Just a quick note for anyone thinking of buying an '06. The 2006 Boxter S has the 295 HP, 3.4 litre engine from the Cayman! Check out the Porsche website.
Comes with the territory. I don't think there are many who buy a sports car based on visibility. In any event this isn't even on my radar screen of preferences.
There are many who think sports cars are claustrophobic. If this feeling overwhelms, then a sports car is not for you.
If you are planning on doing a lot of driving with the top up, you might want to consider a coupe - i.e. Cayman - instead of a convertible.
I considered a 911 coupe instead of the cab last fall - for about a minute. After my wife and daughters got into a cab, the decision was made for me. I do not find the 911 Cab to be a problem driving with the top up. As for the Boxster, it seemed to have better visibility than my former S2000, but even the S2000 was easy to get used to.
Will you be using the car as a daily driver or as a weekend 3rd car? Where do you live (someplace sunny like Florida or California or someplace where it rains every freakin' day like NY).
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I will be moving to Savannah, Ga shortly. I expect to have the top down quite a bit but if it is really hot and sunny I may not what the sun beating on me all the time.
I sat in the car again and it seemed ok this time.
Also, thanks for the responses. It is really nice to have this site and you guys to talk to when making these decisions.
As per my screen name, I am driving a Speed Yellow 2000 base model Box bought new (now with 81k on the clock). I chose this color and absolutely love it. I did not let dealer availability, resale, or popularity manage my choice.
Do not let availability dictate your choice or you will always have second thoughts over "what might have been". This is a big financial investment as well as a personal statement of who you are. Sounds like you are already prepared to sell the car with little thought to the middle period of ownership between purchase and disposal.
Do it right and enjoy the results! If the Speed Yellow car did not grab your emotions and say "this is who I am" then it is probably not the right car for you.
Can anybody please tell me what I can expect to pay for an initial 15,000 mile service, at a registered/authorised Porsche dealership, for a Boxster? (location is North east) Thanks
Down south you'll probably get lots of top down enjoyment from the car (Make sure you wear sunblock). The best thing to do is to test drive the car with the top up. The best day to test drive a roadster is on a rainy day.
I happen to be a fan of Speed Yellow. But the way you asked the question made it sound like it is OK but definitely not your taste. Color is a big thing for most people. Maybe that particular dealer only has one Boxster S, but there are other Porsche dealers. This isn't a Vanilla Camcord we're talking about here, it is a Porsche Boxster. Get what color you want. There have got to be a ton of Silver Boxsters out there!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Personally, I wouldn't get a Boxster S in anything but Speed Yellow, with the possible exception of Seal Grey. It looks great and, according to my dealer, would pose absolutely no problem with resale on the Boxster S.
I have a 2005 911S Cab in Seal Grey. I seriously considered trading it for a 2006 in Speed Yellow. I did get some feedback that the 911 in Speed Yellow makes for a tougher resale and, after further consideration and a side by side comparison, I decided I liked the Seal Grey slightly better in the 911. But, on the Boxster S (as with my former Honda S2000), I think Yellow looks better.
I have read Habitat1's comments about the Sport Chrono option. It sounds very appealing to have the greater throttle reponse.
My question is, wouldn't you tend to just keep the sport mode on all the time? The car would probably seem sluggish when deactivated otherwise.
Given that the threshold for engagement of the PSM system is also impacted when in sport mode or can even be disabled, wouldn't you be basically losing some of the benefit of the PSM? I am under the impression the PSM is a good thing to have.
I also ask because most of the other 2006 Boxster S's that are in dealer inventory don't have the Sport Chrono.
I used to have a Corvette coupe (visability was very good in that one) and a friend had one with a different axle. His was much more responsive from when first touching the gas and I enjoyed it a lot more than mine.
