To follow on from the 944 thread this is another car on the list for next year.. No not a hairdresser lol but porsche convertible and reasonably pacey at not alot of money.

Anyone have any experience of these?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-PORSCHE-B...6#ht_714wt_1271

This is one i have seen and like the look of it. Better with clear lenses but looks like a clean car.

Comments please

Cheers Joe there all bias though...

As are we

They're cheap for a reason mate, prices will drop further when winter comes so if you fancy one hold off till December.

Exactly.. coupes goin nowhere still.

Opinions.... Well I have overtake a few in my time when they were trying not to be overtaken. However at that price would be nice for a summer evening with the roof down. Just put the scissors in the glove box.

I'm looking at a boxster as my next fun car also, although the slighter more powerful 3.2s.

There is very little negative I can find on them outside of cosmetics.

of course there is still the view that they are a cheap porsche, not a 'real' one like the 911

if i were to get one, id go with the 911 personally, the boxster is too much of a poncey hairdresser car imo

ok it my opinion and im entitled to it !

Had a 1997 2.5 model, on standard form, it is slightly quicker than the coupe, easier on fuel too.
Car will lock itself after a few days without use, drive really well and much better quailty than the coupe.
Had it for 3 years and didn't cost us anything other than fuel and tyres, but if something gone wrong it will easily cost thousands, try to find one with the hard top(which I had.) as the soft-top can be abit noisy at high speed.

Looked at the Boxster when it came out, deciding between that and my first Coupe. Prices weren't that much apart with the Porsche being a better finish (quite normal, because the Coupe was in its last year and the Boxster in it's 1st or so, so much more modern) but the Coupe came with a better standard spec and - for me - a more exciting power delivery, lovelier engine note and better layout (GT 4 seater). I drove both of them, picked the Coupe and never regretted my choice. But then Fiat made the Coupe especially for me.

The moment I lost any interest in the Boxster was when we went to a twisty track in France - or was it a local farmer that allowed us to race up his forecourt - and my Punto HGT left a standard Boxster in its wake. Completing the test we swapped cars and I was the one who was left behind. Pretty sure 90% of the time it would be the other way round just like when a Puma 1.7 left me for dead when I was in a hopped up 16vt Coupe, but it just killed any interest in me.

They aren't cheap to maintain. Suspension will be tired at this level and a good geo setup will make the difference between a fantastic handling car or one that can be beaten by a Punto. A rebuild plus geo can cost in excess of £3k. Engines are renowned for IMS issues, plus bore scoring and a basic rebuild will rush you £6k. Radiators and condensors are prone to rotting and are £200 each to buy, although fitting isn't beyond the grasp of reasonable home mechanic.

As has been said, they are cheap for a reason, but if you have a good one and are willing to invest to keep it good they are a great steer as long as you can get over the "hairdresser" and "couldn't afford a 911" comments.

That said, I wouldn't have one, but then I'm not a hairdresser and I can afford a 911.

Oh, and as an aside, they don't feel as well made as the earlier cars. A 944 will feel like a solid machine. The quality of feel in a 9*6 is very cheap and flimsy by comparison. It was the major reason I couldn't live with my 996 C4S and have returned to air-cooled until I get into a 997 Turbo.

You're not serious? 18.0 seconds to 100mph, it's not as fast as a 16vT.

My mate owned a Boxster for around a year. He found it quite pricey to maintain, needing a clutch during his ownership.

He sold it due to the running costs, and was going to get an MX-5, but he's now working further away so is looking at either getting a diesel or moving.

To follow on from Brewsters comments... the rear main oil seal is one of the major issues with the earlier Boxsters (and 911's). Looking at £1000-£1500 all in to resolve and once its gone once you'll keep replacing them every 2-3 years.

Yeah, I left that point out as they rarely p!ss oil out, usually just a weep and they tend to get replaced at clutch change time. The cost is almost entirely labour to split the engine and box to get access.

My brother has a 987 MY 2005 with the 2.7L engine.

Not massively fast but with the roof down its fun to pootle around in it. He hasn't had any problems with it other than the air-con didn't work properly when he bought it (fixed by dealer). Tyres are expensive but you'd expect that for large profile Michelins. I've serviced it a few times and its not super hard to do - although haven't done the plugs yet.

