Yes so would I. So in 42k miles he has let the powerstear fluid run dry. A problem he suggests is common so you would think he would know about it.

It's due a service every year and accessing the engine is actually very straightforward for a mid engined car.

The seals on the poweer steering rack can go but the puddle underneath the car is usually a clue!

Well exactly. And his excuses were pathetic especially for someone who one should assume should know better.

I bet the pump might last longer than 42k if it has some fluid to pump...

I was talking to a guy with a new boxster earlier this year and he was saying it even has a switch to change the exhaust tone !!

A guy I know has a Monaro has the same feature - the noise would blow the Boxster into next week.

The 996 C4S that I had also had the PSE (Porsche Sports Exhaust) switchable option. Here is a video my mate took when he saw one that looked just like mine with the same exhaust option sitting behind him waiting to overtake. I, however, don't condone this kind of driving by the reckless owner of a car that looked just like mine.

Clicky

:-)

Goes well!

The Monaro has got a nice engine and a good noise!

Good noise that.

genuine question. i really fancy a boxster. i am not a speed freak, ultimate grunt does not matter as much as handling, tactility etc... there is a 30k mile 2.5 boxster near me but it is around the price of newer bigger engined models with 80k miles or so... any issues with the smaller engine?

Just to update this for anybody with an interest in going down this road.

Fors: mega sense of occasion when driving it, awesome noise, fantastic handling/brakes/grunt, dirt cheap to buy second hand (as the running costs if you can't DIY are scary), rust just doesn't happen unless it's been bashed, very easy to work on as fastener quality/access is good, good second hand parts availabiluty for upgrades.

Against: At first you will feel like a complete cock when you are out in it, people do look at it and they are not always thinking what you'd like them to think. Issues with a bearing buried deep away inside the engine that can go bang with no prior notice, writing off the engine (google Porsche IMS bearing) I imported an update kit from the US to sort that one, parts are expensive if you are daft enought to go to Porsche for them but loads of OEM stuff available for good prices.

Do I miss my Coupe? Yes. Would I go backwards after this? No I wouldn't.

That does look very good indeed Duffy

How big a job is the IMS bearing Duffy? Did you do it yourself?

Better, faster, nicer cars for the money!

Glad you're happy with it Duffy! I'dactually like one, but then I'd regret not buying a tvr or pushing for a 911.

God damn car choices!!!

Thanks for that.

The IMS is straightforward compared to a Coupe timing belt! If you can do a clutch you can do an IMS bearing, you do have to be very careful whilst doing it as there's zero tolerance for error however.

996 C4S is next hopefully.

What's the insurance side of things like compared to a coupe?

Similar, when I last checked after falling out with a broken coupe.

Looks a nice one that Duffy. Happy motoring! Just got a quote on a 2001 3.2S, only out of curiosity. £465 fully comp. that's not bad really. I paid £260 for my coupe insurance.

About £10 extra over the year, essentially the same as the Coupe.

Duffy where did you get your steering wheel Alcantara'ed?

Royal Steering wheels, about £110 and top notch.

looks very nice indeed. The 'S' is a lovely car, and handles very well indeed. I would certainly have one...and would not care at all what anyone else thought of me.....there are plenty of people that think coupes look wierd, and are just a tarted up Tipo anyway. Those comments never bothered me at all when I owned one either.

^indeed^

I think the early Boxster with Amber's actually looks nicer than the later models. I think a cheap 2.5 for 4k would be a bargain and a real nice "S" can be had for 8k. Fit a a good sports exhaust to either and I bet most people would be quite happy if your not chasing numbers.

All fair comment!

The 'S' has a little bit more top end grunt but there's not a lot between one of them and a good 2.7, the tiptronics are a bit slower (the 'S' comes with a 6 speed box as standard).

Must have options are heated seats if it's an all year car, litronics (xenon lights) which are a very easy retrofit and its easy to tart up the interior to whatever you want (they tend on the whole to be black with some extra black thrown in) all the silver inside mine has been done by me, including the roll bars, however all I've done is copied what was on the factory option list.

The other great option is what's called M030 suspension, which is the factory fit/upgrade sports suspension, slightly lower (10mm) stiffer shocks but much thicker anti roll bars, its brilliant fun and retains most of the comfort compliance.

Mine has aftermarket manifolds (about £100 from ebay courtesy of a nice chinese man and his factory turning them out by the thousand), Janspeed sports cats (200 cell) and exhaust system thereafter, it sounds quite agreeable.

Mine has aftermarket manifolds (about £100 from ebay courtesy of a nice chinese man and his factory turning them out by the thousand), Janspeed sports cats (200 cell) and exhaust system thereafter, it sounds quite agreeable.


Did you notice any more grunt? I believe they can also be remapped to make them a bit more aggressive on the throttle. You know we all need a nice video taken of what it sounds like! ;-)

The exhaust was on when I bought it but a decent exhaust usually adds circa 10-15 BHP, there a throttle body mod and an air box mod that add another 6-10 making a reliable 270-280, only recording device I have is an iPhone which doesn't really cut the mustard on that front I'm afraid.

Thought I should add to his thread now we own a Boxster S.

I have been unable to make a firm decision about whether to sell the Caterham or not for the past 12 months. The combination of my job clashing with many social track and race events has been frustrating this year, plus I use the Seven increasingly on the road, where the short gear ratios make little sense and it's too compromised to enjoy for touring as we found out this year in the heat when in Cornwall. I have driven a 996, a 1988 Carrera 3.2 and a Boxster S recently and both Elizabeth and I actually preferred the drive of the Boxster (although my heart is with the air cooled 911s).
A few more weeks passed, we wrote the article on Beths Celica TRD on Pistonheads and then before we knew it the car was gone after the previous owner saw the article and wanted his car back.
Rather than me selling the Caterham until I’m sure what I’m doing we decided to replace the Celica with a Boxster S. It does leave me with no tow car, but I can live with that for now.
We bought a 2000 3.2S in Guards red with black sports leather, two owners, full history and 51k miles.

Impressions after 2 weeks and 1500 miles
+
Love the noise, although it’s a bit too quiet as standard, would like to drive one with different throttle body and exhaust
A good mix of comfort and poise, likely to be a bit soft for track work but will see
It’s not a 911 but it makes us feel good when driving it
Love it with the top down
Doesn’t feel that fast until you look at the speedo (BMWs always seem the same), maybe due to the smooth power delivery

-
Visibility through the rear with the hood up is poor (original plastic rear window)
The gearing is best suited to fast cruising, would like to slightly lower the final drive (75mph in 2nd!)
No lsd slightly limits arse out action (something we might look at adding)
Would have liked to put the seat back an extra couple of cms, but the bulkhead stops further adjustment
No drinks holders, although hardly a major issue
Stereo without rear speakers is pointless at speed

Time for a trackday I think.

Cheers, Dave

Nice little write up Dave - when's the day?

Dave, that's a fair write up.

+ Noise -an aftermarket exhaust or the PSE works wonders
The MO30 suspension sorts out the softenedd nicely whilst retaining most of the ride comfort
The top down is a must it's great fun


- The visibility iss compromised through the rear but that's par for the course with a soft-top
I like the gearing, only one change to 60!
The quaife ATB is a great shout and easy to fit.
Bulkhead - yep a tricky one!
There's a DIY for both drinks holders and the rear speaker install that's dead easy/cheap

I'm sure the quaife would be great, but not for hooligan drifting!

No but for going faster out of corners, well worthwhile.