I do not keep my 911S in "sport" mode all of the time. Partly because it also activates the sport exhaust on my car and I don't want to get egged by neighbors. But also because, unless you are going to drive the car a bit enthusiastically, the normal setting is just fine and doesn't feel sluggish. I probably have it in sport mode 50% of the time and 30% of the miles. On a recent highway roundtrip of 800 miles, it was in normal almost all of the way, since I was cruising between 65 and 90 and didn't need the extra response (and didn't want the extra noise).
As for the PSM difference, I have yet to push the car aggressively enough to seriously engage it in either normal or sport settings. Maybe after I take that Skip Barber or Porsche's own driving course. But the sport mode does not shut off PSM, it simply sets the limits a little higher before it kicks in. There is a separate button to completely deactivate PSM, which I've never used. I think the dash lights up with a skull and crossbones warning light. :surprise:
The Boxster S I was considering before opting for a 911 had sport chrono, 19" Carerra S wheels and PASM. That combination is unbeatable for a great, nimble feeling, responsive driving experience. In terms of noticable impact on driving dynamics, I'd rank them 1. sport chrono, 2. PASM, 3. 19" Wheels. Although for looks, I can see going with just sport chrono and 19" wheels.
I am actually waiting for my 2007 Porsche Boxster and unfortunately that wait is until October. But one thing that I have been looking into is the Porsche driving experience in Alabama. Has anyone taken that and/or the Skip Barber course? How do they compare? I want to get the most enjoyment out of my first Porsche. Thanks.
Dear Forum: I'm trying to gather intelligence on my problematic 98 Boxster convertible top. Since I'm from sunny LA and the Boxster is my second car, I have rarely put the top in the up (covered) position. Two summers ago, the mechanism stopped working, and pressing the interior button to close the top resulted in nothing...not even the hum of the mechanism. The dealer wanted over $2000 to fix, and I found a referral to repair for $1300. It worked great for a time, but the private shop that repaired it only supplied a 9 month warranty. Now, the mechanism is broken again, and frustration continues
Anyone else experience top problems? If so, what was the fix and approximately what was the cost?
Anyone know an honest, stand-behind-the-work private repair shop in Southern California that can address this?
We had neighbors that had an early Boxster - 1998, I think - and they also experienced several power top failures. Fortunately, under warranty, but at least one occurred in a heavy downpour and Porsche gave them grief about repairing interior water damage. I believe they indicated that the last time they had a failure, the mechanism, motors, etc. were replaced with a newer redesigned unit from the 2000/2001 model. They had no more problems, but they sold the car a year later, as the warranty expired.
You might want to check with a dealer to find out if Porsche had a recall or TSB on the roof of the 1998 calling for parts to be replaced with a later version.
One of the cleanest Pre-Owned I have seen is a 1999 With 40K on the clock. From a Private owner. A true garage queen. Is there any particular reason you would recommend a '01-'02 YM for Aprox 10K more ? All things being equal ,pre-buy inspection ect...
That year could have the notorius slipped sleeve issue, particularly with build dates from about 10/98 to 3/99. If the problem surfaces, it requires a new engine. Be careful. Personally, I wouldn’t go near it unless you have a high tolerance for risk, or the price is great and you have intentions of putting in a 3.4 Carrera engine which seems to be a popular alternative as time goes on and prices for old Boxsters drop.
Thanks for the input. You would think that Porsche would have done a recall for this part, because it happened to many owners. But they did not, unfortunately, and we are left on our own to deal with it. Thanks again.
What is the notorius slipped sleeve? I just bought a 99 Boxter with 29000 miles. Got a good price and you can't beat the mileage. Carfax was clean. Should I be worried? How do I find the build date on my car?
I did some reasearch. Apparently there were late 98- early 99 that had a manufacturing defect in the casting. It seems that those models could be subject to failure without warning. Ive read that some have gotten "Goodwill" engines from Porsche and the consumer paid the laybor over $2500.00..... Im not sure that a buyers inspection would revel such a thing until its too late.
You should be able to locate the DOP on the door frame I belive and see which month your vehicle was produced. Sorry I can't be more specific. I would check it out though.
