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Comments
So I'm not a big fan of covers outdoors or of too-frequent waxing and polishing. (All waxing or polishing is abrasive, no matter what they tell you). Porsche knows how to paint a car and if you keep it washed you should be fine for many years.
Some people use those "cockpit covers" that go over the roof only, which I think are fine, but I haven't seen one on a Boxster.
Anyone have any thoughts on this pricing? Would love to have your ideas.
Thanks - OS
I was uncertain about the yellow (ticket magnet) but being 47+, I don't drive like I used to at 17+. I did see that they also had a grey 02 in automatic. Why on earth would someone want an auto on a Boxster???
The second group is looking for presige (the badge), luxury, and sporty transportation. These are the ones who will seek out the tip models. Next year I want to find a C4 cab 911 with tip for my wife, as an example.
PCA is successful and large because it offers tours for the second group, autoX and DE and racing for the first group, and rallies for both.
And there are many subgroups, generally depending on how close the individual aligns himself with one extreme or the other -- have you ever seen, for example, a Cayenne at an off-road competition?
Depending on the owner, the Boxster, like the 911, can go all the way from one extreme to the other. It's one of the reasons Porsches are so desirable, and that Porsche is the most profitable auto mfg. in the world.
The car you're looking at, btw, sounds pretty basic. If the folk here can't give you a price, I'd recommend you check the Boxster issue of "Excellence" for this year (or I'll look it up for you if you wish). Speed Yellow, as the color is called, is pretty desirable in general, but do you like it? JW
jwilson: I read in the same Road & Track article that Porsche's best selling 996 in 2003 was the 911 C4S Cabriolet w/ tiptronic. They note that this is also the slowest (by porsche standards) and heaviest 996 produced.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Boxsterlover, you've articulated Porsche's dilemma. It's hard, in fact, to make the Boxster and the 911 any more alike than they are in the 996 version as they had the same front clip and engine into '02. It's a difficult little dance: do you let the Boxster die from lack of updates and power? Or do you let your $40000-car take sales from your $80000-car?
So far as simple profit is concerned they have it just about right, it seems. You have the design economies inherent in doing one design for two cars. You use them both as long as they hold out, adding a new version or two every year in the 996 version to keep interest up, and offer each car as a base model with everything optional and highly priced so that leather, A/C, amped stereo, special wheels, and a bit of decoration on the interior gets you on the edge of supercar territory financially without adding a smidge of performance. Sounds like a great business plan to me so long as you can get away with it!
Your final point is well taken, but I wouldn't want anyone to think the difference between the Boxster and the Carrera GT is only a matter of size and power.But you're still right I think. JW
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I'm on my second boxster and have a baloon payment comming up next September. Would prefer getting a coupe rather than a drop top, Does anyone know when the upcomming sc will be available. Also, since I have not read the r & t article, I don't know what photos they included. I have repeatedly found this spy pic on the web, which actually is different from a picture I found in the May issue of Automobile magazine. I actually preffer the one I found on the net.
Please check it out. Any posted info is greatly appreciated
http://www.infoideas.net/Porsche-Boxster/2005-Porsche-Boxster.htm
And the Boxster SC look fabulous! Wow. I wonder what the weight and aerodynamics will be ... it could be a tad lighter I suppose w/o needing the workings for a top and it should cut through the wind a bit better ... well worth the wait for those who've been holding out it looks like. JW
I am also interested in the new 2005 Boxster. I have seen pictures of the coupe and it is beautiful. I am wondering if it is worth the wait. Please let me know what you have found.
