M3 convertible or Boxster S?

eidolon

eidolon

eidolon

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I'm gonna be putting the Elise up for sale soon so I'll either keep just the TT as my only car, or if I'm feeling silly I might get rid of that too and get something different. Current two faves are M3 convertible and Boxster S (987)

Practicality and running costs aren't too much of a factor so which would you pick and why? (and if you find yourself typing "poor mans 911" then please don't waste your time)
 
Do you need the rear seats?

If not then the Boxster S is the better drive out of the two, a proper sports car. Will possibly be more reliable too assuming you mean the older E46 M3. The M3 feels like a fast adapted saloon/coupe, fairly heavy "feeling" and although superb, is nothing like the sports car which the Boxster is.

The only issue for me would be the whole "boxster" thing. I just cant get over the girls car thing even though it goes against every logical thought i have. For this reason and the seating arrangements i would pick the M3, but then i am not an out and out sports car fan as you know, and am happy to accept the M3's compromises :)
 
Rear seats are nice, but mainly just to chuck stuff on (new hoover today ended up on back seat as I had my bike wheel in the boot) They'd rarely get used by humans to be honest.
 
Boxster, but then I've always wanted one. Guess you should consider the other alternatives too Z4, S2000 etc...
 
Second car ? Doesn't need to be practical ?

Considered any completely stupid options at all, Caterham, TVR etc or would you rather keep it moderately sensible ?
 
If you can afford it the 3.4 Boxster S MY06 -> is superb. The one I had the pleasure of driving has the 19" wheel pack and cornered like it was on rails :)

I expect the older 3.2 is similar but perhaps more prone to oil leaks from the rear oil seal than the newer 3.4 with revised RMS.

Sounded fruity too :D
 
What sort of budget are we looking at here? If you can stretch to closer to £25K then the 3.4S would be my choice over an M3 every day. It is a better sports car and not compromised because it is a soft top, unlike the M3. If we're down to £16K-ish then I think I would still go for a 3.2S over an M3, although it might be closer.

Choice of gearbox might affect my choice as well. If you're going for an auto then the SMG on the BMW would be a better choice than the tiptronic on the Porsche for example.

The Boxster S is reasonably practical. The rear boot will take a set of golf clubs and the front boot is narrow but deep, and takes soft holdalls and shopping bags with ease.

The M3 will be more roomy, comfortable, come with more toys and be the better cruiser I suspect.

And finally, I guess you should think about alternatives like the 350Z roadster, Z4M roadster, 996 cab, SLK55 AMG etc. Not because they're necessarily better cars, but because you may find they suit your needs better and when spending this much you should drive as much as possible.
 
Boxster S is the sharper tool by some way and in real terms is every bit as quick as the M3 in a straight line. I am not a fan of saloon cars with their roof chopped off and the M3 is no different. Coming from an Elise you will appreciate the Boxster and also see why a TT is no Boxster. I like M3's, I had 2 of them but remove the roof and I loose interest. Boxster is a gem of a sports car.
 
Boxster for me. I've only ever driven a Boxster and not the M3, but I just prefer Boxster's to M3s - and I think for your style of driving and for your choice of car you'd be better suited to a Boxster too. :)
 
jellybeard999 said:
Second car ? Doesn't need to be practical ?

Considered any completely stupid options at all, Caterham, TVR etc or would you rather keep it moderately sensible ?
Click to expand...

Currently I've got an Elise 111R and TT 3.2 and the idea is to just to have one car that is still fun, but reasonably practical. They don't have to fit 2 kids in or 8x4 sheets of MDF but they have to be slightly easier to live with day to day than the Elise.

As much as I'd like a TVR or Caterham I fear I'd be better off keeping the Elise
 
eidolon said:
Currently I've got an Elise 111R and TT 3.2 and the idea is to just to have one car that is still fun, but reasonably practical. They don't have to fit 2 kids in or 8x4 sheets of MDF but they have to be slightly easier to live with day to day than the Elise.
Click to expand...

You like convertible and you seemed to like revs (based on reading about your CTR and 111R ownership).

May be worth trying an S2000?
 
Theyre both very different cars and from your perspective the Boxster would offer you everything you want in a car. Plus it was designed to be a convertible from the start.

I was until very recently weighing up the same 2 cars myself, but my budget would get me a newer M3 (coupe) than a Boxster S. I dont think I would want to own any other Boxster than a 987 3.2 or 3.4.
 
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