If you want to buy a Boxster or Boxster S

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Jacques79

Jacques79

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it's a goldmine of information and will tell you everything from maintenance cost to performance mods, differences between years and reliability.

A lot of people have asked me about these cars (which surprises me since the car gets so much bad rep from some people here) and buying them.

The 1st and most important thing is that right before the summer is the absolute worst time to buy a Boxster, or any roadster for that matter.

If you can wait until September-October you will knock off 3000$-5000$ easily.

If you budget is around 25 000$ I highly recommend a 2003 Boxster S. If your budget is 45 000$ I recommend the 2005 Boxster S. The 2007+ Boxster S are still very expensive, not worth it for 15 more horsepower.

And you can always ask me questions by pm or whatever it will be my pleasure to assist you in selecting a good car.

I'd also test drive a Honda S2000 before writing that check for the Boxster. Make sure you are willing to pay twice as more for things such as steering feel, braking, balance, etc...the Boxster S will not impress your friends on a 0-60 time and doesn't have amazing specs.

The S2000 is 80% of the Boxster S for a fraction of the price and it has 10X better reliability. Also the shifter is much crisper, shorter. Its on another planet of precision compared to the Boxster shifter which feels like crap. (the 2005+shifter is better though) And with the S2000 you get quicker steering response, but then again the ride quality is bad. (not as bad as a Z4M though, which doesn't handle as well as an S2000)
 
Thanks for the info Jacques, ive always wondered about the Boxsters, interesting read.

When you say the S2k is way more reliable is that because the Boxsters have lots of problems? usually Pcars tend to be considered bulletproof?
 
Since when does "more reliable" translate to "one is perfect, the other is garbage"

If the S2000 was a 10/10 for reliability and the Porsche was 9/10, his statement would be correct.
 
dave_fonz_164 said:
Thanks for the info Jacques, ive always wondered about the Boxsters, interesting read.

When you say the S2k is way more reliable is that because the Boxsters have lots of problems? usually Pcars tend to be considered bulletproof?
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The NSX and S2000 are the best made cars I've driven. Everything is extremely tightly put together. On the Porsche cars, it's good for a German brand, but things like suspension parts and electrical stuff breaks down more.

PCars are more reliable than Ferrari, Maserati and what not, (what isn't) but they are not as well put together as Honda.

I've had my 2006 Boxster S for 3 weeks and already the convertible top needs to be replaced completely because it's not closing properly. It's covered under the brand new car warranty, but still...That's a 5000$ repair covered by Porsche. The dealer in Laval said they will be sending my top to Germany so that Porsche can try and figure out why it is defective...They've been making convertibles and roadsters forever and Boxsters since 1997, you'd think they would get it by now...bleah
 
logik23 said:
Since when does "more reliable" translate to "one is perfect, the other is garbage"

If the S2000 was a 10/10 for reliability and the Porsche was 9/10, his statement would be correct.
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Never said the Boxster was garbage.

It's just no where near the build quality of an S2000 or NSX.

And I accept it because I knew this before buying my 2nd Boxster S. No car is perfect. The S2000 has average brakes, no steering feel. Evert car has its flaw and the Boxster is not immune to this rule.

I've owned 3 S2000s all out of warranty and driven the piss out of them and owned 2 Porsches under factory warranty so I think I know what I am talking about.
 
Jacques79 said:
Never said the Boxster was garbage.

It's just no where near the build quality of an S2000 or NSX.

And I accept it because I knew this before buying my 2nd Boxster S. No car is perfect. The S2000 has average brakes, no steering feel. Evert car has its flaw and the Boxster is not immune to this rule.

I've owned 3 S2000s all out of warranty and driven the piss out of them and owned 2 Porsches under factory warranty so I think I know what I am talking about.
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From all the s2000 you've own, did you had any grinding issue from 1st to 2nd?

I have someone really interested into my G and I might be shopping for a new ride soon. Last year, I've almost bought a s2k but change my mind at the last minute.

