I'd decided a few months ago that I wanted a new toy. The basic requirements were that t had to have a 0-60m time o less than five seconds, be a little unusual and less than about £20k. I like unusual things, some would say it matches my personality and I'd not disagree with them.
I'd been keeping my eye on ebay for a few things, I did bid on a Caterham 7 but got outbid. Still the seller ended up a few hundred better off than he would otherwise have been but I really wanted something a little more radical, so radical that I even considered a Radical, but road legal ones are rare and I really didn't want to shell out for a brand new one, even though I could have stretched to it. Arials also got considered but I never quite found the time to go and look at any of the few that I've seen for sale until it was too late. Real life kept getting in the way.
I've just taken delivery of my new toy, a 2001 Porsche Boxster S, procured slightly accidentally from a dealer friend who phoned me from the auction recently and asked me if I fancied one and on the spur of the moment I decided that I did.
It was cheap, well below trade book so on paper I've got a bargain, but I bought it for some fun, not as an investment, so how I'll concentrate on telling you what it's like to drive.
It's not that quick, similar real world performance to the 1700cc Caterham I had a few years back but as you're rear end is about twice as far from the tarmac then it seems a lot slower. Similar speed to the first Imprezza I had and slower than the second that had been chipped to about 260bhp. It's still a lot lot faster than the vast majority of cars on the road. It's still a tortoise compared to the GT3 I had but its vastly more livable with.
I had the roof down during the morning run, put about 40 miles on the clock on mostly B roads with a couple of short lengths of dual carriageway in between. Its definitely at its happiest on smooth roads but much less fussy about typical B road undulations than the Imprezza, where you're let with the feeling that there's rarely more than one wheel in contact with the tarmac for long periods of time. The heater was enough to keep me warm in the chill autumnal air. It's also unlikely to shake your kidneys out, which was a permanent likelihood in the Caterham.
I did have grief when I stopped for petrol, took me a while to work out how to open the fuel filler flap and I cursed leaving the manual at home, but I got there in the end. Rear visibility with the hood up on the way home isn't brilliant but the side mirrors are adequate for reversing and as long as there aren't blue flashing lights behind me then I'm not overly concerned about what is. There's also an acceptable level of luggage room, more than enough for a weekend break for two, though insufficient room for a set of golf clubs, so its reasonably practical provided you're not Tiger Woods.
There's plenty of grunt from the engine from low down but it only comes alive at about 5000rpm when its really breathing deeply. There's something that just doesn't feel quite natural with the handling. It happens during the turn in when the back end feels like it wants to step out but doesn't, though it gives the impression that the slightest provocation would kick the back end out of line. I decided that I wouldn't apply the provocation today, though it'll happen soon enough no doubt.
Overall its a lot of fun on the road and seems to be comfortable enough to live with. I'll keep the Mondeo for most of the 30,000 miles a year that I do, but for sunny days out when I'm not carrying too much then the Boxster will get enough of an airing. It fits in the garage too, now that I've cleared a lot of junk out of there, though I might move my massive (think half an oil drum on a stand) bbq into a shed to allow more than an inch to spare. First I need to buy a shed.
I'll keep you in touch with how I get on with it, especially when I find out a little more about its perceived handling quicks. So its not quite what I set out to get, though that's so often true in so many things in life, I only need think back to some of my ex's. Hopefully the reliability, maintenance costs and the cost to change will be slightly lower than some of those.
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I read often, only post occasionally
Edited by Pugugly {P} on 30/10/2007 at 22:46
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I would make a trip to somewhere that has a good computerised 4 wheel alignment machine. Lots of these get spun, kerbed etc so I would make sure the alignment is correct.
While its in the air have a good look at the suspension arms for any signs of damage/cracks/bending
Even if you get a specialist to set it up I would get it checked afterwards with one of the computer kits. A very expensive speicialist set the alignment up on a 911 I owned and I found the car didnt feel great afterwards - went along to a place with the computer alignment and found the settings were way out (so theres another message - not all the specialists are competent)
Also I would be thinking about how old the shocks/springs are. at 9 years old it could still be on the originals.
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at 9 years old it could still be on the originals.
It's a 2001 model :-) Must be getting your Boxsters in a twist with Perleman's!!
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whoops!
quite right OldSock. I'd better untangle before I do an injury!
these boxsters, common as muck. :)
(point about the shocks still stands though)
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I have used 3 independents now. 2 are cheap (£50 p/h labour) and one is expensive (£70 p/h). The expensive one is one of the best regarded specialists in the UK and really know their stuff. Out of the other 2, 1 is a complete waste of time & money & the other is brilliant. I'll happily share my experiences with you if you PM me.
