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Re: Buying a boxster or a BMW

"Dave" wrote

How many on this site own a boxster ? > how many have had problems or know someone that had major problems with > one? > > I ask this because the wife likes the boxster and would like us to purchase > one, myself would like a 911 turbo but unfortunately I can't afford it. So > when the wife said she was ok with buying a boxster I thought finally I can > buy a Porsche. But I'm hearing all these engine problems and other minor > problems I'm wondering if I should but a BMW Damn that hurts to say. > > When I was a Porsche mechanic the 944s were having engine failures, replaced > many under warranty, but never heard what the internal failure was > discovered. now it sound like the boxster is having similar problems.

I've owned BMWs for years, owned a '77 924 before that, and an NSX. I recently bought a (used - '00) Boxster for my wife.

My impression: you'll have more problems with a Porsche than a BMW (and a BMW will have more problems than a Honda). Our Boxster - 35K - had a oil leak that turned out to be the rear main oil seal. Fortunately it's still under warranty. I know that it had some minor problems when new with the original owner (oil leak in a fitting, window lift motor, some other nits - the guy was really picky IMO. On the other hand the car is almost perfect!)

However, note that BMW has had engine problems in some recent M3s. They seem to have gotten it under control. The other BMW engines, with the notable exception to the original V8's in '93-'95, have been virtually bullet-proof. Lots of little electrical and other problems. Lots of build problems with the X5, since solved.

Having said that, the Boxster is a wonderful car, especially with the top down. However, the 330xi I currently drive is IMO better built, almost as fast and handles almost as well. An M3 convertible (they're around $55K, about midway between a Boxster and Boxster S) will compare quite favorably to the S in terms of performance, and IMO/IME will have fewer problems than the Boxster.

Floyd Rogers

Reply to
fbloogyudsr
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Reply to
Stephen Rabinowitz

Darn - one of the mags just did a Boxster buying guide, but I can't remember which. Does anyone? It's likely either Excellence, 911 & Porsche World, or GT Purely Porsche. I'n not at home and don't have my back issues handy. I recall the early cars had problems with oil seals... Emanuel

Reply to
Emanuel Brown

Says it all really. I had a 928S4 for six years. I wasn't happy with the dealer, so when I replaced it, I got a Merc SLK320 against my better judgement. Now I have a Boxster S.

Nothing against BMWs (I had several before the 928), but if you don't like the idea of a car, you will never like the car. Get the Boxster.

Reply to
Paul Spencer

Dave,

The only input I can give is an article I read in May's issue of Sports Car Magazine, in which the BMW Z4 and 2003 Boxster were compared. Aparently these two cars are the closest matched, both being roadsters, and close in price (about $8K more for the Boxster). The article was written by a BMW enthusiast, who owns several himself. Though he was impressed with the power of the BMW especially in the low end torque area, he didn't feel comfortable cornering at speed. He stated in self-proclaimed blasphemy, that the Porsche was all in all the better car, instilling a feeling of "One-ness" bewtween to road, the car and the driver.

-Rhad Davis '89 944 2.7l N/A

Reply to
Rhadamanthus

"Rhadamanthus" wrote

FYI, the latest Car & Driver has a comparison of roadsters with the Z4 and Boxster in it. They finished 4th and 3rd respectively (essentially tied), behind the Honda S2000 (1st) and Nissan 300ZX and way ahead of the TT.

Personally, I like the Boxster a whole lot more than the Z4.

FloydR

Reply to
fbloogyudsr

I bought a 99 black Boxster with 24ks on it 3 months ago...it was one of the best decisions i've ever made in my life! So far, so great! Car handles wonderfully and looks fantastic...every time I wash it I get pleasure out of it...my new bride knows nothing about cars, and is only scared to go in it...he he he...love it!

:)

Reply to
andrew a. schiavetti

I have an '02 Boxster with 53,000+ miles on it and except for an rear main seal leak -- fixed under warranty -- the car has been trouble free.

I bought new. If you buy used, buy the best example you can afford. If you can, try to get one with factory warranty left.

Oh, recently Porsche started a certified used Porsche program so you might check in to that and see what it does for removing some of the risk of buying a used Porsche.

Sincerely,

MarcW.

Dave wrote:

Reply to
Marc Warden

"Emanuel Brown" ¼¶¼g©ó¶l¥ó news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com...

a 2002 M3 would be roughly the same price as the Boxster S ?? and about the same as a 993 turbo ?? but maybe 50% more expensive than a 98 Boxster ?? JK

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johnk

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Tony

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