Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) Boxter Experience

Is there anyone here who has had ownership experience of a Porsche Boxster, second series (2012-2016)?
The Tesla is going.....as soon as the Morgan is repaired.... and I'm thinking of either a nearly new MX 5 or a 2016 Boxster...

Yes, I know a Boxster or MX 5 isn't really a substitute, but I've drunk from the fountain of eternal youth (aka the road to zero carbon) and I really don't like the taste. So I'm going to stay wedded to ICE just as long as it is possible.
I'm also offended by the engineering logic that requires a 450kg battery pack to be carried.
I also think that under the idiosyncratic Mr Musk Tesla may have peaked.

Peter

I've owned a couple of Boxsters along with a few 911's.
Boxsters are close to perfect.......IMHO
German build quality and reliability, 2 boots, all the power you could reasonably use in the real world, amazing handling and convertible. What's not to like........
If it goes wrong it will be expensive/very expensive, but that's probably true of all modern cars, but if you get one from a main dealer you get a 2 year warranty on a used car!!!!
I've been up to the porsche experience centre at Silverstone as a guest quite a few times and driven Boxsters on their track, they really come in to their own there, the balance is amazing.


However...........

A mate of mine very recently had exactly the same dilemma, admittedly he was looking at a slightly older Boxster though.
He bought the MX5.......
He got an absolutely ridiculous deal that he couldn't turn down on an ex demo car from a Mazda dealer.
It's nice......but......The Boxster is better, he knows that, but the deal on a much newer car was un-turndown-able.....

Get the Boxster, you'll probably end up getting rid of the plus 8...........

I owned a Boxster S for a while.

Highly recommended - one of my favorite cars.

If it should be a car with enormous driving fun as a lightweight and if the road handling and fun on the B roads is the first priority, and if the subjective feeling of being quite great fast on the road is emotionally important, then from my point of view it would immediately be a Mazda MX5 ND with 2 liter engine and 186 hp. (The older 2 liter version had 160 hp). But...it's not just 26 hp more. It is a completely meticulously and lovingly rebuilt machine with outstanding revving ability. The old 160 hp was simply taken over on the ordinary Mazda 3 because they didn't have time for a sport specific 2 liter engine yet. Only the 1.5 liter was from the beginning sport specific tuned to the MX5. But it is too weak for touring with two people and luggage.
Even if you are thinking about a Boxter, give the MX5 a test drive chance. The Boxter, however, is again so big and fast and "safe" and „matured“ that the many beautiful country roads can become absolutely boring if you do not drive much too fast against the rules. In this case, driving according to the law, surprisingly the mid-engine concept turns into something very boring because you feel and "experience" curves even less than with an MX5 with front engine and rear-wheel drive. I know it well from my Elise, it just irons curves straight.
There is a single point of concern with the MX5, it is the passenger footwell, but dependent of how tall you are both (leg length) it is irrelevant. The build quality and that of the interior is top notch. My son-in-law and daughter have their ND MX5 since 5 years (still with the old 160hp engine) and they are as thrilled as at the first day. A great combination for day trips but also for two weeks in Italy because the car is fatigue free on the long haul and mature enough. Mazda does not advertise it so loudly but in ICE engines they are world number 1 and the most innovative manufacturer.

Don't rush in until you have had a play with a Super3 is all I shall say

After the Muskmobile it'll be like being back in a Tiger just not a tandem arrangement

Yup.
Trouble is, they are so competent, on ordinary roads they can be boring! Need to go out on track now and then to get the most out of them. However, lots of luggage room, great for long distance touring, which was one of the design requirements. Sue loved it as a passenger.
Mine was a 986S, 2001 (so earlier than you are looking at Peter). Would I have another? Yes!

We have had four MK4 MX5’s - quite brilliant - the only negative as mentioned earlier, is passenger footwell space as apparently the engine management kit lurks beneath the forward carpet!

No problem for passengers shorter than six foot - and even then OK for all but long journeys.

Hood down takes less than five seconds.

Good Luck

Gentlemen, thanks for your thoughts, and wisdom.

Tomorrow I'm looking at, and possibly driving, this: Boxster

It is affordable... the colour is not white, but a pastel light grey. Well specified by the first owner.

More news tomorrow...

Peter - the 718 you are going to look at is a 4 cylinder turbo. Boxsters in the age range you were looking for (981s) will all be 6 cylinder and many feel that while the 4 cylinder is potent, it lacks real character and sounds more like a Subaru than a Porsche. I note also that it is PDK and while that transmission is brilliant, I much prefer the involvement you get with a manual. I have gone back from a 981 PDK to a 987 Boxster S (I have also owned two 986 S's among a few 911s). Try a 6 cylinder manual if you can before making a decision.

Had a new Boxster S (987) nice car very well put together did about 40k miles in it over 3 years, broke down a few times and needed a flatbed recovery each time. Just sold last year MX5RF which was again a nice car, totally reliable but I struggled with the left leg room on longer journeys and it was a little soulless. Now got an Alpine A110S had it for about 9 months, nice car, jury's out...Tesla Y for commuting/work possibly the worse car I have ever had but saves me a small fortune in fuel which what I tell myself every morning!

Best car is the 3W. Keep the Tesla for awhile and then get a Super 3 or get a well sorted 3W now if you can't wait.