996C4S or Boxster

[TNJ]

I have decided it is time to finally get my first Porsche. I have thought about spending £30k plus for a nice 997 but that would mean a cheap family car and expensive "toy" car - not really fair on the family.

Therefore, choice is spending around £20k or so for a second car and keeping the X5 as the family car. Plus my wife would prefer a convertible. This leaves me looking at a decent 987 Boxster or a 10 year old C4S cab. My heart says C4S - I have always wanted a 911 and Boxster would maybe seem like a compromise (especially as kids could still be squeezed into the C4S) but a newer Boxster would be a lot more modern and I have never heard a bad thing about them (bore scoring aside but that can affect both cars).

Would be interested to hear thoughts of people who have had the same dilemma or any other comments!

Important factors for me are:

- not facing massive initial depreciation if I love the Porsche ownership thing and decide I want a 997 in 18 months
- easy to sell on
- relatively sensible running costs - I know any Porsche is going to cost £££s to maintain which is fine, but if there is a massive difference then it will be a concern. And I accept that ten year old car will cost more to maintain than a 5 year old car.
- not prejudicing the Porsche ownership thing - would a C4S feel like an "old" car and not really give a true feel of what Porsche is all about?

I appreciate the above is fairly subjective, but if it was your cash,what would you do?

[PGNTuscan]

C4S all day long. It's a 911.

And a great looking one too.

You would regret buying a Boxster each time you see a 911

Good luck with the search.

[Helicopter123]

PGNTuscan said:

C4S all day long. It's a 911.

And a great looking one too.

You would regret buying a Boxster each time you see a 911

Good luck with the search.

This.

Boxster a lovely car in its own right, but until you've owned a 911...

[blackmamba]

I have experience of both and I think you might be surprised how different they are to drive. I suspect if you can drive them back to back, you'll know very quickly which is for you.

In my experience, the Boxster handles better, rides better and is probably one of the best roadsters available. I was looking for a 911 and drove one for comparison, liked it so much I bought one. It is one of a few cars that exceeded my expectations in the 18 months I owned it. It isn't the prettiest thing on 4 wheels though and it doesn't provide the same sensations, sounds and excitement of driving a 911.

The C4S is probably my favourite 996 after the GT3. Good looking car and delivers a great "911" driving experience. The ride is very firm though, bordering on harsh. The rear seats are smaller than on the coupe and useful only for short journeys / small people - better than not having them at all though. It is a great car to drive and will be more of an event if you are looking for a weekend toy. I found selling the C4S cab a little more difficult than the Boxster as most people seem to be looking for a C4S Coupe and there are little things (like the rear seats) that remind you the car was designed as a coupe first and foremost.

Both excellent cars but very different to drive. Have fun in your search and try and look at a couple and drive them before you decide.

[Zyp]

PGNTuscan said:

C4S all day long. It's a 911.

And a great looking one too.

You would regret buying a Boxster each time you see a 911

Good luck with the search.

And less we forget, buying a Boxster means people know you can't afford a 911.

[williaa68]

Have you thought about a 993? I paid £23k for mine and it must be a better long term proposition than a 996. The rear space seems to me to be a little bigger too. My girls absolutely love going out in mine.

Gratuitous picture.

[Zyp]

Don't see many of those around ^^^!

[williaa68]

No, it took me a while to find a good one in my price bracket but the search is part of the fun! The relatively rare slate grey colour was a bonus. A good PPI is vital - I got as far as PPI on two others, including one in Holland, before this one. There are some really beautiful garage queens out there but then you'd feel guilty driving it as you'd be forever watching the mileage. Good luck with the search OP - come back and tells us how you get on.

[PGNTuscan]

williaa68 said:

Have you thought about a 993? I paid £23k for mine and it must be a better long term proposition than a 996. The rear space seems to me to be a little bigger too. My girls absolutely love going out in mine.

Gratuitous picture.

That's a lovely car!

[alexisn]

There is absolutely no comparison twixt a Boxster and a 996 4 wd. The 4 wd is better balanced and better handling than any of the 2 wd's. Plus you have more room. As for feeling old, you must be joking, the water cooled cars are far more civilised, better handling and quicker than the old air cooled, plus you can have heating !!

Edited by alexisn on Sunday 5th May 10:07

[williaa68]

alexisn said:

There is absolutely no comparison twixt a Boxster and a 996 4 wd. The 4 wd is better balanced and better handling than any of the 2 wd's. Plus you have more room.

Wow, there's a controversial comment! As a past owner of a 997 C4S and a current 993 owner I can happily say the boxster I had as a courtesy car from my OPC was better balanced than either! I'd take the 997 in snow or heavy rain any day but on a dry road the boxster was sublime. I'd still rather have my 993 though....

[Helicopter123]

williaa68 said:

Have you thought about a 993? I paid £23k for mine and it must be a better long term proposition than a 996. The rear space seems to me to be a little bigger too. My girls absolutely love going out in mine.

Gratuitous picture.

That's a lovely looking car - thanks for posting the pic, cheered up my morning!

[RWD cossie wil]

996 Turbo cab? No engine worries unlike the N/A versions, plenty of poke & solid residuals.

[Callughan]

C4S if with PSE, probably wont want a 997 after unless PDK or GT model etc

Edited by Callughan on Sunday 5th May 11:39

[pdavison]

Easy ... C4S with PSE (mine is for sale in the classifieds too!) ... I've had two Boxsters and now the 996 C4S cab and the 996 is such a wonderful car to look at, drive and listen to. The Boxster is an exceptionally well balanced car but I think once you've tried both the C4S will be the one that pulls at your heart strings!

[Stefandk]

PGNTuscan said:

C4S all day long. It's a 911.

And a great looking one too.

You would regret buying a Boxster each time you see a 911

Good luck with the search.

+1

Regards
Stefan

[blackmamba]

alexisn said:

There is absolutely no comparison twixt a Boxster and a 996 4 wd. The 4 wd is better balanced and better handling than any of the 2 wd's.

Don't believe some of the nonsense people will tell you about the Boxster like it doesn't handle as well as a C4S or is only bought by people who can't afford a 911! Try and take the cars for a drive and see which floats your boat.

[jimmyone]

whatever you chose, check the service manual.
the box has major service at 48k, and 60k so if say your selling one at 58k, the new buyer may not be aware a major service is due.
ibought my box with 52k on the clock , and the previous owner paid £2500 for his 48k service !!!!!!
just worth a thought

[alexisn]

OK lets change the 'better balanced' to 'more capable', that is in all weather handling, outright performance and the ability to get the occasional passenger / luggage inside.

[Whitean3]

williaa68 said:

Wow, there's a controversial comment! As a past owner of a 997 C4S and a current 993 owner I can happily say the boxster I had as a courtesy car from my OPC was better balanced than either! I'd take the 997 in snow or heavy rain any day but on a dry road the boxster was sublime. I'd still rather have my 993 though....

As a 996C4S owner, I have to agree. I've had 2 Boxster S courtesy cars, both 310 BHP models, one PDK, one manual. In the dry, they were both phenomenal. Made the C4S seem very antiquated and heavy in comparison. But give me really crappy weather and I'd take the C4S- feels incredibly sure-footed in slippery conditions.

I like to use the "4 seats" arguments as well, but unless you are all midgets, I can't see how you can get an adult in the back- it is a massive struggel getting my 1 year old in!