graham964

I am thinking about buying one or the other. My problem is that the power and weight are very similar giving I would have thought similar performance but my budget will only buy a 120k mile plus 20 year old 964 or alternatively a 70K mile 6 year old boxster s.
I guess the boxster is a newer design but does the 964 do something better whch compensates for the greater milage and age?

Thanks in advance for any comments

cheers

Graham

boxsey911

What do you want from a Porsche? Daily driver or weekend toy? Road only or some trackdays? Are depreciation and/or running costs important? A boxster and a 964 are different driving experiences so unless we know what you want from a car it's hard to comment but be warned that we are likely to be biased in our replies

p.s. I have both but know which I like the most.

graham964

I guess it would be a weekend toy mostly for road use but I could be tempted to try a track day.
Depreciation shouldn't be too much of an issue along with running costs as the annual mileage would only be 2-3k miles.

Streetfighter

Boxster-Great handling car, a little down on power, which is noticeable when you drive it. Price wise they are affordable $10-15k range with moderate mileage, below 100k miles. Maintenance wise the car is affordable compared to a 3.2 or a 964.

911-3.2-Fun car to drive, has a go-kart feel to it. It is a reliable car, but with age will have small things to fix here and there. Is not as complicated as the 964 in terms of wrenching. The 3.2 is very much a drivers car. It does not have the creature comfort that the 964 or Boxster. For its age it is still a pretty quick car. It has the classic lines of the 911 and valve wise will do well. Price wise $10-20k depending on condition.

911-964-Has the most power of the three and is easier to drive than a 3.2, if you ask me. The older 3.2's with the 915 type gearbox take practice to perfect shifting well. The G50/G64 is more user friendly, as is the Boxsters gearbox. This would be the most expensive of the three maintenance wise. Still have some nick knack things to fix here and there due to age. The car is reliable if it has been well maintained. Parts can be expensive, but worth it when driving a well sorted 911. This car also has the classic 911 lines and is a real beauty to drive and stare at! Price wise $10-25k, most cars are close to $20k, but prices have dropped on this car and some are closer to $15k.

My advice is this, drive all three and see what you enjoy. Buy not based on color, but how well the car has been maintained. Lots of service records, manuals, keys, tools etc. you will know when you see a solid car when you see it. When you narrow down a car or two perform a Pre-Purchase Inspection with a respected Porsche mechanic who knows air cooled and or the Boxster, if needed. I recommend a manual transmission, first its fun to drive, second easier to sell in the future. In the meantime, research the cars, books, rennlist, online, Porsche club. Use the forum for questions or concerns. Good luck.

groovzilla

just like all porsche models, the boxster has it's own set of engine related problems(rear main seal, oil leaking at cam covers)and other issues...

i bought a 1999 boxster for my wife and the above items were fixed but it had another annoying problem...at about 55mph the front hood would whistle...over time the hood clasp would relax and the edge of the hood would raise above the edge of the bumper....the clasp is adjustable but ours was adjusted to it's maximum limit....had to have the shop fix it.

*if you buy a boxster get a thorough PPI

Nine11

If you buy any car, get a PPI.

jimq

If you can only afford a 10-13K Porsche you might want to rethink your purchase. Either one will cost you more then most cars if something breaks. If you can do your own wrenching then that helps. Plan on having 1Kor so for possible problems.

Henry964

This days a 2002 Boxster S is more expensive than a 964 (at least in Argentina) in 5-10 years surely is going to be the other way around.

Haven´t driven a Boxster but I did drive 996s and 997s very nice cars but lack the feelings of a classic 911 (3,2-964 or 993)

Colin 90 C2

I have heard that the early water-cooled engines do not take very well to track driving because of the wet sump and oil starvation on high-g corners.

mojo747

Judging by your user name. I think your mind is already made up.

wellcraft290

yeah how can you even compare the 2. Drive a 964 and you would not even look at a boxster. Plus I personally think the boxster is getting old looking and dull

Nine11

The Boxster handles very well. Very sharp handling car....they both really have their advantages and disadvantages. Drive 'em both, see which one turns your crank. I don't like the 986 styling, but the aftermarket industry has a few enhancements that makes it look alright.

etom

I think I read somewhere that the Boxster was for women or elves, but I could be wrong.

kgorman

If your on the fence then I say.. Boxster.

Both have their issues. But if you just 'have to have' a 964, then good, get it and enjoy..

I race my boxster, and keep my 964 as the garage queen.

DaveK

I would guess a 6 year old boxster should have less things that go wrong with it than a 20 year old 964.

On the other hand - I bought my car with 120k on it 7.5 years ago - and although some stuff has needed fixing, I don't regret it.

I was driving it yesterday and noticed an interior rattle - one of the screws had come loose on the cowl around the switch assembly (behind the steering wheel). I thought at the time that it was pretty amazing - it wasn't a very loud rattle, and yet I noticed it - because in my 20 year old / 177k mile car - there are no other squeaks or rattles. I think that's a pretty good testament to the way the cars were built.

As mentioned above - we're all likely to be biased. I don't like convertibles anyway, so a Boxster would never be an option for me.