peterg1965
MB Enthusiast
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2007
- Messages
- 1,144
- Location
- Lancashire
- Car
- 2019 Audi Q7, 2018 Mini Cooper S, 2016 Porsche 718 Boxster S
I have to say that I have never considered a Porsche before, but, having spoken at length to a Boxster owner last week and having poured over the internet over the past few days, I think I am now a fully signed up Porsche fan!
Following the demise of the CLK55 two months ago and having set my sights on an M5 as a replacement, the M5 ‘dream’ has faded away. Sublime car and engine but I think the running costs of a 3 – 4 year old car, as well as the buying cost, will be crippling to me. Head rules over heart and I have parked that idea. My thoughts did turn to a Z4 Coupe, I sat in one last week and I liked it a lot. Z4M running costs seem to be high and the Z4 3.0si seemed to fit the bill for me, until I sat in a Boxster!
I have looked at three Boxster S cars today and driven two of them. I was hugely impressed; this impression was helped by a bit of research beforehand which seemed to reveal manageable running costs and a reputation as a very well built and reliable sports car. The Cayman would be even better for me, as I do not have a garage, but they still command prices that I am not prepared to pay.
Anyway, if I go down the Boxster route it has to be a 3.2 ‘S’ , if I bought a 2.7 I would be forever looking at the ‘S’ and saying I should have got one! The colour – it has to be black or a dark grey. A little education on the t’internet gave me a ‘foundation degree’ in Porsche ownership! – How many different options are there!! I found three cars that were local, had the kind of spec I was looking for, and went to view today.
The first was this one:
Auto Trader UK - PORSCHE Boxster 3.2 S
Beautiful car! Spec is OK. The colour was a solid black (not metallic), it had not been prepared that well and would benefit from a good detail and polish, there was a bit of dulling and swirls on the paint on the bonnet. I simply loved the sports seats (all three cars had them), red seat belts too which compliment the black leather and bodywork, low miles – about 6000 miles per year average – 3 owners. The 19” sports design alloys are amazing and suit the car perfectly. Negatives were some marked alloys (he said he would fix), the rear tyres were Bridgestones and the fronts Michelins – all N1 rated Porsche tyres though. Crest embossed leather seats. It had been serviced once, no problem, but it was due a Major service in December (spark plugs, belt check etc) - £900 minimum I guess. 3 owners but the last for three years. I drove this car in the limited confines of the industrial estate which the trader operated from. It felt great and looked fantastic, but I wouldn’t buy it without a Porsche 111 points check.
The next:
Auto Trader UK - PORSCHE BOXSTER 3.2 S 2DR 1 OWNER HIGH SPEC FACE LIFT MODEL
Equally as good, same 19” sport design alloys, impeccable service history – recent major service at Porsche – but it looked like it needed a decent valet/detail – i am fussy and the wheel arches and underneath lacked a bit of care and attention. One owner, 39,000 miles and decent Michelin PS2s all round. It looked a little more ‘lived in’ inside than the first car – the Porsche mats were very worn (a hole in the drivers one), though the alloys were spotless. It has xenons and the sports seats. For the screen price he would put it through the local Porsche dealer 111 point check and buy a 12 months Porker warranty (I later found out that he would not be allowed to do this under the condition of the new Porsche used car warranty – i could do it though (as a private owner) if I bought it outright first - but woulod have to put right anything which was highlighted from the inspection). Anyway, it looked great, I was put off by the highish miles and the lack of a good detail, the front of the bonnet revealed the miles (stone chips etc).
The last car was this one:
Auto Trader UK - Porsche Boxster 3200 cc 3.2 S
I was hugely impressed by this OPC in Bolton. Some staggering beautiful cars in their showroom. Anyway, the Boxster S was an 05 plate model and was presented in an impeccable condition – I could not fault it. The bonnet and wings had been resprayed (I was told) and the metallic paintwork was gleaming. The alloys were the standard ‘S’ 18s with Michelin PS2s all round. Although I prefer the 19” sport designs this car still looked fantastic on the 18s. I thought the spec was pretty spartan but was proved wrong. Extended leather, alu pack, sports seats, PASM, upgraded hifi enough to keep me happy! I went for a drive in this one – a longish one and was massively impressed with everything – speed, acceleration, drive, noise, comfort and feel. The sales people were also very professional and courteous although I was discretely pressed for a sale – it wasn’t going to happen today and I told them. This was the most expensive car, but it had the benefit of the 12 months Porsche warranty and the impeccable presentation – if it had 19” sport designs I expect I would have lost all will power!
