Boxster - Feels safe? - Page 2 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

Forgive the unusual title, but please let me explain: My current play car is Italian. SWMBO hates it. I love it. It doesnt have any twiddly bits or airbags or 3 letter anacronyms. Its rattly and its "old school" - and to me, thats a big chunk of the appeal. But... she hates it with almost as much passion as I love it. As such I get (a bit of) grief for every hour I spend cossetting & pound spent on it, and cash tied up in it, and she wont drive it. I think part of this comes from a re-occuring legacy from a car accident she had a few years ago. (She was on an A-road, minding her own business at 50-55mph, "heavy" with kids and shopping, and another car pulled out of a junction, across the A-road, with less than 2 car lengths notice. So... even years later it haunts her and she needs to feel safe. Now, returning to my play car, if I could find one that appealed to me, but still felt safe, and solid, and airbagged, and ABS'd and ENCAPed and so on, so she'd use it, "Girl in a sports car" , wind in the hair shades on.. etc. And ofcourse the more she liked it, and used it, the more my pass would be signed off for use myself, but also for garage based tinkering and playing and improving and detailing (and yeah ok, cossetting) Win Win. Now a Boxster appears to fit the bill for me. (OK, I'd prefer to keep my old one) But that there is this threat of IMS bearing failure is actually a sort of positive = winter proj preventative action! Awesome. But theres also newer variants, and model changes (and hence parts bins to raid), and an active community, and so loads of opportunity. So.. ... does, when being pootled as a kid taxi,a Boxster feel as safe as big Volvo hewn from granit and girders? Again, apologies for the wierd thread. (Have not thought budget, spec or whatever yet, need to know if I'm in the right parish first)

If you want to actually be safe get the Volvo. While I have driven several hundred K miles in my 02 Boxster and never felt at any real risk the Volvo is a bigger, heavier, and solid car and when it comes to collisions, bigger is better. The occupants in the bigger car generally fare better than those in the smaller/lighter car. For instance, my 08 Cayman S was broadsided by an '89 Volvo. Both air bags in the Cayman went off but neither my passenger nor I were injured. Damage to the Cayman S was enough the car was declared a total loss (and only 4 weeks old). The '89 Volvo suffered a knocked out headlight, dangling by its wiring from the headlight socket. After exchanging info the driver got in her Volvo and drove it away. I waited in the rain for a tow truck to eventually haul my new Cayman S to an auction yard where it was sold at auction with a salvage title. Now my experience with my Cayman hasn't caused me to give up driving my Boxster or my Turbo (I replaced the Cayman with a 996 Turbo). While I know that I would probably come out on the short end of the stick were the Boxster and another vehicle involved in a severe collision I do not live in fear of this very unlikely event actually happening (well, happening again). But you have someone else to think about and you have to do what's right for the both of you.

Mate, I don't reckon she's gonna be happy with you in the garage whatever you get. So, seeing as your a bloke and blokes like man caves.....keep the Italian and as Pharrel says "Be Happy", its just that she won't be!

As you're not the one who needs convincing then, respectfully, I don't think this thread is going to help much. Best bet is surely to take her to a dealership and see if she can be convinced?

I've had a TVR Griffith and an Elise. I wasn't that happy about taking the children out in either. The fact is, if you get hit by a 4x4 (or a Volvo) in either of those, it's not going to end well. A boxster may or may not fare better but I doubt it'll be worse. There are more active and passive safety features and it probably is engineered for better passenger safety. But you can still drive it and enjoy the raw, connected 'event' that other less refined cars offer without sacrificing much if you choose wisely.

jellypig I have just checked your profile!!! You are going to get rid of a Ferrari and buy a Boxster?? No, no, no. When you said old Italian I thought you meant Alfa 75 with rust patches.......not a Rarri! Keep the Rarri, keep the garage buy her a new Loius Vuitton and be done with it, boxsters are superb but they are not Ferrari's.

Funny enough I can relate to this thread as its one of the background reasons for my considering buying one (although replacing a Ferrari would be difficult lol). My wife has said she would drive a Boxster but wouldn't use my Elise's,MGs,Cosworth etc etc. The fact there seems quite a good community plus they make a cracking noise helps too

Funnily enough I considered a 348TS before buying the Spyder. In the end I opted for what I perceived was a lower risk of unforeseen expenditure and less time fiddling (cosseting) - but with similar thrills and performance. I love fiddling, I just don't have the time for it anymore. The Boxster's a great all rounder and I reckon gives a good account of itself against a wide variety of alternatives.

" I love fiddling, I just don't have the time for it anymore." You must make time for fiddling, it's what makes you a man!

griffter said: Funnily enough I considered a 348TS before buying the Spyder. In the end I opted for what I perceived was a lower risk of unforeseen expenditure and less time fiddling (cosseting) - but with similar thrills and performance. I love fiddling, I just don't have the time for it anymore. The Boxster's a great all rounder and I reckon gives a good account of itself against a wide variety of alternatives. ^^^^^ Excellent summary IMO. Not the fastest car on the planet but a superb all rounder. Amongst other things, plenty of space for luggage whether on a trip or just ding the weekly shopping.

