bigdog wrote:Having owned an SP for 13 years, and now having a stunning 04 Boxster S I think I can offer some wisdom.
1. There is no comparison between the Porsche and SP on quality. Paint, finish and engineering on the Porsche is in a different league.
2. Performance is superior (although a modified SP would stay with it to 100kmh). Handling is much nicer stock - you need to modify an SP to match a stock Boxster.
3. The noise of a flat 6 P car is pure music and never gets old.
4. Comfort is also another big win for the P car. I would happily drive it all day, but the SP on coilovers was 4 hours max before a break.
5. Maintenance is straight forward, I do my own, but everything on the P car is Torx/special tools, which can be painful. The engine is well hidden and some stuff is painfully tight to get to.
6. Parts cost is a big minus. The low cost parts places are in the US, and exchange rate and shipping is a killer. Local dealers are poisonous too.
7. Reliability is a question mark. The P car is more complex, 986/987 have the IMS issue (mine has not been changed, but I change the oil every 5000km and inspect the old filter for contamination). They also have dual mass flywheels that should be changed with every second clutch. Valve guide tensioners are also a wear point.
8. All that said, my car is worth as much or more than I paid for it two years ago, and will continue to appreciate. My SP lost half its value over the 13 years I owned it. I loved my SP, but I love the Boxster more.
What a champ, thanks Bigdog!
Have been browsing MY08 3.4L Boxter Ss on carsales, looks like $35-$40k is the ballpark for an average condition one (although the average is quite good being a Porsche).
It's easy to test drive an ND, but I'll have to look for a dealer with the right Boxter in stock to test drive.
CeramicND wrote:I have an ND1 (2.0) and an NA6 (also owned a NB8A for a short while). Have also dríven NC's and a ND2. As a daily the the ND is a step beyond every model that precedes it. It tends to have more torque lower in the rev range and it's comfort and accessories make it a far more appealing daily driver. Have dríven an ND2 on track and on the road back to back with an ND1. The performance difference of an ND2 on track is subtle, whilst it is quicker, you want feel that difference by the seat if the pants. On the road, the difference is almost imperceptible.
As for my NA6, it's a minimally modified club track toy. I do prefer it's handling on the track to the ND (both have modified suspension) and I love the manual steering rack of the NA but everything else goes to the ND.
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I also found the performance increase to be relatively minor, although the adjustable steering column of the ND2 is a massive plus for me as I'm a smidge over 6'1". Thanks mate.
