Ever thought about buying a Boxster?

herr_oberst · 04-20-2009, 10:13 AM

I bandied the idea around, until I read this month's Pano - they basically say, if you want to do your own maintenance, you will need a lift - nothing is accessable without one.

Thats a deal killer for me.

vanwyk4257 · vanwyk4257's Garage

Check out Wayne's posts, he removed an engine and gearbox from one in his garage at home. I think it is possible to work on a Boxster without a lift, but rather unpleasant.

T77911S · 04-20-2009, 10:51 AM

yes, but i woke up.

porschefool · porschefool's Garage

No.

TheMentat · TheMentat's Garage

the toughest part about Boxter ownership is telling your parents that you're gay...

(sorry... I had to

)

rfn026 · 04-20-2009, 11:07 AM

My wife has one and I like it. It's a great car for around town - and not bad on the highway. It's nothing like my 911 long-hood - but it wasn't meant to be.

Richard Newton
Race Cars 360

Emission · Emission's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMentat

the toughest part about Boxter ownership is telling your parents that you're gay...

(sorry... I had to

)

Yeah, get over that part (and never drive with a male passenger anywhere), and they handle pretty darn well.

Don't laugh until you try one (at night, when nobody is looking).

I've had mine two years, and I have done a TON of work on it without a lift. After some practice, you can get to the engine in minutes from the top. It is a non-issue, really.

- Mike

jurhip · 04-20-2009, 11:16 AM

All the time. Personally, I can't think of a better overall sports car for where I live than a boxster s.

Porsche_monkey · 04-20-2009, 11:20 AM

As soon as I finish hairdresser school...

GH85Carrera · GH85Carrera's Garage

No

deanp · 04-20-2009, 11:41 AM

I haven't run across anything on ours that would require a lift. All that has been required to date is normal maintenance.

FWIW the mechanic that is closest to me (geographically) is in a small shop, booked weeks to months in advance, works exclusively on BMW and Porsche (including 986, 996, etc) is old school and does not have a lift in his shop. Everything is jack and jack stands.

Zeke · 04-20-2009, 11:51 AM

How tall/big are you? Boxsters seem to have "women" written all over them because they are a tight fit for anyone over 6'

I'm learning to work on it, but a lift would be nice. Even a low rise lift. But, just like a 911, you can get to it all on a creeper.

Sunroof · 04-20-2009, 12:08 PM

It depends on the year. I was interested but that Rear Main Seal issue scared the heck out of me and the local mechanics here had seen many with literally bad engines which equates to an expensive fix. I believe if you want some peace of mind the 2002 and newer is preferred. I am sure Boxster owners will chime in here as to when the RMS issues were taken care of more or less, permanently.

For me they are high tech compared to my longhood. I was at a shop last month and this guy pulls in with a burned out headlamp (bulb). I was watching the mechanic remove the entire light assembly to change the bulb at an hours labor rate!!!!!!!!!!!!! When I heard it was close to $800 to change out all the fluids at the dealer, that was enough to hear.

They dot the Atlanta landscape like TV satellite dishes here. If you want an excellent buy try the Atlanta Porsche market (second largest next to California).

Good luck

e p slick · e p slick's Garage

Silly boy - I'd recommend that pink VW bug with the flower vase - you can get more boy-pals in it when you head to the nude beach.

Lance la Rue

767driver · 04-20-2009, 12:54 PM

The Boxster suffers from the same "girly car" image as the Miata. What a shame as they are both a blast to drive. I rented a newish Boxster S 6-speed from a place in San Francisco a while back and spent a very pleasant afternoon driving Rt 1 up towards Mendocino, across the Anderson Valley, and back down to San Fran. I put 305 miles on it and enjoyed every second. Of course, it is a totally different driving experience from an air-cooled 911. That does not make it bad... just different.

89911 · 04-20-2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMentat

the toughest part about Boxter ownership is telling your parents that you're gay...

(sorry... I had to

)

That is a classic that I never get tired of hearing. Funny thing is the paper had a 2000 S in it for $16,000. For a fleeting moment, I was going to exit the closet.

Porsche_monkey · 04-20-2009, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 767driver

The Boxster suffers from the same "girly car" image as the Miata. What a shame as they are both a blast to drive.

Agreed. They are fun to drive.

88911coupe · 04-20-2009, 01:14 PM

Keep in mind in the 80's people who drove 911's weren't exactly put on pedestals...not that they are now for that matter.

Porsche_monkey · 04-20-2009, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88911coupe

Keep in mind in the 80's people who drove 911's weren't exactly put on pedestals.

They were put on pedestals. But the label on the pedestal said "A-hole".

Zeke · 04-20-2009, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunroof

I was watching the mechanic remove the entire light assembly to change the bulb at an hours labor rate!!!!!!!!!!!!! When I heard it was close to $800 to change out all the fluids at the dealer, that was enough to hear.

The light deal makes it very simple to change a lamp. 5 minute job.