I've had my '03 Boxster for a couple of months, and I'm very happy except for the annoying reflection of the dash on the windshield. My car is Silver with a dark blue interior, and there is no Amorall or anything like it to make the dash shiny. I can't believe that I am the only one with this experience. Has anyone dealt with this problem?
I am looking for some advice. My first time purchase of a S cab, and my budget allows me around $25-27k. I found one that I love it's an 01 with 27k miles. What do I need to be aware of in an 01 model? Or should I spend more $$ to get an 02 or 03?
Well '03 had some minor appearance and HP upgrades. Either of which may not mean much to you. I think the sound choice comes down to a though inspection and not fall in love with a certain vehicle. There are tons of low mileage 2 and 3 year leases on these vehicles. Good luck on your decision.
Well you could be unaffected. Or you "could" end up with a Brand New motor. So all is not lost. From what I gather the Engines and such are not "matching numbers" so to speak so a Brand New engine should increase your cars value not decrease it. And if you plan on keeping the vehicle for some time, that would be nice.
I picked up my 07 Boxster S last Thursday. Now have 700 miles on it. It is fabulous and flawless. The 3.4 litre engine is really free reving. The torsional rigidy is the best I've ever felt in a roadster. I don't know how Porsche keeps getting better.
I'm in the exact same boat as you, just purchased 99 with 28k with DOP during the suggested bad time. Any clue if you were to purchase a extended warranty from an independant company if this would be covered?? Or does this part slip through the loop holes of their exclusions?? Getting real nervous as to whether or not I want to keep this car, but I might be over reacting. thoughts?
I ordered the car in mid April. The car was built the week of July 4. It reached the U.S. the very end of July. Then I took delivery August 3. Its a great car. I got it in Red.
I have been shopping around for a Boxster S for the last couple of weeks. I figured now would be a good time since model year end was on July 31st. The best deal I have found has been for $6K below MSRP for a 2006 Boxster S. However, I have been quoted as much as $9K below MSRP for a 2006 Cayman S and $7K below MSRP for a 2007 Cayman S, what gives? Does $6K below MSRP sound like a good deal for a 2006 Boxster S or should I hold out for a 2007? I'm not really interested in the Cayman, just surprised it is being discounted so much more than the Boxster.
I bought a 2007 Boxster S. MSRP was 64,393.00. I paid 59,000.00 even. The car has been fantastic. Definetly go for the 07 if you can because the 07 has the 295 hp Cayman engine. What a fun engine it is. It also has tire pressure monitoring. Cute.
Well considering the amount of options one can add on a Boxster .It is allways better to work up from invoice than say 5k off...Just build your car on Edmunds, and see where it comes out.
A national newspaper is looking to interview Porsche and BMW owners who use their car for “everyday driving,” from going to the grocery store to commuting to and from work, instead of just using the car during the weekends for nice drives. Please send an e-mail to ctalati@edmunds.com no later than Monday, August 28, 2006 by 2:30 PM PT/5:30 PM ET containing your daytime contact information and what car you drive.
I'm looking at a 2005 Boxster that happens to have the Nav system. This is not an option I would typically want but the car has most of the other features I want. My question is has the Nav system been problematic in these cars? Is it easy to use? I would also like to know what people think of the BOSE radio controls that switch to the Nav screen when you have the Nav option. Heck, while I'm at it have the Xenon lights been trouble at all? This will be a lightly driven 2nd car. PS: the car would have the certified warranty till 4/2011 so many these are all non-issues.
I've heard some complaints about nav in Porsches, to what extent I'm not sure. I believe there was a recent upgrade in nav software so look into it. It doesn't matter though if you're not going to use it in which case I would definitely be looking for a Boxster without it. There should be plenty of them around. Maybe Habitat will chime in on the nav. I think he has it in his 911.