Thanks,
Bryan3
I think it is worth the wait. If you're looking for a coupe, which is what i'm interested in, then we have no choice but to wait. If you want the cabrio, I still think it's worth the wait. Porsche, probably more than most companies does a great job in the evolution of their cars. Small improvements, especially in the engine are alwasy very apparent. I also have heard that many convenience options such as integrated satelite radio and dvd based navigation will be available for '05 models. I currently have an '01 boxster and an '04 cayenne s. I'm actually thinking about trading my cay for an '05 because i would love to have some of those new convenience options. As far as my boxster, I am definately holding out for a coupe. I live in the Northeast, and we're lucky if we get 40 days a year of perfect top down weather. Plus I have alwasy preffered the aerodynamics of a coupe. And finally, the spy pics I have seen show an incredibally beatiful car, one that I will definately be waiting for.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
The Boxster SC looks darned cool. I wonder how much it'll cannibalize 997 sales. I can't imagine many people buying the 997 for the spacious rear seats, although the Porsche website kinda laughably touts the four-seat capability as a selling point. 997 should offer more buttoned-down and stable high-speed handling, a lot more HP/torque and greater build quality, or it'll be a tough choice for many I suppose.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I do however alternate now since buying a Cay s. I pretty much drive the cay whenit's raining and of course when it snows. The only other time I preffer the cay over the boxster is on trips that are 2 hours or more. I am 6'4" tall so I get a little stiff in the boxster driving position after about an hour and a half.
The car gets respectable if not good gas mialage, has excellent utility for a car of its class and is simply a blast to drive.
I think I drive Porsches because driving, like many things can get pretty boring; but Porsches of any kind provide the perfect remedy. It's primarily for this reason why I think a Boxster is the perfect daily driver.
Here are some of the important particulars for the 987:
Roadster will make its debut at the Detroit Auto Show January '05. We'll see the coupe st the Frankfurt show in September '05. I guess that means the next generation will be an '06?
Subtle exterior redesign (much like the 997) will have ovualr headlamps with separate turn signals and new angualr taillamps. Bodywork will be more muscular.
Pull door handles and a wider retractable spoiler.
The engines will basically be caryovers will about a 10hp gain and improved low-end torque.
As for the S Special Edition, tyhe editors love the really broad power & torque curves, the short-throw 6 speed manual, and communicative steering.
It says that pretty much the only thing they found wrong was cowl shake as compared to the Z4, 350Z, S2000.
There's also a bit about the porsche certified pre-owned program.
There's a great line at the end: "Crunch some numbers, then go convince the significant other that you really, really need a Porsche." Vaughn, Autoweek 5/10/04, p. 23
I definitely need a Porsche:) I'd like to (hopefully) pick up a leftover '04 (or used low mileage CPO car) in the winter when the new body comes out. There are some boxsters out there with relatively no miles (and a resonable asking price) on them. When the new body style comes out, many (hopefully) will trade in their '04 986 for a 987 just because it is the newest thing regardless of depreciation or price of the new car.
There's a dealership on Long Island that still has brand new '03s still on their lot.
Ideally I'd like a Black/Black/Black, 18" Turbo Look II wheels, PSM, Cruise, Heated Seats, Trip Computer, Wind Deflector, and of course a manual transmission:) A guy can dream can't he?
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I loved the Boxster from day one and the look will never grow old on me. In particular, the rear view with top down is unbeatable. And in motion, its athletic reflexes and flat, confident gait on curves are sights to behold. Yep, a work of art, it's that simple.
It's funny, there are days when driving my Outback to work, I'll see a Boxster on the road and I actually get jealous because I didn't take it that day. Good luck in your quest, I hope you are rewarded soon.
I'm strongly considering leasing a Boxster sometime in the next 2 years. My finacee (will be my wife in October) drives a 2000 Protege ES which she loves and so far hasn't given us a reason to get rid of it and I drive a 2001 Honda Prelude SH which just turned 2 years old and has just over 26,000 miles on the odometer. We'd continue to use our cars as daily drivers and use the Boxster for weekends & road trips and take out a modest 12K/year lease.
So I hope you all don't mind if I babble and dream here for a while as it will be some time until I aquire a Boxster.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
If this is going to be a weekend and a summer car, you'll have to spend an awful lot of time driving the Boxster -- do you really think that will happen? What mileage do you think you'll actually put on on a weekly basis, in season? Wouldn't you be able to budget that amount with a margin, say, of 20-25% to be sure?
