The plot thickens!

[Guest]

I have been keepind a track, recently on the progress of the new Boxster. Especially since I am thinking about ordering my next car. I must admit to being a bit dissapointed by the ' conservative' nature of the changes on most of the spy photo' s on various forums, incluiding this one.
Yesterday, whilst in the OPC, the salesman mentioned that they had just recieved a limited allocation for a ' variation' of the Boxster, to be called the 550.
Suddenly everything fell into place! The recent spy photo' s are work being carried out on this car. As mentioned elswhere on the forum, this will be a run out version of the current Boxster, reletivelly lightly modified to more closely resemble the origional concept. Shark nose, oval headlights and defined side intakes. Ties in well with the disguised areas.
A rather cynical but probhably true, ' less car for more money' comment could also apply. It would make sense for it to be a paired down club sport sort of thing, with minimalist interior etc.
The good news however could be that the new car under development will be more like the small Carrera GT type photo' s an show.
What do you think?

 

[Helen Goff]

I just don' t know....im confused!

 

[daro911]

[8D]I think that Porsche are far too cute to offer much more than the standard OLD model, for more money but with less kit on and perhaps a fraction of a second shaved from the 0-100mph time.

Past run out models from Porsche have hardly been much more than a final tinkering to shift last of the old models and lets face it unless there is a serious power hike very soon Boxster sales may start to move in the wrong direction quicker than the cars

 

[NicD]

They had the 550 under a cover at Leipzig and I could not see any difference to the profile, so dont expect too much difference.

 

[Guest]

Talking to Merlin Nottingham OPC last week, they too confirmed that there was a " Boxster 550" limited edition model on their allocation list for 2004 MY. They reckon it will be based on the Boxster S, but didn' t suggest any more HP!. Having ordered a new S for Jan 2004 delivery, I am obviously concerned that if a new model comes out in 2005, it will seriously affect the trade in value of the current model. Merlin' s response to this was that the new 997 launch has apparently been delayed until 2005, and that any new Boxster will be launched after the 997 - so they' re suggesting MY2006 for the new car - I guess only Porsche Germany know the answer to that one!.
Have to admit I have been toying with the idea of buying a 2/3 year old 996 C2 rather than a new Boxster - residual value being one of the reasons!

 

[daro911]

Chris .. leaving residuals aside, don' t you think a 2/3 year old 996 although having more power than a current Boxster " S" would definitely be a lot less of a drivers drive in every other key department.

Unless one needs the rear seats I can' t quite figure the point in going that particular route other than possible less financial loss during ownership ... Regards Robert[8D]

 

[Grant]

Looking at Porsches biggest market ..America, sales appear to be well down, I personally think this means we will have early evolutions of the 911 & Boxter particularly as the Cayene isn' t selling well. If it was me l' d be looking at the second hand market at the moment, a nice S/H Boxter S perhaps, plenty to choose from ?!
The choice about " S" vs early 996 is down to personal taste, with sports suspension/exhaust the tin top 996 is the more focused drivers tool,& it has more grunt but it will have higher running costs, not least because of it' s age. The Boxter has the huge benefit of a soft top..if that floats your boat & it ain' t far behind the Carrera as a drivers car. Infact on a day like today it is unbeatable. If it was me i' d go for a second hand " S" & put the order in for a 997 C2 !!

 

[Guest]

Has anyone heard about some limited edition Porsche possibly Boxster being released as a tribute to Steve McQueen!!!!!!

 

[Guest]

Sorry for confusing you Helen. I must admit I did' nt explain things very clearly.
What I was trying to say was that I am thinking of ordering a new Boxster to replace my existing 02 model.
Although I like the car very much, I was sort of hoping that there would be some significant changes/upgrades. In fact it would be nice if it resembled the car in you' re post entitled Coupe.
I have been most dissapointed by other pictures such as the black Boxster on the race track, with very little apparent changes.
When the OPC informed me of an iminent ' variation' on a Boxster, called the 550, I reasoned that this might be a limited run out model with only minor changes and might be the black one on the race track mentioned above.
In this case, the good news is that this would be signalling the end of the current model, thus making way for a more radically shaped model resembling the one in the coupe post.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Having driven the Ruf, I can say it most definitely should do it!

I want one. But I don' t think Porsche Finance will entertain the idea...

 

[JCB..]

I don' t think Tesco Finance will either![:' (]

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Last night Michelle from Rivervale could only tell me that a further model - 550 special edition - had appeared on the allocation list from Porsche. They have not heard anything else (but if we hear anything can we let them know!)

 

[daro911]

I had a phonecall from a man who knows something but not everything. Basically he said it will be a lighter faster Boxster " S" with a few visual tweaks and unique features but the 550 is purely a run out to hopefully keep the interest going through 2004 before the all new, desperately needed USA sales wise, Boxster hits the streets for MY05 [8D] Not a lot of info really but whatever the 550 turns out to be it' s apparently just an end of model celebration and not the all new major revamp we all yearn for []

 

[Guest]

Thank you all for the help and information. The picture is becoming clearer.
I also like the current car very much, but must admit I think there' s still much potential.