Boxster vs 348 - Page 2 - Porsche General - PistonHeads UK

If you have a large annual budget then it must be the Ferrari, however, for daily driving on a normal budget I suggest the Porsche. You did not mention annual mileage but IMHO anything over about 6K miles is going to hit you big time in the Ferrari.

On no account consider any Ferrari as a daily driver. Those that do run them like that suffer what most people would consider outrageous maintenance and depreciation costs. Frankly after just completing such an expensive degree I would even view the older Boxster in such a light. It will now be well out of warranty and expensive services are looming...wonderful cars though they are...and less of a problem with depreciation at that age..but the maintenance will NOT be cheap. I remember my days just after completing my degree - and any kind of sportscar was totally off the cards! So whatever you can afford - enjoy it! P.S. Have you considered the more mainstream roadsters. MX-5s may not go well but handle well, retain their value and for a 'teens budget you can have a new one...which will be rock solid reliable for years whilst you pay off that student loan.

If you want a Porker, the best to go for with your budget is a mint 944/968 - but then I would say that, wouldn't I? Even that can cost you a fair amount of money in maintenance if you don't DIY...

I'd agree that the Boxster is your best option at the moment. However, using a 348 or any Ferrari regularly will only help reliability and running costs rather than hinder it. (Much like TVR's)

The Boxster is the obvious choice. You'd be a brave man to own a Ferrari 348 on a 20kish job pre year, unless you lived with your parents.

Though an older/cheaper Boxster is going to be a 2.5 - what would you have to pay for an S?

I'd agree. Unless you have a 'trust fund' or inherited wealth, running a 348 on £20k a year is crazy! I've always thought a useful 'ball park' figure to prudently spend on a car is approx half your annual gross income. More than that and you're probably unwisely stretching. Very unscientific, I know, but proven to be accurate on a number of occasions. Obviously, many other factors may come into play to impact on my 50% rule, but it's a useful starting point.

Hmmm, fairly backed replies here... Sorry, posted on the Ferrari forum too, but no response there yet. In terms of servicing, I'm sure I won't be too far off as I've had a WRX and was running that during my degree!! Touch and go at times, but hey, you have to do what you have to do I would have thought that a 348 isn't actually that far off a Boxster in terms of servicing. Although it all depends on mileage you're right. Have two possibilities... one where i tube to work every morn, and one where I would prob drive about 750ish miles a month. Guess it depends on the job huh?

Ouch. 20k a year, you must be living cheap if you are thinking about any of these cars. A friend of mine earns a little over 20k, pays 400 a month in rent, and manages to run a 944 2.7 Lux. It's not easy, and with a new clutch in his future (Wednesday in fact) this month is going to be a steep one. I think your only sensible pork/ferrari option is going to be something in the 944/968 area. Sorry to put a downer on it, but the 944 is a fantastic car. Take it from someone who drives a 993 every day and still enjoys every opportunity to drive the 944. VS

"I would have thought that a 348 isn't actually that far off a Boxster in terms of servicing. Although it all depends on mileage you're right. Have two possibilities... one where i tube to work every morn, and one where I would prob drive about 750ish miles a month. Guess it depends on the job huh? " Personally Raks I wouldnt worry about the mileage on a 348, however, when you say a 348 isnt far off a Boxster in terms of servicing they can in truth be a world apart, £700-£1500 for a clutch, cambelt every 2 years on older cars £2000+, my mother's Boxster is far cheaper to run(and my 348 hasn't been expensive compared to others I've heard of) Have you also considered a LHD Porsche 993, Audi TT, New shape Lotus Elise?

Blatent plug warning.... it just so happens Ive got a sweet early 944 for sale for buttons......Blatent plug warning over

Not neccessarily living cheap, but living in a cheap-er area. I'l be movng back to the Midlands, which means the new house we are contemplating on buying, is only about 5-600 a month on the mortgage. Parents have decided they will be living with me. O-oh... Then again, in our family, everyone pays toward the house, so they will be helping anyway... Had a 924S before, and there was something about it that I couldn't quite fulfill everything I wanted from a sportscar... not sure what though Bit off the TT idea, as I know they are prone to elec probs. Which in a car of its year, could mean virtually anything going wrong IMO.. Not too sure on the LHD 993, is it a real issue driving one over here? More info on that would be appreciated. Elise, hmmmm, would I fit? Fairly broad-shouldered 6'4" male

maybe not, elc problems on TT's ? ?

In my (un)biased opinion a LHD 993 drives more naturally than a RHD 993. (duck and cover mode ENGAGED) To clarify, i drove both before i bought mine and personally i think the steering and pedals on the LHD car are so much more tactile than the RHD equivalent. The pedals on the right hooker are badly offset and the steering seemed to be as well, though the steering on the left hooker "feels different" anyway. Sorry if this sounds horribly vague but i really do think you need to drive both to appreciate what i'm talking about. I guess the same is probably the case for all LHD/RHD air cooled 911's. Just thought i'd mention it (please don't kill me). VS

I think I should go and drive both. You are right. Of course you're not going to be killed, thats what this board is here for. A common meeting place for individuals who appreicate the the offspring of the motoring community, and express their opinions based on their own experiences... well I would hope anyway!