Regarding viability, I just got the hood with glass window fitted (£750) and it's like a different car to drive - I went to www.carhood.com - down in Surrey.
Enjoy the car - like you say, they are not stupidly fast but it's a lovely drive with the hood down!
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I recall an article in the Telegraph by James May
after 1 year of light use, his Boxter S needed new brakes all round, at a cost of £1k.
And he kept it in a garage...
He wasn't too pleased. hopefully this won't happen to you?
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I had a 993 until just over a year ago and was an avid reader of all things Porsche. I was put off 986 Boxsters and 996s by the many tales of expensive unreliability, and in fact my faith in Porsche as a marque has taken a nosedive. Plus Porsche have a reputation for avoiding warranty claims if they can and the dealers for arrogance, incompetence and all sorts of things. And you have to choose your independent carefully, as mentioned above.
I also get the impression that 986s and 996s are somewhat 'fragile' in that little - and sometimes big - things can go wrong, and more often than they would on an Audi or a BMW, say. It all seems too much hassle.
Spikeyhead, as you've owned Porsche before you'll know all about the importance of 4-wheel alignment, and probably the potential pitfalls too. But on paper, as a package the Boxster is simply brilliant: great handling from a classy chassis and combined with amazing practicality, especially luggage space. Do keep us posted.
I still rather hanker after a 996 GT3, despite all the above (but mainly because it doesn't share the same block as 'basic' 996s). But what about yours did you find difficult to live with, Spikeyhead?
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I still rather hanker after a 996 GT3 despite all the above (but mainly because it doesn't share the same block as 'basic' 996s). But what about yours did you find difficult to live with Spikeyhead?
It had carbon fibre race seats in it, which are about as comfortable as concrete. They're very supportive, but I just couldn't find a relaxed position to drive in. I went halves on it with a mate to do a tour of Europe. 3500 miles in six days sat on a concrete block isn't as mcuh fun as it could have been
That coupled with running expenses that are high, not as massive as a Ferrari but certainly not cheap. A set of tyres is £1000, compared with about £450 for a Boxster S. There's an ebay seller selling Porsche discs for every model bar the GT3, so they're four times the price. The other issue was finding anywhere to park it, a Boxster isn't too bad in a supermarket car park, but not really in a town center street, the GT3 i wouldn't leave in either so its nowhere near as practical. The luggage area is similar except that the rear section is behind the seats and on display. The levels of grip are so high that unless your name is Lewis or Stirling you'll never find the limits of adhesion on a public road without also finding a ditch or armco, which reduces the cars appeal in my view.
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I read often, only post occasionally
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General consensus is that the Boxster suffers from lack of use. If the discs get wet & the surface rust isn't scrapped of by breaking action within a few days, they corrode. There's a very high chance that James could have got the job done at an indi for a fair whack less too, or just had the discs skimmed for about £150. The pads were probably fine from what I've gleaned about main dealers of that brand & I can't think why they'd be worn after a year of light use.
I remember that article, one of the rare occasions on which he discussed something relevant to motoring in his otherwise moderately un-insightful column IMO.
Regarding Boxsters being common, the funny thing is that although the pricing is not exclusive with good examples from about 10k, there just aren't the same volumes on the road as nice 3 series coupes, M3s, A4 convertibles, or Merc CLKs / SLKs. As such I feel (perhaps deludedly?) that it is about the most exclusive £12k every-day car there is, just because there isn't the volume around. I know it's sad that that was a consideration to puchase, but it's horses for courses & it's beautiful to look at & drive too.
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Two things that really stood out about the late 986 S that I had were the steering feel (it was Michelin Pilot Sports) and the wonderful noise above 4,000 rpm. Mine had a Bose stereo that I would turn DOWN as speeds increased to enjoy the noise of the engine. Had some great fun on track days with it, too.
Being sensible I sold it and now have an early 996 that can fit the kids in the back. But it hasn't been nearly as much fun or enjoyable as the Boxster was, and so I can't justify keeping it. So I'm selling it.
And yet 'conventional wisdom' would have it that a 911 is a better bet than a Boxster. Not in my book!
Enjoy your Boxster, and get a glass-screened hood if the visibility is that bad.
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Thanks, Spikeyhead. I'm not into trackdays, so I'll cross the GT3 off my wish list...
The nature of Porche brakes is that they require regular and hard-ish use, otherwise the discs corrode (personal experience...). As pointed out above, a skim can be a cheaper option compared with new discs.
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My Bro bought a boxter s last year. Fantastic in everything it does BUT from a personal point of view the styling does NOTHING for me I would even say it's down right ugly.. There again what do i know!
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