2007 Porsche Boxster

[TrDCeLiCa85]

What are your opinions on a 2007 Porsche Boxster? I'm in the market of purchasing a 2-seater convertible between 45K-50K.

[SocalTRDgt]

get a s2000.

[marc]

Boxster S > Z4 M > Elise > Boxster > Z4 > S2000 > Miata > any 4 seat convertible

[TW00Si]

Boxster S > Z4 M > Elise > Boxster > Z4 > S2000 > Miata > any 4 seat convertible
Is that in terms of performance or the overall package? The Elise stands out from the bunch because of the barren interior. I'd get the Z4 M if I had the money.

[marc]

Boxster S > Z4 M > Elise > Boxster > Z4 > S2000 > Miata > any 4 seat convertible
Is that in terms of performance or the overall package? The Elise stands out from the bunch because of the barren interior. I'd get the Z4 M if I had the money.


Generally overall package

If you look at outright speed, the Z4 M
Handling, the Elise
Fun to drive factor, Miata
Value, S2000

The Boxster and Z4 are both probably the best choice overall because they're fun to drive, not outrageously priced to be out of reach of a moderately successful individual, have more than enough power than you'll ever want or need on the street, and have high levels of refinement.

[nyoneway]

Boxster S > Z4 M > Elise > Boxster > Z4 > S2000 > Miata > any 4 seat convertible

He said $50k limit which would rule out the Boxster S and Z4 M. Next on the list is the Elise which would be the car I would recommend.

[neological]

What are your opinions on a 2007 Porsche Boxster? I'm in the market of purchasing a 2-seater convertible between 45K-50K.
Are you a woman? If yes, get the Boxster. If no, get the Elise.

[marc]

He said $50k limit which would rule out the Boxster S and Z4 M. Next on the list is the Elise which would be the car I would recommend.

not if he bought one that's a year old

[nyoneway]

not if he bought one that's a year old

A 2006 Porsche Boxster S would be 1.5-2 years ago. And if you want to finance a used car, forget about it, the interest rate would be much higher and the monthly payment would be almost the same as buying a new Boxster S with lower dealer interest rate.

[nyoneway]

BTW, lease a base Cayman for $589 a month. I think that $150/month off their normal rates. Not a bad deal for a amazing chassis, a bit underpowered but still reasonably fast car.

http://www.autospies.com/news/Porsche-Cayman-sales-slowing-13463/

[TrDCeLiCa85]

Neological, I'm a guy and I purchased a Celica so it wouldn't be much of a difference if I bought a Boxster :chuckles: Thank you guys for the input, I'll take them into consideration and update you all when I make my purchase in a few months.

[marc]

BTW, lease a base Cayman for $589 a month. I think that $150/month off their normal rates. Not a bad deal for a amazing chassis, a bit underpowered but still reasonably fast car.

http://www.autospies.com/news/Porsche-Cayman-sales-slowing-13463/


I wouldn't call it underpowered with 245 hp @ 3000 lbs

plus every single review I've read has said they never felt a need or want for more power than the base Cayman on the street - the S is nice because you get nifty features like PASM, bigger wheels and brakes, and yes, more power

but lets face it, if you want power, you get a Corvette, not a Porsche

[nyoneway]

I wouldn't call it underpowered with 245 hp @ 3000 lbs

plus every single review I've read has said they never felt a need or want for more power than the base Cayman on the street - the S is nice because you get nifty features like PASM, bigger wheels and brakes, and yes, more power

but lets face it, if you want power, you get a Corvette, not a Porsche

And a S2000 is $30k with 240hp. With the Porsche you get negligible performance increase along with a $20k higher price tag. You know Porsche could have done better, but they didn't want to infringe on the Carrera's market.

[Nasty_impulse]

I own an s2000, and if I could've afforded it I'd go for the Z4 , my dad owns an exige and unless I was a real big track guy, I could find 30 cars I would have over the exige much less the elise.

[nyoneway]

I own an s2000, and if I could've afforded it I'd go for the Z4 , my dad owns an exige and unless I was a real big track guy, I could find 30 cars I would have over the exige much less the elise.

ok. List 30 cars under $45k you would have rather the the Elise.