If I'm right, might you not be able to get buy cheaper with a lower mileage lease? Or cheaper yet by leasing a used one? Or even cheaper yet by buying a used one?
If this is butting in, please ignore the post, but I'm hoping you can get into the car you want sooner rather than later. JW
jwilson: You hit the nail right on the head! I live in Westchester County which is a northern suburb of NYC.
Taking out a 10K per year lease would let me drive an average of just under 200 miles a week, while a 12K per year lease would give me about 230. For me that's about what I do on the weekend (not including driving to and from work on Saturday). Plus I'm sure there will be a few days when I won't be able to drive the car due to inclement winter weather and some days during the spring/summer that I'll drive the car to work on Saturday and put on a lot more miles. Starting this weekend, I'll try and keep a log for myself of miles driven during the week and then miles put on the car starting Saturday afternoon when I get home from work.
A lower mileage lease might definitely be good for me. I could also buy it back from the leasing company at the end of the lease (esp. if the 987s are out in full force) cheaper than the quoted residual.
As far as leasing (or buying) a used one, it has its benefits. The capitalized cost will definitely be cheaper, especially if somebody trades it in for a Cayenne in the dead of winter. There are so many used Boxsters around with under 5000 miles. I'd still get the balance of the factory warranty along with whatever warranty Porsche Approved provides. I could potentially step up to a Boxster S (Love the red brake calipers and 2 exhausts for starters).
There are still the unknowns about buying a used car. I am a New Yorker, our motto is "trust no one."
You're not butting in. I appreciate all the help and feedback I can get. There are a few reasons I'm not jumping into the now (believe me I want to). The Cubic Zirconium (J/K) on her finger didn't fall off of a tree. We're getting married in October and are going to Hawaii on out honeymoon. We recently purchased this beautiful 2 bedroom condo we're living in and put a significant portion of our savings towards the down payment & closing costs. We carpeted our place and furnished it with exquisite furniture from Ethan Allen. We're still paying off my fiancee's Protege and her college loans. We've got to build up our savings. We are by no means living in debt (only to Mazda Credit and School loans which she makes double payments on). We pay all the bills on time. Once the Protege and School loans are paid off we are going to have a lot more disposable income than we do now.
So for me, 2 years (or 1.5 years) is sooner for me as I thought it was going to be a much longer time bfore I owned my first Porsche.
Sorry for the long post folks!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
BTW, I know winter season is buying time but be alert in December just before the new year. The prices dropped like a rock last year. I'm not sure why but speculate that in addition to surplus, some dealers may have wanted to up their yearly sales in order to maintain or better their allocations. Just a guess though.
Thanks for all the info -- it's interesting to hear the way other people think these costly decisions out. Fwiw, it sounds to me as if a lease would not be a good financial move for you ... good luck on the decision.
Another unrequested opinion: unless a driver plans on track time, the "S" is not a good value. If you get the regular Boxster, mention it to me and I'll link you to a page that will show you how to paint your calipers so they look just like the "Big Red"s, logo and all! And I've seen the twin exhaust tips -- see, I've just saved you thousands! JW
As far as cars go, I'm into handling first when it comes to performance. I'd still be driving my Prelude Type SH even if it had 25-50 less hp. I have a lot of fun driving the Prelude so I can only imagine how great it will be driving a Porsche.
I guess financially the best decision would be to buy a Porsche Certified used Boxster with only a few thousand miles and keep it for a while (what does everybody think?). Since the 986 I'd buy is toward the end of its lifecycle, I'd expect the car to run great. I'm quite sure the values of the '04s will drop when the 987 Boxster debuts as the market is flooded with low mileage trade-ins of people who have to have the latest and the greatest. Again, I'm still a year and a half to 2 years away from amking my decison.
designman: I read somewhere too about Porsche would rather cut production than have cars with Incentives and deep discounts.