I've currently spotted 1 mint s2k 2003 without a warranty but after looking on forums, I've discover that the 1st to second grinding was a big issue.

Do you know if all the cars are affected by this?

On another note, I would like to know if you've ever driven an C5 z06. I've spotted a few 2003 for 30k with low mileage. Any opinion on this one?
 
Jacques, you back from hopital? Or still there? Good luck*tu*

Btw, what do you do for a living? Driving porches/s2000s at a young age (i think you're young)
 
Again Thx for replying to my pms Jaqcues!!

I'm still having a hard time choosing between a 350z or Boxster S...
I`ve driven both and the Z is powerful and solid while the boxster is pure experience.
The only thing pulling me away from the boxster S is the reliability and maintenance, which when I do finance will be kind of tough if the warranty is limited. I`m being as patient as I can right now so still looking for a good deal.
 
LOL A Porsche not put as well together as a Honda this must be a freaking joke. No offense to Jacques and no offense to Honda fans but damn hahahhahaha LOLLLL

I guess now you understand why people say a Boxster is a peice of crap right?!
 
G-Bus said:
LOL A Porsche not put as well together as a Honda this must be a freaking joke. No offense to Jacques and no offense to Honda fans but damn hahahhahaha LOLLLL

I guess now you understand why people say a Boxster is a peice of crap right?!
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911 is not more reliable than a Boxster S aside from Turbo and GT models since the same block is used.

And Boxster-911 share more than 55% of suspension components, but the rear suspension of the Boxster S is different due to the mid-engine design which is superior than the 911 rear's.

I never said the Boxster S is a piece of crap. Shorth of a Lotus Elise it's the most satisfying car to drive under 100K (brand new) if you enjoy things other than magazine racing. It's just less reliable than the S2000 and NSX that's all and you have to be willing to accept it before buying one.

No car is perfect, but there is a perfect car FOR YOU out there. You just have to figure out what it is by test driving as many cars as you can.

For me I am willing to sacrifice Honda reliability for the superior driving experience. Some people I know prefer would never accept doing more than 1 visit to the dealer each year. On my last Boxster I freaked out at every little single problem, but now that I'm on my 2nd I keep my mouth shut because I knew what to expect before buying.

My dad loves his diesel Grand Cherokee Overland and I think it's the perfect car for him since he couldn't care less about the driving experience. The car has its flaws if you look at it objectivelty but in his mind it fills out all his needs.
 
m_1313 said:
From all the s2000 you've own, did you had any grinding issue from 1st to 2nd?

I have someone really interested into my G and I might be shopping for a new ride soon. Last year, I've almost bought a s2k but change my mind at the last minute.

I've currently spotted 1 mint s2k 2003 without a warranty but after looking on forums, I've discover that the 1st to second grinding was a big issue.

Do you know if all the cars are affected by this?

On another note, I would like to know if you've ever driven an C5 z06. I've spotted a few 2003 for 30k with low mileage. Any opinion on this one?
Click to expand...

I've only driven an AP2 on a test drive but never owned one. I agree that on all my AP1 it was very easy to grind gears on an aggressive 1-2 redline shift. You have to focus unlike with a Boxster or 911 which has a shifter that goes into gear without any drama (or feel...) at any rate.


But it's no big deal. In my case the grinding gears on the 1-2 upshift was due to driver error on my part; you just have to concentrate more than on a Euro car. The shifter is directly located on the tranny and that gives it extremely positive shift action; that along with the fact that the engine vibrations are easily transmitted to the driver's cabin make the shifter feel very connected to the engine and that's also why you'll notice the S2000 shifter shaking like crazy at high speeds.

I've driven a C5 Z06 on the street, never track. I didn't enjoy it too much because in the 1st-2nd gear (where I have the most fun in my daily drivers) all you get is wheelspin and the car wants to go sideways under full throttle. If you're a highway junkie though and enjoy high speed runs this is the car for you.

