Replacement suggestions for the Boxster S

[Peerzy]

Evening all,

The time has come for me to start considering replacements for my Boxster S. I've had it nearly 3 years now and to be honest it's overstayed it's welcome by around 12 months already. Although it was a great car I just never bonded with it and would have no issue with selling it tomorrow.

For those who don't know it's a manual 2007 3.4S with 298bhp. I'm not entirely set on my requirements yet so I'd like some suggestions.

My next car is ideally going to meet the following criteria;

* No more expensive than what the Boxster will sell for, which is on a good day roughly £13k and on a bad day £11k.
* Manual, I will not consider any form of automatic.
* Roughly the same or higher power to weight ratio. I'm not bothered the new car being 0.1sec to 60 slower or quicker but I'd like it to feel equally as powerful

Things that will help make the choice easier;

* I'm not bothered by how practical it is to a certain extent. I've found 3 years with the Boxster easy to live with and would have no problems having 2, 4, or 5 seats. Will not consider 1 seaters, bikes or 'track cars' like Caterhams.
* MPG is of no real interest to me, the Boxster averages 21MPG and that's perfectly fine. Annual milage is only roughly 5k.
* Tax is of no real interest to me, the Boxster is £480 or something silly like that and I'm happy to pay it if required.
Insurance is of no real interest, the Boxster is roughly £400 per year so I doubt many cars will cost stupid prices for me.
* General running costs are of no real interest to me, my milage is pretty minimal and a close friend owns a local garage so parts and labour come cheap. I'd prefer to stay away from a car with a warranty.
* Age - no older than 10 years
* Turbo nutter Japanese cars do nothing for me so I have no interest in an Evo or Impreza.

I feel like I've gone through and considered every car available but I'm not getting anywhere and I'm sure I'm missing obvious choices.

Looking forward to hearing your suggestions

 

[rodenal]

So what do you actually want in your car? None of your exclusions really help at all tbh, mainly as it sounds like the Porsche suits your needs perfectly well

 

[[TW]Fox]

Nothing for £13k is better than a Boxster at doing what a Boxster does. It is the best sports car.

The only way to get 'better' is to buy something different, as in a different type of car entirely.

I'd prefer to stay away from a car with a warranty.

How illogical. If it's got a warranty, great, enjoy it until it expires. Why would you specifically avoid a car because it has a warranty.

Isn't it time you bought one of those horrible Mustangs and got it out of your system? It's fairly obvious its what you've always wanted and probably the reason you didn't 'bond' with the best roadster on the planet.

Also stop using 'no real interest' when you mean 'no real issue', its irritating reading it

 

[Peerzy]

So what do you actually want in your car? None of your exclusions really help at all tbh, mainly as it sounds like the Porsche suits your needs perfectly well

I want a fun, powerful fast car for my budget.

The Porsche is not the answer, I don't get on with it and I can't work out why.

I don't like the badge appeal of it and would rather have something less 'precious'.

 

[Peerzy]

Nothing for £13k is better than a Boxster at doing what a Boxster does. It is the best sports car.

The only way to get 'better' is to buy something different, as in a different type of car entirely.



How illogical. If it's got a warranty, great, enjoy it until it expires. Why would you specifically avoid a car because it has a warranty.

Isn't it time you bought one of those horrible Mustangs and got it out of your system? It's fairly obvious its what you've always wanted and probably the reason you didn't 'bond' with the best roadster on the planet.

Also stop using 'no real interest' when you mean 'no real issue', its irritating reading it

I agree that on paper the Boxster is the best car for the budget, but I want to change. I'm not trying to save money, I've just had the Boxster for 3 years now and want a change.

I'll correct myself - I'd rather not pay extra for a warranty, and have a very easy, reliable and cheap access to a very good garage. The downside to a warranty is usually that it requires me to follow strict guidelines like the OPC one which has annoyed me at times (heck - changing my battery this weekend effectively voided my entire warranty!).

Mustang would be the ideal choice but one might not come in on budget, they are hard to find and insurance could be an issue. I want to explore other options before just buying a Mustang.

I agree that the Boxster is probably one of the best cars on the planet and I've enjoyed it for a few years and now want a change.

 

[[TW]Fox]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...to/15000/make/ford/price-from/10000?logcode=p

Job done. Nasty thing but you love them.

