Honda or Porsche, Private or Dealer.
May 26, 2005 9:35 PM Subscribe
I'm about to throw away my hard earned cash into that nest of vipers, used car sales. Help me make the right choice.
I live in LA and it's time to upgrade my convertible: I've got 20-25K to spend and I'm looking at a used Honda S2000 or a Porsche Boxster. Because I'm going to be using it for commuting as well as fun, I kinda want the Porsche with the automatic gearbox, but my sense glands tell me I'm going to have much less hassle with the Honda. I've only ever owned Japanese cars so I'm dubious about the Porsche (and someone told me an oil change is $150 - is that right?).
Also, I'd prefer to buy privately as I don't really see the need to fund a lot and a bunch of salespeople - but will I still have to pay state taxes?
Bonus question: if I buy a used car that's still under warranty, am I entitled to that warranty, or does the sale/ transfer void it?
I live in LA and it's time to upgrade my convertible: I've got 20-25K to spend and I'm looking at a used Honda S2000 or a Porsche Boxster. Because I'm going to be using it for commuting as well as fun, I kinda want the Porsche with the automatic gearbox, but my sense glands tell me I'm going to have much less hassle with the Honda. I've only ever owned Japanese cars so I'm dubious about the Porsche (and someone told me an oil change is $150 - is that right?).
Also, I'd prefer to buy privately as I don't really see the need to fund a lot and a bunch of salespeople - but will I still have to pay state taxes?
Bonus question: if I buy a used car that's still under warranty, am I entitled to that warranty, or does the sale/ transfer void it?
Porsche are phenomenal cars, but when it comes to buying a roadster, something that is 100% about the fun, go with the s2000. It is a blast. Moreso than used Boxster in that price range.
Keep in mind, it is a high-revving mofo. Seriously high rpms. Almost like a motorcycle. The ride is stiff as hell, too. These might actually be reasons to you not to buy it if you're in the city, but to me they make the car. Personally, I think Honda was crazy to sell it at as high a price as they have, considering the competition from BMW, Mercedes and Porsche, but there you go.
As for changing oil, you can do that any decent garage. You don't need to go to Porsche for that, and you don't need to spend $150 for it. I would discover what the optimal oil for it is, though, and stick with that. Considering both these cars have small engines that get stressed a lot, it might turn out to be synthetic oil. Over the long haul (and considering that these will be used to begin with), they are healthier for the engines.
If that's the case, it will be more expensive, but I suggest you stick with it. Don't mix and match synthetic with regular. Me, I'd say learn to change the oil yourself. It's truly one of the easiest things in the world to do; all it needs is a wrench, a pan and some paper towels. You save money and you get a tiny touch of satisfaction/pride that you 'took care of' your car.
posted by the_savage_mind at 12:44 AM on May 27, 2005
Keep in mind, it is a high-revving mofo. Seriously high rpms. Almost like a motorcycle. The ride is stiff as hell, too. These might actually be reasons to you not to buy it if you're in the city, but to me they make the car. Personally, I think Honda was crazy to sell it at as high a price as they have, considering the competition from BMW, Mercedes and Porsche, but there you go.
As for changing oil, you can do that any decent garage. You don't need to go to Porsche for that, and you don't need to spend $150 for it. I would discover what the optimal oil for it is, though, and stick with that. Considering both these cars have small engines that get stressed a lot, it might turn out to be synthetic oil. Over the long haul (and considering that these will be used to begin with), they are healthier for the engines.
If that's the case, it will be more expensive, but I suggest you stick with it. Don't mix and match synthetic with regular. Me, I'd say learn to change the oil yourself. It's truly one of the easiest things in the world to do; all it needs is a wrench, a pan and some paper towels. You save money and you get a tiny touch of satisfaction/pride that you 'took care of' your car.
posted by the_savage_mind at 12:44 AM on May 27, 2005
Unfortunately, I have no first-hand knowledge of either car, so I'm no help there. Just wanted to mention that it's (ahem) traditional in many parts of the country to under-report the sales price of a used car purchased from a private party, when registering the car, to save a bit on the sales tax. Not that I'm recommending it, mind you.
posted by bricoleur at 4:24 AM on May 27, 2005
posted by bricoleur at 4:24 AM on May 27, 2005
The oil-cooled 911 has an oil capacity of 14 quarts, which explains why someone thinks an oil change on a Boxster will set you back $150. The Boxster fits anywhere from 6-10 quarts. At $6 per quart (it can be had cheaper, but that's a typical price) for Mobil 1, you're looking at $40-$60 for the oil. Add $10 for the filter.
