Porsche Boxster Spyder v Ferrari 360 Spider

It's got to be a joke, comparing a 360 versus the box sypder. It's a differently league no matter how you look at it. It's like comparing the AMG versus an F car.

 

I think it's a great article. Do you buy a new Porsche that's made for pure driving thrills, or do you buy a secondhand Ferrari? Very fair question.

 

No doubt a great article, a very exciting read but comparing the two is just inappropriate. For instance, going into second hand versus brand new just throws the entire discussion off the scale.

 

No doubt pretty different cars, but relevant due to the price similarities.

 

Say if we compared brand new versus brand new, what would you pit the boxster up against then? That's my only beef with the article, nothing wrong with the facts on each car. The writer is pretty much spot on for the characteristics of the boxtser, so is the 360.

 

as a potential buyer, I think the article is quite relevant.
do I spend the same amount on a Porsche 10 years newer or an aging legend? Each car has its merits.
Same thing with a new GT3RS vs an F430 that's a couple of years old.

 

Probably the Lotus Exige.

But, cars cost money and the reality is that if you have $70K to spend you're probably going to think about the cars available in that bracket. It's actually a pretty relevant perspective.

 

I agree

Good article.

 

+1

Also comparing old Vs new???? Anyone would prefer a new car with a warranty over an ageing super car with potentially financially catastrophic repair bills. 10yr old techology Vs New? I am sure the Porsche is a very good car......But a Ferrari it is certainly not! Buying a Ferrari is not about tangable things! It is as much a lifestyle choice and status symbol if we like it or not. I always aspired to a Ferrari from being a child, to owning my 1st at the age of 24.

Sensible = Porsche
Heart = Ferrari

The point I'm trying to make is that I'm not sure many people buy a Ferrari with their head (I know I didn't!)

Hence I personally don't see the point of the article informative as it is........

 

I'm sorry, but under no circumstance is a Boxter > 360 IMO... and again, everyone has an opinion, and is entitled to it. That said there is a 360 parked in my garage and not a Boxter.

 

++.... good choice actually. The Spyder is a great handling car, has a bit more umph than the regular BoxsterS. Actually in the twisty stuff it will out-handle a 360, but, just does not have the muscle to back it up once you are out of that stuff...if you compared the two. (Took one around RA after the Petit last year and was suprised at how well the Spyder handled). Think though in a comparison with the Exige vs BoxsterSpyder the Exige would eat its lunch with the power to weight different.

But again, probably a perfect comparison car!

 

On the new vs. used topic, I think that regardless of the year, a well taken care of 360 is almost a new car (at least looks/condition wise). I know that it doesn't come with a warranty like the Porsche does, but who cares. I would rather buy a Ferrari and pay more for maintenance than drive the boxster for the same money. And I like that new boxster spyder.

I believe that the test makes for a good comparison (money and fun factor), although if I were shopping for a 360, I wouldn't second guess myself with the P car.

 

...and a Porsche fanatic would probably say: Why get an old, ancient Ferrari when you can get a brand new Porker?

 

Not true, Im a porsche fanatic and id get the 360 over the boxster.

 

So, the question is a new Boxster Spyder or a used (40,000 mile) 2000 360 spyder - each at about $75,000 US.

Lets say you keep them 10 years - and they both are second cars.

Porsche maintainence isn't cheap, but the Ferrari will be a lot more, especially since the Porsche is new and has a warranty for the first years of ownership. Big advantage to the Porsche.

Used car insurance and registrations will likely be less on the Ferrari. Small advantage Ferrari.

Realistically, in those 10 years you will drive the Porsche maybe 70,000 miles (7,000/year). The Ferrari will be driven less, maybe 30,000 miles (3,000/year). So, each will have 70,000 miles in 2020. Each of the Ferrari miles will be an adventure in one of the best, most famous, sexy, desirable cars ever built. Maybe 1/2 of the Porsche miles will bring the same smile to your face...maybe. The others will just be miles in a nice car. So, the driving enjoyment factor is about a wash. All those extra miles driven in the Porsche will somewhat negate the maintenance advantage discussed above. The Ferrari is a a Ferrari - it will bring you pleasure every time you even LOOK at it. The Porsche is a nice car, but it isn't the same level of enchantment. Advantage Ferrari.

So, after 10 years, what do you have. A 2010 Porsche Boxster Spyder that might be worth $25-30,000 (and headed to zero)...maybe...Boxsters seem to have terrible resale values. Or, a 2000 Ferrari 360 Spyder that will be worth about $60,000...most of the depreciation on the Ferrari has already happened...by the time it is 20 years old it will be on firm ground and not be depreciating at all (look at 308s and 328s for histroical perspective).

For me - the choice is obvious - go for the Ferrari. I actually faced a similar chois=ce recently - I wanted to buy a used 360 coupe but I checked out a new Cayman S, just to see what the competition offered. No contest - I bought the 360.

 

Having owned two Boxsters, one an S, it is an interesting comparison. Not realistic, at least for me, as I agree with some of the comments above, that there is so much more than dollars and sense and even handling in comparing the cars. But, just reading the article is informative.

The real problem I have is how can you believe anything the author has to say, if he cannot even spell Boxster correctly?

Rob

 

Its an interesting comparison as it is something I did look at. My last four cars were Porsche's, including 2 Boxsters and 2 911's. Personally, if the Boxster Spyder had 400 hp and a few other "GT3-esque" tweaks, the outcome may have been different, but I am buying the 360. Oh, and Porsche maintenance including repairs even when under warranty are not that cheap.

 

+ I would like to see GT3RS vs F430 comparison!

 

The boxter used to live in my garage, the I got my 360. Now the Boxster lives outside. No comparison. Not even close.

That being said.. the Boxster does dance around corners. A nice DD, but nothing more.

 

+1

 

Owning a Boxster S I must agree with the article. The 360 Spider is a supercar.