Seems these earlier ones can be high maintance then.quickly searching the net you don't see too much against reliability. Suppose the next thread is going to be 330 and m3 thread. Lol..

It's a 15 year old Porsche, what did you expect? Specialists exist, but they certainly aren't at FIAT Coupé price schedules. Expecting to buy one for £5k and run it on £1k a year maintenance for 12k miles a year is unrealistic I'm afraid.

As above Brewster I read a few websites last nite stating reliability is generally good with usual high expenditures. Clutches,servicing etc. Hence asking spittle more info.12k a year doesn't even come into it as the coupes proberbly done 1500 in the past year and this would do similar if a little more

Glad you made it to the thread being a previous porka owner. Any experiences are valued. It's the bigger issue of engine failure that are.more concerning.

All speculative atm of course until I do something and buy something on a whim which unfortunately seems to be a family trait.

^^

Reubs - friend of mine had one for a few years when I had my Barchetta. Personally, I preferred the Barchetta (as did most).

£5k would get your choice of Barchetta in tip top shape. £5k will most likely buy a tired boxster at most.

Get yourself a 330

Personally, I would go S2000 over a Boxster anyday.

From memory the 986 & 987 3.2's have a 6 speed box which has a habit of popping out of 2nd gear, and they also have the potential for IMS failure.

If you are still interested sign up to Boxa.net and read this Reliability Survey.


From that thread and originally posted by Maxxsirrah on 23 Jan 2012:

A further update purely looking at IMS failure bringing this to current:

Total cars covered: 172
Total IMS failures: 12
%age IMS failure: 7.0%

Incidents of failure:
986 3.2: 6
986 2.7: 4
986 2.5: 1
987 3.2: 1
987 2.7: 0
987 3.4: 0

Not only the "you couldn't afford a 911" but also "you couldn't afford to the 3.2S"

Good luck, nice enough cars.

I'm serious, either it was a very good boxster or my current 20vt is a bad one.

I'd be getting your coupe checked over. The standard 2.5 variant is poorly powered, my barchetta felt far peppier!

I've had a 3.2S. 4 years old when I bought it. Lost a lot of money on it when I sold it, not as reliable as people would have you beleive. In my opinion not as much fun as a modified coupe.

I don't need to, I know both cars are (was) on good condition, the fact is, the boxster is quicker, simple as that.
People say that they don't feel the boxster was quick enough, they expected it would be quicker or it wasn't much quicker than my car.... The thing they need to remember is, they know their cars, they know what their cars (or themselves) capable for in that car, and they spend 20mins in a boxster (or any other cars) and expect to drive the boxster as quick (or as well) as they did in a car which they drive day-in, day-out?

So more fun than a standard Coupe then?

My neighbour has changed from a WRX thingy to a 3.2 Boxster. He maintains the problem with it is that it is so smooth it doesn't feel fast. I've been in it, and it definitely shifts. Not having a drive of it, I still got out wanting one, and would change the Coupe tomorrow if I could justify it. Whether the love would last is another thing.

As for poor man's Porker, if I was buying a performance Italian car, with no budget, the Coupe wouldn't be on the list.

Try it. If you like it, buy it!

Sadly it's like anything it's a 318 ci to an m3, a c180 to a c55 ( i wont do the 16vt to a 20vt ). Plus they seem to scream mid life crisis. Save up for a proper one or find a different direction, you'll always find yourself thinking i wish i'd got a 911, when i had a E46 328ci it's all i thought - should have waited and got the m3....

Thats not always the case I'm afraid. My boss drives a boxster, in fact, he's had 4 of them, has every option except carbon brakes, and he hates 911s.
He could buy any super/hypercar on the planet if he so desired and yet, I'm pretty sure when he gets shot of the boxster, it'll be for another boxster.

I wouldn't worry over other peoples perceptions of the car, you'd never have bought a coupe if that were the case after all Do your homework and if you like them, buy one.

Indeed, please don't ever feel that you need to impress others with your car or wallet - it's a very unappealing trait. Just work out a realistic budget (purchase and maintenance), then try it and see if you like it.

