Boxster 'image'

Soldato
Joined
21 May 2004
Posts
2,625
Location
South Staffs
I'll start this by saying I don't really care what people think about my car choices. I bought a LupoGTi despite it being a bit girly, I bought an RS2 despite the fact that 99% of people think it's an £800 old banger, and I'd have no problem buying an SLK55...

But the crux of my post - I'm looking at a roadster for the summer, narrowed down to an SLK55 or a Z4M. However one of my clients insisted I try a Boxster before making any decisions. I dismissed it due to image - despite the fact that it's in many respects its the ideal all rounder and best of the bunch in terms of driver appeal. The SLK has crippling running costs and the BMW is...a BMW.

But the image thing that worries me isn't just the occasional name calling and hand sign - couldn't care less about the loosers who do that, but Boxsters seem to attract quite a bit of hate from the general public. I use my car for work and occasionally have to park in public, less desirable areas, and I hear the stories of things thrown in on open roofs, key'd doors etc.

How do Boxster owners find people react? Am I making an issue out of nothing?

And while I'm here, is the 3.4 worth the extra over the 3.2?
 
Can't imagine a Boxster image being any worse than a SLK55

I would imagine most Boxster hate is borne of jealousy or ignorance,

What part of SLK running costs are crippling ?
 
Owning a Boxter is no different to owning an SLK55 or Z4M, in that it's just another car. Oppertunistic vandals won't decide to target just Boxter's, why would they?

On the subject of image please don't mention a Boxter being a poor man's Porsche - it's not.
 
Why do you care? Anyone pointing and laughing probably doesn't have the money for such a car so ignore them. Even better toast them off the lights, with the roof down and blast off into the sunset with Bohemian Rhapsody booming on the stereo :p
 
A Porsche is a Porsche is a Porsche.

any one that touts its a poor mans car does so because he is a poor envious man.

I choose not to own a Porsche because i cant afford a gt3, the fact i cant afford a boxster is inconsequential!
 
I don't think the image of a boxster is any more likely to get vandalism than the merc or bmw. They're all shiny pretty desirable marques.

The image is that you can't afford a 911, if as you say ill-informed opinions don't bother you then I don't see the problem.
 
I've just bought a Boxster S (987, 3.2 litre ). I had boiled my choices down to that or a Z4, and having driven both it really was no contest. The Porsche just felt better, I can't

describe the feeling closer than that.

My advice - go and drive one.
 
A friend has a Boxster S, I think its lovely to drive. The view down the bonnet with the curves is great. Its doesn't feel all that quick though, because its so rock solid. Just watch the corners as back will step out, if you get it wrong. Theres enough around its not going attract trouble, lovely to drive and you put the top down when you want. I love having a sunroof, or roof open even in the winter.

If I won the lotto I'd buy one alongside anything else I bought.
 
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Boxster is good but definately more girly than an SLK.

An SLK is still womenly.

Z4 is a mans car.

If you are a true enthusiast then the above won't bother you.
 
Why do you care? Anyone pointing and laughing probably doesn't have the money for such a car so ignore them. Even better toast them off the lights, with the roof down and blast off into the sunset with Bohemian Rhapsody booming on the stereo :p

lol just read this. That would be pretty funny tbh :p
 
I've not had any issues with my Boxster S, despite me prancing round Guildford and Woking with the roof down all last summer. I use mine to drive to work and often leave it parked on the road without any real worries. I doubt I'd leave it in Bootle and I always try and park carefully (miles away at a supermarket etc...) but never had any issues.

I went for the earliest 3.4l S I could find over the 3.2l. Mainly because the price difference was minimal and I thought it might help resale values. It's got a tiny bit more power but I doubt you can notice it.

The Z4M and SLK55 are (off the top of my head) quicker cars but I bet the Boxster S feels like the best one to drive.
 
The Boxster is a brilliant car in it's own right and anyone with their head screwed on will appreciate this.

That idiot Clarkson has a lot to answer for on this one.

Top Gear really has mis-educated the public with ill founded, stupid opinions over the years.
 
SLK is a womans car. I've no opinion on a Boxster as I've never driven one or even been in one but they look nice in the right colour.
 
I haven't noticed any difference in other drivers / peoples attitudes when I'm in the Boxster or Focus. Still get let out at junctions and never had any negative comments or vandalism - but this is Harrogate ;)
 
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