arenared

A couple other factors to consider: After owning my Boxster for 5 years, I've learned to appreciate how gracefully Porsches age. This cannot be said of most other "trendy" body styles. I expect that in another 5 years, my Boxster will still look great, whereas other cars (same age) will look prehistoric. Also, Boxsters right now are dirt cheap. I would imagine that the depreciation on a used Boxster which has already taken a ridicuous depreciation hit would be less than on a new 350Z. Thus, consider your ownership horizon and not just initial purchase price. Finally, I would go for as close to 2000 as possible. There were significant upgrades starting in Y2K. Skip the newer models for either an extended warranty or bank it for that odd chance you might need it. Everybody makes these cars sound like time bombs, but my Boxster has been more reliable than our Honda. The Honda got the extended warranty, not the Boxster. For me, the mid-engine layout is incomparable, but it depends on what kind of roads you have. I just hope some day, Porsche will build a Boxster/Cayman with one of the big 911 motors. That's what it would take to get me out of mine. And do a good PPI. Good luck!

thanatos69

The local dealership in Austin normally just gives you the keys and you're on your own. I've always put at least 10-15 miles on each test drive. Lots of nice winding roads in the Austin area.

-Richard

StanSoph

When I went to UT; we used to rip out on 2222(I think, it's a little hazy) to Lake Travis. That was 20 yrs ago.

mjb2448

Then a quick dip at Hippie Hollow follwed by cocktails at the Oasis !

P-Car fanatic

get an extended warranty

the 350z has a **** quality interior - even worse than my 97 boxster

some people here have a ***** extension thing going on with their 911 - the boxster in isolation is the best in its class by far

AND - with the boxster you have an upgrade path to aspire to

also, i'm actually quite likely to 'downgrade' my 996 to a cayman (boxster coupe)

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...n&cardist=1738

ZGarage

Thanks for the info, they have some beautiful cars there

fast1

I think you offer very prudent advice. I have two friends at work who own used Porsches. They both bought high mileage 993s at bargan prices, and they absolutely love their cars. These guys love working on cars and spend many weekends either doing routine maintenance or adding another mod. So for someone who has the mechanical ability and the time, a used Porsche is an awesome car. On the other hand if you have all of the maintenance work done by Porsche mechanics, a used Porsche, especially one that has no warranty, can get to be very expensive.

One last thought. If you buy a Porsche , buy it because you love its handling, style, sound, etc. Don't buy it because you think it'll impress someone. The vast majority of people aren't car enthusiasts, and they couldn't care less what other people drive.

deons

Some other options


http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...81&cardist=100

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...981&cardist=48

mooty

for me, porsche is far better car than 350z. but p cars are also far more $$$ than 350z. forget the purchasing price, alexander stemmer is correct in running costs. if you drive it a lot, you will be eating tires very fast. a cheap set of of 911 tires is 1k. and if there's no warranty, a medium sized mechanical prob will empty your wallet.

ZGarage

beautiful, Thanks

Shark

If you can find a '99 with less than 75k miles for less than $30k, and I think you can, run don't walk to buy it. Remember, this was a $75k car that was very well regarded when it was released. And you would buy it at more than 60% depreciated, genius.

And have you seen these 350Zs? They look like rolling pieces of turd, inside and out. I don't see how the flys can tear themselves away. Keep in mind I don't even own a Porsche (Corvette baby) so I don't have a dog in this fight.

ZGarage

A 350z runs 17/18" tires 225F/245R and many people recommend upgrading them to 245F/275R on 18" or 19". I'm not sure if the tires are going to be that big of a difference compared to a boxster.

What about a low mileage newer boxster like deons mentioned?

"2004 Porsche Boxster, LN, 2400 miles, warranty, standard shift, leather, loaded, $28,500 Tulsa"

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...981&cardist=48

Would a low mile boxster be that much more difficult to maintain compared to a Z?

Thanks

TT Surgeon

Like AS said, with a 30k ceiling, warranty should rule the day, go with the 350z, sure it's a peice of crap compared to a 996 but your time will come and you can buy yourself a brand new carrera . Older 911's are not for the frugal, they can break and cost a small fortune to fix, a friend recently had his valve guide 993 situation fixed by an independent shop, 7k. Any car you find for 25-30k is going to have the crap beat out of it and you never want to buy somebodies troubles, buy new whenever you can.

P-Car fanatic

not more difficult, but only a little more expesive than a BMW

that car in tulsa is nice.

whatever anyone on here says, the boxtser offers 80% of 911 experience for a lot less cash, and if you are a young guy with no ties like kids etc then it could well be a great option.

go to a porsche dealer and take a boxtser for a drive

theres no way I would own a 350z

but i never buy new cars as I like other people to take the depreciation hit

I would ALWAYS prefer to drive a slightly older EXCELLENT car than a new PIECE of CRAP like the 350z.

rdstemler

Just traded the O2C2 for an 04 GT3. Went with a CPO rather then private sale due to CPO. I can't afford to own one of these cars without a warranty!

As the wise ones have said above......consider the warranty!