I have had a 987 for almost 4 years now, and it has been absolutely great. Not a thing wrong (a rat did chew through a cable once, but that's hardly the car's fault). Mine now has 64k on the clock, 05 Reg. Perishables are pricey though - rear tires are £250ish....

One JD Power survey in the US had the Boxster as the most reliable car on the market!

The one you see on eBay sure is a low price, and so you might find a few things wrong, hard to say. If you are worried about the IMS issue (and anecdotal evidence suggests this happens early, so a higher mileage car would be less likely to suffer) then there is an aftermarket modified replacement bearing available. There is a place in Bolton that does this, for about £500 (not sure for a 986). Can't remember the name, but can dredge it up, I am sure.

As for 911 comparisons, the Box is mid-engined, and therefore the superior car...

Whichever model you buy, it ain't no hairdresser's car. Get in a tunnel, top down and floor it.

I should add, i get the servicing done at an indy in Oxfordshire, and the minor service is £190, major is 250 (incl full Mobil oil), and they only need a service every two years. 986s are less, so the servicing isn't bad at all.

Sorry to close this thread Coupedummy, it is purely to allow us to clean it up (which I can't do on my phone) and re-open later before more testosterone is spilt in here.

And may I remind the culprits that we will be going back to rewarding behaviour like this with 1 week bans.

Thread tidied up and reopened - please play nicely

In order to "remind" the culprits, there should have been some sort of announcement earlier? Obviously I've missed something? If not, I'll assume this is the announcement, others may not see it. Perhaps a sticky or an actual thread may be useful?

yeah riiiiiite

google pre-populates the search for you... a sign that it may be

hey, its down to personal choice and taste. anyway as long as the owner is happy (and the boot is big enough for the cans of hairspray )

It is a peculiar trait of the Boxster. Nobody compares an Aston Martin Vantage to the DB9 as the hairdresser's choice. Or the Gallardo to the Murci. Or the Lotus Elise to the Evora...

You'd have to be a rather successful hairdresser to afford to buy and run a Porsche of any variety, even an early 2.5, but that doesn't prevent the stigma being attached.

I'm sure it is a fantastic steer, but I couldn't own one. IMS and bore scoring issues aside I'd still feel like I let myself down. It's all well and good saying you should drive what you like and sod what others think, but image does have a part to play. Just the same as the clothes you wear, the car you drive is an outward and instant statement of you. Otherwise we'd all wear elasticated Adidas tracksuit bottoms when out and about.

I don't think the Boxster is Jeremy Kyle, but I know it's not Hugo Boss too and I don't do George from Asda suits.

And that's why I don't drive a Porsche.

wow everyone can Porsche bash but me... Have we taken moderation lessons from China?

Back OT, I believe - having never driven one I can only go on second hand knowledge and personal views from the outside - that the car is well balanced and a joy to drive but purists find them a bit of a cop out and as such have been degraded to a car that softies and people who like to cut hair may wish to own. It is a cheap way into a top marque, you may have to spend more time explaining why you bought a Boxster over a 911 than divulging the pleasures of owning a well balanced moderately powered Porsche.
There's plenty about so they must be ok....

And that's why I'm glad you, and many others, don't too.

You can't compare a Lambo or a Aston to a Boxster, main reason is RRP, second is Boxsters are very common compared to either and make the Porsche brand open to many who could never dream of owning a 911.

Lotus - they are proper second cars, weekend toy's and very specialist, a Boxster is an everyday car that Mondeo man will buy when his kids leave home.

If I was thinking of buying a Boxster I would wait til early spring, then if you like it you have the whole summer to have fun, if you don't you should get a better price on re sale while the car is more desirable.

Quote what you have signed up to:
Also, in your capacity as a guest, please behave as though you were a guest anywhere else. If you can't manage this simple task, don't be surprised if you are asked to alter your behaviour. If you still can't behave like a civil guest, don't be surprised when you banned. Just because this is an online community, there is no excuse for bad behaviour and it simply won't be tolerated.

I absolutely agree.

Just make sure that 'guests' are treated equally and that some guests arent treated differently to other guests.

Careful, I got my bottie spanked for holding that view point.

