Ouch!! At 18, I was driving a Fiat X19 which put out about 90 hp with a bunch of mods
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Porsche
- Thread starter Noseferatu
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Ouch!! At 18, I was driving a Fiat X19 which put out about 90 hp with a bunch of mods
That's only a 2.7L H6, producing a meager 217 HP and only 192 lbs/ft of torque. With the S you only move up to 250 HP. Granted it's a light car, but still, it's not he'd be getting a 350+ HP 911.
If you can afford the maintenance, which ain't cheap, go for it. Otherwise get yourself a car that would allow for more self-maintenance and cheaper parts.
That's right, and it's mid-engine, not rear engine like the 911, so it doesn't have the same propensity toward snap oversteer.
I've read that Boxters of some model years have a design flaw in some part of the drivetrain that can result in very expensive repairs. You should look into that before buying. If I can find something about this, I'll post a link. In general, though, Porsches are very durable and reliable, and are some of the few cars I'd consider buying used.
Even so, if you don't have the stomach or resources for expensive repairs, consider a Miata.
They've upped the anti as far as power on the new ones. The Boxter S is actually a beast.
Your much better off with a Ferrari. Just make sure its a hardtop, and without the flappy paddle gearbox. No fun.
Do you need a different license to drive manual transmission cars rather than automatics in Scotland?
Check with the insurance company to see if you can afford the insurance.
Ask some local repair shops that you trust about repair cost on this model.
It is my understanding that repair and maintenance costs on Boxsters are very high. The engine is very difficult to access - you can't just pop the hood and there it is, you have to remove the seats and remove a panel behind them to get to it. This means more labor time for simple stuff.
I could be wrong on that. My wife has a Mercedes C230 coupe, and when we first got it my understanding was that Mercedes maintenance was very expensive and difficult - that car has turned out to be substantially cheaper to keep on the road than my 2004 Subaru Legacy station wagon. So the moral of the story is you never know.
Porche Boxsters are kind of like Peavey USA basses in that they have horribly low resale value. If you're in the market for a sports car like this, the prices on Boxsters is just unbelievably low. GREAT if you're buying in the used market.
Another car to check out about this size is the Mercedes C230 Coupe. My wife's is an amazing car - sporty as hell, cheap to own and insure, loaded with luxury perks, and very reliable to boot. I took it down the Blue Ridge Parkway to Deal's Gap this spring with a buddy in a Dodge Viper and I was able to keep up with the Viper every turn. The thing handles like a million bucks. It was a bargain at the new price, and they are a steal used. Look for newer models, they changed the engine in 2003 I believe - the older engine is larger but less powerful.
Ask some local repair shops that you trust about repair cost on this model.
It is my understanding that repair and maintenance costs on Boxsters are very high. The engine is very difficult to access - you can't just pop the hood and there it is, you have to remove the seats and remove a panel behind them to get to it. This means more labor time for simple stuff.
I could be wrong on that. My wife has a Mercedes C230 coupe, and when we first got it my understanding was that Mercedes maintenance was very expensive and difficult - that car has turned out to be substantially cheaper to keep on the road than my 2004 Subaru Legacy station wagon. So the moral of the story is you never know.
Porche Boxsters are kind of like Peavey USA basses in that they have horribly low resale value. If you're in the market for a sports car like this, the prices on Boxsters is just unbelievably low. GREAT if you're buying in the used market.
Another car to check out about this size is the Mercedes C230 Coupe. My wife's is an amazing car - sporty as hell, cheap to own and insure, loaded with luxury perks, and very reliable to boot. I took it down the Blue Ridge Parkway to Deal's Gap this spring with a buddy in a Dodge Viper and I was able to keep up with the Viper every turn. The thing handles like a million bucks. It was a bargain at the new price, and they are a steal used. Look for newer models, they changed the engine in 2003 I believe - the older engine is larger but less powerful.
I'd be more worried about them driving on the wrong side of the road
When I was about 13, I started driving my Dads Austin Mini which was a right hand drive, manual, no synchros. Fun Fun FUN!! 