Thanks for the answers chaps. Not sure I put my question across very well, sorry, but I think I have my answer. ro55a said: jellypig I have just checked your profile!!! You are going to get rid of a Ferrari and buy a Boxster?? No, no, no. When you said old Italian I thought you meant Alfa 75 with rust patches.......not a Rarri! Keep the Rarri, keep the garage buy her a new Loius Vuitton and be done with it, boxsters are superb but they are not Ferrari's. Yeah. I would dearly love to. Its my pride and joy. But she hates it and wont drive it (wont even be driven in it), and is resenting the time I spend on it. It was bought with largely inherited money, to achieve a boyhood dream. Logic says that money should be doing something else. Hence if I can "downgrade" in terms of cash (and put that money to work elsewhere) and get something that still "floats my boat" in terms of projects, but also that she's happy to drive (of which a key criteria is "feels safe" *) , then OK, my heart will be broken, but homelife would be on a more even keel. But I totally agree with you, I never ever want to get rid of it. And I really dont want a "modern" car either, hence, am looking at these as a compromise, but believe me, definately not because I want to. (*Am not 100% sure that this is a requirment of hers, it could equally be gated shifter, no power steering, heavy clutch - but I do think its a legacy of this accident that she wants airbags, seat belt tensioners and to feel secure. Not that there is anything wrong with my car, everything's tight, saled through MOT, its just "old school" and thats one of the things I love about it)

Getting rid of her would simplify things, I'd want to be with someone that appreciates my passion for cars. It's not about her.

pistolp said: Getting rid of her would simplify things, I'd want to be with someone that appreciates my passion for cars. It's not about her. Oh no. Thats not happening. In >20yrs of marriage, we rarely have a crossed word - and fundamentally we are only falling out now about length of my custodianship of the red car, not buying it - I got that pass signed fairly easily. (And honestly, had that been a "no" then, there wouldnt have been any negativity.) To buy it was a totally rediculous proposition in every practical sense. So that I got a "yes" is testament to the rest of our relationship. No, this is about me trying to find a good compromise, if, and I am fighting, if, I loose the argument on it going. Its simply that the easiest path to me enjoying another project is to get her to sign up to the finished product (or ideally, the work in progress) (And I know the simple solution is to put her behind the wheel of a sorted Boxster - but I'm not ready to show my hand yet)

Hasn't she got her own car? Why does she need to drive yours? My wife doesn't drive either of mine, she's not even on the insurance.

VladD said: Hasn't she got her own car? Why does she need to drive yours? My wife doesn't drive either of mine, she's not even on the insurance. How very old-fashioned! How do you get home from the pub?

Values of 348s are now very much on the rise. Sounds like yours is cherished so on a pure investment basis you may be selling a touch early ! Maybe this is enough to persuade your wife its a good bet to keep for the time being ? Otherwise I reckon a Boxster fits the bill nicely - easy car to drive and very good safe feeling to it IMHO> D

jellypig said: (And I know the simple solution is to put her behind the wheel of a sorted Boxster - but I'm not ready to show my hand yet) Lets hope she doesn't read your forum posts then.

VladD said: Hasn't she got her own car? Why does she need to drive yours? My wife doesn't drive either of mine, she's not even on the insurance. Yes, she has an S-Max which is notionally the family's - but the reality is unless were out and she's drinking I dont drive it. She does. I have a "pick-up" , which she is insured for, but the reality is, she doesnt drive it unless hers is broke, which, touch cheap IKEA flat pack, hasnt happened since we got rid of the hideous 807. Expense (in terms of cash, but also time spent tinkering at the cost, of say, completing a DIY chore) on the "project"/ "Play Car" is, in my experience, more palletable if its a shared vehicle. Made up example: Bonnet Rubber on the redone was £65+VAT, plus carriage, "How much????" Bonnet Rubber on a "Family Project Car" is "Well, we need it to stop the shopping getting wet" , "Ahh, OK then"

Trev450 said: Lets hope she doesn't read your forum posts then. Hahaha, well.. if she did, she'd read that I am atleast preparing for the fateful day when I need to wave the other one off. (But just in case, am not posting what my "keep it" plans and plotting is)

Ozzie Osmond said: VladD said: Hasn't she got her own car? Why does she need to drive yours? My wife doesn't drive either of mine, she's not even on the insurance. How very old-fashioned! How do you get home from the pub? It's not old fashioned, she just has no interest in driving mine. She's also not much of a drinker, so I drive to the pub in her car and she drives us back.

