Is the 987 for me?

[timxhan]

Greetings everyone,

I'm 20 years old and in my third year of college. I'll be using my car for commuting about 25 miles, mostly highway, to class. I need a car that's reliable and enjoyable.

I know the typical answer would be to buy a Honda Civic or some kind of cheap, uber-reliable car, but I'd much rather buy something that I'd enjoy driving for a long time (and thus, also take better care of). Due to depreciation, the 2005 base Boxster has fallen within my budget. Now I'm all excited and want to get one, but I definitely need to hear some second opinions before I do that.

I know maintenance costs are much higher because of the premium Porsche dealers like to charge. I've read up on the amazing DIY articles here and I reckon I can do most and foot the bill for the ones that are complex. My friend's dad knows a Porsche mechanic that might reduce some of the costs...

I would appreciate your opinions!

[White987S]

A Porsche in a college enviroment is asking for trouble. Think vandalism. Enough said. No garage....no Porsche. Be patient. Your day will come. :)

[White987S]

2 more thoughts:

Have you considered car in$urance in your ownership proposition?

What if you are out at a bar, after classes, and meet 2 hot chicks. And both girls want to go home with you. What are you going to do with a two-seater sportscar?

[timxhan]

A Porsche in a college enviroment is asking for trouble. Think vandalism. Enough said. No garage....no Porsche. Be patient. Your day will come. :)

LOL, in regards to that, I'll be commuting from my house (in a safe neighborhood) to a college where it's common to see porsche caymans and boxsters, maseratis, bmws (tons of them, actually), audis parked. Safety and vandalism isn't really a problem. Ever parking garage is monitored.

[timxhan]

2 more thoughts:

Have you considered car in$urance in your ownership proposition?

What if you are out at a bar, after classes, and meet 2 hot chicks. And both girls want to go home with you. What are you going to do with a two-seater sportscar?

Good points. :D

[White987S]

Buy the 987S. You will always want more power. Good luck.

[timxhan]

Buy the 987S. You will always want more power. Good luck.

Thanks for your help! I'll definitely have to compare insurance rates (probably have to go with the non-S to save insurance money)... Is maintenance as costly as people make it seem? How would it be compared to an Audi A4?

[White987S]

Is maintenance as costly as people make it seem? How would it be compared to an Audi A4?

If something cost $100 Audi dollars, plan to spend $200 Porsche dollars...or more. A dealership will charge $200+ for an oil change. Sure, you can do this yourself too. Tires. A good set, with mounting & balance will be over $2,000. I would guess your car insurance will be over $4,000/year.

[vabeach]

Is maintenance as costly as people make it seem? How would it be compared to an Audi A4?

If something cost $100 Audi dollars, plan to spend $200 Porsche dollars...or more. A dealership will charge $200+ for an oil change. Sure, you can do this yourself too. Tires. A good set, with mounting & balance will be over $2,000. I would guess your car insurance will be over $4,000/year.

The insurance could be a problem due to your age. Here in Virginia, and me in my 60's, my insurance for my '05 987-S is only $55 more than my Acura MDX.

[White987S]

The insurance could be a problem due to your age. Here in Virginia, and me in my 60's, my insurance for my '05 987-S is only $55 more than my Acura MDX.

And I am in my mid-40's...and my wife's 8 year old Mercedes E320 4-Matic has a higher (about $200) yearly premium than my 2006 987S. Same coverage. No claims. No accidents.

Edited February 25, 2009 by White987S

[tnoice]

Two hot girls outside bar? Have you never seen batman begins. He fit two girls in the front of a Lamborghini. You simply have them sit on each other's lap. Now if there are three hot girls, that gets a little more interesting!

[renzop]

I bought a Porsche when I got out of college. It was a used Porsche. It was fun. It got the chicks. I drove it hard. I learned all about lift throttle oversteer. I didn't have a garage. I got into a few minor fender benders because I was too young to be patient. I did not have money to maintain it so more and more little things weren't working. The shocks were worn but I did not have the money to replace them. Tires wore out and I bought cheap replacements. The ride got progressively worse and so did the handling but I could not afford to do anything about it. The car developed fuel system problems and would not reliably start. I bought a beater so I could get to work everyday. The Porsche sat more and more frequently. From the fender benders the rear suspension mounting points developed rust. I broke a halfshaft. I had it replaced. I broke a halfshaft. I asked why. The mechanic said there was too much motion in the rear from all the rusted mounting points. I sold the car. It was a huge mistake to purchase it in the first place.

Buying a Porsche at 20 is madness. Even if you have the money for the car, the insurance and the maintenance, you will destroy the car in short order form carelessness or bravado. Anyone under 25 should consider their car disposable.