Anyway, sorry for the long post, but bottom line is that I am now a Porker fan! Would appreciate views/comments on Boxsters from anyone familiar with them!
Following the demise of the CLK55 two months ago and having set my sights on an M5 as a replacement, the M5 ‘dream’ has faded away. Sublime car and engine but I think the running costs of a 3 – 4 year old car, as well as the buying cost, will be crippling to me. Head rules over heart and I have parked that idea. My thoughts did turn to a Z4 Coupe, I sat in one last week and I liked it a lot. Z4M running costs seem to be high and the Z4 3.0si seemed to fit the bill for me, until I sat in a Boxster!
I have looked at three Boxster S cars today and driven two of them. I was hugely impressed; this impression was helped by a bit of research beforehand which seemed to reveal manageable running costs and a reputation as a very well built and reliable sports car. The Cayman would be even better for me, as I do not have a garage, but they still command prices that I am not prepared to pay.
Anyway, if I go down the Boxster route it has to be a 3.2 ‘S’ , if I bought a 2.7 I would be forever looking at the ‘S’ and saying I should have got one! The colour – it has to be black or a dark grey. A little education on the t’internet gave me a ‘foundation degree’ in Porsche ownership! – How many different options are there!! I found three cars that were local, had the kind of spec I was looking for, and went to view today.
The first was this one:
Auto Trader UK - PORSCHE Boxster 3.2 S
Beautiful car! Spec is OK. The colour was a solid black (not metallic), it had not been prepared that well and would benefit from a good detail and polish, there was a bit of dulling and swirls on the paint on the bonnet. I simply loved the sports seats (all three cars had them), red seat belts too which compliment the black leather and bodywork, low miles – about 6000 miles per year average – 3 owners. The 19” sports design alloys are amazing and suit the car perfectly. Negatives were some marked alloys (he said he would fix), the rear tyres were Bridgestones and the fronts Michelins – all N1 rated Porsche tyres though. Crest embossed leather seats. It had been serviced once, no problem, but it was due a Major service in December (spark plugs, belt check etc) - £900 minimum I guess. 3 owners but the last for three years. I drove this car in the limited confines of the industrial estate which the trader operated from. It felt great and looked fantastic, but I wouldn’t buy it without a Porsche 111 points check.
The next:
Auto Trader UK - PORSCHE BOXSTER 3.2 S 2DR 1 OWNER HIGH SPEC FACE LIFT MODEL
Equally as good, same 19” sport design alloys, impeccable service history – recent major service at Porsche – but it looked like it needed a decent valet/detail – i am fussy and the wheel arches and underneath lacked a bit of care and attention. One owner, 39,000 miles and decent Michelin PS2s all round. It looked a little more ‘lived in’ inside than the first car – the Porsche mats were very worn (a hole in the drivers one), though the alloys were spotless. It has xenons and the sports seats. For the screen price he would put it through the local Porsche dealer 111 point check and buy a 12 months Porker warranty (I later found out that he would not be allowed to do this under the condition of the new Porsche used car warranty – i could do it though (as a private owner) if I bought it outright first - but woulod have to put right anything which was highlighted from the inspection). Anyway, it looked great, I was put off by the highish miles and the lack of a good detail, the front of the bonnet revealed the miles (stone chips etc).
The last car was this one:
Auto Trader UK - Porsche Boxster 3200 cc 3.2 S
I was hugely impressed by this OPC in Bolton. Some staggering beautiful cars in their showroom. Anyway, the Boxster S was an 05 plate model and was presented in an impeccable condition – I could not fault it. The bonnet and wings had been resprayed (I was told) and the metallic paintwork was gleaming. The alloys were the standard ‘S’ 18s with Michelin PS2s all round. Although I prefer the 19” sport designs this car still looked fantastic on the 18s. I thought the spec was pretty spartan but was proved wrong. Extended leather, alu pack, sports seats, PASM, upgraded hifi enough to keep me happy! I went for a drive in this one – a longish one and was massively impressed with everything – speed, acceleration, drive, noise, comfort and feel. The sales people were also very professional and courteous although I was discretely pressed for a sale – it wasn’t going to happen today and I told them. This was the most expensive car, but it had the benefit of the 12 months Porsche warranty and the impeccable presentation – if it had 19” sport designs I expect I would have lost all will power!
Anyway, sorry for the long post, but bottom line is that I am now a Porker fan! Would appreciate views/comments on Boxsters from anyone familiar with them!
And that was like 20 years ago. 