 

[rodenal]

That's fine, but if what you want is a car like the one you already have...but not the one you already have as its probably the best choice with such open ended criteria I think you'll struggle a bit.

Spend a day going round looking at various cars rather than on auto trader? See if that changes your mind on any of them.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Any car like a Boxster for the same money as a Boxster is going to be worse than a Boxster.

 

[rodenal]

Exactly, so sitting looking at pictures and figures isn't really going to help. Best going and seeing/ driving some cars that he doesn't particularly hate

 

[Peerzy]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...to/15000/make/ford/price-from/10000?logcode=p

Job done. Nasty thing but you love them.

See above, it's top end of my budget and insurance might be an issue.

Any car like a Boxster for the same money as a Boxster is going to be worse than a Boxster.

It's understood that the next car will almost certainly be 'worse' than the Boxster. I've not ruled out cars that are unlike the Boxster. I'm not set on a 2 seater or a convertible for example.

Exactly, so sitting looking at pictures and figures isn't really going to help. Best going and seeing/ driving some cars that he doesn't particularly hate

Would like help shortlisting these cars that I should be looking at!

 

[rodenal]

I appreciate that but you have no real requirements and will know all the usual suspects.

You'll know the similar cars to the boxster, z4, z4 coupe, 370z( if in budget) etc etc...and you'll know which other types of car you have a passing interest in...I dunno e46 m3, 335i, s4 or whatever. It just doesn't seem like you've really thought about what you do actually want yet

 

[jellybeard999]

Do you want something more driver focused (eg Lotus Elise) or practical (eg BMW M3).

Aside from going to something techinically worse, but desirable to you personally (eg If you really wanted a VW Camper lol) or mundane, I can't see any other way you can go on your budget? As has been said, your current car is about the best for the money at being sporty, refined etc

 

[[TW]Fox]

Insurance is of no real interest, the Boxster is roughly £400 per year so I doubt many cars will cost stupid prices for me.

* General running costs are of no real interest to me,


Blah blah blah nothing is of any issue to me running cost wise blah

See above, it's top end of my budget and insurance might be an issue.

Make your mind up please.

Suddenly insurance and running costs appear to be an issue again?

I accept insurance might be reasonably high but you are not 18 years old and the reduction in other running costs will offset the insurance.

 

[Tute]

M3?

 

[Peerzy]

Do you want something more driver focused (eg Lotus Elise) or practical (eg BMW M3).

Aside from going to something techinically worse, but desirable to you personally (eg If you really wanted a VW Camper lol) or mundane, I can't see any other way you can go on your budget?

Out of those two I'd be looking to go more practical, I don't think an e90 M3 comes in budget though and the e46 m3 doesn't interest me due to the styling.

 

[[ui]ICEMAN]

You're going to struggle as most have already said. I'm not so familiar with the UK prices any more but IMO the above poster gives the two I'd recommend - M3 or Elise/Exige.

I hold very little love for the E92 M3 as to me it was the most underwhelming and disappointing car I've owned in the last decade but the E46 M3 is superb.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Everything suggested either doesn't interest you or has some other excuse as to why it's unsuitable.

Keep the Porsche and get over the 'image'?

 

[Peerzy]

Make your mind up please.

Suddenly insurance and running costs appear to be an issue again?

I accept insurance might be reasonably high but you are not 18 years old and the reduction in other running costs will offset the insurance.

Insurance with a Mustang is very unique due to them being LHD and all imports. It's far easiest to get insured on a £100k 911 Turbo than it is a Mustang.

The cost of insurance isn't the issue - it's if I can get it!

I'm guessing the 350Z or 370Z (which ever is in budget) is going to be too similar to my current car. I like the 335i but didn't get on with the auto one when I drove it. Maybe I need to look at a remapped manual.

I know 0 about any of Audi's fast cars so would be interesting to know if any of them are viable for the budget.

 

[teenwolf]

best sports car for 13k buy a boxster....
no wait.

 

[rodenal]

In terms of the s4 you're probably buying a late example of the b7, which I cannot imagine interesting you.

S3 I think will be far too uninvolving after the boxster, doesn't have the same kind of power to weight ratio and just doesn't seem like it'll interest you either