Anyone here know anything about Porsche Boxsters?

[Jesda]

Not yet. The used car market is s*** for buyers right now. Everything that was dirt cheap last year is way overpriced. Hopefully as summer ends I can save $500 or so.

[Jesda]

Interesting fact: The Velmut plant in Finland that builds Boxsters also built my Saab 900 convertible. That's a good sign -- my old Saab is as sturdy as a brick.

[Urabus GodofTraction]

Looks like I'm leaving for San Antonio this evening. Sorry bros.

I came up with a vanity plate: "POORSCH" (7-character limit in Missouri)

SA, ehh?

BBQ: Texas Pride, or make a drive to Austin for The Green Mesquite. Or a slightly longer drive to Louis Mueller's.

Another option: The Cove.

Avoid the Riverwalk for food, it's all s*** pandering to tourists.

[Jesda]

Back in Missouri already, but I'll note that for next time. Headed down to Corpus Christi and goofed off on Padre Island for the weekend.

[Encryptshun]

I love Padre, at least in the off-season.

[Red coupe]

So wait.... Does Jesda own a boxster yet?

[Jesda]

Not yet. Ive done several hours of searching and made a list of 30 potential buys nationwide. For such an impulsive purchase, I'm being unusually careful.

My usual routine when buying a used car is: Show up, get a feel for it, take it home even if its a heap, and give it thousands of dollars in love and affection.

Since this has the potential to pass the Crossfire in maintenance and repair costs, I'm taking it slow. And as summer ends, I might save a few hundred bucks. Not that its anywhere near the same level of performance, but the Saab has kept the convertible itch lightly scratched for now.

Texas was an unrelated weekend vacation.

[Jesda]

I've been up late looking for Boxsters, watching videos, and reading reviews. I really cant think of anything I'd enjoy driving more, but tonight I joined 986forum.com and read the horror stories from angry and formerly loyal Porsche owners.

One guy with an '06 Boxster S with 50k is stuck with a $15k engine replacement cost due to intermediate shaft failure, a problem that cant be easily remedied because the access port in the second-gen block is smaller than the shaft itself.

FIrst-gen 986 Boxsters seem to suffer from rear main seal failures more than anything else, and by 100k several of them have had engine repairs or replacements. So, it seems the wise choice is to keep looking for Boxsters that have had their engines replaced with documented proof, or move on to something else.

You only live once, but being a slave to a piece of flawed engineering seems like a poor way to live. I know forums tend to exaggerate the probability of failures, but you can get a vibe for the quality of a car from the topics people discuss. The Seville and Deville forums on Cadillacowners.com tend to talk heavily about head gaskets, a real and common issue, and here at NICO we talk about the fatal chain guides on early Q45s, a very real problem that I've spent a good bit of money dealing with.

I spent $3500 parts+labor on the Saab this year but all of that was due to neglect (plugs, wires, fluids, suspension, gaskets, etc), not fatal mechanical flaws. On top of that, the car was only $960 -- I expect Ducky to run another 100k+ without any major problems.
I'd hate to think that after catching up on any neglect on a Boxster, I'd still be faced with expensive engineering and manufacturing defects. Its disheartening to think that you could take good honest care of a car and it could still let you down. The fun in owning a sports car is the control -- and being subject to the idiocies of some engineers in Stuttgart takes that control away.

Any thoughts? Am I thinking too hard about this? I'm usually much more impulsive. MAYBE I'M GETTING OLD. SH*T!

Cars I've ruled out:
Honda S2000 -- Too much work (revving the piss out of that otherwise sweet F20) for too little reward, or am I blowing that out of proportion?

Saturn Sky / Sky Redline -- Still expensive.

In consideration:
Chrysler Crossfire convertible, $11-$12k -- NON-SRT, naturally aspirated with a manual to rule out the supercharger and transmission seal issues I had on the SRT coupe. Would still have the locking pump issues if the drains are clogged. I know its a polarizing look, but I think as a convertible its pretty.

Late 90s Mercedes SLK , $5-$8k -- Non-kompressor with a manual, again to rule out forced induction complications. The low resale value on these makes them appealing, but soft tops are generally more fun than hard tops. The folding hard top adds some complexity and more things to maintain. Easy to turn around and resell if I get bored with it.

NB Miata -- Obviously a great car, but I prefer the 1.6L NAs. Looking for something a tiny bit more exotic since this will be a toy car.

