[kqgone2da]

I'm going to get a new car when my lease ends, but don't know what. Considering 335i, 135i, M3, S4, and the Porsche Boxster. I've driven the Cayman and liked it. However, I've heard that Porsches are a maintenance nightmare. Any thoughts? 4 years, 50000 miles free maintenance sure is nice though. Thanks.

[e60_M5_2020]

I think my mom wanted one in like 1998.

[PaulBailey@ltbmw]

OMG 335 all day long over the boxster. If you're considering Cayman S thats another story.
335>M3>135>S4>Prius>Boxster

[07E92TT]

S4 to be different, If I was gonna spend that much on a car thats what i'd get.

[machine]

I think its a car worth getting. It out handles the 911 Carrera.

[JerzeySux]

I owned a 2001 boxster and i know the boxster these days are much faster and better but one word. POOR MANS PORSCHE.
I hated it. Only thing i liked about it was able to take turns crazy without even tires chirping much and brakes were solid. Small as crap. My knee hits the steering wheel with seats all the way back. Im 6;2. With top on at high speed it would rattle and you can feel the wind alot. I really hated it. LOL First 30k was GREAT and head turner since some people just know it as a porsche. But after the 30k i had transmission problem brake making noise and car was slow. I HATED IT.! lol

But the numbers on newer BoxsterS are pretty dam good and suppose to be the lightest Porsche ever built.

[BK]

The numbers sure look good.

2011 Boxster Spyder (C/D est):
0 to 60 mph: 4.1 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 12.7 sec
Top speed (drag limited): 166 mph

2009 Boxster S (C/D test):
0 to 60 mph: 4.3 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 12.9 sec @ 109
Top speed (drag limited): 169 mph

[Tim2189]

my dad owned a 07 Cayman S.....AWESOME CAR!! but as you mentioned the maintenance killed it but what do you expect its not a honda

[cotmfk]

I have never owned one, but have had some friends that did and the Cayman. They pretty much all say that it's slow, but super fun to drive. So, I guess take that for what it's worth. They didn't complain about maintenance, but they all had the money to not worry about it.

[VWtoBMW]

I currently have a 2006 Boxster S as well as a 2009 335i xDrive. Although I like the Porsche, I prefer to drive the 335 as a daily driver. The Porsche feels like you are driving a go-kart, thats a good thing since it is a lot of fun, but not something you would want to drive every day. The car handles great, holds the road very well on the highway, etc.. but the 335 has the comfort as well as the performance.

As for maintenance, I currently have 48,000km on it (approx 30,000 miles) and have done the following:
- Regular maintenance - oil changes
- Front Brakes - cant remember the price, but it was not cheap
- Clutch and fly wheel - this was about $3800. I cant see how it burnt out but this is the first clutch I have ever had to replace. I thought that was ridiculous and it was not covered on warranty
- CEL was coming on intermittently, it turns out it was both catalytic converters which were replaced under warranty
- The engine is currently making a rattling noise when coasting while in gear, not sure what that is yet.

The car is on warranty, which is up shortly, so is the lease... end in March. I am turning the car in as I am sure it would eventually be a very expensive nightmare once the warranty is up.

So, overall, it is a fun car as a second car, but definitely not the right vehicle for a daily driver.

[HoustonScott]

Check out rear main seal failures in Boxster. You think HPFP are bad, this has been a problem for Porsche for years. When it happens your engine is dead. My brother in law owns one and his RMS failed. All but the turbo 911's are effected and there are reports on the new engines having the same issue. Steer clear of Porsche unless your after a air cooled one or a modern 911 with the turbo engine or a non turbo 911 with the same block.

HS

[VWtoBMW]

What are teh symptoms of the rear main seal failure?

Originally Posted by HoustonScott

Check out rear main seal failures in Boxster. You think HPFP are bad, this has been a problem for Porsche for years. When it happens your engine is dead. My brother in law owns one and his RMS failed. All but the turbo 911's are effected and there are reports on the new engines having the same issue. Steer clear of Porsche unless your after a air cooled one or a modern 911 with the turbo engine or a non turbo 911 with the same block.

