Will the boxster become the next 944?
02-16-2003, 04:25 PM
#31
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I thought Porsche's mistake was making the front of a 911 look like the front of the Boxster, not the other way around. Didn't the Boxtster start production before the 996? Personally, I like the look of the composite headlamps on the Boxster, but I wish Porsche stuck with the round headlamps and separate parking lights, etc. on the 911.
02-16-2003, 04:32 PM
#32
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FWIW, I'm 5'10," weigh about 150 lbs and can ride quite well in the rear seat of my cabrios - 944 S2 and 951S.
If you roll the seat forward slightly and put your knees around the backrest most adults can too.
I recently gave the S2 to my parents as a weekend car and today the 3 of us went for a ride together. I'll admit it wasn't exactly like sitting in the back of a Mercedes sedan, but it was doable and took us all to lunch and back.
Countless times I've also been out with a friend in the car, met up with a third person and given them a quick ride back there. Girls usually can't believe they're going to fit until they try.
Marcus, part of the reason why the cars probably sold better is that the insurance rates are lower for 2+2 seating than straight 2-seaters.
If you roll the seat forward slightly and put your knees around the backrest most adults can too.
I recently gave the S2 to my parents as a weekend car and today the 3 of us went for a ride together. I'll admit it wasn't exactly like sitting in the back of a Mercedes sedan, but it was doable and took us all to lunch and back.
Countless times I've also been out with a friend in the car, met up with a third person and given them a quick ride back there. Girls usually can't believe they're going to fit until they try.
Marcus, part of the reason why the cars probably sold better is that the insurance rates are lower for 2+2 seating than straight 2-seaters.
02-17-2003, 09:45 AM
#36
Professor of Pending Projects
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I love the looks of the Boxster and would get into one no questions asked... ...but I have two kids and need the back seats 
. If I ever get into one it would have to be a Boxster S; better brakes, more performance, 6 speed... My wife also loves the car but tells me the same thing... "that is a car for us when the children are grown up"
For now, the 951 and 964 are perfect family cars since we can all go out for a drive and will be my cars until I see the replacement of the current 911. The 996 never convinced me as a good replacement for the 993... ...let's see how the 997 comes out.
Even if I buy a new car I plan to keep the ones that I have now.
. If I ever get into one it would have to be a Boxster S; better brakes, more performance, 6 speed... My wife also loves the car but tells me the same thing... "that is a car for us when the children are grown up"For now, the 951 and 964 are perfect family cars since we can all go out for a drive and will be my cars until I see the replacement of the current 911. The 996 never convinced me as a good replacement for the 993... ...let's see how the 997 comes out.
Even if I buy a new car I plan to keep the ones that I have now.
02-17-2003, 09:46 AM
#37
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Some thoughts from a previous (and hopefully future) Boxster owner....
"I'm going to get a good laugh at my nephew's expense fifteen years from now when his $27K Boxster is going for the same money as my 944!"
...never. Yes, the Boxster market on the early cars is dropping and they are going for considerably cheaper than when new, but (1) the Boxster has been more accepted by "Porsche people" and will continue to be perceived as such, (2) the Boxster is more advanced which will keep its values from completely dropping out and (3) a big part of the reason we're seeing the early cars so low is a combination of the poor economy and Porsche bringing out better new models. But they're just too good and too new to drop below 944 values.
"Supposedly there were 2 years worth of backorders when the 944 came to the US, though I was 2 at the time (I too can not provide a first-hand)."
I don't remember the time frame for backorders on the 944, but the Boxster had quite a waiting list as well. It would have been longer had Porsche not OPENED ANOTHER PLANT to suppliment the orders!
"They won't make a Boxster Turbo until they come out with the 997."
Probably true...if they EVER make a Boxster turbo. The Boxster can't be a better performer (at least in the engine dept.) than the big brother, so it'll always be one step behind....sadly. Yes, that's marketing. Porsche have always marketed the Boxster as fun without the ultimate speed...there's more to a good sports car than running the numbers, etc. They are developing a coupe and I've heard rumors of AWD.
"Problem is, the Boxter is a VERY SMALL car. And very short. I am 6'1", and my 944 fits me fine. I didnt fit into a Boxter as well. So, with it's 2+2 seating and hatch, I think the 944 is a more versatile car than the Boxter will ever be, room-wise!"
