to box, or not to box?
 

All opinions needed and accepted :) I have 20,000 to spend on a new car, and I am considering a used Boxster S. I will keep my 911, but I though a slightly more docile car with heat and ac would be fun. I am also looking for reliability. That said, does the boxster fit these catagories? I would like to stay in the Porsche family so cool Audis are out, I have one already :)

yes - and a very fun car

The Boxter is a great city car
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1134524123.jpg
my 2004 Boxster S

If I already had a 911, I wouldn't think twice about a Boxter S as a daily driver. Good combo of comfort/sport/amenities for commuter use, IMHO. Reliability, however, is best left answered by long-term owners. IIRC, there were a slate of '99 986/996s that suffered from engine problems, a number of which resulted in replacements; then there is the rear main seal issue. I admittedly know nothing of these specific issues, or even if they are valid issues, but it's probably worth your time to look into it. Good luck :)

Edward

what is the main difference between the boxster and the boxster S?
is it suspension and motor? or just motor?

I believe an "S" is going to give you more displacement, larger brakes, sportier suspension, and bigger OEM wheels and tires. I may be wrong, but the interior might be slightly upgraded as well.

(Have been looking at Boxsters on and off as a daily driver as well.)

Rennlisters have a fairly active 986 forum. I'm sure most of your asnwers could be found there.

...
 

Oh yeah,
Six speed gearbox in stead of the five for the non-S

all true -- and its a Porsche 6 speed, not an Audi or whatever the 5 speed is. also, the brakes are painted red, same as 996 brakes.

besides Rennlist there is Porsche Pete's Boxster Board

I don't think you'll get an S for $20k...but I've seen some Ss around $25k. For $20k and under, you can easily get a base model Boxster. Base Boxsters from '97-'99 had 2.5l and 200hp. In 2000, they bumped the base model to 2.7l and around 217hp. Interior improved in 2000 and later. The Boxster S came in 2000 with a 3.2l and 250hp (along with the above mentioned upgrades). The first significant change came in '03 when all the cars got a new top with a glass rear window and updated body styling. Some of those cars (base models) can be found now for around $30k.

Boxsters are brilliant cars, you won't be sorry if you purchase (especially if you already have the 911). They make much better daily/all around drivers. Don't be surprised if you find yourself driving the Boxster S more than the 911.

You can even drive them in winter time. :)
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1134568045.jpg

PORSCHE IN THRE SNOW!!!!!!!!!!! Now thats what im talkin about!!! You guys are sellin me! :)

You'll need a good set of winter tires. A hard top is nice, but not necessary. The Boxster S has a three layered top (where my base model had only a one layer). I think the base model went to three layers in '03...maybe a year or two earlier.

I ran Dunlop Wintersport 03s on the same size 17" wheels (bought used from a Rennliste for about $650). My car had Traction Control, but really didn't need it with the winter tires. I wouldn't dare drive the car on it's summer tires...they turn into hockey pucks!

Oh, and I had heated seats, too. :)

With that midengine layout, you can drift completely neutral into the snow bank;)

"Hey, Wha Happaned" Mike LaFontaine

"Thaaaat's Right"

:D

Actually, I hate to say this, but so far this winter I'm thinking I liked the way the Boxster handled better than my Subie. The Subie pushes like a front wheel drive car in the snow, where the Boxster rotated so nicely. I never had traction problems with the winter tires on the Boxster...never worried about putting it in a ditch. With the engine (almost) over the drive wheels, the thing just stuck to the road. Brilliant.

I probably need to put winter tires on the Subie to give a true comparison...I bet the fronts would bite a little (a lot?) better with proper winter tires.

But still....*sigh*....I miss my Boxster.

:D

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1134569957.jpg

Sorry to get off on a Fred Williard tangent, but my favorite bit is in "Waiting for Guffman" and his wife complaining to all his friends about his "........ reduction surgery". I usually use this line when I haven't seen a friend for a while and they ask me where I've been.

As far as winter driving, here in Pittsburgh, they problem is the hills and the snow. Presently I drive an X5 with dedicated snow tires and 18" wheels. Without them, the car would be useless. I use to drive Subaru Legacy's and really liked they way the handled compared to big SUV's It's not the snow that bothers me, its the 6 months of salt covered roads!

The 01 base model got the three layer top (we have one). For snow I would suggest 1) snow tires and 2) PSM if you can find it (MUCH better then the prior traction control only - TSC?) The car is a fantastic daily and is 'da bomb' in the snow. I took it out the first good snow we had (4-5") to get pizza and its a dream. The pizza delivery guys in SUVs looked at me like I was crazy - w/ PSM it goes better than their trucks (untill the snow gets deep). I won't put the wife in a car w/o it again (she has, uhhh, "poor" car control abilities). Its not obtrusive at the track (and can be mostly turned off), which can't be said for the '99 996 w/ TSC we ran @ 1 Lap - that system is downright worthless in the dry or wet.

FWIW, If 2 didn't look goofy in the driveway, I'd buy another - Its that much fun. I'll be one of the first in line to pick up a used cayman once they start coming off lease. Same car - different top.

SMD

Cool pic doug. Any pics of it drifting?



For what its worth the 5speed trannys used VW passat ring and pinions VS the
6 speed that used all porsche parts. I dont think there were any issuis with any of them though.

Ah, yeah, there is that. Not to mention all the other idiots on the road! Now I'm remembering why I went back to the two car approach...

Cinci can be pretty hilly in spots, but to be fair I always found the flattest route home.

But please don't think I'm saying for a minute that a Boxster is a better winter car than a Subaru! But they can be more than passable for those who want to drive a Porsche all year 'round.

:D No, sorry! Rest assured, when the opportunity arose, I did have some fun with her!

..couple more winter pics...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1134570917.jpg

This one was my wallpaper for a while...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1134570954.jpg

Doug, don't be so quick to dis-the box over the scooby in the snow. the BASE subarus only have a center viscous diff (higher end models also get a rear viscous or in the case of the STI and front and rear LSD). In reality, that means they can get traction to two wheels - no more than a 2wd car w/ an active brake type traction control. The subie won't go anywhere w/ one side of the car on ice, the boxster wont go anywhere w/ both rear wheels on ice.

W/ full yaw control systems like PSM its even better (and easier and safer). W/ our box you can just put your right foot to the floor (on the gas) and steer. I have first hand exp that the same can't be done even w/ a WRX - even though it has more ultimate traction.

SMD