911 or Boxter
 

My wife has been interested in replacing her car ever since she attended a DE with me in May.

Sez she, "For what I spent on this damn Kia, I could have had a Porsche." What she has forgotten is that the Kia was NEW and has a good warranty, and any Porsche in that price range will be USED.

Also, we bought the sedan for extra seating room and comfort on long trips. But there is no changing her mind at this point because she wants to race. (I told her she could take the Kia out on the track, but she just didn't take me seriously.)


Her criteria are that it must function as her daily driver, and also be suitable for DE events. It must have functioning AC.

My criteria is that the price range has to be under $18k, yet still be reliable for daily use.

She has only two type cars she is considering: either a 911SC or a used Boxter. I've already asked, and it is a waste of time to suggest anything else. (Stubborn @#%# #$%%@&.....)

to better rephrase that..... you guys bought a kia??

;)

Re: 911 or Boxter
 

Well, that rules out the SC! ;)

As a person with both, I find this tough........but.......Boxster.

I voted SC because I have one and never even drove a Boxter. I'm sure they're great and probably what she wants but I'd do the SC for a track car. Who needs A/C, really?

911. Twice the car the Boxster will ever be.

Spoken like a man who lives above the Mason-Dixon line. )

Boxster is the logical choice. SC is the emotional choice.
Its really simple.

With your (wife's) requirements, easy choice: Boxster. If finances are a concern, a well-kept 944/968 might not be bad, either.

I went from an SC to Boxster, and I have to say, on a day-to-day basis, the Boxster is easier to drive, better handling, very comfortable, and for my Boxster, very reliable.

We had a DE this last weekend, and I had my Boxster, which was hooking up really well. In particular, there was a very fast right-left-right chicane, and the Boxster takes it just beautifully, dancing just right along the gators. In contrast, I rode with a guy in his 993, and while he was a better driver, he could not make the 993 turn around that chicane like I could with the Boxster.

Again, though, as someone said, we can tell you either way which one you should buy, but you should go drive both and see which one you look better. IMO, buying a Porsche is an emotional, not a particularly logical, decision.

Sorry, Miata, MINI Cooper S, Mazda 3, or gasp a C-5 Vette.

edit a S2000 Honda is not shabby either.

Open up your options a little and there are a lot of really sporty cars available that can track and be used on the street.

Couple other things to think of:

In terms of functioning as a daily driver, a Boxster may not be the best choice due to space. There's no back seat, so forget kids or a pet. Between the 2 trunks, there's a fair amount of storage space for groceries, etc. but it's not great. I've never ceased to be amazed at what I've been able to fit inside my 911. (how about 4 wheels, complete with tires? and the trunk empty)

I've been driving a (new to me) boxster around for 3 days now, and my impressions are:
-unbelievably comfortable - I wouldn't hesitate to take it on a major highway road trip. Seats are very comfy, everything is well placed, good sound system, great AC, only thing missing for that is a drink holder :-)
-SO nice to have a cabrio for this weather. I've got a sunburn on my face, and I love it.
-unimpressed with the power. I expected more, in fact, I think my 72 T could give it a run for it's money.
-the handling feels exceptionally good. I haven't had a chance to really test it in some twisties, but on a few corners it's felt great.
-gas mileage is phenomenal.

Overall I love the car, but it's no 911. My wife also really likes it and appreciates the comfort (esp. being 8 months pregnant!) but also agrees that it's no 911.

Edit: one thing I forgot, which may be a real consideration, esp. if you have kids - safety features. The boxster has airbags and generally 15 years of technological design/safety improvements over an SC. I saw one get beat up really badly at the track a few weeks ago, (complete write-off) and there were no injuries whatsoever.

I have to disagree. Buying a depreciating asset is never a logical choice. An SC is either fully depreciated or appreciating, depending on year and condition. Boxsters are about the worst cars out there I've seen for value retention. Fun, yes - but terrible investments. The warranties aren't really all that great either, at least not the ones I've seen.

BTW, it's a Boxster (referring to the spelling in the poll)

Buy the "boxter". Somebody has to reduce the number of them being advertised in any metropolitan paper. :rolleyes:

I live south of the Mason-Dixon line, and I have no working ac in my 944.

Um...You are not evaluating this in the context of this post. The person is asking whether to get an SC or a Boxster. When evaluating the question strictly in that realm, based on all variables which we all know and dont need to bother getting in to at this point...the SC would be the more emotional choice and the Boxster the more logical one.

Now, perhaps the way you see it.....a good used Honda Civic would be most Logical. But this isnt what this whole thread is all about.

Thank you.

Using your named guidelines, I'd recommend considering only the Boxster. An "SC" would be problematic since it's likely to have a lot more miles on it.

I will go further and say that if you can swing the difference, I'd go to the $22-25k region of expenditures even if it meant adding a year to the payment schedule. Much nicer, more recent Boxsters can be had at that price point.

Thanks for the input so far. I am gaining some insight with the answers, and I also have a few replies:

Well, the 20 year old Celica was looking pretty shabby. Hyundai/Kia has a good warranty, and I really have nothing bad to say about it. She loved her car - right up to the day she went to a DE.
I have an SC that I DE in. I really don't miss the AC. But she wants this as primarily a daily driver that she can also hit about 3 or 4 DEs per year in. Summer temps in the high 90s plus high humidity make AC a very nice thing to have. Besides, SHE says it is required.
She set the criteria, not me. The choices are 911SC or Boxter.
Duly noted; my life remains unaffected.
I am also a little concerned with reliability on a 23-28 year old car. Although my SC has been very reliable, I don't use it as a daily driver. And even if I did, I don't work a job that I would lose if I had car trouble on the way in to work. But being a nurse, her situation requires a car that makes it from A to B every time.

If I were to up the budget, neither the BoxSter nor the SC would be considered. It's not so much a matter of not having the money, as not wanting to spend more than the stated amount.

Boxster - and if I were you I would ask around and see if someone can buy one at a wholesale auction in your area - lots coming off leases these days. If you can wiggle for an "S" even better.

Nice AC - great car for the track - change the fluid - get some decent brake pads and let your wife enjoy. Of course with an "S" she will probably be filling up your mirrors if shes in your run group.