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Anyone familar with Porsche Boxsters?

My eldest daughters B/F had a Boxster and he always hankered after a 911.
After about 2 years he traded it in and got one.
He never said much about the swap, simply that the 911 "was fast". But I always got the general impression he actually preferred the Boxster.
He recently traded the 911 in for a 3.2 diesel Audi convertible.
"Not as fast as the 911" was the initial reaction.
Now, after a few months of ownership he says he now prefers the Audi as it has more grunt low down and in practical normal road terms can cover distances just as quickly as both the Boxster and the 911.
 
Are the 'bad' Boxster experiences mentioned here the current 987 or the older 986 model?
 
:thumb:This has the making of another of Peter's monster threads................
 
I had a tough time deciding over the SLK or the Boxter S - the SLK won in the end (and so did the missus, we don't have it anymore, she's not a fan of sports cars, except to look at)...

Primary reasons for choosing the SLK - the folding hardtop - simple, and it has to be the 350 or 55.

Having said that, at the time that I was looking (just a couple of years ago) I read in quite a few places that the brakes corroded so much quicker on a Boxster, unless it was in use at least once every 3 days.. one to watch out for.
 
How do the iconic lyrics to Janis Joplin's song go ..... Oh lord why don't you buy me a Mercedes Benz - my friends all have Porsches.....................
 

these are 996s .. older and therefore more likely to go wrong.

I had a Boxter S for 2 months and it broke down 5 times with trips to main stealer on a two truck each time.....In the end i had it towed to a BMW stealer and traded it on the back of a tow truck for an M3 cab!! Worst car i ever owned but when it worked it was probably the best car i ever owned!! Cornering, balance, feel, noise etc are unrivalled unless you have a ferrari perhaps but the reliability in mine was worse than a trabant and the cost to put right was horrific each and every time.....

was this car new? if not, what sort of mileage and service history did it have when you bought it?

was it a 986 or a 987?

what were the causes of the breakdowns?

Have to agree with a lot of the comments on here my Boxster 3.2 s was probably the worst car I have ever owned both from a reliability and drivers point of view. IMS failure of the shaft in the engine is common and very expensive, they are also gearbox prone. As for the drive well Porsche must have designed the suspension set up on a Friday afternoon when all the engineers had come back from the pub, it is absolutely shocking for a car in that class. Honda S2000 a much better car but as pointed out its a screamer with no torque, TVR's well a better drivers car probably more unreliable and a moneypit to keep on the road but acres of torque & power.

If I were coming out of a 55 then I'd be looking at Maserati, 911's (older ones) BMW, SLK I would definitely not consider a pimped up VW that is masquerading as a Porsche. Having had the Boxster & 911 there simply is no comparison I would go for an older 911 at the same money as a newer Boxster more fun, more class and much more reliable.

was your Boxster a 986 or a 987?

What went wrong with it?

Did you check that the suspension was properly set up?

What VW has a mid engine layout? What VW has a boxer engine?

911 and Boxster are very different cars. It depends on the driving experience that you are after.

One of the very first cars Porsche built was a mid engine roadster (the car that James Dean died driving) .. the Boxster layout.

My eldest daughters B/F had a Boxster and he always hankered after a 911.
After about 2 years he traded it in and got one.
He never said much about the swap, simply that the 911 "was fast". But I always got the general impression he actually preferred the Boxster.
He recently traded the 911 in for a 3.2 diesel Audi convertible.
"Not as fast as the 911" was the initial reaction.
Now, after a few months of ownership he says he now prefers the Audi as it has more grunt low down and in practical normal road terms can cover distances just as quickly as both the Boxster and the 911.

what does he have to say about reliability and enjoyment?
 
Box

Buy from OPC with full warranty, you may pay more but the car should be mint, and any major wet sump porsche engine problems will be covered. Dont bother with a 2.7.
 
these are 996s .. older and therefore more likely to go wrong.

