Late 944 vs early Boxster

[BEP]

Hi all,

Realise the above maybe a widely asked question but i'm looking at both of the above and can't quite decide which is best.
There seem a vast array of early Boxster's (2.5's) around for very similar money to decent late 944 S2's...Both different cars I know but wondered whether anyone could tip the scale towards one or the other.

I'm keen on both and wifey prefers the Boxster.....

Over to you

Cheers
Bryn

[Nurburgsingh]

I was looking at early boxsters And 996's not long ago.... And I think the conclusion was that a high miled car would be ok based on the fact that if it got there then it's either a good un or it's had everything fixed.

944S2... Lovely cars fantastically practical but they don't feel special unless you are ragging the arse of it.

Boxster... Unless you need to carry stuff

[pauljmcnulty]

Very different cars, although I wonder if the best S2s, £5K or more, will be a safer bet than the very cheapest Boxsters? Try both, see which you prefer.

[tr7v8]

I disagree the 944 feels great, better going faster as always but no need to go mental.
We discuss this on www.tipec.net a lot.
My feeling is 944 practical, hatch with rear seats, older but relatively easy to home maintain, expensive cambelt (& chain on 16V), clutch etc.
Boxster no back seats or hatch, designed to be garage maintained on a ramp, no expensive cambelt but expensive clutch & DMF.

Otherwise very similar in a lot of ways.

[BEP]

Felt a bit embarrassed asking on here as most people seem to own 911 derivatives so thanks for advice so far.
My mind is saying Boxster as it's a convertible for one and can't see there ever being more than me and wife or me and little lad on board, however I do wonder if I was thinking investment/classic status whether a 944 maybe better....hmmmm

[Fat Albert]

I've had my 944 Turbo for almost 3 years and it is very comfortable and practical whilst still thoroughly enjoyable every time I drive it.
I have only been in a Boxster once but found it a little cramped, but obviously felt a huge step more modern than the 944
One thing I do like is being able to do some work myself, and also involving my son in learning his way around a socket set.

One major benefit of the 944 is being able to sling your mountain bike in the boot:

[OlberJ]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

A mid engined, 6 cylinder 944

[Fat Albert]

OlberJ said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

A mid engined, 6 cylinder 944

914/6?

[OlberJ]

I was thinking more the benefits of hatch back and new frunk load space over losing the rear seats myself.

[khushy]

944 much more of an "event" - more special IMHO!

[neilcoker]

you wont loose to much money on the 944 but boxster still going down

[chris7676]

neilcoker said:

you wont loose to much money on the 944 but boxster still going down

They are both still goinig down, just look at early 944 prices...

To me it's the Boxster, although 2.5 is likely to be a bit slower than the 3.0 S2.
It's a convertible, feels more special and fun to drive, no doubt the 944 is more practical with it's huge storage. Try both, they really are very different.

[Dalto123]

Why not just go for a 944 S2 Cabriolet? Lovely cars

[BEP]

Well taken a day off tomorrow and going to see a 91 s2 and a 97 Boxster....I shall report back !!

[BEP]

Test drives had and neither bought sadly...

The 944....£3995, done 140k
Very clean, good paint and great history...Really liked the driving position (cracking interior almost seemed new),general poise of the car and the way it went/handled, however the engine note just left me cold and just didn't get that feeling that this is the one, (i'm sure people know what I mean lol)

The Boxster...£4895, done 99k
Decent history including just having £1000 spent on radiator/water pump.... paint was a bit dull in places and front bumper was cracked.Got in and it looked tired, (is this common on 97 cars?), fired her up engine sounded great, but after 2 minutes drive knew it wasn't for me...driving position just wasn't right no matter what I did and box felt vague (the 6 speed gearknob on a 5 speed box had me worried too)

So the above to me taken as indicative of what's available have confirmed that perhaps neither is what i'm after and I need to save a few more pennies...

[barchetta_boy]

You have to take into account build quality. Any porsche from the 996/986/M96 era onwards just aint built like the earlier stuff. And the earlier you go, the better they get, although the accountants really took control for the 996/986. Good thing too otheriwse Porsche would be bust. But just remember they werent necessaily thinking of you, the 6th owner at 100,000 miles whem they designed it.

With a 944/928 there is no such worry. Built like tanks and over engineered.

Joel

[BEP]

That's true Joel, the 944 felt way and I mean WAY better built than the Boxster...just sadly seemed to lack something for me. I think logically my mind is saying a late 80's 911 type vehicle but budget needs building up first !!;)