BMW E46 convertible, $6k-$15k -- Outstanding all-around daily driver, but I've already got a four-seat topless car with [arguably] just as much charm.






This has devolved into yet another "What should I buy?" thread.

The goal: Toy car for weekend/evening entertainment and cross-country trips. Saab 900 remains as a daily driver.

[Red coupe]

The answer is:

get better at long distance biking and buy a 914.


Edit:
Like this.

Only with LS.

Seriously. Cheaper then the boxster (maybe? They make kits?), it will be reliable with newer engine and it will be way cooler then the boxster for sure.

[AZhitman]

...and skip the Boxster. Please. Good God, the Jag would be worse. Snap OUT of it man!

If your budget stretched into the $16K range, I'd have a great suggestion. But in your range, I'm gonna defer to every car enthusiast, journalist, racer, reviewer and auto industry junkie worth a damn and say:

Miata.

Maybe not as "exotic" as you'd like, but a perfect sports car in the truest sense. Quite simply one of the "must-own" cars of our time. You'll NEVER see a "crossfart" on that list. What a turd.

[AZhitman]

Seriously. Cheaper then the boxster (maybe? They make kits?), it will be reliable with newer engine and it will be way cooler then the boxster for sure.

RC - Jesda's not "one of us". He'd die in a 914. Too loud, too prehistoric, too unrefined, too hot, no A/C.

Seriously.

[Red coupe]

Seriously. Cheaper then the boxster (maybe? They make kits?), it will be reliable with newer engine and it will be way cooler then the boxster for sure.

RC - Jesda's not "one of us". He'd die in a 914. Too loud, too prehistoric, too unrefined, too hot, no A/C.

Seriously.

I'm a sucker for anything with a removable top, and Porsche is one brand I've never experienced or owned anything from.

Go big or go home


He wants something he hasn't experience and that is why he NEEDS a V8 914 with koni shocks and upgraded brakes.
Wont be TOO uncomfortable, will get good gas mileage, be faster then any other V8 he has owned and make him possibly MORE popular on the internet.

[ADDirishboy]

make him possibly MORE popular on the internet.

Not possible. Jesda's pants are already the coolest things on the internet. If Jesda got any more popular, the world would implode. Kinda like what happens when people divide by zero.

[Jesda]

The "too hot" part would kill me.

Think of James May. Add 25lbs. That's me.

[Red coupe]

The "too hot" part would kill me.

Think of James May. Add 25lbs. That's me.

I think the most practical car for this period in your life would be a highly modified 1970's mid engine porsche.

[Jesda]

Maybe I should get a tractor and troll the hell out of the suburbs at 15mph

[frapjap]

Silly me for bringing it up, but have you thought of a well maintained 928? It has your creature comforts, isn't as expensive as the boxter to repair, and are an honest to goodness blast to drive. Just avoid buying a wreck to start with.

Other selections:

Don't know about them mechanically, but are probably better than the Porsche you're researching.


Never mind the turd in the turtle neck, but these are definitely enjoyable to drive- and fairly reliable.



or


Love 'em.


My personal choice lies in the C4 Vette. LT4 powered in the later models, extremely good handling, reliable and easy to repair, awesome interiors, and have that clutch pedal and gobs of power that you're looking for. Insurance and maintenance is the best bargain and value of all of the choices.

Thinking of what you can afford, you can probably buy one of these big boys


But if I could buy anything that I wanted today, right this instant, it'd be a 3000gt VR4 hardtop 'vert.



On especially nice days I see a middle aged guy with a black one cruising down the 195 with a big fat smile on his face. I always droool over that car and give him a thumbs up.

[Bubba1]

I think the most practical car for this period in your life would be a highly modified 1970's mid engine porsche.[/quote]


So the most practical car you can think of for a 20 something non-mechanic is a 35 yr old bottom end Porsche, with a radical engine swap to an unknown standard?? There is not a single unmodified or newer car that you think might fit his wants? Can I have some of what you're smoking?

I'm surprised Jes hasn't yet purchased a Miata, given his long time appreciation of them. If this is morphing into a what should Jesda buy thread, you might consider a C4/C5 Corvette if not a Miata.

[PoorManQ45]

Good God, the Jag would be worse. Snap OUT of it man!

