Boxter 3.2S or Z4 3.0?

John_V85

John_V85

John_V85

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1 Dec 2002
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My decision was pretty much made up about getting a Z4 and I've been looking at adverts over the last couple weeks to see what's available, but as I have been doing so the idea of a Boxter (yes, a cheap mans porsche if there is such a thing) has entered my mind.

I am looking to spend somewhere around £15-18k and plan on keeping it for up to 2 years, but maybe nearer 1, during which time less than 10k miles will be driven.

As far as I can tell the Boxtor will be more fun to drive and suffer less depreciation, whereas the Z4 for will be a little bit more refined and have more gizmo's and gadgets. I would also being looking at a slightly newer Z4 for the same money. I expect the servicing and insurance to be both on similar.

I would be grateful for any first hand advice or suggestions and if you think there are other areas of comparison.

Thanks in advance
 
The fact remains that a Boxter is a poor man's Porsche. The Z4 shows taste and individuality as opposed to following the crowd. That said, the Boxter will probably be more fun to drive but for me it isn't as executive as a classy as the Z4.
 
I'm not a poor man. I can't afford a 3.2 Boxster S.

I don't know anyone with a Boxster who is a poor man. Infact, you can buy a 2nd hand 911 for less than a Boxster in many cases, albeit an older 911. The 3.2s is an excellent car and whilst the Z4 is also an excellent motor, the Boxster would probably be more fun.
 
Tommy B said:
The fact remains that a Boxter is a poor man's Porsche. The Z4 shows taste and individuality as opposed to following the crowd. That said, the Boxter will probably be more fun to drive but for me it isn't as executive as a classy as the Z4.
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Don't be idiotic.

The Boxster isn't a poor mans porsche at all, its a different product for a different market than the 911.

Is a fiesta a poor man's mondeo?
 
I've become a bit of a fan of the Boxster of late, it might even be in the running when I next change my car.

I think though, with cars like these - it all comes down to personal preference. You really need to drive both cars as much as you can to pick what's right for you.

At the end of the day, they're 2 top notch roadster's with their own plus points, and minus points.
 
Tommy B said:
The fact remains that a Boxter is a poor man's Porsche. The Z4 shows taste and individuality as opposed to following the crowd. That said, the Boxter will probably be more fun to drive but for me it isn't as executive as a classy as the Z4.
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YEEEEeees, Oh I gots a BMW, "wow thats so individual and tasteful"
 
Tommy B said:
The fact remains that a Boxter is a poor man's Porsche. The Z4 shows taste and individuality as opposed to following the crowd. That said, the Boxter will probably be more fun to drive but for me it isn't as executive as a classy as the Z4.
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Don't be a prat, Boxster is a superior car to the Z4.

Drive it and see!
 
Well having just had the exact same dilema, I went for the Porsche and took delivery today of a 2002 Boxster S. Test drive both and see which you prefer. For me the Boxster was streets ahead of the BMW, which I found to be really twitchy and the ride was far, far too hard. The experience of the engine behind your head, hood down and tearing through the country side made the Boxster more involving I thought.

As you've pointed out, I found the BMWs for the same price to be newer, better equipped and more practical. I wasn't so convinced about the interior of the Z4s I saw, as I thought the plastics were a bit "scratchy", but no doubt it was well put together.I presume you're considering a 3 litre?

Neither is a bad car. Take both out and see which you prefer.I think running costs are broadly similar, perhaps slightly less for the BMW.

[edit]Oh and I don't consider myself poor;) [/edit]
 
Tommy B said:
The fact remains that a Boxter is a poor man's Porsche. The Z4 shows taste and individuality as opposed to following the crowd. That said, the Boxter will probably be more fun to drive but for me it isn't as executive as a classy as the Z4.
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arnt you the guy who was saying the m3 was a better car than the GTR? lulzzz
 
Matt82 said:
arnt you the guy who was saying the m3 was a better car than the GTR? lulzzz
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No the modified M3 (forgot which company tuned it) was MUCH faster round a track.

The GT-R Is a heinous car. All it does is go damn fast for a very cheap price, there's not really much else going for it.
 
Boxsters are for hairdressers its a FACT. Time to start cutting hair then because they are excellent and in my opinion a level ahead of the Z4. Both lovely cars though.
 
Tommy B said:
To 99% of the population that is how they are perceived.
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Who cares what an ignorant pillock thinks to be honest. Like the 'tards who laugh at the MX-5 as a 'hairdressers car'. I would have liked to see some of them strapped into a 5 at Cadwell Park, cornering so hard their kidneys hurt!

It's like people who buy a brand new Corsa because it's brand new and reliable and they are good cars. They fail. The Boxster S is an excellent car and those who know and therefore those who matter would appreciate that. Those who point and laugh 'oh ma god lulz - *** poour manz porka hehehe....' can go back to driving their 08 plate ****box on finance, with you safe in the knowledge they will never afford the boxster and the rest of their sad sad life will be taken up by paying silly finance on silly cars and allowing the dealer to drive home happy....in his Boxster 3.2S
 
We now have a Z4 3.0 which I had to trek a total of 800 miles to view and then collect. It's an excellent car and I really like it - suprisingly so, given its not my sort of car.

Despite this, get the Boxster S.

It's a league above the Z4 - but as a result, it's a league above it in price and running costs as well. The Z4 is a no hassle car - the Boxster S is more highly strung, more expensive to run and more expensive to buy - becuase it's a better car.
 
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