[marc]

I wouldn't call it underpowered with 245 hp @ 3000 lbs

plus every single review I've read has said they never felt a need or want for more power than the base Cayman on the street - the S is nice because you get nifty features like PASM, bigger wheels and brakes, and yes, more power

but lets face it, if you want power, you get a Corvette, not a Porsche

And a S2000 is $30k with 240hp. With the Porsche you get negligible performance increase along with a $20k higher price tag. You know Porsche could have done better, but they didn't want to infringe on the Carrera's market.


With a Boxster you get .7 more liters, 5 more hp, 40 more lb-feet of torque, a world's difference in terms of refinement, better brakes, and better handling.

I can say one thing about Porsche cars (I don't know enough or care to know enough about the Cayenne to speak on it) - you get what you pay for - they are not overpriced, they are worth it for what you get.

[nyoneway]

With a Boxster you get .7 more liters, 5 more hp, 40 more lb-feet of torque, a world's difference in terms of refinement, better brakes, and better handling.

I can say one thing about Porsche cars (I don't know enough or care to know enough about the Cayenne to speak on it) - you get what you pay for - they are not overpriced, they are worth it for what you get.

I looked at the lease for a 335i coupe today and may go for it. For less than $600, which is the same as a stripper Cayman base, I can lease a 335i coupe loaded with options and navi that would have 80+ whp more. In addition, BMW offers a $3500-4000 incentive to pick up the car in Germany and let me drive it on the Ring. It's hard to beat that offer. My only reservation now is that I want to see the specs/official pics on the G37 coupe first.

Porsche haven't been able to justify the increase cost of the Cayman vs Boxster; usually verts command more of a premium. It's a given that coupe performs better than verts, just matter of physics (weight & ridgity). Only Porsche can get away from it - or they think they could've but in reality Cayman sales have waned and now they are starting to increase incentives to lower the selling price.

[badceli]

Boxster S > Z4 M > Elise > Boxster > Z4 > S2000 > Miata > any 4 seat convertible
Got a question for you....I'm buying this car for 18k....
http://www.spyderchat.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=33067&start=0

I already bought this turbo kit for it for 3k....
http://www.spyderchat.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=38799&start=0

The cars weight has been reduced to about 2,000 lbs and the kit made 327whp. It would cost me about 40k to duplicate this car, so 18k is a good price.

It will be used a second car (7th actually) and just for having fun at the local road course. How do you think it will compare in terms of performance and handling to the cars you mentioned? Just curious what you think.

I'm in the market of purchasing a 2-seater convertible between 45K-50K.
Do you like the Spyder?

http://www.newcelica.org/photopost/data/500/medium/18208sidemr-3.jpg

[nyoneway]

For 30k you can buy a used Elise and have the resale value if you're bored. With the Elise you won't have to deal with turbo issues.

[TW00Si]

My S2K doesn't do this. (http://www.break.com/index/hot_chick_flashes_car.html)

[marc]

With a Boxster you get .7 more liters, 5 more hp, 40 more lb-feet of torque, a world's difference in terms of refinement, better brakes, and better handling.

I can say one thing about Porsche cars (I don't know enough or care to know enough about the Cayenne to speak on it) - you get what you pay for - they are not overpriced, they are worth it for what you get.

I looked at the lease for a 335i coupe today and may go for it. For less than $600, which is the same as a stripper Cayman base, I can lease a 335i coupe loaded with options and navi that would have 80+ whp more. In addition, BMW offers a $3500-4000 incentive to pick up the car in Germany and let me drive it on the Ring. It's hard to beat that offer. My only reservation now is that I want to see the specs/official pics on the G37 coupe first.

Porsche haven't been able to justify the increase cost of the Cayman vs Boxster; usually verts command more of a premium. It's a given that coupe performs better than verts, just matter of physics (weight & ridgity). Only Porsche can get away from it - or they think they could've but in reality Cayman sales have waned and now they are starting to increase incentives to lower the selling price.


http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=3346
This guy just went to Germany to pick up his 335i
I'm steering clear from the car as it doesn't come with an LSD, which just pisses me off. It also has a curb weight of 3600 but the motor is a peach on that car, and BMW managed to maintain a 50/50 balance so from what I've read it still handles very well.

