Is a Porsche boxster a good first car?

Question

Is a Porsche Boxster a good first car? My son turns 17 in september, and really wants one, but I'm not sure that it's the right car. I was also wondering if it drives good in the snow. Anyone that has a Boxster, please reply with your opinion about the car. ~ Thanks

Answer 1

Get him a new Honda Civic or Accord. They are both not meant for racing but they are not pieces of crap. They are pretty safe to drive, are really reliable and MUCH easier to maintain (which he should learn how to do, by the way). This way, he can learn how to be responsible with a car.

A 17 year old should never have a Porsche, even if it is just a Boxter. Young kids are more than likely to crash so Porsche is never a good choice for a kid's first car.

Answer 2

Porsche First Car

Answer 3

I'll voice my opinion and see what you think. And I'll make it to the point.

The uproar is about if hes appreciative and responsible or not. I would think he is since hes waited 1 year before he got his first car, unless the driving age is 17 where you are.

Regardless I say no it is not a good first car. No matter what kind of drive a Porsche is, it's a racing car thats what inspired that brand. The Cayenne has 4WD but may as well be front wheel drive in the snow and ice.

Go with the new Audi 2008 Good idea.

Answer 4

There are alot of widely different opinions here, and probably some that are very strongly felt depending on your point of view. Reading through the answers, what came to mind was a video on YouTube of Paris Hilton driving a beautiful Ferrari Modena... or rather, trying to drive, as it would be hard to call her attempts at a 3 point turn as actually driving. I still cringe when I recall her breaking off the front splitter from the car because she couldn't judge how low to the ground the car is.

A Boxster is a much more practical car than a Ferrari Modena... but both are outside of the realm of cars that would make sense for an inexperienced driver as their main source of transportation. And the above also illustrates the problem with someone that is not able to appreciate what they have.

The most mature and responsible 17 year old in the world might be able to appreciate and care for a nice car, but unless they have some untold driving experience, you are still putting them into a car which is going to have high enough performance limits that they will be able to get themselves into dangerous situations.

So, while the question you asked is if a Boxster is a good first car, I think the question really becomes, is your son exceptionally mature and responsible, and in possesion of 5+ years of driving experience (which is really only going to be possible if he has a racing license since he was a child, and is therefore familar with driving performance cars at or near their limits). If the answer to any of those is no, then the answer to your question would also be no.

And that is before even getting into any issues of practicality or cost.

Answer 5

New cars depreciate. Used ones don't. That is why I purchased myself a second hand Porsche in superb condition and saved the depreciation. I bet very few people even know why it is called a Boxster. People seem to be only buying these expensive cars as a status symbol and not for the philosophy behind the Porsche name. Sadly I'm sure I could get better durability and quality from a second hand Accord than I could in a new $80k Mercedes. Is it little surprise why Mercedes reputation is going down the toilet? Do we need to be reminded about the first gen. M class? About the Boxster though... Yes it is a wonderful car but there are certainly other options. It is a car that deserves to be driven and cared with respect. I don't know many 17 year olds that would be able to do that. If you will be buying a second hand example make sure to get a PPI (Pre-Purchase Inspection)You may want to pop over to the www.rennlist.com the Porsche fans website.

Edit: Four wheel drive is no way safer or easier to drive than a two wheel drive. Besides, the Audi TT is FWD (yawn..) and like the first one based on a over glorified VW Golf/Jetta chassis.

Answer 6

A porshe is not a good first car. They go pretty fast, and he might get in an accident. They don't come in four wheel drive, so it would be difficult to drive. Another thing is if you drive on roads all salted up, it will get on the unibody and possibly cause the car to rust. The insurance on a Boxter are high too. If you want to get him a car that's nice and is just as sporty, get him a 2008 Audi TT. They are about $10,000 cheaper, and they come in four wheel drive. It doesn't have as much horsepower, but maybe that will keep him from getting in an accident! Trust me, he'll love this car too!

Answer 7

All cars can be stolen,irrespective of the antitheft system on board, according to experts.In your case, I think the thieves might have lifted it onto a flatbed or into a container, for which waiting mechanics inside the container might have dismantled the car into parts, as this has happened before in a know EU country. The only way they could steal/drive away is to come with a spare key or a preprogrammed key which will match your car VIN#. Really sympathise with you as your insurers dont seem to know what they are talking about.You may need to see legal support for this case.Goodluck.

Answer 8

It is not wise to buy a fast car for a young driver - buy him a safe, relatively slow sedan - maybe with AWD since you mentioned the snow. Cheaper insurance too.

Would a boxster be good in the snow? Maybe - if you're foolish enough to do that - sports cars and convertibles are not really designed to be winter cars.

Answer 9

You seriously need to get your head examined if you are thinking about giving a 17 yr old kid a Porsche-either you have have no regard for money, and want to make sure your kids grow up with no regard for money or you're just a bad parent. 1st of all, it's not safe for a driver with lack of experience to have performance car, even though you probably want to tell all you friends about it. Be smart and get a Focus or Milan or Fusion or something like that.

Answer 10

I agree with m s. You are insane. Its not for snow. Its rear wheel drive. If the first guy things a rwd car is good in snow hes an idiot. The boxter has like 300 hp. Ur son will hit the gas someday and loose control. Dont be an idiot.