996's are pretty bulletproof in the engine department


was this car new? if not, what sort of mileage and service history did it have when you bought it?

was it a 986 or a 987?

what were the causes of the breakdowns?

Mine was a 986, 32k, full PMDH


was your Boxster a 986 or a 987?

What went wrong with it?

Mainly engine failures, bad oil leaks, electrical gremlins

Did you check that the suspension was properly set up?

Yes set up perfectly as a race driver all my cars are set up properly for maximum driving experience

What VW has a mid engine layout? What VW has a boxer engine?

Boxster engine was originally a VW / Audi design that they never used.

911 and Boxster are very different cars. It depends on the driving experience that you are after.

Agreed Boxster is a BOS

One of the very first cars Porsche built was a mid engine roadster (the car that James Dean died driving) .. the Boxster layout.

If you are talking about the 914 then again robbed out of the VW / Audi camp

what does he have to say about reliability and enjoyment?

As above :)
 
Flanaia1: ~£20k is in your pocket, which 2 seater sports car would you buy?
I'd have a 911, Lotus Exige or Europa.
 
Flanaia1: ~£20k is in your pocket, which 2 seater sports car would you buy?
I'd have a 911, Lotus Exige or Europa.

An SLK, newish Mx5, boxster/cayman, 911, Z4 M (probably my pick here).

Lotus = loads of trouble, usually serious....:ban:

Sorry, answered Ians post but getting my 2ps in.
 
wrong.

996 and 986, and Gen 1 987 and 997 share the same basic engine design and are equally susceptible to IMS and RMS issues.

Agreed and well documented. I would not touch a 996 or 986 unless proof that an engine replacement had been carried out.

In fact a firends 996 (T plate) just popped at 70k. Cost 7k to fix but then it was cheap at the time at 18k :crazy:
 
1. Yes set up perfectly as a race driver all my cars are set up properly for maximum driving experience

2. Boxster engine was originally a VW / Audi design that they never used.

3. One of the very first cars Porsche built was a mid engine roadster (the car that James Dean died driving) .. the Boxster layout.

If you are talking about the 914 then again robbed out of the VW / Audi camp

4. Mainly engine failures, bad oil leaks, electrical gremlins

1. Maybe your race setting messed the car up for road use

2. And where did you get this information for? Why would VW/Audi develop a flat 6 engine with no idea of whether they might use it?

3. Clearly you have no idea who James Dean is.

4. how did the engine fail? was it IMS, RMS?

what oil leaks, where?

what sort of electrical gremlins?

sounds like you got a Friday car, which happens to all manufaturers.
 
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wrong.

996 and 986, and Gen 1 987 and 997 share the same basic engine design and are equally susceptible to IMS and RMS issues.

996 are not as susceptible as 986 & 987 although similar in design the 996 is more heavy duty in the bearings and hence more reliable, my bosses 996 is now on 156,000 no problems whatsoever
 
1. Maybe your race setting messed the car up for road use

Car was on standard road settings not race.

2. And where did you get this information for? Why would VW/Audi develop a flat 6 engine with no idea of whether they might use it?

I worked with VW race teams for a few seasons, so yousoon get to know who designed and developed what

3. Clearly you have no idea who James Dean is.

I'm well aware who James Dean is but you cant compare a Spyder to a Boxster

4. how did the engine fail? was it IMS, RMS?

Initially IMS then crank knocked out

what oil leaks, where?

Numerous never really got to the bottom of them

what sort of electrical gremlins?

Total dead electrics, misfires, windows just operated at random

sounds like you got a Friday car, which happens to all manufaturers.

I agree the only Porsche I would ever buy again is a 911

This is bringing back bad memories :mad:
 
An SLK, newish Mx5, boxster/cayman, 911, Z4 M (probably my pick here).

Lotus = loads of trouble, usually serious....:ban:

Sorry, answered Ians post but getting my 2ps in.

Thats OK, I used to have a Lotus Carlton now that was an awesome car, but you are right with the acronym Steve :eek:
 

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