CTC Review: 2008 Porsche Boxster and Boxster S

[CD_Editor]

Day 1:

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Let's do something a little different this week -- the flurry of cars I have had in the past few weeks has been a little overwhelming.  Immediately after the Nissan GT-R I hoped into a Porsche Boxster S for 5 days while I was "waiting" on my week with the Mazda RX-8.  So to say I haven't been slumming it for the past few weeks is quite the understatement.  More ...

[Railton]

Yeah, it's a tough life.
Sure beats checking code eh?
Railton

[Demosthenes X]

Did the gray on have a "Bxster 2" license plate? 

Some thoughts on the Porsche vs. the S2000 might be interesting to...  even if the Boxster winds up costing nearly twice as much.   

[wing]

BXster 1 and 2 yes

[carcrazed]

Looks very nice in red.. I don't see many red ones on the road, though.

$18,500? One could buy a compact car with that kind of price difference!

[johngenx]

I see used Boxsters for ridiculously low prices.  These are high cost deprecation machines...

[Jameel]

I see used Boxsters for ridiculously low prices.  These are high cost deprecation machines...

Remember those are the early 1st gen Boxsters. You can get a 1997 to 1999 Boxster for pretty cheap these days in the $18K to $22K range.  But watch out for repair costs, once out of warranty, especially at our beloved Porsche dealership (Mark Motors). Biggest thieves, a$$holes I've ever seen/met.

[johngenx]

No Porsche is cheap to service/repair.  You must pay to play.  Buy one under warranty, but pay a massive sticker and eat depreciation.  Or buy used one, but be out of pocket for repairs.  Usually, option #2 is less.

That said, I am still surprised at the low prices for older Boxsters.  Porsche just plain sold too many of them for the value to be held.

As for dealers, most Porschephiles know to stay the hell away from them.  They are for the rich fops that own the car for the badge alone.  Your local PCA has lots of enthusiasts that know where to take the car.  Of course, you still get hammered if you have to buy an unusual part that it available only through the dealer.  (Like the $1200+ worth of fuel lines I once begrudgingly bought...)

[TopGun]

Boxsters just don't do it for me.  Perhaps it's the fact there are many of them around.

I quite like the Cayman though.  Those option prices are crazy...

[johngenx]

Boxsters just don't do it for me.  Perhaps it's the fact there are many of them around.

Rather have any 911, from any year.

[toolatecrew]

I seem to rember from when my Uncle owned a first generation Boxter that the way the engine was situated requires putting the car on a lift and working from underneath for just about any engine service (mybe my memory is fading).

For example changing the plugs requires removing the rar wheels http://theschillings.com/boxplugs.htm

I quite like the Boxter (even though yes a 911 is nice). But yes the serive and especially the parts cost (its not like they stock parts at Crappy tire) offset the rather steep depreciation.

[wing]

Oh that's not bad at all!  I thought it was much worse to work on them.

[Jameel]

No Porsche is cheap to service/repair.  You must pay to play.  Buy one under warranty, but pay a massive sticker and eat depreciation.  Or buy used one, but be out of pocket for repairs.  Usually, option #2 is less.

That said, I am still surprised at the low prices for older Boxsters.  Porsche just plain sold too many of them for the value to be held.

But remember why the Boxster was created to save Porsche's a$$ from bankruptcy. If it wasn't for the Boxster, Porsche may have died or had VW buy it out. That's the reason so many were sold. But I do agree there are so many of them around.

As for dealers, most Porschephiles know to stay the hell away from them.  They are for the rich fops that own the car for the badge alone.  Your local PCA has lots of enthusiasts that know where to take the car.  Of course, you still get hammered if you have to buy an unusual part that it available only through the dealer.  (Like the $1200+ worth of fuel lines I once begrudgingly bought...)

Yah I wish I knew that!  You don't want to know what a new transmission costs on a Boxster at the dealership.

I seem to rember from when my Uncle owned a first generation Boxter that the way the engine was situated requires putting the car on a lift and working from underneath for just about any engine service (mybe my memory is fading).

