race911

So it's probably been beaten to death to you regulars here that I keep peripherally looking LOCALLY for a driver quality 993 cab that is market priced.

However, there are many, many alternatives. One such showed up, and we went over and took a look at it. One of the '04 Boxster S 550 Special Editions a not terribly slimy used car dealer picked up on auction. Decent enough car, priced low ($30500 asking). Look over on the Boxster forum for my specific comments.

The punch line here is that not two blocks away, I tell my wife there is no f______ way someone is going to tell me an even swap (not that I'm selling, just hypothesizing on what low-mid $30's will buy) for what I have now to a nicer, somewhat lower mileage one of those things would ever happen. And she agreed. And my car is nothing special. 113K on the "Paris-Dakar Edition" rally height suspension. I just hate what the daily grind is doing to the thing.

Search continues, in a very specific direction!

Dan V

Nice thing about Boxster is there are always many on the market to choose from locally. Is the Boxster really that much inferior to the 993? I haven't driven one but I always imagined it would be the next p-car to add to the stable, having comparable bang-for-the-buck without the expensive maintenance.

dcdude

I'm never going to commute in my 993, but I think a Boxster would be a nice weather alternative to the Corolla. Also considering a late '90s 3-series cab (E39?) with room in the back for my kid. Also considering a classic C10 pickup- classic muscle yet practical. I'm all over the place, at present!

rome

Cosmetically, I really like the Anniv. edition "550" Boxster-- GT silver over Cocoa, with painted center console etc. . But, if it has high miles or is not in perfect shape I would be looking to pay a LOT less than $30,000, and not more than what the "regular" Boxsters with similar miles of that year and in similar condition are selling for.

Leander

Save all your hairdressing tips in a jar and you'll be able to get a real cute Boxster very soon.

race911

To answer in no particular order:

Boxsters aren't inferior to a 911 series of your choice. Just different. I simply can't get past the cheapness of the interiors. Know what, too? I said the same thing toward 993's as they were 4-5 years old, compared to 964's and torsion bar 911's that were then 10-15 years old.

In my "advanced" age, I'm beginning to think I'm just claustrophobic in a two seater. Never much liked 914's. Every Boxster I've driven (which has been much more track than ever on the street), I've felt closed in. Even the 910 doesn't feel really good. But then you've got '60's race car ergonomics...... Only the Radical doesn't give me that feeling. Maybe I'm going to fast to get preoccupied??

What's expensive about maintenance on a 911? I'm pushing 15K owning the C4S and I'll change the oil again here sometime soon. And a resistor for the a/c condensor this summer, with a refrigerant top-up.

Shopping a 993 cab against an E46 (2000-06) 323/325/330 cab. HUGE difference from the E36 in the convertible. Unless you're truly on a budget, the newer car is much, much better. And I don't think you can devolve into a 993 v. 996 platform argument, either.

No doubt Boxster prices are dropping by the minute. And the inventory around, especially these 2.5L cars with (or pushing) 100K! Who in their right mind is going to pay mid-high teens for a 10 year old one of those? There's your maintenance nightmare/engine replacement waiting to happen. Or maybe there aren't enough hairdressers being tipped enough????

zicoramone

You are trying to convince yourself, huh?

melman911

That bad huh?

dcdude

Sorry- my Corolla is my DD, and I wouldn't imagine taking my 993 up US110 and leaving it in a downtown LA parking garage 'till 7:00 p.m. I'd feel OK about it in a $20K boxster, though from time to time.

I do see a guy in an Midnight / Cashmere 993 cab who does just that--out there representin' every day. Has a blue ball cap and a tag like REDN BCH or something. Anyone know him?

endodoc

i had a boxster loaner for my S4 Cab . not much fun to drive in on the freeway stop and go traffic . might be great in the countr..my 993 cab comes to life at about 60mph on the highway, thats when the fun starts besides starting the dam thing up get s everyone going////

race911

I'm on the freeway within 100 yards of my garage, and 25 miles later I get off and it's 1/2 mile to my shop. Plus I'm on the road going around 5, and returning around 3 or 4. I doubt I'd be so tolerant if I had the stop-and-go factor. Then I can park it in the warehouse. But it usually gets left outside because I'm too lazy to move things around. I should wash it, but it will probably rain again tomorrow.

quasr

Can't work on it unless you are the rubberman. Made for mechanics.

CN

Only if you try comparing them. I don't try to compare 993's with Boxster's as they are completely different cars in completely different classes. They are just plain different.

Case and point:

Is a 993 that far superior to a Chryco Caravan? Not if you are transporting 5 children and camping gear.

race911

Well, for me it's the already mentioned commute duty, and the ability to handle 5 or so cases of product (vending). And/or tools. Was interesting putting a compressor assembly for an old soda machine in the back seat! Would be infinitely easier in a cab.

Leander

Because its the coolest car on the planet.