I would probably have to disagree with that one. I'm not over 6' tall, but I fit very comfortably in the car with room to spare. As for the storage space...my fiance and I drove our Boxster from Cinci to Florida for vacation, with (in the front trunk) one LARGE suitcase, a duffle bag and a small satchel, (in the rear trunk) two medium sized cases, a camera bag, and various other odds and ends. We regularly hit the golf course in the Boxster, with slim bags we could easily fit both in the rear trunk. It may not be better than a 944, but certainly no worse.
"leasing a porsche is so typically a fashion statement - driving the current model until it's out of style then moving on to the next one."
I might agree with this statement, but I'm considering selling my '88 911 and my Subaru and leasing an '03 Boxster. Not because I want to be fashionable, but because they're much better than early year cars. And I'm certainly not your typical high dollar guy. (..not even a high dollar guy). The bottom line is right now it would be cheaper for me to lease an '03 than it would be for me to buy anything but a '97 with lots of miles on it. (...at least in terms of monthly payments...I DO realize what leasing means overall...)
For the record, my first Pcar was an '88 944 n/a. GREAT car. I drove it for five years as my only driver. I put over 100k miles on it and it looked/performed as well when I sold it as it did when I bought it. I paid $12,500 for it in '93, put over $14k in service and maintenance over the 5 years of ownership, and sold it for $5k after trying for six months at $6500. ..if that matters.
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />
"I'm going to get a good laugh at my nephew's expense fifteen years from now when his $27K Boxster is going for the same money as my 944!"
...never. Yes, the Boxster market on the early cars is dropping and they are going for considerably cheaper than when new, but (1) the Boxster has been more accepted by "Porsche people" and will continue to be perceived as such, (2) the Boxster is more advanced which will keep its values from completely dropping out and (3) a big part of the reason we're seeing the early cars so low is a combination of the poor economy and Porsche bringing out better new models. But they're just too good and too new to drop below 944 values.
"Supposedly there were 2 years worth of backorders when the 944 came to the US, though I was 2 at the time (I too can not provide a first-hand)."
I don't remember the time frame for backorders on the 944, but the Boxster had quite a waiting list as well. It would have been longer had Porsche not OPENED ANOTHER PLANT to suppliment the orders!
"They won't make a Boxster Turbo until they come out with the 997."
Probably true...if they EVER make a Boxster turbo. The Boxster can't be a better performer (at least in the engine dept.) than the big brother, so it'll always be one step behind....sadly. Yes, that's marketing. Porsche have always marketed the Boxster as fun without the ultimate speed...there's more to a good sports car than running the numbers, etc. They are developing a coupe and I've heard rumors of AWD.
"Problem is, the Boxter is a VERY SMALL car. And very short. I am 6'1", and my 944 fits me fine. I didnt fit into a Boxter as well. So, with it's 2+2 seating and hatch, I think the 944 is a more versatile car than the Boxter will ever be, room-wise!"
I would probably have to disagree with that one. I'm not over 6' tall, but I fit very comfortably in the car with room to spare. As for the storage space...my fiance and I drove our Boxster from Cinci to Florida for vacation, with (in the front trunk) one LARGE suitcase, a duffle bag and a small satchel, (in the rear trunk) two medium sized cases, a camera bag, and various other odds and ends. We regularly hit the golf course in the Boxster, with slim bags we could easily fit both in the rear trunk. It may not be better than a 944, but certainly no worse.
"leasing a porsche is so typically a fashion statement - driving the current model until it's out of style then moving on to the next one."
I might agree with this statement, but I'm considering selling my '88 911 and my Subaru and leasing an '03 Boxster. Not because I want to be fashionable, but because they're much better than early year cars. And I'm certainly not your typical high dollar guy. (..not even a high dollar guy). The bottom line is right now it would be cheaper for me to lease an '03 than it would be for me to buy anything but a '97 with lots of miles on it. (...at least in terms of monthly payments...I DO realize what leasing means overall...)
For the record, my first Pcar was an '88 944 n/a. GREAT car. I drove it for five years as my only driver. I put over 100k miles on it and it looked/performed as well when I sold it as it did when I bought it. I paid $12,500 for it in '93, put over $14k in service and maintenance over the 5 years of ownership, and sold it for $5k after trying for six months at $6500. ..if that matters.
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />
02-17-2003, 10:27 AM
#38
A current rumor is that Porsche will start limiting production of the Boxster a bit, in order to help keep resale values from further plummeting. That is, they will limit the numbers of cars sent out to dealers.
As someone once told me, "Porsche does not like to see Boxsters lining up at Fred's Used Car Lot."