Yes I've been looking for the right car for months. I know I can get a somewhat "basic" 2006 car for about $40K in the off season (Oct-Nov). I'm hoping I can also get a 2005 with options (Bose, or Xenons, etc) that is certified for about the same $. The certified car would have the factory warranty till 2011 vs the new 06 car warranty till 2010. Obviously I would want a low mileage (<5K miles) used car and they are out there. Comments appreciated.
Designman has a good memory, I do have Nav in my 2005 911. I hadn't specified Nav in the 2006 I ordered from another dealer, but I got a great deal on an in stock 2005 at the end of last summer.
First the negatives. It's not an Acura system, with a 9" screen, voice activation, and the ability to toggle around on the map with a joystick and generally operate with ease and logic. But it does have some positives. The smallish 5.8" screen actually has very good resolution. And I do like having a screen to use to adjust my sound settings.
The bottom line is that, now that I have it, I would order it again in a 911 that I plan to drive a lot (8,800 miles in 11 months). But probably not a Boxster that I would be driving less and trying to keep the price down. As an option, I don't thik it's worth $2,000+ on a $45,000 car. On the other hand, if you're getting a great deal on a used Boxster that happens to have Nav, take it and be happy.
I haven't heard of any issues with the Xenon lights. Oh, and for the 20th time in these forums, I have to recommend at least test driving the sport chrono package. I'll stop that at 21 tries.
Good luck. And, by the way, I think you should be able to get a good deal on a 2005/6 boxster, since the 2007 has a little more power (albeit the difference is greater in the Boxster S).
Thanks to Designman and Habitat for the previous responses. I've stumbled onto a NEW 2005 model that has options (power and heated seats, sound package +, 18" wheels) and am comparing it to a rather basic new 06 model (just heated seats). My gut and a little research tells me pricing should be about a wash. I may be able to get either 1 for $41K. Any opinions?
Also, I've driven a car with the 17" wheels and thought the ride was good. Are the 18"s noticably more harsh? I be interested in any side by side comparisons anyone has done. Thanks and I hope to join the "owner" club soon.
Hey all - been reading around, and this is my first post in this forum.. I live in Canada, and currently drive two vehicles.. a 2006 Land Rover LR3 HSE, and a 1997 Dodge Avenger ES.
I am looking at a time soon to come where the Avenger is going to start costing me a lot of money to keep up, and I would like to replace it with an affordable Boxster from the 90's (budget is a big consideration with the cost of the LR3 lease payment weighing me down every month).
Is there a particular strategy to going about looking for that perfect used Boxster? Are there demand years, demand packages, or things to avoid I should know about?
Far be it from me to want to discourage anyone from joining the Porsche family, but your statement....
"Avenger is going to start costing me a lot of money to keep up, and I would like to replace it with an affordable Boxster from the 90's (budget is a big consideration with the cost of the LR3 lease payment weighing me down every month)."
...has me wondering if a 7+ year old Boxster is going to take you out of the frying pan and into the fire. I'm not sure if you can get an extended warranty on that old of a Boxster. Porsche repair bills for specific items would likely make the Dodge you have look like a bargain. Not to say the Boxster would break down as much, but each visit to the dealership would have a starting price equal, to say, the monthly payment on a new Honda S2000.
When my budget was tighter, I bought a new Honda S2000 in November, 2001 (model year 2002) for $32k, drove it for 2.5 years and 20k miles and traded it for $23.2k in May 2004. You could actually get a better deal on a new one today (around $30.5k), and had I kept the car for another 2+ years, it would still be worth over $20k. During that time, my grand total maintenance costs were under $350, covering 7,500 mile service, 15,000 mile service and interim Mobil One oil changes. Clearly, for those on a budget for a high performance sports car, the Honda S2000 is the pinnacle of frugality. Not to mention that the S2000 significantly outperforms the base Boxster and the Boxster S up until the 2005 (280 hp) model. An early Boxster, with 199hp, would feel anemic by comparison.
