Thinking of a Porsche Boxter S...

Zascar

Although I'm pretty happy with my current car, I'm always thinking of what to get next, and at the moment I'm almost set on a Porsche Boxter S. It's a great car, pretty much best in class, I've always wanted a convertible and I want to have a Porsche before I'm 30.

First question - anyone got one or had one? Comments? What are the running costs like? How much would a standard service cost?

Next: I was going to wait until next year, until I realised that this car will probably cost me a lot more after Tax/VRT Changes - cause I'll most likely bring it in from the UK. Am I right in saying that the VRT will be more after July(?) and that Tax will be 2k cause it's a 3.2? Also with the Euro/Sterling rate so low there are significant savings to be had!

There are plenty on Autotrader - I found a stunning 01, 47k, loads of extras fsh etc, £12k. That's €17k plus about €8k VRT - so about €25k all in. That is way way cheaper than anything I have seen here - e.g. This one on Carzone, very similar, €42k! Madness... Even the cheapest 2001 is 32k and it's red!

So I'm thinking I should do this now as I'll get it cheapest now.
What do you think?
Cheers

Eoin

Apparently the road tax is still CC based even for imports, unless it's an 08 car - or something like that. I'm sure it's in the sticky.

I used to drive past Clonskeagh motors everyday, and they always used to strike me as pretty pricey.

CapnMark

A lot of the UK porches have been thrashed/crashed or simply poorly serviced, When I was looking into buying one a few months back up north they were extremely cheap for what is a lot of car. Tax, Insurance and petrol will be expensive. Choose VERY carefully!

bitemybanger

I would pick an E46 M3 or even an S2000 before id pick a boxter s
More of a posers(hairdressers) car.
Ive driven the Boxter and wasnt that impressed, the Carrera on the other hand:eek:

Atomic Pineapple

as eoiny says the tax wont be 2k a year unless the car your bringing over is a 08 reg so you should be grand on the tax, the vrt may cost you more after july 1st though.

can i ask why a boxter? are there any other cars that you would have considered?

CapnMark

Havent seen many hairdressers drive a Porche to be fair. Good cars in S mode and pretty bulletproof residuals, especially if you import it and it has a good history

Atomic Pineapple

CapnMark wrote: »

Havent seen many hairdressers drive a Porche to be fair. Good cars in S mode and pretty bulletproof residuals, especially if you import it and it has a good history

seen 2 in boxter form myself last week

bitemybanger has pointed out just two cars better, personally an s2000 is what i'd go for, the boxter is known to be a bit of show with no go isn't it?

Eoin

draffodx wrote: »

seen 2 in boxter form myself last week

bitemybanger has pointed out just two cars better, personally an s2000 is what i'd go for, the boxter is known to be a bit of show with no go isn't it?

The Boxter S? I may be hung for this, but personally I think the S2000 isn't that much more nice looking. Does the Boxter just get a bad name because Porsche make more powerful models?

--amadeus--

You'll always get people banging on about the Boxster "not being a proper Porsche". That's pure green eyes, IMO. In S form the Boxster has plenty pf performance and is known as a sweet handling car.

That said I always think that it looks like a mutt - the styling is awful. And it will always be the Ralf Schumacher of cars - good, even brilliant, judged on it's own but it will never ever be big brother.

And that's the kicker, because you might as well go the whole hog, go up a few years and buy a 911 and be done with it.

Atomic Pineapple

eoin_s wrote: »

The Boxter S? I may be hung for this, but personally I think the S2000 isn't that much more nice looking. Does the Boxter just get a bad name because Porsche make more powerful models?

I think its because when people think of porsche they do think of supercar and thats what it means to own one and the boxster is a bit lame compared to competitors in the same area, the boxster s is a little bit better

boxster wrote:

Fuel: 29.1 mpg
CO2: 238 g/km
Engine Size: 2687 cc
Power : 228 bhp
0-60: 6.4 s
Top Speed: 157 mph

boxster s wrote:

Fuel: 26.9 mpg
CO2: 255 g/km
Engine Size: 3179 cc
Power : 260 bhp
0-60: 5.7 s
Top Speed: 164 mph

Zascar

My other choice was an M3, I'll prob get that next, but the Boxter suits me better for now. I don't care about the supposed 'hairdresser image'.

The S2000 is a great car, but I drive a Civic Type R now, and the S2000 is very similar, so I want something different.

roughan

Get one you will not be disappointed

ignore all the hairdressers car/ not a real Porsche comments
these people have not even sat in a Porsche never mind driven one

leave them to their Gt tdi 's and Primera's

make sure you go for one with full service history and aslo
try and get a post 02 one ( the one with the glove box) its 8bhp up
and has the glass rear window
hold out till you get one with all the extras heated seats, trip computer etc
as Porsche are VERY sparse with free extras

then all you have to do is wait for a sunny day
roof down.. flat 6 behind and open road ahead.......


