This should be interesting! Let's have some fun, and before we start remember that it is each to his own - so no offence is intended and no offence will be taken.
For seven years (2000 - 2007) Stef had a BMW Z3. It was very nice and I once had kids shouting "There's James Bond".... only once though, and it was in the days when I had hair
In 2007 she replaced it with a pre-reg (12 miles on the clock = over £2000 discount) black MX5 2.0 sport - I admit to pushing her towards it because I thought it was a good car to replace the Z3 with. Since owning it I have always thought that it is a better car than the Z3. It is very economical averaging 37mpg, comfortable, cheap to run (i.e. the original set of tyres did 37000 miles), and if you want it to be it handles like a go-cart and is very fast and loads of fun around the Cheshire lanes. At 160 bhp it's the same power as the 944 2.7 Lux I had previously owned, but it's lighter and nippier than the Porsche. If I'm nipping out somewhere I usually jump in the Mazda because it's so much easier to drive than the S2.... and I can take the top off. If it's not raining when I'm out in it then the top comes off....... I won't say what the kids shout now
Initially Stef had a problem with the badge, but ask her now and she loves the car. It has never let her down, does almost everything she wants, has cost next to nothing to run, and another new one is still an option - and that's her choice (I have learned that it is best to let her choose her own car as we have different views. I like old, she likes new - or 'current' as she puts it).
The Boxster looked nice in Guards Red, but when I sat in it the 'everything light grey' dashboard / steering wheel instantly reminded me of being in my daughters old Renault Clio - and with that I also refer to the quality..... it looked cheap. Stef agreed and said that it did nothing for her at all and that it was a disappointment (or was she talking about me
). Not what we expected from a new(ish) Porsche. Go and sit in an MX5 and it just seems more sporty from the off - and has everything the Boxster has and more - except for the badge and the top speed, although 132 mph is fast enough for most.
Anyway, on the way to view the Boxster last Saturday I asked the question "What is the advantage of a Boxster over the MX5 in everyday use?". For the record, Stef does 20000 miles a year. Personally I don't think there is any and would find it difficult to justify choosing the Boxster over the MX5 - in fact after Saturday's experience we have decided against a Boxster, but haven't decided what to get instead.
This isn't about costs, we can afford to buy and run the Boxster or we wouldn't be looking at it. This is about justifying it over an MX5 - or anything else for that matter.
It would be interesting to hear other peoples observations, and any suggestions for a good convertible (new or used) would be welcomed. Budget is up to £23000 so there should be plenty of choice.
Sits back and waits for the varied and differing opinions - well we're all entitled to our own.
Thank you.
, great driving cars, bit like a Boxster in that they have very high limits. I do actually like newer 911s though, they are a lot of fun! 
) think market is swamped with used Boxsters so price may not hold up well