pl

so i have 996 cab, wife love it! great! now she told me "go get your own"

i want to spend around $25K.

2 choices for me:
1. 87-89 911 with G50 (need to quit read Excellece mag, every time i read it, i want a air-cooled 911 so much!!!)

2. 2000-2003 boxster.

my req.:
1. reliable. bwteen 2 small kids and a busy job, i can't spend much time on my car. and i want to use it a semi-daily drive(50mile/day). north-east.
2. i prefer cab.
please comment.
3. i want nice running car. don't need a concours-ready car.
thanks.

Jay H

This is a 911 board, but I'd go with the Boxster if you are looking for a reliable daily driver that will be somewhat similar to your 996. I would think you could get a very nice Boxster for $23k and still have $2000 left for upgrades or maintenance fund.

Yes, a nice driver quality '87 to '89 cabrio could be found for your budget. While very reliable cars, they are aging and could be 13 to 16 years older than the Boxster in your price range. If you don't have too much time to tinker or want to put up with the inconvenience of having the car in the shop, I'd go for the newer car. You may even be able to find a Boxster with some factory warranty left as well.

Good Luck!

Jay
90 964 & 84 3.2

pl

i have a jap. beater i can use if the car is in shop, or the weather is bad.
i know a very good porshce indy, who does things on my 996 from time to time, so i won't worry about main. that much.
it's just that every issue of "Excellence" they talk about old porsche, and they insist those can be daily cars. so i want to know from the owners.
thank you.

84_Carrera

With my 84 Cab, in 18 months & about 18k miles of split daily driving (3/5+ 911 typically), I've had to call the hauler twice, once for a slipped-off clutch cable from the cable bracket at the trans, & once for a dead alternator. There have been some normal items that needed to be addressed, but nothing that kept me from getting to work in that time.

I would personally look at a coupe next I think, as mine's not liking the rain with the older seals. My son sits forward-leaning in the back at almost 8 years old, due to the seat backs being angled forward a little to make room for the top.

With kids, I would think about who's going to be driving them around. If you, then the Boxster's sort of out of the equation, I'd think. If the 996 Cab is the family truckster, the the Boxster would be a nice secondary ride, giving you the mid-engine option when picking which to drive.

Personally, I feel almost like I'm driving the ONE car that was meant for me every time I take my '84 out. It's loud, brash, and exhilirating. I am always conscious of the car I'm in, not zoned out just getting from a to b.

Good luck with your choice!

ked

have you driven examples of your nominees - which do you prefer?

pl

lol.
no, i didn't drive either.
since we keep the 996, the boxster/911 will be the 4th in the family. so i don't worry about taking kids.
84_Carrera, i understand once you get an used car, you need to "sort it out" before you completely confident to take it as your daily drive? i wouldn't mind visit the shop a few time to begin with, just that i want something reliable once it's been "sorted out".

JackOlsen

Shop carefully and get yourself a 993.

JM993

Bingo! Or even a nice 964 cab.

However, a Boxster S is an awfully nice car.........

gerry100

As solidly built and fun to drive as the 80's 911s are, they are still old and these cars hang around so long that stuff wears out that other cars take to the grave intact.

My next project is to fix my sticky throttle linkage, little or no money but it will take time. When this gets done it will be something else.

If you don't have tinkering time. I'd go with the Boxster.

Jay H

Keep in mind the 993's have their issues too. Those cars are getting old.

Add in the complexity of aging cabriolet mechanisms and motors plus possible Check Engine Light issues and there is plenty to maintain on a 993.

I still vote for a decent 3 year old Boxster if one does not have the time to put up with all that it takes to keep an older car on the road.

Jay
90 964
84 3.2

Gary R.

There was just one posted for $25K somewhere, I *think* on the 964 board... Personally I would try and find a sorted 92-93 964,,,

joey c

i have a 87 911 with 99xxx on it...just serviced..new rotors,pads,rebuilt calipers..red/black tail..it may be for sale..j

Jay H

I agree. If pl wants to deal with an older 911, I still feel the 1992 to 1994 964's are some of the more bulletproof modern 911's out there. With the updated motor and LUK flywheel, these cars have all the bugs worked out right from the factory without the OBDII issues that can plague the newer 993's (admittedly not all 993's suffer from this). The 1995 993 will not have OBDII either.

jackb911

I'd go with a '00 or later Boxster. You will find that the Carrera will cost a LOT more to maintain, and the A/C on the Boxster actually works.

I've owned both cars, and the Boxster is BY FAR the better daily driver. The Carrera is perhaps more fun on a twisty road, but the Boxster is actually quicker through the twisties.

Gary R.

Boxster's are for girls..

The A/C in a 964 works quite well as long as it's maintained, it was the first 911 to have good A/C AFAIK..