Fiat Coupe or Porche Boxster ?

Just been offered a Boxster for £5k from a friend, i have a 20VT Moon Grey Plus, all serviced via Powerfiat, 110k on teh clokc, goes well, no problems, but im tempted by the Porsche ( 1998 PORSCHE BOXSTER 2.5 2dr Roadster ), what's your thoughts, is it much cop agaist a trusty Coop? I haven't driven the Boxster yet... or am i just getting a badge?

The Coop is quicker but cheaper running costs and more fun but u dont have that lovely build quality

my personal opinion is that if I bought a boxster it would have to be the 3.2s. 2.5 is too slow.

7.5 to 60 and top speed of 148mph.

Badge.

Go have a drive! I haven't driven one but wouldn't dismiss it until I had! If you are asking this question, that says to me you are considering changing cars anyway!

i must admit i would be tempted depending on milage ,condition etc, But a 2.5 boxter will be SLOW

A Boxster of that age will be showing more signs of age than your coupe I would say. It will look older, the coop in moon silver still looks good and quite fresh, but a phase 1 Boxster looks old, the interior hasn't aged well either.

It will be dynamically better than your car but will be slower, although on twisty A roads point to point it may be quicker, but it will feel slower, no turbo punch.

I also heard that roofs have issues of leaking and cracking on the first phase Boxsters.

I would say you are buying the badge and that if you want a Boxster you really want a 3.2 and not the 2.5

I just test drove this the other day for a friend and yes, the 2.5 is SLOWWW. Accept nothing lower than a 2.7

Boxster for me! for 5K, Bargain

Yeah £5k does seem very cheap. For the badge i'd say go for it..you're just gonna miss the power though..

too cheap possibly?

Why's he selling? Full Service etc?

5k is about right for a 2.5, early car and porsche upgraded the engine to a 2.7 not long after.

3.2's are going for about 10k for a cheap one.

Yup, its just right for an early 2.5. It will be like buying a 16v coupe though and then coming up against all the 20v and turbo boys, you will just be laughed at

sometimes its 'better the devil you know'...however I would rather spend my money on the Porsche. Just depends how you drive really, 7.5 to 60 is fairly rapid and you also get to put the roof down!

Barnacle will be along shortly...






To be laughed at

Year: 1997
Manufacturer: Porsche
Name Boxster 986 2.5
Weight: 1242
Transmission: Manual
BHP: 201
Peak BHP (rpm): 6000
Torque: 181
Peak Torque (rpm): 4500
BHP/Tonne: 162
Lbs/ft/tonne: 146
0-30mph: 2.2
0-60mph: 6.5
0-70mph: 7.7
0-100mph: 18
30-70mph: 5.5
30-100mph: 15.8
60-100mph: 11.5
0-400m: 15.3
0-400m Terminal: 99
0-1000m: 28.5
0-1000m Terminal: 115
Top Speed: 155

You're looking at Escort Cossy, Volvo 850 T5 R, Fiat Coupé 16v Turbo performance when rolling.

Thanks for all the advice, i think im going to stick with my Coop, i agree, its look great still in Moon Grey, and im not happy about the 2.5 being so slow against my current 20VT, so the Coop stays, thanks everyone!

if you want a badge, pick one up on ebay for pennies and keep the coupe

Nothing wrong with that if mapped lol!

In case you're interested I did a back to back comparison a couple of years ago with a friend's 2.5 - as said above the coop is quite a bit quicker in a straight line, and felt even more so due to the turbo "kick".

Handling on the Boxster was in a totally different league though, as was steering feel, braking, the gearshift and pedal feel - Porsche certainly know how to put a car together. Interior dated though.

Sounded good at higher revs - closing on 3 figures in 3rd with the top down = nice.

Cheers Neal, im still pretty swayed towards keeping my Coop, maybe i could have both! Hmmmm, well it is almost Xmas aftre all, just need some more parking space, doh!

Who?

I actually made the choice between the Fiat and the Porsche when I bought my 20vt plus from new. I chose the Fiat because it's faster, more beautiful, rarer, cheaper to run / maintain, and more practical.