I agree about the pricing - it really pisses me off that the Cayman is more than a Boxster, it also angers me that they didn't put the 3.6 or 3.8 in the Cayman, but people like RUF or TechArt will do that for you if you have enough $$$ - considering the Cayman S lapped the ring 9 seconds quicker than the base Carrera, a Carrera powered Cayman would be a monster.

[marc]

Boxster S > Z4 M > Elise > Boxster > Z4 > S2000 > Miata > any 4 seat convertible
Got a question for you....I'm buying this car for 18k....
http://www.spyderchat.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=33067&start=0

I already bought this turbo kit for it for 3k....
http://www.spyderchat.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=38799&start=0

The cars weight has been reduced to about 2,000 lbs and the kit made 327whp. It would cost me about 40k to duplicate this car, so 18k is a good price.

It will be used a second car (7th actually) and just for having fun at the local road course. How do you think it will compare in terms of performance and handling to the cars you mentioned? Just curious what you think.

I'm in the market of purchasing a 2-seater convertible between 45K-50K.
Do you like the Spyder?

http://www.newcelica.org/photopost/data/500/medium/18208sidemr-3.jpg


MR-2 Spyder is cool but that one is pretty ugly
I love the way that car feels and handles but its so cheap/low quality, and functionally useless

For 30k you can buy a used Elise and have the resale value if you're bored. With the Elise you won't have to deal with turbo issues.


What he said

[marc]

My S2K doesn't do this. (http://www.break.com/index/hot_chick_flashes_car.html)

Great ad, but convertible 911s are for gays and queers

[badceli]

For 30k you can buy a used Elise and have the resale value if you're bored. With the Elise you won't have to deal with turbo issues.

I think the Elise is one of the ugliest cars ever made. Please don't flame me for that. It's just my opinion. If I were going to compete in autocross, it would be the one I would buy, but I just want a car I like the looks of that will do better than most cars on a road course.

As for the turbo issues....I didn't need to buy a turbo kit. The car already has the same 2ZZ thats in the Elise. I wanted more power though. I think 320-350 whp will be a good amount. We'll see.

MR-2 Spyder is cool but that one is pretty ugly
I love the way that car feels and handles but its so cheap/low quality, and functionally useless
When I first seen your post, I was going to say something like....

"Ugly?! Are you out of your mind?! That car is pure sex! Besides, I didn't ask you what you thought of its looks! I asked how you thought it would perform compared to the cars you mentioned!

Cheap/low quality and functionally useless?! WTF?! I'm buying a car thats had the A/C and radio removed....the interior consists of a steering wheel and two racing seats....what little storage space it did have, has been removed to shave weight. Did you think I was shopping for a luxury car?"

But I decided not to say any of that because it would have been rude. Instead, I'll just say thanks for your opinion.

BTW, I really like your Z4.

[nyoneway]

For each to their own, I guess you really like the 'import racer' look.

[neological]

I like both Elises and the MR-S but the Elise to most people's taste is clearly the better looking car.

A BMW 335i is half the engineering job they needed to do. It's crippled by poor oil coolers and no LSD.

http://www.caranddriver.com/idealbb/view.asp?topicID=76099

10.2:1 compression ratio on a turbo engine? sure it will make great power but with crap reliability and heat control. It's increasingly clear that the 335i is only good for stoplight cruising not serious driving. Maybe if BMW had more experience with mass-production turbo cars and their issues they wouldn't have these problems. These cars weren't even run in the summer heat either.

[badceli]

I guess you really like the 'import racer' look.
Not sure what you mean by import racer look. Is that like ricey? The car I'm buying looks bone stock. No body kit....no wings or spoilers and that's how it will stay. I'll add the turbo kit and maybe some lighter wheels, but everything else is already perfect in my opinion....