Any specific reason? I've been toying with the idea of an older Jaguar with a 350 with a 700R4 stuck on the back of it.

[Bubba1]

Good God, the Jag would be worse. Snap OUT of it man!

Any specific reason? I've been toying with the idea of an older Jaguar with a 350 with a 700R4 stuck on the back of it.

Besides being poorly built, unreliable cars, and an engine swap like that would pretty much kill any collectible value? Uh, nothing...

[Kompresshun]

I'm with Greg on the Miata, it may not be the most exotic but every time i've driven one i've enjoyed every minute of it. The only complaint I had about it was a little too cramped for my liking, but i'm also 6'3'' so I don't fit well in most small convertibles.

Out of everything else mentioned aside from the Miata, I would vote for a C4 Vette. They offer a good amount of room, plenty of power, good fuel mileage, and reliable. If it were me buying one though, i'd go for a coupe vs a convertible, mainly because it still comes with a targa top. I've driven a couple of them and for the money they can be had for, I would highly recommend one.

[PoorManQ45]

Any specific reason? I've been toying with the idea of an older Jaguar with a 350 with a 700R4 stuck on the back of it.

Besides being poorly built, unreliable cars, and an engine swap like that would pretty much kill any collectible value? Uh, nothing...

I'm having a hard time figuring out what reliability issues you're talking about. The forums talk mostly about drive train issues. With the swap that wouldn't be a problem though.

[HashiriyaS14]

Out of everything else mentioned aside from the Miata, I would vote for a C4 Vette. They offer a good amount of room, plenty of power, good fuel mileage, and reliable. If it were me buying one though, i'd go for a coupe vs a convertible, mainly because it still comes with a targa top. I've driven a couple of them and for the money they can be had for, I would highly recommend one.

^^
Excellent advice, this is.

You can get an LT1 or LT4 C4 Corvette targa with a manual for $6-10k. It's a LOT of car for that kind of money.

Huge high sills, clamshell hood, absurd amounts of grip, driver-oriented cockpit, and a great engine. It feels every inch a supercar, and an LT4 with a few little mods will put you into the 12s. Aside from the Optispark issue, which isn't a huge deal, it's also bombproof reliable. Comfortable on long drives, handles impressively, and will burn up tires in the very most obnoxious manner when so provoked.

The C5 IS, of course, a much better car, but try getting into a decent C5 for $7500. C5's are also still depreciating, whereas C4's are as low as they'll ever be.




Also, for anyone who was a kid in the late 80's/early 90's (i.e. me, and Jesda), this is THE iconic Corvette. Go buy a neon windbreaker and some aviators, and then drive around listening to this:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG_6CopW9GQ[/youtube]

[Mr1der]

Get an old McLaren Capri convertible.

it'll confuse the hell out of a lot of people trying to figure out what it is.

[Bubba1]

I'm having a hard time figuring out what reliability issues you're talking about. The forums talk mostly about drive train issues. With the swap that wouldn't be a problem though.

I assume you're thinking of an old big cat like an XJS/XJ-S (pictured earlier), they had a lot, including electrical and power equipment problems. Pleasant to drive, P.I.T.A to own. I have a good friend who leased two of them. He switched to Audi's. He said he loved driving the Jags, and loved turning them back in.

About the only thing interesting about those XJ-S's were the V12 motors (not blazing but smooth if/when running right). And you're talking about replacing it?

[HashiriyaS14]

I assume you're thinking of an old big cat like an XJS/XJ-S (pictured earlier), they had a lot including electrical and power equipment problems. Pleasant to drive, P.I.T.A to own. I have a good friend who leased two of them. He switched to Audi's. He said he loved driving the Jags, and loved turning them back in.

About the only thing interesting about those XJ-S's were the V12 motors (not blazing but smooth if/when running right). And you're talking about replacing it?

Those V12's were nightmares.

Three words: LUCAS FUEL INJECTION


SBC is a huge upgrade, although obviously not as smooth. Some of the electrics can still be an issue, but it's all ancillary stuff at that point, power windows, etc. You won't be getting stuck anywhere.

[s0m3th1ngAZ]

I'm having a hard time figuring out what reliability issues you're talking about. The forums talk mostly about drive train issues. With the swap that wouldn't be a problem though.

Older ones have inboard brakes, all of them have leaky sills, crummy wiring, leaking air suspension, and some bad rust issues.