I would only pick the Porsche for the brand (which for me actually is a reason NOT to do it) and maybe build quality (though that has to be confirmed...).

id have that boxster..fantastic handling, great build quality..and lets face it. you dont give a stuff about what other people think anyway do ya??...you drive a coupe fiat!!!!....i am a porsche fan and the boxster is on my shopping list for the future..

Boxster *IF* you can live with the lack of straight line speed and only having 2 seats.

I would rather spend a bit more and get a TVR than have a 2.5 Boxter. Yes it is well made and handles well, but its not that quick and its a hairdressers car.

Thats just my opinion anyway.

I thought the boxster engine internals where a lot stronger than the coupes so increasing the power (dependant on cash) was easier?

it would be more difficult to increase the power though as it is NA, even if the internals were up to it.

Oh, I totally agree with that - £7-8k for a decent Chimaera these days if you look around, and that's a fine fine car - bucketloads of character and lots faster than the Boxster (the base spec 4.0 is quicker than a 20vt), far more stylish interior and way more space. And that's ignoring the stunning noise.


Example

As for handling, well about covers it, especially in the wet.

Boxster is a nice car, driven an S a few times but would always pick the coop over it any day. Build quality is great but i didnt like the handling on it at all! Doesnt behave like a normal rear wheel drive car when push and things get out of hand, snap over steer and you need to be seriously quick on the rack if you want to catch it...scared the bloody life out of me when the back end went for the first time! Your coop looks awesome in the moon grey anyway! stick with it

Depends how big a dog the Boxster is. They are generally pretty untidy and prone to expensive niggles at that age. If its tidy then its a no brainer, take it to the track and see what porsche designed it for.

"I actually made the choice between the Fiat and the Porsche when I bought my 20vt plus from new. I chose the Fiat because it's faster, more beautiful, rarer, cheaper to run / maintain, and more practical.

I would only pick the Porsche for the brand (which for me actually is a reason NOT to do it) and maybe build quality (though that has to be confirmed...)."



Exactly

I was fancying a Boxster, but I'm going to keep my Coop. I'm really pleased after reading this that the Coop more than compete's with the Boxster all round. However ya'll, don't underestimate the kudos of brand power. For example:
Scenario 1
"What do you drive?"
"I drive a Porsche"
" "
Scenario 2
"What do you drive?"
"I drive a Fiat"
" "

(Harrumph) As a multiple ex Porsche driver, there is a lot to be said for the badge kudos (a very small percentage of people have even been in one let alone owned one), and the build quality & handling are legendary, BUT I'd go for the 2.7 if given the option (or even a 911 or Cayman) - but you won't get a decent one of these for £5k!

Beware the 2.5 engine as well - I believe that the engine is prone to piston damage too - and we're talking VERY expensive see you in bankruptcy court repair costs there!!

No brainer if you ask me. The Porker has better brakes, better handling, better ride, better build quality, probably more reliable, more Kudos, and NO ROOF!!

I mean come on guys,,,, OK it might be a *bit* slower, but if its in good condition, surely the Porker wins!!!

Not necessarily - although you raise some valid points there. I know of at least one person who chopped his Boxster for a 20v Turbo - and I see more Boxters around than Coupes, so which one is the more exclusive ....

I do quite fancy a Boxster and considered when buying my Merc, but the running costs scared me. And they are also very common around here!

If to really care if the Boxster is slower, you aint ever going to be happy IMO, there are, and will always be a lot faster cars. IMO, who cares?
If you like the badge, roof off two seater fun, good handling and good residuals - get it. If you like it more than your Coop buy it. I bought my coop cos I liked it. Not cos it was the fastest. I didn't NOT buy it cos of others 'scaremongering' over the reliability. It looked good. Was fast enough. Sounded great. Could fit four adults/surfboard in it. I liked it. Of the other cars I had driven - I liked it the most.
If I was in your position I'd care less what others think and go with what you like. Simple.

It really depends on what YOU want. Performance wise the coupe is quicker in a straight line, and the turbo kick makes it feel more so. Is this what you are after or is corners and low end torque your thing.....?

Unless you want to throw A LOT of money at a coupe it will never come close to the porsche.

Go and test drive the boxster - you'll make a decision pretty quickly then. I've driven so many cars now that are impressive on paper and according to the way they look, but drive them and you just know that it is not for you.