Don't worry rudidudi, we do.

Unfortunately it can appear different because we can't give everyone the same ability to comprehend why they over-stepped or the same desire to learn from mistakes and have a mature dialogue about it. Hey ho.

Can I suggest that people drag any lasting grudges off to forum issues as a courtesy to the original poster.

A little off topic but this is the topic to be off topic; I quite fancy a Cayman. Base model - daily driver. Discuss.

I was originally thinking of a Cayman to replace the Coupe. Apart from a Lotus, it is often said to be the best handling car out there. When i was looking though, as the Cayman was quite new, the Boxsters were a bit cheaper. So overall i could keep the Coupe, and get a Boxster. I am glad i did - perhaps there is the slightest trade-off in handling, but on a sunny day, wind in your hair is great. Still really like the Cayman, but the soft-top doesn't really limit the usability of the car (also, when you look at truck space, the Cayman's might be slightly less usable). Haven't looked at prices in a while, so not sure how they compare.

You may know, but the IMS affects 996s and 997s too. I think after MY 06 the issue has been largely eliminated across the range.

Yeah. The Gen II 9*7s are supposed to be a lot more reliable once Porsche pulled their finger out and fixed what was clearly a poor design in the transition to water cooling. As I said, I'm considering a Gen I 997 Turbo in the next 6 months, but they use a different block altogether based on a 993 bottom end.

I may surprise myself yet and take a break from the brand. I've been hankering for a V8 car for a while and those Vantages are looking like a bargain right now...

There is always the Panamera....

I actually like the Panamera, probably because its the first Porsche that actually looks unique.

That's interesting as I'm selling my 55 plate S2000 with a view to going to either a 3.2s or another Coupe (if I can find something interesting enough....!)

I found the Boxster and 350Z pretty dull compared to the S2000 (eventual purchase). However this was a 2.7 and I gather the 3.2S raises the bar somewhat.

It's the nature of the power delivery that is irritating me, it's the mutts nuts on the VTEC part of the show but a bit disappointing before that, the gearbox/brakes and handling are first class however!

When are you looking to sell your S? I will be look later this year.

Any advice welcome on things to watch for.

Owning a Boxter is considered or viewed as a poor mans 911, that said the status bollocks goes all the way up the tree C2s v C4s v GT's v Turbo v Turbo s. Like wise the engine 2.5 v 2.7 v 3.2 v 3.4.

With any porker expect to pay more when it goes wrong, porkers can go wrong at any stage, ive read some horror stories such as warranties being void due to over revving and even different alloys etc at that age and mileage you wont worry about keeping it in warranty so take it to a specialist or anyone confident on working on it. At the money you are spending it is likely you would get it back providing its not totally shagged. Who knows you may end up a big fan of porsche and get something else because of it.

As im sitting here in Germany i have seen many go past in last 10 mins still a nice looking car with the hood down not so nice with it up though.

Im also looking at porsche turbo but finding the spec i want is difficult its near 4 months and countless viewings mainly the interior combo's are horrid in Germany or some of the options are bare i started off looking at C4S but with prices not so different i started looking at the turbo, also considering others such as V8 Vantage totally different but just a great looking and sounding car. Midlife crisis plus being near Autobahn is what i keep telling myself!!

I ended up buying one of these, it's a 2001 3.2s in black pearlescent with a red roof, black leather interior with factory upgrades including sports seats, 18" turbo wheels and it's the later clear lenses all round. Original paint, minor stone chipping to the front, absolutely no rust whatsoever (Even inside the stone chips).

It's got 103K miles, full Porsche/specialist service history (got every receipt/MOT from new with it) it's just had £2.4K in the past month on a clutch, rear main oil seal and front discs pads.

It's also got a full Janspeed on it including sports cats (£1k) and it sounds awesome!

Handling is brilliant with great turn in and it's very neutral, the brakes are just incredible, only problem's the gear change, it's bloody awful, it's stiff and vague, it needs new cables and a quick shift fitted, it was also due a service, which I did last Saturday morning (Very straightforward to work on)

Other than that, it's had the full claybar, machine polish, 2 layers of autoglym and meguiars gold class wax.