CrashClint
I Play Bass therefore I Am
I have an 05' Boxster S and love it! To all you Z4 people I say Nay! I haven't found one yet that can hang with me in the turns. Mine has been on the dyno at 295 HP with aftermarket CAI. $5,900 is an awesome price especially if the motor was replaced due to the Intermediate shaft bearing failures.
I wouldn't recommend it as a first car for a teen as it is very easy to speed.
A local guy put a 3.4 911 engine in his and absolutely bullies the 911s around here.
I wouldn't recommend it as a first car for a teen as it is very easy to speed.
A local guy put a 3.4 911 engine in his and absolutely bullies the 911s around here.
Over here manual cars are the standard, so it is almost a moot point.
However, if you learn and sit your driving test in an automatic, you're licence doesn't cover you for driving a manual. So, take your test in an automatic, and you can only legally drive an automatic.
Taking your test in a manual, you can drive either. I wasn't sure how it worked in the US, as you guys have more automatics (which I'm assuming, possibly incorrectly) is almost the standard.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driving_licence_in_the_United_Kingdom
Yeah, at least in my area, automatics are more prevalent, but there are plenty of manual transmission drivers. Our licenses, in California at least, allow us to drive either or. But driving manual transmission is so much more fun.
Autos are much more prevalent in the USA than they are in Europe, but there are plenty of standards, particularly on sports cars.
Bob Lee (QSC)
In case you missed it, I work for QSC Audio!
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That's what I was thinking as well. If it's too good to be true it probably is. Even in CDN $ that is a surprisingly low number.
My dad has a boxster, I learned to drive in it, and a big F-350 dually.
The few things I noticed about the car....
1. If the electricity dies (which ours did A LOT) its very difficult.
2. Make sure it has a warranty or someone who will service, no average shmo will service it, they can't get in to the compartment
3.The steering is "thick" like driving a heavy car, you would expect it to be opposite of that.
4. The seats are hard, it is very uncomfortable.
5. The A/C is not very strong, and it if it's a convertible, expect to toast/freeze.
BUT
It's fast, and it's cool looking. I mean, if it looks nice, what chick doesn't want to see a guy pulling up in a porsche? I personally like it in California weather, with the top down cruising along the coastline using the tiptronic (my dad doesn't like full manual) buttons. It is an awesome car no doubt, but don't think that you can just go and start to take on really fast cars, because it all reality it really isn't that fast.
I say go for it, unless you can find something nice that just blows it out of the water, like an old Mercedes, BMW M-series, or an Audi A5 or S5.
The few things I noticed about the car....
1. If the electricity dies (which ours did A LOT) its very difficult.
2. Make sure it has a warranty or someone who will service, no average shmo will service it, they can't get in to the compartment
3.The steering is "thick" like driving a heavy car, you would expect it to be opposite of that.
4. The seats are hard, it is very uncomfortable.
5. The A/C is not very strong, and it if it's a convertible, expect to toast/freeze.
BUT
It's fast, and it's cool looking. I mean, if it looks nice, what chick doesn't want to see a guy pulling up in a porsche? I personally like it in California weather, with the top down cruising along the coastline using the tiptronic (my dad doesn't like full manual) buttons. It is an awesome car no doubt, but don't think that you can just go and start to take on really fast cars, because it all reality it really isn't that fast.
I say go for it, unless you can find something nice that just blows it out of the water, like an old Mercedes, BMW M-series, or an Audi A5 or S5.
This guy that lives in Erie is selling his 2000 Boxster for only $5900.
Good for my first car??
It would be great as a first car if:
1) you like speeding tickets
2) like to earn money to pay for expensive maintenance. I suggest you call your local Porsche dealer and inquire about the cost of oil changes, brake jobs, scheduled maintenance, etc. Plan to spend $500 or more each time you take it in. Lots of profit in repairs. Btw, ask them what their labor rate is. Probably over $100/hr.
3) You don't want to be able to carry any equipment and like asking for rides to gigs because you can't really carry anything worthwhile.
4) You like asking for rides because your car is in the shop.
5)My cousin has one and while under warranty, had to replace the rear axle several times. Maybe it was him?
6) Like paying high insurance premiums.
I suggest something a little more practical and a lot less expensive to maintain.
