Poll Help me pick my next car!

[freedom]

Hi Fellow German Car Lovers!

I need your help to decide between two awesome german cars as my next daily driver. They are both VERY different cars and I love them both for different reasons but am having a hard time deciding between them.

I will need to replace my old BMW 740i soon which has over 275k+ miles. I've owned BMW for 20 years and want to try another german car. I've got it boiled down to two very different cars.

I'm looking for a car to drive to and from work which will be about 2 hours round trip and combination of country roads and some local interstate. I'm looking for a fun car to drive that has reasonable maintenance costs, reliable and reasonable gas mileage. Most of all, I'm looking for a fun car to drive. Here my two choices and why:

1. Audi S5 Cabriolet - AWD, Back seat, Convertible, Good performance, fun to drive and cool sound.
2. Porsche Boxster S - Decent gas milage, reasonable maintenance cost, reliable, most of all fun to drive! The closest thing to the feeling of riding a motorcycle in a car. Sense of freedom.

Vote! And let me know which one you would choose and leave a comment as to why.

Thanks!

 

[A.P.]

Even though S5 is more practical, I would go for the Boxster S for the "fun to drive" factor.

 

[Centurion]

I'm surprised you find the S5 fun to drive as some find it numb. However, coming from a old 740i I'm sure you enjoyed the smaller size and agility.

Have you researched servicing, tyre and brake costs for the Porsche.

 

[freedom]

I'm surprised you find the S5 fun to drive as some find it numb. However, coming from a old 740i I'm sure you enjoyed the smaller size and agility.

Have you researched servicing, tyre and brake costs for the Porsche.

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I've looked into the maintenance for the Boxster and have spoken in length with my mechanic who has services many of them over the years.

Am I to infer that you are not voting for the S5? Between the two are you casting your vote for the Boxster or do you have a third suggestion? Thanks

 

[hovabongZA]

Easy choice Boxter unless you absolutely need to have AWD tor poor weather.

 

[Centurion]

Easy choice Boxter unless you absolutely need to have AWD tor poor weather.

.....or any practicality what so ever.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

how much of a must is a back seat? And considering you've included a Boxster, then you probably live in an area where AWD is needed?

My vote is the Boxster. Now are you looking at a used 981 or the new 718's?

 

[trader1]

Just one thing consider the 4 cyl turbo vaccum cleaner engine in the 718 vs the old nat asp one. I would go lightly used if I were you. Best of luck.

 

[Centurion]

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I've looked into the maintenance for the Boxster and have spoken in length with my mechanic who has services many of them over the years.

Am I to infer that you are not voting for the S5? Between the two are you casting your vote for the Boxster or do you have a third suggestion? Thanks

If you are at a stage in life that allows you to own a two seater without financial or practical considerations then go for! You only live once.

 

[freedom]

If you are at a stage in life that allows you to own a two seater without financial or practical considerations then go for! You only live once.

There are always practical and financial considerations unless you're independently wealthy which I'm not. If I got the Boxster, I would probably keep my used 2001 BMW 740i for the "practical" car when I need to haul more than one person or anything larger than a brief case.

My wife and I went out tonight and drove a 2016 S5 and I really, really liked it. Not a "true" sports car, but more of cruiser sports sedan but very, very comfortable and adequate torque when you need it. Although I liked the Audi a lot, there is no thrill like the Boxster with the top down on a twisty road. I really need both but can only afford one (assuming I keep my 740i).

 

[freedom]

Just one thing consider the 4 cyl turbo vaccum cleaner engine in the 718 vs the old nat asp one. I would go lightly used if I were you. Best of luck.

Sorry, I'm not very literate when it comes to technical car talk. I have no idea what you just said. Can you clarify? Thanks!

 

[freedom]

how much of a must is a back seat? And considering you've included a Boxster, then you probably live in an area where AWD is needed?

My vote is the Boxster. Now are you looking at a used 981 or the new 718's?

I'm considering a very clean 2008 Boxster S that I found. I am a bit concerned about the IMS bearing issue but I've been told they are rare with this year and after a certain number of miles on the car. I was also told you can install an IMS detection device that monitors for any hint of metal flakes and turns on a warning light. If this is true, you could detect any warning prior to the IMS failure. Then I read that the IMS is not serviceable for the 2008 model and totally removed in 2009. Sure is a lot to learn when considering a Porsche! I'm still trying to sort it out. If the IMS failure is a real concern, I'm not much of a gambler and not sure I'm willing to gamble $20k that it won't happen. There seems to be a lot of discussion on the internet on this topic and a lot of what seems mis-information and confusion. Can anyone help clarify this for me? A local Porsche detail pointed me to a write-up on this topic here: https://www.oregonpca.org/resources/ims-bearing-the-full-story/

 

[trader1]

Sorry, I'm not very literate when it comes to technical car talk. I have no idea what you just said. Can you clarify? Thanks!

Sorry a little unclear , I just meant that I and many prefer the characteristics of a naturally aspirated engine such as the one found on the model prior to the 718. For me engine sound is very important and in that department I find the new one lacking. That’s why I suggested a pre owned 981. All personal preference of course. Im just against paying 718s money for a 4cyl. Anyway I Wish you luck.