But I’ve never had a porsche and if I don’t soon maybe I never will.
Pretty juvenile I know for a 54 year old - but there it is
On the cash side though, I’m guessing that by the time depreciation is taken into account, the porsche isn’t going to be any more expensive than the new MX?
I reckon buying any new car is a waste of money. Amongst the 30+ cars I’ve owned in 40 years
driving, there’ve been 3 new ones. I never regretted owning them, but I always, afterwards, thought that buying
them new was financially dumb.
As for the MX5 or Boxster, as someone on that link says…, they are apples and oranges. Different.
I owned a 10 year old Porsche 911 in the late 80’s. Sheer grunt, performance, the feel of just sitting
in it, felt like hewn granite. £12000 I paid for it.
Zero depreciation in 2 years ownership.
Why buy a Boxster when you could have the, er, real thing ?
i know you are looking at later cars but it just so happens a colleague has come in his (old) boxster today on the same day that i’m my (old) Eunos Turbo.
Went out for lunch in the boxster and it left me feeling rather indifferent. The ride felt unrefined and clunky and also underpowered and it really has never done anything for me.
If he asked to swap it would be a resounding and massive HELL NO!
Go for the Mazda and be proud, rather than the boxster and wish you’d gone for a 911
I have owned both a Boxster and a Cayman and they are great cars.But,there is no comparison to the MX5 in running costs.You need to budget at least £1k per annum on the Porsche of the age your budget will buy. They are heavy on brakes,especially discs and front rads which get stone damaged and corrode badly.I have friends who run a local Porsche Indie which is very highly regarded and I frequently spend time in their workshop.You would be surprised at the maintenance bills on very smart looking cars.
Buying from a specialist is essential in my opinion as these cars can be driven hard .
The MX5,in my opinion ,is just as much fun albeit without the extra performance but if the itch needs scratching then it has to be done.
With residuals you are not comparing like for like as the MX5 will be new but to keep the Boxster in tip top condition will cost a lot .
I went from a then new 2009 2.0 Sport Tech to a 2006 Boxster ‘S’. Undoubtedly a faster beast, amazing howl from its mid engined flat 6 just behind your head, and a great quality cabin, superlative paint job, etc. etc.
Then decided to get a ‘real’ Porsche, naively believing that a 911 must be better, and got myself a 911 Targa, which was a little pokier (but not that much), and looked great, but was actually a bit remote in comparison to the Boxster, which I preferred by some margin.
It’s true what people are saying about the running costs - although the service intervals are 2 years or 20000 miles, you have to bank on £1000 plus per service, plus all the other costs in between. They like to eat tyres, brakes and discs, radiators, condensors, clutches…
The 3.4 and 3.6 engines in those cars could also suffer from expensive issues like rear main oil seals going and intermediate shaft bearing failure…I was lucky but I know folk who were not.
So, sure. A Porsche Boxster (especially in ‘S’ form) is quick, sounds the nuts, and makes you ‘feel’ good. But you will have MUCH more fun going round a series of twisties at much lower speeds in an Mx-5, plus you won’t have the running costs or fear of huge bills.
Thanks.
It’s interesting how many people prefer the boxster to the 911.
It may be that I get tipped towards the porsche because I already have a Mk1 eunos/mx5 sitting outside.
May depend on how different the 2015 mx5 is to drive compared to the original.
I’ve never driven a porsche, but in terms of comparison with my previous “sports” cars - Triumph GT6 and MGB GT, the MX5 is absolutely streets ahead in performance and reliability.
with the money you are looking to spend, why not wait 5-6 months & consider the new Mk4 mx5 it’s a real beaut to look at & the reviews all reckon its a winner to drive.
I bought a 2010 Miyako 1.8 mk3.5 soft top brand new what a cheap car that was cheap I mean the carpets did not fit correctly the paint worn thin on the osf wing within 8 months still waiting for the dealer to call back on that one, the chassis alignment was miles out just on the edge of mazda specs cheap interior, I wasa most concerned having found that the chassis build was very similar to that of the mk2-mk2.5 Mazda having built them in the same manor harboring heavy corrosion and ultimate failure of chassis legs, to much plastic you have to remove inner wings to change head lamp bulb ?? rust on the window qtr light very poor under seal to much missing I found the 1.8 performance well just not there compared with the 2.0 option pack I have know this is a 56 plate and the build quality is so much better on the older mk3 I paid in the region of £17.5 new and sold it 15 months later for 10k
If I were you I would read up on the porkers web site as they to have there problems brakes, engine oil leaks, this means engine out job very high running costs but only you can make the decision good luck
Unless you get the Porsche and sell it in a few years time with very little loss then get s mk4 which will be approx 18 months old, then the mk4 will be an even better bargain and you may have a few quid left in your pocket.
ive got to be honest, pounds for thrills the mx5 can’t be matched (just my opinion) , every car has draw backs and issues , simply depends how it makes you feel inside.
A friend of mine and fellow OC member runs an 06 Boxster and a MX5 NB 2.5 side by side.
If one car had to go then he says it would be the Porsche! His 5 is the keeper!
He jumps in and out of both cars daily and rates the 5!
Yep the porker is the beefier car and gorgeous noise but at a price!
Its not just the consumables like tyres £50 vs £200 plus a corner but the fear of the immediate shaft grim reaper or RMS!
Porsches are made and bought new by wealthy people or with corporate money who worry not about costs.
When second hand third hand and more they become affordable to enthusiasts like us along with Z4s SLKs etc but in real terms they are often champagne ideas on beer money!
I too was always chasing the used Boxster until I found myself in a 5 NB and now don’t have that itch!
The Mx5 is a no brainer it’s a proper sports car with pedigree (out there before Boxters) front engine rear drive and you don’t have to take the roof out or drop the engine just to service it!
I love the classic 911s but new porkers are fat too gizmo’d and not that reliable (eg GT3 issues).
Real world real life money I would and intend to have the new shape 5!
Lottery win then my love of Boxsters would take a hit in favour of Jag F type that is in line with the Mazda in both layout and looks!