jellypig said: VladD said: Hasn't she got her own car? Why does she need to drive yours? My wife doesn't drive either of mine, she's not even on the insurance. Yes, she has an S-Max which is notionally the family's - but the reality is unless were out and she's drinking I dont drive it. She does. I have a "pick-up" , which she is insured for, but the reality is, she doesnt drive it unless hers is broke, which, touch cheap IKEA flat pack, hasnt happened since we got rid of the hideous 807. Expense (in terms of cash, but also time spent tinkering at the cost, of say, completing a DIY chore) on the "project"/ "Play Car" is, in my experience, more palletable if its a shared vehicle. Made up example: Bonnet Rubber on the redone was £65+VAT, plus carriage, "How much????" Bonnet Rubber on a "Family Project Car" is "Well, we need it to stop the shopping getting wet" , "Ahh, OK then" Fair enough, can't argue with that. She might feel safer in a 911 targa though, plus it has extra seats for the kids.

dtriggs said: Values of 348s are now very much on the rise. Sounds like yours is cherished so on a pure investment basis you may be selling a touch early ! Maybe this is enough to persuade your wife its a good bet to keep for the time being ? Otherwise I reckon a Boxster fits the bill nicely - easy car to drive and very good safe feeling to it IMHO> D I agree, they do appear to be on the rise. Its a really small data set, and we only see "For Sale" not "Sold" prices, but my graphs are showing a rise. And.. I have just paid for a "Major" , so in theory costs for the next couple or 3 years would be small. (in terms of servicing. Hahaahaha... ) VladD said: plus it has extra seats for the kids. Actually went for a look at a Porsche Main Dealer at the weekend (with eldest who's "in" on this plotting), and they are seats? (Went to Ferrari dealer too, to play "Which one would you have in this room?" (its more fun in person than using forsale ads) Thread was closed when I saw the F40.) Anyway, thanks again chaps. Sounds like Boxster fits the bill as and when..

jellypig said: Anyway, thanks again chaps. Sounds like Boxster fits the bill as and when.. As you like fettling, don't forget that you can get a turbo kit for the Boxster.

VladD said: As you like fettling, don't forget that you can get a turbo kit for the Boxster. Yeah, I saw that in your profile. Good work.

Don't understand the problem. I gave the keys to my Better Half for a night out. She got stuck in bad traffic in Dubai. She now Prefers to drive the Shogun to the 997 GT2 hee hee

jellypig said: VladD said: As you like fettling, don't forget that you can get a turbo kit for the Boxster. Yeah, I saw that in your profile. Good work. I'd like to claim the credit, but I bought it like that.

jellypig said: VladD said: As you like fettling, don't forget that you can get a turbo kit for the Boxster. Yeah, I saw that in your profile. Good work. I'd like to claim the credit, but I bought it like that.

My 993 cab is pretty solid and the back seats are more useable than on a modern 911 cab. The rear seats only have lap belts though. My wife didn't like the 997 at all but likes the 993 much more! I understand the need to find one the wife likes - it is more fun out on a sunny bank holiday in the 993 than the Cayenne or the Volvo!

VladD said: I'd like to claim the credit, but I bought it like that. What do you think of the conversion overall? I have an RS60 which I really like but have been considering a 997 Turbo convertable later on to replace it but I like my Boxster and remember seeing this one for sale at Parrs and thought to myself 'thats interesting' my Boxster has PCCB's so the brakes should be up to coping with the extra oomph but wonder about the power delivery.

I the wife wants a safe car then get her a 4x4 or similar. With the change you can get a small Caterham for a weekend toy to tinker on. She never need even sit in it.

BIRMA said: VladD said: I'd like to claim the credit, but I bought it like that. What do you think of the conversion overall? I have an RS60 which I really like but have been considering a 997 Turbo convertable later on to replace it but I like my Boxster and remember seeing this one for sale at Parrs and thought to myself 'thats interesting' my Boxster has PCCB's so the brakes should be up to coping with the extra oomph but wonder about the power delivery. I've never driven a regular Boxster, so can't do a direct comparison, but I've had an Impreza in the past and the power delivery is more linear in my Boxster than the Impreza was. You can tell it has a turbo, but it's not overly laggy. It runs at quite a low pressure, so I'm guessing that's why. As for the brakes, I've not really pushed them yet, so can't really comment. I've got a bit sensible in my old age. Now the summer's coming I'll try and find a decent bit of local road and try a bit harder. p.s. Just noticed you're on 999 posts. Edited by VladD on Wednesday 23 April 12:44

VladD said: I've never driven a regular Boxster, so can't do a direct comparison, but I've had an Impreza in the past and the power delivery is more linear in my Boxster than the Impreza was. You can tell it has a turbo, but it's not overly laggy. It runs at quite a low pressure, so I'm guessing that's why. As for the brakes, I've not really pushed them yet, so can't really comment. I've got a bit sensible in my old age. Now the summer's coming I'll try and find a decent bit of local road and try a bit harder. p.s. Just noticed you're on 999 posts. Edited by VladD on Wednesday 23 April 12:44 Just checked out an article on the Parr conversion of the Boxster, for those of us who love these cars it looks to be a very worthwhile conversion and one that I will seriously consider when my recently renewed 2 year warranty runs out which will also be about the time I'll re-visit a 911 Turbo soft top.