Got it for £5K.

It's awesome.

Good grief - a Boxster S for the price of a top-end Coupe

Despite my dislike for anything from Stutgart, I can't deny that the Poxster is a good-looking, fine-handling, great-sounding and great-performing piece of kit

would be interested to hear a report in a year or so's time after a few things have needed attention - will the love still be there?

Hell - £5k - amazing......

every new generation narrows the gap between the boxster and 911. the latest 981 model is an amazing car, the braking and handling is so impressive. I'm surprised how rare this new model is as i haven't seen many around Bristol.

The interior has also greatly improved as is the overall look. I used to also think i would only consider a 911 but i'm not so sure now.

A lot of car for £5k, my choice over the s2000 and 350z. s2000 is nice as a toy but you really need to rev it to enjoy, althought the gear change is sublime.

Duffy, first dibs when you're bored with it and it's been Duffied please

Great buy at £5k for that model/spec

To think I paid that for my last Barchetta a few years back!

Although the Barchetta has style and exclusivity over the Porker

Well bought indeed.

A guy at work (in his 60's) buys a brand new Boxster S every 3 years or so, and has just bought the new model. It's in black (as opposed to his previous grey ones) and it looks much much better than the last shape. Side on it's much more appealing to the eye, and the back looks better too.

He said it even switches the engine off at the lights (an optional extra). Who'd have thought, a Porsche trying to be green!

Ditto Nige ... and we thought Coupes were alot for the Lire

Hmmm, might have to start saving for one - the S looks a lot of fun, hopefully JBT (baldy to his mates) can service/repair them.....

I love how the opinions are different from the start of thread ...

Still I think it's a great looking and performing motor for the money.

Looks like a nice buy.

Thanks for that!

One thing I did notice this morning (I was sorting out a blow on one of the exhaust joints) is that you can jack one end/corner up and the doors still open as normal.

The shell must be pretty rigid.

We'll see how long this one lasts, longer than the S2000 hopefully!

Well done fella! Bargain and very shiney!

There's an excellent review of the Boxster in this month's C&SC...

There is another reason to have a Coxster:-

My uncle is rich. He bought a Yellow Bird replica thingy after being on a lenghty waiting list. I remember my dad taking me out in it round the village once. It felt proper special even though we never got out of 2nd gear. About a year later my uncle, as big a motorsport fan as me, inevitably crashed it. Now he's on his 4th Coxster IIRC... because he openly admits he isn't 'man' enough to own and drive a man's porker. Which annoys the hell out of me, as I always want him to buy something big and powerful so I can have a play! This little scenario has tainted my view of Coxster owners - half-men. I don't respect any Coxster owner.

Oh well.

I've only seen 2 Coxsters being driven properly in my entire life. Both were destroyed by me in my mk3 MR2 with ease (NB: this included cornering!). All the others seem to be driven by people I would never respect.

OTOH I drove one of my Uncle's Coxsters and it was ace. Top down it felt like a proper sports car. More special than the MR2 by far, both in feel, interior and overall quality. But I'd have my 3rd MR2 over one any day because I have every reason to respect my own manliness.

IMO of course.

Remember the saying about big engines and small willies, WF?

There are virtually *no* cases off a race track in the UK where the vast majority of modern cars - from a fiesta upwards - can be driven anywhere near their limits with regard to the safety of other road users; attempting to treat a public road like a race track is the mark of a (er, actually two) complete idiot rather than a 'manly man[1]'.

It was so nice here when your perpetual willy-waving wasn't cluttering up the forum. Your opinions are welcome but your prejudices less so.


[1] An imperial Chinese term for Eunuch, as it happens.

I suspect getting respect from WF would be so far down any potential owners list of reasons as to need the combined skills of BP and Jules Verne to be able to find it.

(edit: @ Barnacle btw) Oh here we go. I see this place hasn't managed to evolve into a higher plane of reality in my absence.

What like all sayings, they're BS made up my lesser people to make themselves feel better about themselves?

Who said it was a race? Didn't seem like it from my pov.

That's nice dear

Anyway, the new Sierra...

Class

Ironic that wf thinks OTHER people are cocksters

Have you made it to a trackday yet Welformed?

