Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

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.

I can't fit in a Boxter

honda s2000? 23k will get you the best one out there. seems you're after small and nippy so a lot of other stuff is going to be heavier than the s2.

I looked at the MX5 before buying my 944. I didn't fit comfortably and decided that I'd probably cripple myself after a week.
Almost cripled after three years of 944 ownership.
The Boxster is far roomier inside but I can see there is more flaxibility in an MX5 if you fit.

Steer clear of the Renault Megane convertible. Exceptionally boring unless you thrash it all the time. Just a big lump of metal.

I'm just under 6' tall and weigh 11st 10lbs - so is that size 10

When we first got the MX5 I found it was cramped leg-wise, but then one day the seat moved back that little bit further and now there's loads of room for me.

As for being crippled by the 944.... I ended up with sciatica - mainly due to knackered seats in the S2. I've replaced them now and do not have the problem anymore.

The Honda S2000 is a good suggestion.

Had just about finished writing a lengthy post and the computer decided to play up. So, here goes, for the second time!

Personally I wouldn't pitch the cars up against one and other but my only experience with the MX5 has been the original Mk. 1. From what I've seen people seem to get unduely excited about them as well. Are they really that amazing? In my opinion, no. I enjoyed driving my MGs more (B's and Midgets) but I prefer old cars, so it's all very subjective.

I posted my opinions on the Boxster in the thread about the specific car is question.

One thing to keep in mind a Boxster (even in non S form) has around 100bhp more than an MX5 and is an alround larger car, well they certainly are compared to a Mk.1, not sure about the later cars? So, they are going to feel different. The Boxster is an absolute licence loser if you love to push your cars to their limits, as the limits are so high! Whilst it all may seem exciting that your pushing 120 round B-Roads, really you're having no more fun than what you'd be having in your 944, with the added worry of getting pulled over and your licence took off you!

All that said I do think the Boxster looks much better than the current MX5. Neither of them are ever going to win the award for the worlds greatest interior! Nor, do either of them have a fantastic "image" as a car, if you care about that sort of thing.

What does your partner prefer - throwing the car around B-Roads or cruising about but can get off the lights quickly?

Some other suggestions:
Late 996 / Early 997 - it's a Porsche , 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!
Z4M - never had a go in one but they sound good in principle.
Honda S2000 - neither have I drove one of these, depends what your style of driving is, certainly a throwing it round B-Roads type of car.
XK8 / XKR - certainly a cruising about that getting off the lights quickly car with added style, the best looking and nicest inside of this little lot IMO

PH have just had a lighthearted look at an s2000 here;

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default ... ryId=23160

damnit i want one too now

S2000 has no torque. My 44' can toast one if he doesn't see me comeing Same problem with the MX5. Forget hp. The 944 has 30lbs more torque peak. 100lbs more at 2000 rpm in mine! It's no contest. Boxster the same. Gutless when caught off the boil. We had one in the fleet at work. Was a big disappointment to drive. It was well maintained by Hartech. Still alot slower than my '44. If you must have a convertible try a superchaged merc. The baby one with the electric roof. Pretty good & they do it on the dyno. More torque than an S2000. If you want a track car get the Honda. On the road. If you must have a rag top. Get the Merc. Though with current prices you can have an SLK for 5K. Driven in anger they are great!

Have to agree with above, had S2000 when working for evaluation. Torque non existent untill you get it spinning, will drive you mad as have to thrash it all the while to get performance.Will be reliable though
As for SLK the 170 series was good, wife ran Kompressor for 3 years after a Z3 was superb. Upgraded to 171 series(latest shape) with V6, six speed manual. Superb whilst in warranty.Absolute disaster when out, electrics fail all over the place (£1000 in 6 mths for repairs-Merc did not want to know) car was nearly 4 years old with 38K on clock when wife cried enough and got shut of it.Wont by Merc again. She currently has an EOS and is superb
i am just over 6ft and find Boxster tight(fatter though at 16st ) think market is swamped with used Boxsters so price may not hold up well
What about M3 rag top?

I'm 6ft 6ins tall, weight 18 stone and am exceptionally long in the torso rather than the leg. That means headroom problems in many cars, Boxster included. Tried to sit in one once, emphasis on the word 'tried.........'

I can fit in any car but a classic TVR, find those excessively uncomfortable. Being little is good ... apart from when you want something at the highest shelf in the supermarket

Had an MX5 [series2? 03 model] and was much impressed. Great fun, went round corners so much better than the last open top I'd owned [a 1969 Triumph Spitfire!] cheap to keep and comfy to boot. Exceptionally reliable and covered distances with relative ease in much the same way as any modern car does. Changed it for an RX8 but still see it around looking like new. Now got an S1 Elise and a Boxster 3.2s ... very different cars. The Elise has to be the best car I've ever had for outright driving feel and cheap but special motoring thrills. Handling is legion. But when it goes, it goes, so driver training has proved to be a real booon, although the limits are high. Have to say it is not a daily driver if you have a choice though! The Boxster is more usable as an everyday car, more refined but so much bigger and bulkier in its feel. I'm lucky in that it is a week-end choice for me so cost of running it is not so critical. Handling is exceptional. It sounds great, picks up well and to quote my wife is 'a proper car'. Still look back at the mx5 with fondness but wouldn't swap porsche for one now. But if came to stick and lift would sell boxster and keep elise. Is that a heresy?!!

You just need to get used to driving with higher revs when pushing, like 5000+ so its in the power band and on the high rev vtec cam. Then for pootling around drive it normally. Friend had a vtec prelude same story. Stick a cone filter on it and it sounds a treat at 7000+ revs.