 20-25k.

Neither car wins hands down as they are so different I guess it will be one of those gut decisions and I would appreciate some advice from honest petrol heads and car enthusiasts such as yourselves

[Wanta996(Gotta)]

Lotus has the better driving feel,handles better and has a better feel good factor and if its the 111R you are after then in my opinion is also quicker than the Boxster upto say 120-130 mph. They both probably hold there values to similar standards BUT to be honest, the Lotus is no where near as good a car in terms of build quality,engineering,everyday useability,practicality etc,etc so it really does depend on how much you are going to use it.

Running costs for Lotus will be lower and from what i remember the servicing & running costs were on par with a Ford Focus.

The Porsche is the sensible option, the Lotus will give you a bigger grin. I guess its similar to the GT3RS versus 997 TT debate - Both great cars with similar spedd but very diffent.

VX220 Turbo is also worth thinking about.

Edited by Wanta996(Gotta) on Friday 17th August 12:12

[miro]

I couldnt live with the looks of the VX elise is too gorgeous I realy just dont know what age\mileage\engine boxter to match up against the elise. The which car is better debate is un answerable as they are too different. thats the bit only i can decide on. but i only have half of the equation (the 111r at around 20k 05/06 plate) on the boxter side I have only driven a 25k 04/05 plate 30k miles 2.7 from a main dealer with those prices the Elise wins
but that boxter is out of my range what should i be looking at for around the 20k price? and what should I avoid??

[hoges11]

I'd consider a 911 993 or 964. Both fun cars to drive great build quality both have much of the depreciation done. £20k should get you an ok 993 and £15 for a 964. Alternatively a 968 CS would be a lot of fun and probably in the £10k to £12k range.

[korma007]

get yourself a copy of 911 and porsch world. They review sub 20K 911s. good article

[Deutscher]

Consider all the options...
























...then buy a 993.

[GreatGranny]

This http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/206775.htm

or this

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/180508.htm

or this

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/213824.htm

[hoges11]

or this

http://www.911virgin.com/993mrpp.htm

or this

http://www.911virgin.com/968weggg.htm

this

http://www.911virgin.com/993tmm.htm

this

http://www.northway.co.uk/car_sales/images/tbw%201...

or even this

http://www.northway.co.uk/car_sales/images/deale%2... £18,995 !!!!!!!!! with FPSH from a reliable indie

[Bounty Hunter]

hoges11 said:

I'd consider a 911 993 or 964. Both fun cars to drive great build quality both have much of the depreciation done. £20k should get you an ok 993 and £15 for a 964. Alternatively a 968 CS would be a lot of fun and probably in the £10k to £12k range.

I agree with the above.

Its worht thinking about a 964 - What harm can a test drive do? - I had a LHD modified 964 - It might match what you are looking for? Poke and Class entry exit?

Running costs will be certainly higher for 964, probably also for a 993.

BH

Edited by Bounty Hunter on Friday 17th August 14:24

[Dr S]

A decent Boxster S will do the trick. Else treat yourself to a 993. However, the latter you probably would never want to sell again as IMHO it's already a classic

[miro]

All good info Its certainly helping me with my decision.

I dont think id buy a 'classic' or anything older than 6 years thats just a preference tbh but the Boxster late 03/04 40000 mile £20k ish car looks like its going to fly the german flag in my new car shootout.

[rossfitz]

High mileage 996 with warranty.

[Fidgits]

Deutscher said:

Consider all the options...

...then buy a 993.

And expect VERY VERY big bills in the near future...

I wouldnt suggest getting either a 993 or 996 for sub £20k - both will be money pits IMHO.

[miro]

Money Pit is something I REALY want to avoid

[silver996]

Find 3 or 4 k and then get into a really good 996 with a few years OPC warranty on it. Mine is a 2000 and woudlnt be worth more than 24-25 now with 65k up. Such a well performing car I think it justifies the extra outlay

[Deutscher]

The maintenance on a 993 will be higher than a Boxster, but the Boxster has a long way to go in depreciation.

Overall, the 993 will be cheaper.

[Fidgits]

Deutscher said:

The maintenance on a 993 will be higher than a Boxster, but the Boxster has a long way to go in depreciation.

Overall, the 993 will be cheaper.

not a sub £20k one it wont!

I'd agree if he was looking at £25 upwards D - but in his budget, any 993 is going to not have a pristene history or maintence record, and as such, is going to cost to keep on the road.

whereas, at that price range, he could get a well maintened, well looked after, recently serviced boxster.

Yes it will depreciate - but he will have a lot of choice of good cars - £20k on a 993 is going to be a very limited market, even if he went LHD he's have to comprimise on Service history/accident damage or big bills on the horizon.

[anonymous-user]

A classic Porsche eg late 80's 911 3.2 Carrera would be depreciation free, reasonably cheap to maintain and well within your budget. You'd get a totally mint low mileage example for £20K or less. You should at least drive one of these, you might be surprised how fun they are. A later 964 Carrera 2 is also a possibility, but there's a lot of dogs around.

But as you want something newer, a Boxster S is probably your best bet. But you'll have to live with some mild depreciation over a 3 year period and running costs will be similar to the earlier cars above.

[miro]

I could live with up to 2k/year depreciation over 3 years less would be nice if i can by at £20,000 put 25k miles on it and sell it for £14k-£15k Im happy with that £20k realy is my top end budget wise though

[Fidgits]

I think your best bet would be a classic 3.2 Carrera or a Boxster S then - depending on what you 'really want'.

£20k should get you a decent example of either.