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s87/badceli/DSC01322.jpg

The Spyder in this test wasn't built very well, but it's an interesting article if anybody wants to check it out. Just wish they used one that was built better....

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s87/badceli/punked.jpg

I know the Spyder isn't the greatest car in the world and some people hate how it looks, but I like it. I like the way it drives and it has the potential to be a really fun track car without spending too much money.

I like the Boxster S, but I'll settle for the MR2 Spyder that will have 100 more horsepower and weigh 1,000 lbs less. Not to mention the Boxster would cost $30,000 more than what I'm spending.

[marc]

I like both Elises and the MR-S but the Elise to most people's taste is clearly the better looking car.

A BMW 335i is half the engineering job they needed to do. It's crippled by poor oil coolers and no LSD.

http://www.caranddriver.com/idealbb/view.asp?topicID=76099

10.2:1 compression ratio on a turbo engine? sure it will make great power but with crap reliability and heat control. It's increasingly clear that the 335i is only good for stoplight cruising not serious driving. Maybe if BMW had more experience with mass-production turbo cars and their issues they wouldn't have these problems. These cars weren't even run in the summer heat either.


its direct injected, which allows them to run more compression while keeping intake temperatures down.
For 30k you can buy a used Elise and have the resale value if you're bored. With the Elise you won't have to deal with turbo issues.

I think the Elise is one of the ugliest cars ever made. Please don't flame me for that. It's just my opinion. If I were going to compete in autocross, it would be the one I would buy, but I just want a car I like the looks of that will do better than most cars on a road course.

As for the turbo issues....I didn't need to buy a turbo kit. The car already has the same 2ZZ thats in the Elise. I wanted more power though. I think 320-350 whp will be a good amount. We'll see.

MR-2 Spyder is cool but that one is pretty ugly
I love the way that car feels and handles but its so cheap/low quality, and functionally useless
When I first seen your post, I was going to say something like....

"Ugly?! Are you out of your mind?! That car is pure sex! Besides, I didn't ask you what you thought of its looks! I asked how you thought it would perform compared to the cars you mentioned!

Cheap/low quality and functionally useless?! WTF?! I'm buying a car thats had the A/C and radio removed....the interior consists of a steering wheel and two racing seats....what little storage space it did have, has been removed to shave weight. Did you think I was shopping for a luxury car?"

But I decided not to say any of that because it would have been rude. Instead, I'll just say thanks for your opinion.

BTW, I really like your Z4.


Thanks for the compliment on the Z - it's stock, I just got the sport suspension/wheels and M sport seats.

Everyone has different tastes - I think the Elise is a stunner - I like the stock MR-2's looks but not that bodykitted one.

As far as a 2zz in an MR-2, the MR-2 is 150 lbs heavier than an Elise and a swapped 2zz makes 10-20 less horsepower than the Elise version (which is huge on a light car)

If you don't mind about the interior/usability, by all means, rock that car. I like to take other people in my car and go on trips with them - and its no fun for me or other people if the car is functionally useless.

[badceli]

the MR-2 is 150 lbs heavier than an Elise
True, but this one weighs about the same as the Elise.

a swapped 2zz makes 10-20 less horsepower than the Elise version (which is huge on a light car)
So the fact that mine will have about 100 more horsepower than the Elise should be a pretty big advantage then.

I like to take other people in my car and go on trips with them
I hate people and I hate going on trips, so I'm fine with no storage space.

The reason I keep bugging you is because I want to know if you think a well built Spyder will outperform the cars you mentioned.

[Carbonized_GT]

weight still doesnt mean everything comparing a mr2 to an elise.

The elise has such a unique and incredible chassis.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/lotus-elise3.htm
http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/lotus-elise-15.jpg

[Punkers7465]

Boxster S > Z4 M > Elise > Boxster > Z4 > S2000 > Miata > any 4 seat convertible

marc's right on here.... While it's 240 hp engine might be attractive; the s2000, just like the celica, lacks a flexible power band. If you enjoy driving the twisting back roads you'll find the s2000 a disappointment due to it's inability exit corners without lots of revs. The Z4, and the Boxster are both great choices. If you're a die hard purist that doesn