If your heart is set on owning a Porsche, just make sure your wallet is in synch. You couldn't pry the steering wheel of our 911S out of my hands, but I really wouldn't enjoy it if I were worried about a $500 mile basic service that is coming up. Or a $1,600 mile major service down the road. And yet, even I don't want to face Porsche repair bills and, if I decide to keep it beyond 4/50, will likely get an extended warranty (which runs $4,500 compared to $900 for the S2000).
Good luck. I'm not trying to discourage you, just offer my perspective.
You should be getting at least 20% off MSRP on that 05.
As far as the 18" wheels, I don't think they are harsh even though the 18s are harsher on the 986. The current tires on the 987 have a larger diameter so the tire profile on the 18s are wider than the older 18s. Also, the suspensions on the 987 are considerably different and account for smoother shock absorption even with 19s as compared with 986.
...I really wouldn't enjoy it if I were worried about a $500 mile basic service that is coming up.
Which service is that? My 15K service cost $675 plus tax. This includes oil and misc filters. And I recently paid $560 plus tax for an oil change and brake flush. I also had an oil change for about $310 at 7500 mi. That comes to about $1620 (tax incl) for routine service and 3 oil changes in 2 3/4 years, 23K miles. Then there was the $1140 (tax incl) for the new set of Michelin Pilot Sports I had put on at 15K miles.
Yeah I'd say the S2000 is the frugal buy... also a BMW with free maintenance. My 03 530 hasn't cost a dime so far. They even gave me free oil changes at 7500 mi intervals instead of the scheduled 15k.
I'm dangerously close to buying a base Boxster and having not seen an owners manual, what are the service requirements over the first few years and say 30K miles? I know the oil change intervals are way up to 20K but what else is there? Air filter at 20K also? That should be it. Sounds like tires burn out at about 20K also.
Really, I was set on the porsche... I'm not so hot on the S2000 asthetic.. also not out of the realms of consideration is a 90's 911 (non-turbo).
I recently walked away from buying a Cayenne, and was very impressed with it's handling for a SUV - eventually went for a Land Rover LR3 due to it's more utilitarian off-road capabilities.
But the Porsche driving experience whet my appetite for what their cars would drive like... I haven't had a chance to drive older (90's) boxtsers and 911's, but the new ones have me falling in love with them.
I just can't afford two large car payments - ergo the comment about wanting to try the older ones first to keep the cost down. Now I'm a bit split on what I should be aiming for? Possibly something on an early lease return where the first guy has dropped a lot down on it, and it has a low monthly rate?
The $500 "basic service" I was referring to was an oil/filter change, brake, coolant and other fluid top-offs and thorough inspection of the vehicle at 10,000 miles. This is optional, according to my dealer. The 997 is not due for it's first scheduled service until 2 years or 20,000 miles. But I'd prefer to have them check it out every year. The 2/20 service runs about $650, as they include air filter and actually change the other fluids.
Comments
I have not owned a two seat car or a convertible before so perhaps this is just something I would need to get used to.
How do you all feel about the visabilty? Do you think it is better or worse than some other sport convertibles i.e, Corvette.
Thanks
There are many who think sports cars are claustrophobic. If this feeling overwhelms, then a sports car is not for you.
I considered a 911 coupe instead of the cab last fall - for about a minute. After my wife and daughters got into a cab, the decision was made for me. I do not find the 911 Cab to be a problem driving with the top up. As for the Boxster, it seemed to have better visibility than my former S2000, but even the S2000 was easy to get used to.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I sat in the car again and it seemed ok this time.
Also, thanks for the responses. It is really nice to have this site and you guys to talk to when making these decisions.
It is the only one the dealer has and they are offering a decent deal.
Does anyone have an opinion on the yellow color? How popular is it? Do you think it would be more difficult to sell down the road.
If I ordered a car I would probably pick silver. Still, it is a sport car and the yellow does make it look sporty IMO.