Every time I see a Boxster or a 911 pass by I say to myself: "Now that's why I work Saturdays
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Buy a standard Boxster if a) you will not be going to the track, and b) won't be racing your car. Much better to spend the extra cash on options.
Otherwise Buy an S.
Some say go for the standard 'cause you won't be able to tell the difference unless you are racing. Is this true? Any Boxster and S owners out there who can tell us if they saw a diff or not?
Yeah, the 1-2 shift in a Honda always seems tricky. I had a guy tell me who runs a little tuner shop named "FunHondas" that the key is to not run up too tight in first gear and I know from all cars that smoother is better than fast. FWIW, only. (Let me know if it helps.)
Welcome roadsterfan! I surely agree with your reasoning on the non-S Boxster, but I'm not sure I'm speaking for everyone. And I know from experience, little though it may be, that it is NOT correct to say that there is little difference between the std. and the S. The S is surely stronger in the low and midrange ... the question is one of value ... is it worth all that much more money for the modest improvement? (My personal answer would be no, but they're selling quite a few S models, so ....) There is a similar dilemma with the 911; the X51 option adds 20hp -- is it worth $8000? Some people think so. JW
Well, after 9 mos, I realized convertibles weren't for me so I moved into a 996 which IS the right car for me. TO each their own though.
hope this helps
frank
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
"As one might guess, it's the drivetrain changes that truly separate the Boxster S from its progenitor. While the Boxster can feel lethargic in terms of power delivery and shift duty, the S model rockets away from stoplights and out of corners with authority and has a soothing engine tone that could make psychotherapy obsolete."
Interesting. I think psychotherapy is covered by my medical insurance. I'm wondering if they'll pay for my Boxster S instead, or at least the 9 grand that it costs above the regular Boxster ;-)
JW, I have never read a review that says the regular Boxster is a better value than the S. On the contrary, I have read many that say the $9K ransom is worth it. Also, most of them say the S is a much better car in manner of performance. In any event, no one extorts like Porsche and I would say that a good used-car find pays the dividend. And I do agree that if someone is only into sunshine cruising and schoolmarm driving, it does not pay to get the S. The Boxster rocks, but the S has the extra goods that sportsmen crave—torque, suspension, brakes. It also has the same 6-speed tranny as the Carrera.
I'll see if I can dig up some of the comments I've seen which indicate the reviewers' notion that the 'lesser' Boxster is the better value -- tho I'm not sure that the word of a reviewer is to be trusted in such matters since surely it is purely subjective.
Just by coincidence, I did a autoX school today and had occasion to drive 3 Boxsters! This conversation was in my mind as I asked the owners for the opportunity. (One of the three was an S.) I also had a chance to observe the cars as driven by their owners in the various drills. My take (remembering that I am far from proficient when removed from the comfort of my own car -- seems very hard for me to adjust on the fly):
Four drill areas were set up and then the day ended by combining several of the areas into a single autoX course. On the braking and skidpad and slalom courses as I observerd them there seemed to be no difference among the three cars ... except the S did (to my ears) sound better (an aftermarket "adjustment") under hard acceleration, and one of the base cars seemed to have better tire grip, a perculiarity of that car as it had DOT track tires.
They were, however, very different on the offset course -- a series of offset box gates about a half mile in length with two interesting features; in one section there was a straight that actually allowed good time in 3rd gear (up to about 75-80 mph, not usual practice but fun) followed by a double gate and a reverse-course pivot cone (i.e., very tight hairpin) with a straight coming out of it.
Coming out of the offsets and onto the long straight, the 'S' had a felt difference from the basic with acceleration that allowed the car to push you in the back (especially if you were able to exit the last gates at high rpm). Braking into the pair of gates that set up the hairpin felt no different, nor did rotating the back end of the cars to get them turned around the pivot for the return trip, but then (as Designman pointed out) the 'S' was clearly dominant at accelerating in 2nd gear, out of lower rpms (because of its superior torque), into the next offset.
For competition I doubt there is a real difference, though the 'S' would be faster, because they run in different classes and have to rely on their cornering and braking to succeed because in each of the classes they are each underpowered.