For example changing the plugs requires removing the rar wheels http://theschillings.com/boxplugs.htm

I quite like the Boxter (even though yes a 911 is nice). But yes the serive and especially the parts cost (its not like they stock parts at Crappy tire) offset the rather steep depreciation.

That's correct, the only thing you can access from the rear trunk/hood: is the oil, coolant and windshield washer fluid.

Although there is an access panel (at least on the 1st gens) underneath the folding top it would be almost impossible to work on the engine from it. So everything must be accessed from underneath the car.

[Oz]

Too much money for too little car.

[johngenx]

Porsches have never been great value, but they used to be competitive.  The 911, many moons ago, was priced about the same as the Corvette.  Maybe the Boxster and Cayman were supposed to refill that niche?

Of course, when the 911 was Corvette priced, it was also a "quirky" car that only those in the know bought.  Prestige had not yet arrived as an item on the Porsche 911 sticker...

[Demosthenes X]

My father had a Boxster back in 1998.  He maintains to this day it was the best car he ever bought.

[Giant Dwarf]

I've driven an '05 (current generation) Boxster on a few occasions -- even back-to-back with my MX5.  Aside from them both being small roadsters known for their handling prowess, the superiority of the solidity, sound (and yes, torquey pulling power) of the Boxster (even in non-S trim) is like night and day. 

For anyone who turns their nose up to a late model Boxster, I can only assume they've never reached to the left, turned the ignition, powered down the top and then driven off with the boxer-engine music singing away behind their ears.  To truly love it is to have experienced it for yourself.  It's not the fastest car out there (though plenty quick enough), but it just does everything so well, it's a truly awesome machine.

Porsche.  There is no substitute.

[Oz]

I've driven an '05 (current generation) Boxster on a few occasions -- even back-to-back with my MX5.  Aside from them both being small roadsters known for their handling prowess, the superiority of the solidity, sound (and yes, torquey pulling power) of the Boxster (even in non-S trim) is like night and day. 

For anyone who turns their nose up to a late model Boxster, I can only assume they've never reached to the left, turned the ignition, powered down the top and then driven off with the boxer-engine music singing away behind their ears.  To truly love it is to have experienced it for yourself.  It's not the fastest car out there (though plenty quick enough), but it just does everything so well, it's a truly awesome machine.

Porsche.  There is no substitute.

I admit it has its charm... but I'd rather have the other offerings 81something buys you.

All of that would sound reasonable at maybe 70.

[Just Bob]

Boxsters just don't do it for me.  Perhaps it's the fact there are many of them around.

I quite like the Cayman though.  Those option prices are crazy...

I like the Cayman but Porsches just don't do it for me either.  Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy driving my mates 911 and boxter, and I'm not saying they are bad cars in any way, but I just have zero passion for them. 

[Giant Dwarf]

I've driven an '05 (current generation) Boxster on a few occasions -- even back-to-back with my MX5.  Aside from them both being small roadsters known for their handling prowess, the superiority of the solidity, sound (and yes, torquey pulling power) of the Boxster (even in non-S trim) is like night and day. 

For anyone who turns their nose up to a late model Boxster, I can only assume they've never reached to the left, turned the ignition, powered down the top and then driven off with the boxer-engine music singing away behind their ears.  To truly love it is to have experienced it for yourself.  It's not the fastest car out there (though plenty quick enough), but it just does everything so well, it's a truly awesome machine.

Porsche.  There is no substitute.

I admit it has its charm... but I'd rather have the other offerings 81something buys you.

All of that would sound reasonable at maybe 70.

Agreed, even as much as I do love Porsches, I'd have a really hard time buying a new one at Cdn prices.  However, as a used car value in the States, an '05 can be had for what, low $40s, maybe high 30s?  That's a pretty cool car for reasonable bucks.

I'd have to drive a C6 Vette before deciding for myself where I'd put down my $$$ if I were in the market though.