HS

[PINeely]

IMO, you buy a Boxster for the sake of owning a Porsche. There are better things for the money.

They're still fun to drive though. You get a certain feeling of agility that you can only have with a Porsche.

[Majikthese42]

Originally Posted by HoustonScott

Check out rear main seal failures in Boxster. You think HPFP are bad, this has been a problem for Porsche for years. When it happens your engine is dead. My brother in law owns one and his RMS failed. All but the turbo 911's are effected and there are reports on the new engines having the same issue. Steer clear of Porsche unless your after a air cooled one or a modern 911 with the turbo engine or a non turbo 911 with the same block.

HS

Check out "Porsche engine failures", too.

+1 on air-cooled 911s.

[HoustonScott]

Oil leaks are the start. You couldn't give me a boxster...there junk...just type RMS into google and see what I am talking about. All boxsters are doomed and the people whom own them know it and are pissed. Check it out...

HS

[rhodesman]

IMHO I think Porsche is a great car but only when it's not your daily driver. My Mom had a boxter back in 2001-2 and she hated it because it was her DD (company car actually). She said it was uncomfortable and awkward when sitting in traffic but loved it when she would hit the back roads on the weekend. Most Porsches are excellent cars and I have always dreamed of getting an 80's era 911 to fix up and drive.

But honestly, the 335 is all that and more since you can fit four people in it, some luggage/shopping bags and still drive like the wind. I'd stick with the 335.

[cotmfk]

Originally Posted by HoustonScott

Oil leaks are the start. You couldn't give me a boxster...there junk...just type RMS into google and see what I am talking about. All boxsters are doomed and the people whom own them know it and are pissed. Check it out...

HS

I did this... nothing with Porsche came up. Then I typed hpfp and BMW stuff was 2nd, 3rd, and more on the list. Then I typed "rms porsche" in and got a ton of stuff on what you are talking about.

[skim]

Well, GT1 block, which is shared between 997.1 TT and GT3/RS, and 997.2 GT3/RS (I'm told 997.2 TT went with the A91 engine which is shared with all other 911s) don't suffer from RMS. I don't think RMS kills the engine necessarily right away, it's just if you don't fix it soon, your engine will eventually die from from oil starvation.
I was also told while shopping for a 993 that 993 has RMS issue as well although we know it's all air-cooled pre-996. But didn't bother looking up because I picked up e86M.

Just my opinion tho, although cheaper (and possibly could be more fun) than 911, in the long term cayman/boxster ownership cost will catch up to 911 so I think it's better to just get a 911 from beginning. Again.. I'm just speaking from what I'd do.
GL

[imported_Nomad]

It you want real information regarding a Boxster visit http://www.planet-9.com/forums/.
It is a site dedicated to Cayman/Boxster owners. I traded my 135i for a Cayman S and have never regretted the decision. The Porsche is in another league. The cars really do not compare. However, you really should drive one to see if it suits you. There are more than one car manufacturer in the world because there are more than one type of person in the world. Not every car fits everyone. You need to decide what works for you.

[MisterSkiMask]

Originally Posted by JerzeySux

....one word. POOR MANS PORSCHE.

That is three words.

I have a 987S and it is a fantastic car. I am 6' 2" and I fit perfectly, I do have the seat all the way down and all the way back. I don't think I would buy one for a DD, with the top up visibility is a bit limited and I feel vulnerable especially in bad weather.

The car is great to drive, and it can out pace significantly more powerful/expensive cars on the track.

If I were to buy a 987 as a DD, it would be the Cayman S, the cabin is a bit more 'airy' and you can easily fit a roof rack for bikes and such.

[gonzo]

Leftover 08 Cayman S' are being offered with huge discounts FYI.

How many words is that?

[gonzo]

OP you could even get an 06 S and turbo/exhaust it and dress her up a bit for a modest price too. Track scalpel.

06-07 S' with low miles can be had for under or right at 40K. Not stripped/no to low option cars either.