Porsche is in the business of selling new cars. And quite simply, the lower resale value hurts sales of new Porsches. Why buy a 2003 Boxster S when you can get a 2002 and save $20k? A lot of people are seeing these resale values and questioning why they should pony up the cash to buy a brand new Porsche. This is one of the reasons (albeit not the only reason) that Boxster sales have fallen recently.
BTW, yes the Boxster did debut before the 996. The 986 & 996 share some 40% of components...pretty much from the front seats forward they are the same car. Same dash, front console, front chassis, etc.
As someone once told me, "Porsche does not like to see Boxsters lining up at Fred's Used Car Lot."
Porsche is in the business of selling new cars. And quite simply, the lower resale value hurts sales of new Porsches. Why buy a 2003 Boxster S when you can get a 2002 and save $20k? A lot of people are seeing these resale values and questioning why they should pony up the cash to buy a brand new Porsche. This is one of the reasons (albeit not the only reason) that Boxster sales have fallen recently.
BTW, yes the Boxster did debut before the 996. The 986 & 996 share some 40% of components...pretty much from the front seats forward they are the same car. Same dash, front console, front chassis, etc.
02-17-2003, 03:44 PM
#39
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If they turbo the boxter it prolly will cut into the 911Turbo sales, just as the 951s did. So that prolly won't happen. Altho I heard of a morelo boxter (cant remember the spelling but anyway it was black with black rims with red interior, with turbo. Anyone ever heard of this??
02-17-2003, 04:42 PM
#40
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It was my understanding that the reason the 911 and Boxter look so much alike was not a choice, but rather a result of input by some Japanese auto industry bean-counters. They were hired by Porsche to review design and production practices, and find ways to trim some fat. One of their suggestions was that the various models be designed to share as many parts as possible, eliminating the need to produce parts for completely different body styles and the costs of doing so. Well,,,that's what I heard anyway.
02-17-2003, 06:09 PM
#41
Burning Brakes
DougC, Look around, the values already have dropped out of sight. You can buy '97-99 Boxsters for $20k all day long. Those cars sold for a good $50k new, as virtually none of them sell anywhere near base price. It is pretty bad when my 14 yr old, 75k mile 928, commands the same price as a 5 yr old Boxster with half the miles.
I do think they are great little cars. They sound almost as good as my V8, they are droptops, they have great style and the performance is good enough for all but serious power junkies. If I had another garage space, I just might.......
I do think they are great little cars. They sound almost as good as my V8, they are droptops, they have great style and the performance is good enough for all but serious power junkies. If I had another garage space, I just might.......
02-17-2003, 06:40 PM
#43
Burning Brakes
Not sure that is a fair one. I think it is pretty well accepted that the 968 was badly overpriced when new. Weren't they over $50k? The Boxster on the other hand was priced to compete ie; lower.
Still a nice 968 will command nearly $20k, about the same as a five year newer 986.
Still a nice 968 will command nearly $20k, about the same as a five year newer 986.
02-17-2003, 06:46 PM
#44
Burning Brakes
I'm waiting for Boxster prices to dip down below $20K. When that happens, I'll definitely be in the market IF they seem to hold up well. I keep a close eye on Porsche prices, and it's very easy to find a 2000 Boxster with 20K miles for about $30K. Someone else mentioned that they could find 97-99 Boxsters for $20K "all day long" but I haven't seen any at that price in my area.
When I was shopping for my 911, I drove a few "certified preowned" 2 year old Boxsters at the dealer. I was pretty unimpressed with the overall feel of the cars compared to a new one. Lots of rattles, squeaks, etc. My 911 is 11 years old now and is rock solid despite having a very harsh suspension.
If the Boxsters have a good reputation for reliability, then I hope to buy one in a few years (unless I find a good 951 in my area first!).
Drew
92 C2
When I was shopping for my 911, I drove a few "certified preowned" 2 year old Boxsters at the dealer. I was pretty unimpressed with the overall feel of the cars compared to a new one. Lots of rattles, squeaks, etc. My 911 is 11 years old now and is rock solid despite having a very harsh suspension.
If the Boxsters have a good reputation for reliability, then I hope to buy one in a few years (unless I find a good 951 in my area first!).
Drew
92 C2
02-17-2003, 07:38 PM
#45
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</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">designed to share as many parts as possible, eliminating the need to produce parts for completely different body styles and the costs of doing so. Well,,,that's what I heard anyway</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">I heard this as well. in an effort to fatten the bottm line.. but hey, they are doing well for a privately held company.