So my upshot is that you're dealing with a matter of taste and 9 grand. YMMV of course. Both cars are a delight to drive at speed and I would definitely get that aftermarket exhaust -- absolutely great sounds! JW
:-)
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I tried real hard to get a drive in a 350Z roadster but it was impossible. I like the styling, they cost less, and they advertise "there are Porsches to pass". Also, all the reviews say it has a teeth-rattling ride so I was real curious to see where that was at.
Heard the more recent Vettes have nice handling, but I can't live with that brick-wall butt.
You can't beat the price of the S2000 but I hear you have to get it cranking real high before it gets exciting has nothing off the line. But it's real handsome IMO, is supposed to handle great and is also a media darling.
SLK? Got good reviews but it's the ugliest of the bunch IMO. They really have to sculpt that thing a little better. It belies the badge.
Whoa, hold on a minute. Did I say ugliest of the bunch? Correct that. Forgot about the Z4. Looks like a rickshaw. That truncated butt and creases are hard to look at. Don't get me started with Bangle.
Porsches are worth an extra 20 grand just on the looks of their butts alone. I know I mention butts a lot but for some reason most manufacturers just don't know what to do with them and have ruined otherwise decent cars. They screwed up the Aston Martin derriere also. Pity.
Got a chance to view a euro-version Lotus Elise that was making rounds at dealers several months ago. I actually could have driven it if I pushed it, but didn't want to waste their time. Here's a car I'd like to sample on the curves. Also if anyone complains that today's cars aren't rustic enough, this is the one beats the original Model-T the euro version anyway. They say the American version has a few more powder puffs. I'm not sure how much they can possibly add to it though. This baby is in it's own league, from its 1800 pounds to the Roswell NM look. "Elise phone home."
I actually like the Z4's aggressive and muscular stance (maybe this shows my young age of 28). The Sport Package wheels on the 3.0i are great. The 3.0 Inline 6 is creamy smooth and it impresses me even in my Dad's 4500+lb X5. I believe the Z4 is a huge leap in front of the Z3 in terms of styling. I just wasn't a fan of the Z3 though. Don't get me started with the Bangalized 7 & 5 sedans either. This one would definitely be down to a few test drives between the BMW and the Porsche.
The New for '05 SLK 350 is stunning. I saw it at the NY auto show. Reminds me of the old gullwing 300SL. The Benz comes armed with some impressive specs too: 3.5L DOHC V6 268 hp, 258 lb/ft torque, 0-60 mph in the mid 5s! I'd put it a distant (very distant) 3rd on my list.
I love Hondas, but I don't think the S2000 would do it for me. Maybe I want a little luxury in my roadster compared to my Prelude. I'd like some torque too. My Prelude has a 7500 RPM redline, so I'd want something different. Something a bit more comfortable.
The 350Z Convertible is nice, but have you seen the mail-box slit for a rear window it has?
I wouldn't consider the TT roadster.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Things I've liked about the Porsche across various drives:
+ Fantastic steering feedback. Best I've ever experienced, no question.
+ Excellent midrange power
+ Aerodynamics are very good; rear feels planted at speed
- Engine and exhaust note aren't exhilirating
- Rear styling
- Shifter, it's mediocre
Versus the S2000:
+ Phenomenal braking, easily the equal of the Boxster IMO
+ Gearbox could be called the best on the market
+ Car sings at higher revs in a way I don't think a Boxster could
- Much noisier interior environment, top down or up
- Aerodynamics are surprisingly bad
- The less accessible power curve
- Interior is not as refined, for example the convertible top
The Boxster S is a fantastic car. It's awfully expensive though, especially the way I'd want to option it, and at that price point I'd start finding myself hard-pressed to not pony up for a 911, or hang on for the next gen Vette, or some such. The Boxster S is a tough $60k car (the price once you pile on some options, sales tax, etc.) in a market that has Hondas and Nissans in the $30s and BMWs in the $40s.