Boxster? Honestly?

[R32UK]

Im guessing the 8L model S3?

Even still... less than 4.5k on a set of 4?? 

[golf-sib]

Still don't understand how quick your going through them, I knew a cupra with 300bhp which was going through tires at the same rate as my 195bhp golf, which is about 9k on eagles, f452, etc...

[Ess_Three]

How you have managed to go through 3 sets of tyres on a 4WD car in the space of 13k is a mystery to me!! Do you live on the Isle of Sandpaper?

Athough not the same car (but probably more prone to tyre wear than the s3) my R was driven pretty hard most of the time and I still got 10k from a set a tyres.

I had the chassis set up pretty extreme to try and make one of the dullest cars I've owned, more interesting...and to try to kill the understeer.
It went well, but 330+ lb-ft and an aggrerssive set up eats tyres.

[Ess_Three]

Im guessing the 8L model S3?

Yup. 8L.

[Ess_Three]

Still don't understand how quick your going through them, I knew a cupra with 300bhp which was going through tires at the same rate as my 195bhp golf, which is about 9k on eagles, f452, etc...

Well, doesn't 22 MPG, 3 sets of tyres, 3 sets of brakes and numerous suspension bushes give you a clue?

BHP doesn't kill tyres...torque - and more specifically, torque delivery - does.

I know what I had to replace...and in the same miles my C4S used a set of rear Polot Sports - despite a hoon round Europe at high speed and 18 laps of the 'ring.

[Ess_Three]

Regardless...the point here is not how crap the chassis on the 8L S3 is...it's how well Porsches are designed, engineered and set up.
The comparison remains valid - 3 1/2 years in each car, same driver, same sort of driving.

The difference being the Porsche is designed for it...the S3 is not.

[Mikester]

I can appreciate the poor mans porsche and i dont have the money to keep a 911! Although of course i would love one.

Its a case of comparing it against the other roadsters about in that price range.

Interesting comments thought and useful information, thank you!

[nige_s]

I've never been sold the on the poor man's Porsche thing, people said it about the 914, 924, neither of them were that cheap compared to their rivals at the time.

Boxsters are good cars, and unlike any other Porsche beforehand has been made in relatively high numbers.  Taking that on board there will be a lot out there that have been neglected or not serviced correctly.  So buy wisely and you'll have fun, the thing is with a Porsche it's not always how fast you go, but how you go fast  

Find a good independent and running costs should be kept at a minimum.  This is one of the best places I've used recently for my 911:
http://www.specialistvehiclepreparations.com/

[Horney]

There's a few ex Boxster owners on the MX-5 forum, they speak very highly of the car generally but they came back to 5's due to needing to go illegally fast to have fun in the Boxster and the running costs were a little steep.

Nick

[Ess_Three]

I can appreciate the poor mans porsche and i dont have the money to keep a 911! Although of course i would love one.

Its a case of comparing it against the other roadsters about in that price range.

Interesting comments thought and useful information, thank you!

The prices to run, maintain and warranty a Boxster are not that far off that of a 911...so this 'poor mans' crap just doesn't rub.
If you have a decent Specialist nearby, you have it cracked...certainly as good service at a far cheaper price.

I find the Boxster a bid bland to look at...but you don't buy one to look at...you buy it to drive, and at that, they are fantastic.

The smaller engined cars are probably over-chassis'd though...for me, i'd want the 3.2 to give it enough oomph to give you a bit of a scare if you get it wrong.
Get a later car with PSM (Porsche Stability Management) and you can be a real hooligan safely :-)