From what I have read & heard early Ferrari's are VERY EXPENSIVE to run & service.The 348 would be a great second car, but I agree with the other guys it is a no no for daily use......you have been warned. I think Autocar did a feature on used 348's including some owners comments, why not get a back issue.I think the Boxters your best bet.

Raks, personally I think that spending possibly 150% of your first years wages, on a car is frankly daft. A more sustainable level of outgoing for the seriously devoted petrolhead is more likely to be say 40%, leaving room to pay for all the annoying things in life, like insurance, petrol, tax, mot, unexpoected work, and boring things like accommodation / food etc. If you're married or in a LTR, then reduce this percentage still further to cover the cost of DIY, kitchens, carpet, curtains and other things that other halves seem to think are so important Maybe looking at cars in the 8-10k bracket is more realistic... However, you've picked two top PH cars, I've been lucky enough to drive several of both. They are utterly different cars, the boxster is a hoot to drive, very easy to get into and thrape, sounds ok and has brilliant ergonomics. The 348 is on the other hand ergonomically just not there, much harder to drive, much heavier clutch, wider, needs the snug comfort of a garage and to be run for only limited miles each year. But it's a Ferrari, has that fantastic testarossa look (personally I prefer the 348 look to that of the 355...) and the sense of occasion from driving it is like nothing else. Sounds great with a Tubi too! P.S. som other things that might help : EVO have done a feature on the 348 (25k supercars, the one with the M3 on the front - about issue 25 I think) General cost I was quoted to run one was keep about 3k per year handy for tweaks / repairs just in case. Milage - in any Ferrari milage seriously lowers to desirability and therefore the value of the car. <6000 miles a year recommended - 3000 is average for these cars. >> Edited by mr_tony on Wednesday 19th March 16:08

Insurance, going to be a killer on either car. Given that you are thinking of spending £20 you'll want fully comp because any accident repair costs on a Boxster are quite high. I would be looking at an older porsche or a 2nd hand MR2 or MX5, good handling, reliable bullet proof mechanicals, lower running costs. Or even an Elise. I drove a pals MR2(current model) and its an excellent drive. Good luck.

I bought and ran a 348 TS lhd for just under a year. Enjoyed it immensely, but had real problems with vandals and theft of cover, parking dents and general abuse by people who don't care. Unless you have secure garaging, go with the boxster, as the amount of ag the 348 will generate due to it's attention grabbing in your face styling will eventually force you to sell it and do something more sensible....like buy a porsche (which is my next buy - 993s for sale anyone?) Adi

Couldn't possibly comment on the Ferrari. However, as a first time Boxster owner (2000 W)I can confirm that 6 months into ownership, the only thing the car has cost me (other than insurance/tax) is petrol! Great car - if you really think you can afford to run it - go for it.

I have my boxster now for five years, 260.000km. Had absolutely no mechanical breakdown at all. Car is not cheap on insurance and tires. Maintenance is cheap if you do a lot of mileage you can service it at 20.000km intervals, otherwise at 10.000km. It's a great car to use everyday, petrolconsumption is ok I average 10 liters per 100km. You should be able to find a reasonably priced boxster with somethng like 100.000 to 130.000 km on the clock. I would personalyy go for one that has been used regularly rather than a car that has been sitting in a garage and beenused by madam to go to the hairdresser. Good luck

I own one of the first boxsters, with the 2.5 liter engine. Best car I ever had, has 260000 km on the clock without letting me down. No mechanical problems at all. Running the car is ok for the petrol. Tires every 30.000km need a set at the back. But insurance is not cheap. I service my car now at 10000km intervals, when I was doing lots and lots of miles per day I serviced the car at 20000km intervals. Car is easy to use as an everydaycar. Yep it could use a few horses more, but it suites me fine like this. Good luck with your decision

I'd have to say boxster. A mate of mine bought a 348TB around the same time I got my boxster. He budgeted about £4000/year in running costs, but quickly exceeded that. I've not had many problems with my boxster. But I think the 348 would be more bang for your bucks. It's a hell of a car. If I had my choice over again though, I'd still go for the boxster. It suits me better.

Hey there guys, Pretty soon now will be getting myself a wonderful 20k odd job after spending close to 25k on my degree! First 'proper' motor i want to get is a nice sportscar, as i miss the handling and ability of the scoob. Wondering about getting an early 97/98 Boxster. Handling, ability and tuning possibilites. Then, whilst browsing through Autotrader, I found that some 348's can be had for just over 20k What would you choose/suggest and why? Oh, would also be used as a DAILY DRIVER, so what would you do?? Just to add, the clown face is there as I just realised how much of a muppet I am for spending that much on my degree