Do not let availability dictate your choice or you will always have second thoughts over "what might have been". This is a big financial investment as well as a personal statement of who you are. Sounds like you are already prepared to sell the car with little thought to the middle period of ownership between purchase and disposal.
Do it right and enjoy the results! If the Speed Yellow car did not grab your emotions and say "this is who I am" then it is probably not the right car for you.
Thanks
I happen to be a fan of Speed Yellow. But the way you asked the question made it sound like it is OK but definitely not your taste. Color is a big thing for most people. Maybe that particular dealer only has one Boxster S, but there are other Porsche dealers. This isn't a Vanilla Camcord we're talking about here, it is a Porsche Boxster. Get what color you want. There have got to be a ton of Silver Boxsters out there!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I have a 2005 911S Cab in Seal Grey. I seriously considered trading it for a 2006 in Speed Yellow. I did get some feedback that the 911 in Speed Yellow makes for a tougher resale and, after further consideration and a side by side comparison, I decided I liked the Seal Grey slightly better in the 911. But, on the Boxster S (as with my former Honda S2000), I think Yellow looks better.
I am afraid I have one more question...
I have read Habitat1's comments about the Sport Chrono option. It sounds very appealing to have the greater throttle reponse.
My question is, wouldn't you tend to just keep the sport mode on all the time? The car would probably seem sluggish when deactivated otherwise.
Given that the threshold for engagement of the PSM system is also impacted when in sport mode or can even be disabled, wouldn't you be basically losing some of the benefit of the PSM? I am under the impression the PSM is a good thing to have.
I also ask because most of the other 2006 Boxster S's that are in dealer inventory don't have the Sport Chrono.
I used to have a Corvette coupe (visability was very good in that one) and a friend had one with a different axle. His was much more responsive from when first touching the gas and I enjoyed it a lot more than mine.
Thanks
As for the PSM difference, I have yet to push the car aggressively enough to seriously engage it in either normal or sport settings. Maybe after I take that Skip Barber or Porsche's own driving course. But the sport mode does not shut off PSM, it simply sets the limits a little higher before it kicks in. There is a separate button to completely deactivate PSM, which I've never used. I think the dash lights up with a skull and crossbones warning light. :surprise:
The Boxster S I was considering before opting for a 911 had sport chrono, 19" Carerra S wheels and PASM. That combination is unbeatable for a great, nimble feeling, responsive driving experience. In terms of noticable impact on driving dynamics, I'd rank them 1. sport chrono, 2. PASM, 3. 19" Wheels. Although for looks, I can see going with just sport chrono and 19" wheels.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Anyone else experience top problems? If so, what was the fix and approximately what was the cost?
Anyone know an honest, stand-behind-the-work private repair shop in Southern California that can address this?
Thanks to all in advance.
You might want to check with a dealer to find out if Porsche had a recall or TSB on the roof of the 1998 calling for parts to be replaced with a later version.
Thanks,
DL
Thanks,
Dl
You should be able to locate the DOP on the door frame I belive and see which month your vehicle was produced. Sorry I can't be more specific. I would check it out though.
DL
DL
DL
thoughts?
DL
First the negatives. It's not an Acura system, with a 9" screen, voice activation, and the ability to toggle around on the map with a joystick and generally operate with ease and logic. But it does have some positives. The smallish 5.8" screen actually has very good resolution. And I do like having a screen to use to adjust my sound settings.
The bottom line is that, now that I have it, I would order it again in a 911 that I plan to drive a lot (8,800 miles in 11 months). But probably not a Boxster that I would be driving less and trying to keep the price down. As an option, I don't thik it's worth $2,000+ on a $45,000 car. On the other hand, if you're getting a great deal on a used Boxster that happens to have Nav, take it and be happy.
I haven't heard of any issues with the Xenon lights. Oh, and for the 20th time in these forums, I have to recommend at least test driving the sport chrono package. I'll stop that at 21 tries.
