[pneumodoc]

Sorry to drudge up and old-ish thread but this community always has thoughtful insights.

I’m contemplating the following:
-Z4 m40 for somewhere in the 50-54k range (some options with <30k miles)
Z4 30i for somewhere in the 40-43 range
718 boxster (mostly base, somewhere in 50-56k range)

I already have an X3 (wife’s car) and a g20 3 series for myself and this would be a fun car. I’m contemplating whether better to wait until electric boxster comes out to see what happens with the market. Truth is I can afford any of these, but I’m still early in my career and trying to be mindful.

[mjposner]

Pnemodoc, I was in the same dilemma, wanted a small sports car, had a 50k+/- budget and had narrowed it down to the Z4 and Boxster. The Miata was too small. Test drove the 718 and the 30i locally. I love the Boxster, best driving car, but the interior felt cheap and very dated (the same as my 2012 911), and the few I saw have very few options and a 7" nav.

The 30i has a great interior, but just felt a bit slow (good early grunt but runs out of steam very quickly).

Also, prices (in February 2023) for the 30 were $48-52k locally, and I could get a m40 for 52k that was CPO just by driving 140 miles made my decision easier.

Here is my ranking

Style M40i
Interior M40i
Tech M40i
Transmission Boxster
engine tie (Boxster S)
handling Boxster
ergonomics M40i
storage M40i

[Bimmerfun82]

Was thinking about this yesterday because a GTS4.0 POV video popped up in my youtube feed. It's cool to watch someone row through the gears of that car and hear the NA engine rev to 8k... although it doesn't sound as good as my e93 M3 did with that 4.0 V8 at 8300 rpm... anyway, the thoughts you all wrote out are great. Here's why I'm happier in my Z4, this echoes a bit but here you go - and I wanted to buy new:

1) free maintenance (for a while anyway)
2) no wait (Porsche quoted me 2 years)
3) $30k less (my Z4 was loaded, even frozen paint) than an S and $40k less than a GTS - my porsche dealer charged $8k for PPF mandatory basically an ADM - value retention might offset some of that, but still way more cash. If you buy preowned, obviously that changes all the math.
4) honestly, the look of the 718, inside and out, is relatively bland. the Z4 is a stunner. I get compliments everywhere I go - literally. the frozen grey take the car's look to the next level. I was considering chalk or Arctic grey on the porsche - saw them both in person, one was on a GT4RS... cool colors but not as elegant and sharp as the frozen grey, imho.
5) ride quality - Z4 is sublime over long distances

On my mountain drive over the weekend, I saw at least 4 caymans or boxsters - all base models - and their sound is blah, look is blah, and I just can't imagine the sharper feedback/driving quality over many miles can possibly offset all the advantages in my Z4. I remember the driving experience of the cayman S flat 6 as being very small, having to stay on top of the car at all times, and loud.

[23109VC]

I am resurrecting my own old thread…

Took my M550 in for air conditioner service and the dealer gave me another Z4 as a loaner… this time an Sdrive 4 cylinder. Brand new. It is a very stripped model. The little 4 cylinder actually has some pep to it, and in spot + mode even has some nice burbles and pops that make it feel “sporty” but the lack of power is obvious.

I took the car out on some twisty roads and immediatley noticed the handling of this base model was not even close to the M40 i had a year or so ago. The car feels much more disconnected the floaty. It is a lot of fun to drive, but I would say it’s more of a cruiser and not nearly as performance oriented. That is to be expected as it is not the M performance model.

I woudl give a big thumbs up to this car, however, if you just want a fun sporty convertible to drive around. for a loaner car is a blast and I will enjoy it while I have it.

I have to say - if I was to get a roadster, I think I would opt for a Z4 M40 over a boxster. I did get a chance to test drive a Boxster GTS not long after I had the M40. The boxster was beautiful, but honestly, the 4cyl engine did not do it for me. It is powerful, but does not really feel any faster than the Z4.

Maybe at the limits the boxster is a better handling car, for for regular city driving and “fun” top down driving the Z4 is such a better value.

For fun, I was looking at prices of used M40s vs used 718 S models. Wow. You can score a super low mileage Z4 for about $50-60k with tons of options. A 718 S will easily put you at 75-80k. A pretty big price delta adn that woudl be for a slightly older car with no warranty.

Z4 would be my choice. I have to see if I could just keep my m550 and pickup a used Z4 as a toy….

I also think the z4 looks better. I think the front end of the Z4 has some aspects that I find less attractive then the front end of the boxster, but from every other angle the Z4 looks meaner and more aggressive. And the Z4 M40’s motor sounds sooooo much better. The sound is half the fun. We gotta enjoy the ICE before we are all in EV’s someday….

[DM6]

Boxster is ugly as hell. Just my $.02. That's enough for me to stay away. I don't care if it pulls 2 g's on the skidpad and eats curves like a fat kid eats cake.

Boxster drivers give ME the thumbs up. Every time.

[Balr14]

I looked at a used Boxster 4.0 before buying my M40i. The prices are insane! No thanks.

[23109VC]

There is a definite premium for a Porsche. In some situations, it’s worth the premium and others it’s not. I know - I have one

Barl14 - what prices did you see for used GTS 4.0? I’m seeing about $100k. Maybe a few in the high 90’s. New is low 100’s and up!! Did u go new or used for your Z4?

The 718 GTS 4.0 would be a blast but I can’t bring myself to pay $100k for a toy car.

And as said - a 2020+ 718 with the 4 cylinder engine is going to be a $25-35k premium over a similar used 718.

