C4S vs New Boxster

Hi Guys, I was hoing that you would be able to give me some pointers re a dilema that i have. Currently I am looking at buying a either a well specced second hand C4S (57K) or a new Boxster S (47k). I love open air motoring, but also love the shape of the C4 and I feel a 911 is the Ultimate! My thougts are as follows: If I buy the c4 will i miss the wind in the hair experience? Will I always want a 911 if I buy the Boxster? How will the residuals be in 10 minths time when I want to sell either with the 997 around? Which car will give me a bigger smile?? Any help appreciated Cheers Ben

Is it gold plated? JCB..

Spec is Seal Grey Black Leather (the std that come with the car) Sports steering Wheel Park Assist Auto Dim Mirrors Bi Xenons Climate Cruise H/seats Bose with Wind Deflector CD Changer Sat Nav Chrome Exhaust tips Adaptive Sports seats

Ben, I did exactly this a year ago, when i went from a Boxster S to a C4S for a year, while i was waiting for my Turbo cab to be built. You WILL certainly miss the wind in the hair experience, but this will be made up for by the fantastic driving experience of the 911. And as you say, it looks gorgeous. The only other way of doing it is get a normal facelift 911 Cab for the same money, not quite as chuckable as the Boxster, but the straight line grunt will more than make up for it !! G.

Ben, Just to be contoversal, I'd forget both the Boxster and 996, save yourself about 20 - 25k and buy a later 993. My personal opinion is that the 993 will deliver more smiles per mile, is just about depreciation proof (in fact if you buy a C2S it might even go up in value) and you won't be risking the dreaded engine failure / RMS scenarios that numerous owners are suffering. Having said that, the 996 C4S does look fantastic!

Let's keep it in perspective. Whilst our Boxster survey recorded a 25% rate for RMS failures based on returned surveys, engine failures are rare. JCB..

Ben what are you driving at the moment????

John, I think they're more common than people realise and certainly more common than the OPC's will admit to. I've heard through a specialist that a certain OPC in our area are dealing with between 8 and 12 engine failures a month at the moment!

[ ]So when exactly did Porsche lose the art of making a pucker reliable engine? And how long before it's common knowledge and reflected in the residuals accordingly [&o]

Grant, At present I drive a BMW Z4 3.0 which is great but I want more smiles!!!

Ben.............. Buy the Boxster S, it's your current car with added grunt, more driver involment & hence smiles, residuals will also be great on the new model, just don't over spec it or you'll be burning cash, all you "really" need is Bose, sports seats & some nice alloys (yuck to the standard fit items) although Sat Nav/Phone will no doubt become a sought after option's for re-sale. Plenty of time to go down the 911 tin top route once you get fed up with a cab., but that may be a while!!!

Hearsay! Say 10 per month then multiply by the 29 Mainland PC's - 3,000 a year I think not. JCB..

http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=79209&mpage=2&key= Call it what you will, there is a serious problem ....FACT! Cylinder liners cracking or moving, failure of aux drive shaft bearings and RMS problems. Have a look at the above link (page 2, half way down), theres three engines there, OK not the numbers I'm talking about but 3x12x29 = 1044 I'd call that pretty significant, wouldn't you? The fact the OPC's won't play ball and GB don't want to know....oh, lets lift the edge of the carpet and sweep it under!! The longer they keep it quiet and keep fobbing of the masses the larger their not insignificant profits become. Many car firms have been through this over the years, its a basic engineering / commercial decision based on the cost of admitting that there's a problem and fixing it against keeping things quiet and dealing with the fallout. Fortunately non of the problems are safety issues otherwise they'd not have the choice.

I have a C4 cab(facelift) for sale if your interested [&o]

I have a C4s for sale if you're interested, it's the only way to go

Just had a test drive of the Boxster S and found it was very impressive but I was using all the acceleration far more than I expected to be. Great gearbox, brakes and surroundings but I really enjoyed driving back in my 996. Has to be a C4S cab if budget can be justified or have a search for a suitably spec'ed Carrera 4 cab. I'll be waiting for the 997 Cabrio, as I found the 997S demo at Reading really left me buzzing after a drive where the Boxster left me wanting more poke.

Yeah I know what you mean James, I tested the new Boxster S on Friday and it didn't light my fire, seems to be a lot slower than my 996, especially above 80 mph. Might have to look at a MK1 GT3 instead

James, I have a C4 Cab (facelift) if your interested? Black with black with lots and lors of goodies!

James, I had a Boxster S from May 2000 and a 996 C4S (with power kit) from Jan 2003 to last september. Whilst I loved the Boxster (and I'm considering getting another one at some stage as a usable everyday car to sit alongside my GT3) the 996 was just so much more of an 'event' whenever I drove it, be it to the office, on a criuse through europe, on a blast through north Wales or banging round any number of tracks, including 450miles round Spa over 2 days. As for the 993 (GT 2 aside), they felt old when they were new, if you want a classic car by an Austin 7. Go for the 996 you'll never look back. And by the way if you get one I've got the reg C4S XL on retention at a very reasonable price. Regards

Sorry I meant Ben