Good luck. And, by the way, I think you should be able to get a good deal on a 2005/6 boxster, since the 2007 has a little more power (albeit the difference is greater in the Boxster S).
Also, I've driven a car with the 17" wheels and thought the ride was good. Are the 18"s noticably more harsh? I be interested in any side by side comparisons anyone has done. Thanks and I hope to join the "owner" club soon.
I am looking at a time soon to come where the Avenger is going to start costing me a lot of money to keep up, and I would like to replace it with an affordable Boxster from the 90's (budget is a big consideration with the cost of the LR3 lease payment weighing me down every month).
Is there a particular strategy to going about looking for that perfect used Boxster? Are there demand years, demand packages, or things to avoid I should know about?
Thank you in advance!
Don
"Avenger is going to start costing me a lot of money to keep up, and I would like to replace it with an affordable Boxster from the 90's (budget is a big consideration with the cost of the LR3 lease payment weighing me down every month)."
...has me wondering if a 7+ year old Boxster is going to take you out of the frying pan and into the fire. I'm not sure if you can get an extended warranty on that old of a Boxster. Porsche repair bills for specific items would likely make the Dodge you have look like a bargain. Not to say the Boxster would break down as much, but each visit to the dealership would have a starting price equal, to say, the monthly payment on a new Honda S2000.
When my budget was tighter, I bought a new Honda S2000 in November, 2001 (model year 2002) for $32k, drove it for 2.5 years and 20k miles and traded it for $23.2k in May 2004. You could actually get a better deal on a new one today (around $30.5k), and had I kept the car for another 2+ years, it would still be worth over $20k. During that time, my grand total maintenance costs were under $350, covering 7,500 mile service, 15,000 mile service and interim Mobil One oil changes. Clearly, for those on a budget for a high performance sports car, the Honda S2000 is the pinnacle of frugality. Not to mention that the S2000 significantly outperforms the base Boxster and the Boxster S up until the 2005 (280 hp) model. An early Boxster, with 199hp, would feel anemic by comparison.
If your heart is set on owning a Porsche, just make sure your wallet is in synch. You couldn't pry the steering wheel of our 911S out of my hands, but I really wouldn't enjoy it if I were worried about a $500 mile basic service that is coming up. Or a $1,600 mile major service down the road. And yet, even I don't want to face Porsche repair bills and, if I decide to keep it beyond 4/50, will likely get an extended warranty (which runs $4,500 compared to $900 for the S2000).
Good luck. I'm not trying to discourage you, just offer my perspective.
As far as the 18" wheels, I don't think they are harsh even though the 18s are harsher on the 986. The current tires on the 987 have a larger diameter so the tire profile on the 18s are wider than the older 18s. Also, the suspensions on the 987 are considerably different and account for smoother shock absorption even with 19s as compared with 986.
Which service is that? My 15K service cost $675 plus tax. This includes oil and misc filters. And I recently paid $560 plus tax for an oil change and brake flush. I also had an oil change for about $310 at 7500 mi. That comes to about $1620 (tax incl) for routine service and 3 oil changes in 2 3/4 years, 23K miles. Then there was the $1140 (tax incl) for the new set of Michelin Pilot Sports I had put on at 15K miles.
Yeah I'd say the S2000 is the frugal buy... also a BMW with free maintenance. My 03 530 hasn't cost a dime so far. They even gave me free oil changes at 7500 mi intervals instead of the scheduled 15k.
I recently walked away from buying a Cayenne, and was very impressed with it's handling for a SUV - eventually went for a Land Rover LR3 due to it's more utilitarian off-road capabilities.
But the Porsche driving experience whet my appetite for what their cars would drive like... I haven't had a chance to drive older (90's) boxtsers and 911's, but the new ones have me falling in love with them.
I just can't afford two large car payments - ergo the comment about wanting to try the older ones first to keep the cost down. Now I'm a bit split on what I should be aiming for? Possibly something on an early lease return where the first guy has dropped a lot down on it, and it has a low monthly rate?
/DA