If you don't want to do this job yourself (it's easy), the lads at Jiffy Lube (or equivalent) will do it for a labor cost of $20.
The S2000 takes 5 quarts. Your total oil cost difference between the models is $6-$30 per change.
All of this assumes synthetic oil (recommended by Porsche), which IMO you should use in either of these engines.
As far as choosing one or the other, I suggest driving them both. They're both a lot of fun, but they're pretty different cars. And automatic transmissions sap power and negate the entire purpose of sportscars. Don't be a wuss.
posted by Kwantsar at 6:12 AM on May 27, 2005
If you don't want to do this job yourself (it's easy), the lads at Jiffy Lube (or equivalent) will do it for a labor cost of $20.
The S2000 takes 5 quarts. Your total oil cost difference between the models is $6-$30 per change.
All of this assumes synthetic oil (recommended by Porsche), which IMO you should use in either of these engines.
As far as choosing one or the other, I suggest driving them both. They're both a lot of fun, but they're pretty different cars. And automatic transmissions sap power and negate the entire purpose of sportscars. Don't be a wuss.
posted by Kwantsar at 6:12 AM on May 27, 2005
Jeez, Kindall, your Googling rules.....
posted by Pressed Rat at 6:27 AM on May 27, 2005
posted by Pressed Rat at 6:27 AM on May 27, 2005
I hate to say it but walmart sells Mobil 1 at a good price.
posted by 6550 at 10:15 AM on May 27, 2005
posted by 6550 at 10:15 AM on May 27, 2005
I can't speak for the Honda, but the Boxster is fun as hell. I've driven in a variety of sports cars (sans supercar exotics) and this really tops the list. The top down in a Porsche during a warm summer night is worth the price. I've driven cars German cars that were faster (M5, M3, AMG) but they lacked the intimate appeal of the Porsche, not that I wouldn't take the other more expensive sportscars over the Porsche -- it's a ride unto itself. Expect to pay up the ass for any repair.
posted by geoff. at 11:51 AM on May 27, 2005
posted by geoff. at 11:51 AM on May 27, 2005
Are you nuts? (Kidding.) A $20K Boxster will run you $3-5K a year in maintenance. Oil changes are the least of your worries. Unless you are a mechanic, don't do it. Insurance will be outrageous. But you'll get a lot more looks.
Here's an idea. You've got enough plonk for a NEW Subaru WRX STi. I double dare you to drive it (Boxster motor actually) right after you test a Porsche. Japan has taken Europe's milk money on sports cars for a long time, and I am an old British Leyland junkie who has given up dreaming of a Triumph TR6 in mint condition reluctantly. The WRX is an extraordinary car for the money. And it has (Japanese) competition. Subarus are not the best engineered Japanese cars (I'll start a flamewar and say it's Honda for performance) but this is an exceptionally tight little machine that kicks asphalt.
posted by realcountrymusic at 6:52 AM on May 28, 2005
Here's an idea. You've got enough plonk for a NEW Subaru WRX STi. I double dare you to drive it (Boxster motor actually) right after you test a Porsche. Japan has taken Europe's milk money on sports cars for a long time, and I am an old British Leyland junkie who has given up dreaming of a Triumph TR6 in mint condition reluctantly. The WRX is an extraordinary car for the money. And it has (Japanese) competition. Subarus are not the best engineered Japanese cars (I'll start a flamewar and say it's Honda for performance) but this is an exceptionally tight little machine that kicks asphalt.
posted by realcountrymusic at 6:52 AM on May 28, 2005
This thread is closed to new comments.
This is all stuff I tracked down via Google in about 10 minutes, I'm surprised you didn't find it.
Frankly I'd really recommend the Honda. Not only will it be easier and cheaper to get it worked on if necessary, your insurance will probably be less expensive as well, and it'll probably use less gas tooling around town too. Of course, the Porsche is, well, a Porsche. If you want to own a Porsche for once in your life I can't say I'd blame you one bit.
Yes, you'll have to pay sales tax. If you don't buy it from a dealer, they'll make you pay the tax when you go to register it for the first time.
posted by kindall at 10:14 PM on May 26, 2005