Enjoy!!!

roughan

Minor service is 602
major is 922

cheaper up north or there are a few specialists around
mine gets 22mpg in city and 35 on long runs

Porsche Club Ireland also have get togethers and track days it can be great fun

a Honda is a Honda
A Porsche is something completly different !

if you disagree go drive one ....
pls dont jump on the Clarkson bandwagon having never even sat in one

Pete4779

Zascar wrote: »

... I want to have a Porsche before I'm 30.

I thought that meant having a 911.

Zascar

Cheers Roughan. What do you mean by 'the one with the glove box' - di the 01's not have one? The 2002+'s seem to be quite a bit more expensive. Are there any other changes?

roughan

they have a kind on one behind the seats
but the updated one has the glovebox + glass window and clear lights
if your patient enough wait for one with Heated seats (vip on crisp days)
Bose upgrade ( 16 speakers) and poss sat nav

JHMEG

roughan wrote: »

Minor service is 602
major is 922

Holy fúckology! I presume they renew the gold on the door handles with each service?

A Honda is a Honda, and a Boxter is... a Boxter.

BTW, Nissan crushes the Germans, Porsche and all.

GrahamG

Hi Zascar - long time! Haven't been out on the golf course much - same old!

When I first saw Boxster S' out on track I realised what a thoroughbread it really was. Thought of one myself looked at that black one you linked as it looks well but it had a few too many owners in a pretty short space of time for my liking plus is overpriced anyway.
I think the car needs 18's to set it off aswell as the glass rear window as roughan says.
Definitely worth streetching to a '03 if you can manage it.
Great drive, steering wheel a bit too big unless it's a sports wheel, not as white-knuckle a drive as I expected but great handling - just lacking a few horses.
Definitely not a hairdresser's car IMO!

I tested an M3 though and didn't look back!

Good luck in your search...

GavMan

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/PORSCHE+BOXSTER/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146,N-39-231-4294966629-4294967213/advert.action?R=200811305658363&distance=333&postcode=bt3+9dt&channel=CARS&make=PORSCHE&model=BOXSTER&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=20000

Wonder why its so cheap...seems iffy

BostonB

A friend had one and the engine blew on it with not much miles. Lots of niggles too. So I'd get one with as much history and warranty as you can get. Great handling car.

niceirishfella

I drove one - when they came out first.......had one for a whole weekend actually. Brilliant car.....lovely and poised.

Rob987

bitemybanger wrote: »

I would pick an E46 M3 or even an S2000 before id pick a boxter s
More of a posers(hairdressers) car.
Ive driven the Boxter and wasnt that impressed, the Carrera on the other hand:eek:

What utter nonsense. Zascar, get the Boxster - stretch to an S if you can. It seems most of your questions have already been answered here. However, I would add the following: 1. Top VRT Rate will be up to 36% post July (from 30%) so, yes, it will be more expensive for you to import an S. Tax is already up to circa EUR1,500. 2. I have run a 987S (3.2) for the last 9 months. New shape and 280bhp, enough power for most and certainly not a slouch by any standards. In new 3.4l guise, it turns out 295bhp, as fast as the Carrera was about 5/6 years ago. 4. Contrary to popular (and ill informed) belief, many Boxster owners can afford 911s but would rather drive a purebred top-end Roadster, which a 911 Cabrio is not. In fact, even a cursory look at any of the respected UK forums contains nothing but high praise for the Boxster S (including from 997S owners, high praise indeed). 5. I think Roughan has already filled you in on costs of servicing. Make no mistake, it will be expensive to run. Mine is not a daily driver but still returns 25mpg on average. In terms of spec, I have: leather sports seats, park assist, cruise control, 19" Carrera S wheels. I wouldn't bother with Sat Nav. Re BOSE, a nice to have, but I guarantee you will be more concerned with the sound of that glorious flat 6 behind you. Another nice to have is the Porsche Sports Exhaust but again the standard one is fine. Rob

ArphaRima

I bought myself a well-specced TT Coupe on 1 January 08. the only car I saw in the dealership that made me jealous that day was a Boxster Limited/Special Edition. Looked bloody amazing. Much better than the surrounding 911s etc. Really surprised me. I gave my name to the dealership that day to ensure the owner gives me a call for 1st dibs on selling!
Porsche have really upped the standard of their interiors from past models. That was what put me off them this time around, and would likely stop me buying one thats more than a few years old!

I know it gets the whole "hairdresser car" bollox, but lets be fair I dont know any hairdressers that can afford a Boxster S!

I like your Porsche by 30 rule. Got it myself. Decided that when I was about 14! On schedule I hope.

Zascar

fluffer wrote: »

I like your Porsche by 30 rule. Got it myself. Decided that when I was about 14! On schedule I hope.

Well I'm 27 so I've still got some time