[quote=coupedummy]I love how the opinions are different from the start of thread ...quote]

And now, thanks to that man it has come full circle!

A friend is picking a low mileage boxster with hardtop for 2k. Hopefully I get chance in this shortly and post up a review

I really rate them. Great all round sportscar, great handling. New boxster is gorgeous. Shades of carrera gt. Many tests say its the best car Porsche has made...high praise

I didn't realise they offered a hard top for the boxster - not seen one before.

Interesting if they do as i was considering a caymen to eventually replace my GTA but a Boxster with hardtop coulb be a good option as well.

The Cayman is very smart (I looked at one with a broken engine as a possible project)however the whole convertible on a sunny day thing shouldn't be under-rated!
Mine is in bits and I have been very impressed by the build and material quality of it. It's beautifully engineered and fun to work on. Rust is a complete non-issue (this is on a 11 year/104k car)

I'm doing my usual and enjoying it.

I am tempted by a Boxster as well but my brother does have one already and it does seem the Cayman has less of an image problem (not that its an issue for me) and are slightly rarer so hopefully easier to sell on at a later date.

It seems like every review of the Boxster it's always the best in it's class, always sets the benchmark for every other manufacture to aim for.

There's an owner/reviewer here who's not quite so happy with his boxter (the car grumble starts about halfway through, after the watch grumble): http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/10...sable-faux-ury/

What a tool

He's a bit grumpy isn't he? And also looking at the past through rose tinted spectacles!

Its a rant all right, but towards the bottom he actually made some sense. society places value on something more often than not because they are told to by clever adds, marketing ect. It's a trend that can't last in this financial climate.
We place less and less value on durability and quality. Its all about keeping up with the joneses regardless of consequence

Yes can't disagree with thatm I would however argue with his take on the durability of the boxster, it's very well made

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.

enjoyed this wee read,,I sold my coop and bike and bought a little 2.0l Z3 and totally enjoying it so far. Looking at replacing it next year and thinking seriously about a Boxter S,,just feel the Z is a couple of inches to small and playing up my back!
I do like the look of the Z and was considering a Z3M for the performance,,but if the Porker is that wee bit more spacious then it will win I think.

I have had the pleasure of spending a bit more time with the Boxster the past couple of weeks.
This is the first mid engined car we've owned and I was worried about the level of extra difficulty that maintenance may present. So far, with the help of a guidebook (101 projects) we have changed all four CV boots plus changed brake fluid, gearbox oil and the coolant. Access is straightforward from underneath and even things like the plugs and belts don't look too bad.
We did a last minute cheapie trackday at Keevil on Monday in both cars. As expected the Boxster is a bit soft and understeer biased in the dry, but still pretty quick and happy to be hussled. Considering it's a completely standard car on road rubber it was pleasing to drive and gave Beth a lot of confidence (compared to the twitchy Caterham).
It rained heavily twice through the day and on both occasions the Boxster came alive and was the fastest car on track bar non, which was impressive considering some of the other cars there (Imprezza, new M3, hordes of Caterhams, Elises and other track fare). The back tyres had amazing traction, the only way to get the rears to spin was to change to first at the hairpin, but that proved unrewarding as it would spin up just one wheel.
With a few mods such as reducing the final drive, adding a limited slip diff and as recommended above the M030 suspension.
Sadly right at the end of the day (whilst chasing a mate in his CSR260) the Caterham has had some sort of transmission issue, probably clutch or spigot bearing so I'll be taking the engine out next week, fun! Still out of almost 100 trackdays this is only the second time I've had a mechanical

As a positive Beth wants to do more trackdays now, brilliant.

Hey Dave - so its a Boxter now - have you changed your trade to 'Hair Dresser'

Blimey, Hanny! What are YOU driving these days? Or is it strictly boats in the North Sea?

lol - hi matey - afraid got all sensible ......... well sort of..... Im in a R32 (not modded :D) and misses is in a cooper S which I have had a play with but she caught me out when I sneaked it over to AMD and got it re-mapped - for the life of me cant work out why I would think that she would not notice...maybe it was the Miltek that was also fitted

Still miss the Coupe though