I like the coupe. But have driven the Boxster S and it is an awesome car too

Further reading

http://www.mazefrenzy.com/

I also read that the engine in the early 1998/1999 builds and onwards is very dodgy, read on...

http://www.porschaforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=3774&p=48918

Makes you wonder really if the brand deserves its quality reputation?

My take on the views so far:

1. You can find a website ranting about the weaknesses and problems with any engine.

2. Quality has nothing to do with reliability.

3. If you really think its just the badge that distinguishes a Fiat Coupe from a Porsche Boxster then congratulations, any car you ever own will be just perfect.

4. Ubiquity sometimes means, most people know better than you and you are the odd one out (Ode to Betamax man or Alan Partridge types who insist on using string backed driving gloves for extra purchase).

5. A well driven 2.5 Boxster will waste any 20VT on a very twisty and wet road. A 20VT driven by me anyway.

6. Roof down motoring is cool, get with it kids. If you are a chav it also gives you a legitimate reason for wearing your baseball cap, innit.

7. You won't lose any depreciation on a £5K Boxster, you'll lose your shirt on a £5K 20VT.

8. Hairdressers do own Boxsters but they also own Fiat Coupe's, Nova's, Allegros, and Range Rovers too.

9. I'm running out of ideas.

10. Swap your Coupe for the Boxster, when you need more go, sell the Boxster and buy the 3.2S. Better still keep both. Two cars is always better than one.

Well my tuppence worth...

I have been in and driven a friend's Boxster 2001 3.2S, it was great fun, looked very smart, nicely poised, fantastic brakes and pretty quick. The interior isn't up to much, a bit cheap looking especially the centre console. It's quite a handful in the wet and has caught him out on a couple of occasions, indeed I would be wary too of pushing it very hard except on the track. He has had a few issues over the last 18 months and even with a specialist it doesn't come cheap. It may be the bottom end of the Porsche range but the running costs do not reflect this. However the single biggest problem has been abuse. It has been keyed very badly three times and the final straw was a bucket of acid/paint stripper over the bonnet. Unfortunately it has to be parked on the street however this is in Clifton, the nicest part of Bristol. When claiming on insurance it happened to be the second Boxster of the day to get the paint stripper treatment, perhaps coincidence but there you go.

I don't think the 2.5 is up to much, you buy a Porsche because it's a fast sports car but short of the 3.2 I don't think it will satisfy in that regard. I would honestly hold out for the bigger engine as it completes the package.

As for #5 Cosmo, I truly beg to differ.

Fair comment Flea, but if you noticed I qualified the statement with "A 20VT driven by me anyway".

I could guarantee I'd get down the road faster in a 2.5 Boxster than me in your 20VT monster.

Obviously I give due deference to your car and your own driving abilities.

Dont do it - have you seen/heard what can go wrong??

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=311

From the same site

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=103

This seems a bit odd given the design of the wheel and the 205 profile tyres. Are they linking kerbed wheels to "bad" cars

As said test the Boxster and make your decision. I'd probably stick with the coupe as 80% of my driving is motorway based (boring I know!).

Whats pretty mad is that we're reading a thread where someone is comparing these two cars to buy at similar prices. Not too long ago this would be unheard of!

A work mate is looking to buy one with a 10k budget so i've been looking to help him. He's just like I was last year when I brought the coupe, not aware of the power a car forum carries...
With his budget he can afford a 5 year old 2.7, Pistonheads has loads and I wanted to open his eyes to potential issues. Unlike me who saw a good looking car and have now spent about 2.5k in the first year...

id go coupe everytime.
i was following a friend in his mk3 golf VR6 when a boxster tried to play with him but found out he couldnt shack the VW of his rear end.

plus you get alot more for your money with a coupe

I say: go for a decent spec 3.2L Boxster as a minimum, the 2.7 is still a great car to drive, but for me wouldn't be quick enough. It'll cost you £10k+, but is so much more of a car than a Coupe ever can be.

If you want the fastest car in the world, go and buy a 700bhp skyline. No Porsche/Merc etc... will be good enough to satisfy a straight line speek freak with a limited budget of £15k or so.

There are now quite a number of 3.2 versions for £10k or less on Autotrader - not saying they are all mint, but could still get a good one if your lucky!