Given how fun tue M40 is - I can’t say a Boxster is worth the delta. If I get more serious about a third car I will do another back to back test drive .

[Balr14]

Originally Posted by 23109VC

There is a definite premium for a Porsche. In some situations, it’s worth the premium and others it’s not. I know - I have one

Barl14 - what prices did you see for used GTS 4.0? I’m seeing about $100k. Maybe a few in the high 90’s. New is low 100’s and up!! Did u go new or used for your Z4?

All the prices I saw were well over $100k for low mileage GTS or Spyder 4.0, well above my limit of $75k. I just could not bring myself to consider a 4 cylinder model. I found a very low mileage, end of model year, 2020 Z4 with a CPO that runs through 2025. It was everything I wanted at a very good price.

I am 80 years old and I don't drive much anymore, maybe 2500 miles a year. So, this Z4 just made good economic sense. We are down to this car and my wife's SUV. I miss the cars I sold, but it has made life a lot more simple.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Having owned both I consider the 718 Boxster-S a true sports car. The Z4 M40i again to be is more a true GT car.

As for performance for human non professional drivers on the back roads the Z4 will run with most of the Boxster group outside of the truly insanely priced versions.

So one is somewhat spartan & less comfortable on longer trips while the other has all the creature comforts & can be driven for hours with no breaks except for gas.

Am 81 wife is 80 today & she has no trouble making a 2:30 to 3:00 hour run with no breaks in the Z4. Not so much on the same run when we had the 718.

[StanDiego]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

Am 81 wife is 80 today & she has no trouble making a 2:30 to 3:00 hour run with no breaks in the Z4. Not so much on the same run when we had the 718.

Happy birthday to the wife!

[GerryC]

Originally Posted by Balr14

I looked at a used Boxster 4.0 before buying my M40i. The prices are insane! No thanks.

Ignoring the price, I don't fit in the thing. Just not enough headroom. Even with the top down, the sight line through the windshield just doesn't work.

The Z4 fit is downright luxurious by comparison.

[23109VC]

You guys rock! 80/81 and driving a two seater sports car! I hope when I am 80
I can still get in and out if one - too bad by then it will all be EV…. I’m about 30 years behind you…

I’m just old enough to notice getting in and out if the Z4 is quite a bit harder than my 5 series! 😜

Keep driving with the top down!

[Balr14]

Originally Posted by 23109VC

You guys rock! 80/81 and driving a two seater sports car! I hope when I am 80
I can still get in and out if one - too bad by then it will all be EV…. I’m about 30 years behind you…

I’m just old enough to notice getting in and out if the Z4 is quite a bit harder than my 5 series! 😜

Keep driving with the top down!

I have been getting in and out of the driver seat of low sports cars for so long, it isn't any effort at all. But, getting in and out of the passenger seat is another matter.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by Balr14

I have been getting in and out of the driver seat of low sports cars for so long, it isn't any effort at all. But, getting in and out of the passenger seat is another matter.

It is funny that you said this because I don't have any issue getting out of the driver's seat on my Z4 but the few times I was in the passenger seat I felt it took more of an effort.

[StanDiego]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

It is funny that you said this because I don't have any issue getting out of the driver's seat on my Z4 but the few times I was in the passenger seat I felt it took more of an effort.

Muscle memory.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by StanDiego

Muscle memory.

I have memories?

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Very easy to get into with the top up. I just back into the seat, put my head down & turn right to face front.

Top down just step into the car & sit.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

Very easy to get into with the top up. I just back into the seat, put my head down & turn right to face front.

Top down just step into the car & sit.

I have never had an issue getting into the passenger side, it’s just getting out of the car on that side that I always have a problem with. StanDiego might be correct about muscle memory.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by 23109VC

You guys rock! 80/81 and driving a two seater sports car! I hope when I am 80
I can still get in and out if one - too bad by then it will all be EV…. I’m about 30 years behind you…

I’m just old enough to notice getting in and out if the Z4 is quite a bit harder than my 5 series! ��

Keep driving with the top down!

We are both fortunate to be in better condition than many of our contemporaries. Late every summer we have as much of our family as can get together at the beach.

Normally we do at least one interesting thing. Last summer we closed the year with a visit to the local Swamp Park which is an alligator preserve that has a 10 station 1.25 mile zip line course. This summer it will be go-cart racing.

Takes about 2.5 hours to run it. Hardest thing for me was climbing up the 110ft towers.

Fastest run is a steep drop that can hit 60mph.

Designated victim - Just showing off trotting across no hands - Checked to see if bridge was safe & no one would be alligator lunch. Family laughing in the background.



Misjudged how much the bridge would sag (I am 205lbs) and had to use the ropes to pull myself up to the platform. So much for hold my beer.


Fast run tower - steep decline can hit 60mph.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

I have never had an issue getting into the passenger side, it’s just getting out of the car on that side that I always have a problem with. StanDiego might be correct about muscle memory.

If the #2 seat position is not being used set it for full back. Makes for more room.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

If the #2 seat position is not being used set it for full back. Makes for more room.

It is already set for all the way back. 😢

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by GerryC

“Ignoring the price, I don't fit in the thing. Just not enough headroom. Even with the top down, the sight line through the windshield just doesn't work… “

I’m not sure exactly what you mean

The boxster has a much better view of the road vs the Z4

The z4 has a long hood that is impossible to truly see over

It’s not horrible but it nothing close to the 718 Boxster’s perfectly sculpted hood-line