But personally I prefer a less powerfull roadster that enables me to redline the car at lower gears while getting 100% traction and not just wheelspin. The Boxster-911 are great for this and launch very well because of the engine weight sitting directly on the rear wheels.

The C5 Z06 is very comfortable though. I could see myself doing a cross-country road trip with this thing. Suspension is susprinsingly comfy and the seats are wide and like a lazy-boy chair. Shifter feels like absolute garabe though. Worst I've ever felt in my life. Feels like you're trying to move rocks ina bucket with an old stiff wooden stick.

Other than the shifter and lack of traction around town if you boot it a little it's the best performance car for the money but I'm not into track times; I prefer enjoy my cars at lower speeds on mountain roads, going to work, etc...
 
aj4j said:
Jacques, you back from hopital? Or still there? Good luck*tu*

Btw, what do you do for a living? Driving porches/s2000s at a young age (i think you're young)
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Nope, just arrived 2 days ago. Did 2 days already, 4 left and then they monitor me to make sure I am ok because I go back home, which usually takes another few days. So far so good. Little bored since I can't leave the floor though...hence my montrealracing post whoring.

There's a patient with a Boston Bruins Kreici jersey next to my room...Kind of felt like unpluggin his machine after yesterday's loss but I will rather laugh in face when the Habs beat the Bruins in 7:D

Anyone with a decent job can own an S2000-Boxster. It's not more expensive than a new Civic SI and will depreciate less. And if they depreciate less you have more money left to upgrade to a nicer car in a few years.

I finished writting my BAR exams in early 2008 and have a job here in Montreal but am currently on sick leave. I don't waste my money on clubbing, drinking, never smoked in my life. I save up for trips-vacations and my car which is kind of my drug:bigup:
 
G-Bus said:
I guess now you understand why people say a Boxster is a peice of crap right?!
Click to expand...

as Jacques outlined, 911 and Boxster share A LOT of parts. This car is far from being junk. As a matter of fact I spent WAY LESS TIME in garage (Only once) with my Boxster than with my M3 and my VW's and any of my previous cars (Maxima, etc.).
 
I've never driven a boxster S

but I can approve every single thing you said about the s2000 !!!

It's such a great car : so much focused

I just love it so much
 
Jacques79 said:
I've only driven an AP2 on a test drive but never owned one. I agree that on all my AP1 it was very easy to grind gears on an aggressive 1-2 redline shift. You have to focus unlike with a Boxster or 911 which has a shifter that goes into gear without any drama (or feel...) at any rate.


But it's no big deal. In my case the grinding gears on the 1-2 upshift was due to driver error on my part; you just have to concentrate more than on a Euro car. The shifter is directly located on the tranny and that gives it extremely positive shift action; that along with the fact that the engine vibrations are easily transmitted to the driver's cabin make the shifter feel very connected to the engine and that's also why you'll notice the S2000 shifter shaking like crazy at high speeds.

I've driven a C5 Z06 on the street, never track. I didn't enjoy it too much because in the 1st-2nd gear (where I have the most fun in my daily drivers) all you get is wheelspin and the car wants to go sideways under full throttle. If you're a highway junkie though and enjoy high speed runs this is the car for you.

But personally I prefer a less powerfull roadster that enables me to redline the car at lower gears while getting 100% traction and not just wheelspin. The Boxster-911 are great for this and launch very well because of the engine weight sitting directly on the rear wheels.

The C5 Z06 is very comfortable though. I could see myself doing a cross-country road trip with this thing. Suspension is susprinsingly comfy and the seats are wide and like a lazy-boy chair. Shifter feels like absolute garabe though. Worst I've ever felt in my life. Feels like you're trying to move rocks ina bucket with an old stiff wooden stick.

Other than the shifter and lack of traction around town if you boot it a little it's the best performance car for the money but I'm not into track times; I prefer enjoy my cars at lower speeds on mountain roads, going to work, etc...
Click to expand...

Thanks for the write up.
 
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