opua

I work as an analyst. And it seemed I analyzed everything to death. Anyway, I am looking at C5 2000-2002 model years and Porsche Boxster S 2001-2002, both with around 40,000-50,000 miles. Both of these cars appear to have the same price these days. How much do you spend to maintain the C5 annual? If anyone owns the Boxster S 3.2L, please chum in.

TJB-VETTE

Since the porsche boxster is a mid engine car it is not going to be cheap to work on! I like being able to open the hood and see my car's engine. Just my .02 cents!

f355bird

I would say the corvette there really is no maintenance on it just oil changes and filters. There is nothing to change like a timing belt since it is a chain. The spark plugs are platinum so they are rated for 100K. Plus everything you need for the car is pretty easy to find and not as outrageous as a German car. Also the average guy can work on the car the Porsche has everything shoe horned in there.

ajg1915

I can tell ya without a doubt the Porsche will break your pocket book.

The parts cost a fortune and so does the labor. I have Audi A6 2.7 TT and every time I need a part from the dealer I just cringe.

Unless you turn your own wrench, either one of these cars can break the bank.

waunavet

Everything is times two with the German. There are many more good wrenchers and parts suppliers around for the C5. That should be proof enough.

sneakelman

I know a student of mine paid $2600 bucks for a stock clutch job!

quantum

I agree, my wife also drives an A6 2.7t.

The dealer (a Porsche/Audi dealer) wanted $1200.00 just to do a brake job. The timing belt and water pump will be about $2000.00.

The stock front pads and rotors cost $350.00 just for the parts. I shopped around for aftermarket parts, and your only other choice is parts made in China

But there is nothing like the sound and feel of the Boxster S, it is a fantastic car.

I test drove a few but could not find a 1-2 year old low mileage car, so I ended up buying the Corvette and have been very happy ever since.

IMXCITD

Vetteman Jack

Very good analysis. The C5 has a very low maintenance cost for the periodic stuff.

ajg1915

Thank goodness I got a lift. I just did all of the brakes, rotors and had to replace the two front tires as one of the sidewalls had a defect. Ended up costing me $925 with me doing the work. The brakes are pain in the as% to change as they have electrical sensor and you have to pull off the entire caliper no quick release pin bolts.

ajg1915

Until your clutch or tranny goes. Electrical problems aren't cheap either.

427435

Take a few parts, say a clutch, brake pads, brake rotor, and plug wires. Check the prices for them at your friendly Por$che dealer (he should be for the prices he gets) and then a Chevy dealer. Maybe also ask the dealers for their flat rate times for a clutch or brake job and their hourly rates.

Then check NAPA for the parts (see if they even have Porsche parts) and maybe an internet parts site or two.

Draw your own conclusions.

opua

Wow, that one hell of a costly brake job on the Audi.

ajg1915

Because it's biotch to do, trust me, I just got done doing it. Parts about $725.

TomBoy

I owned a new 2000 Boxster S 3.2 prior to buying my current 2004 Corvette. I had it for about 2 1/2 years. This was the only car I have leased. It was a great little car and I really had no problems with it. It had regular servicing and cost wise, I remember took more oil than my Corvette does. Could not really enjoy the engine to look at. Being mid engine, it had a cover over it not easily accesible. I do remember the Porches had a major scheduled maintance at some particular milage that was quite expensive. I never reached that point. You might talk to the Porsche service dept. on the scheduled maintances to maintain your warranty if any.
One thing I might mention, is really drive both the cars you are looking at. The Porsche requires a high rpm to shift and it is a 6 cylinder. It sounds and runs different from the Vette being a V8. I found the Vette is very forgiving in lower gears and will chug along without stalling. The Porsche, will not do that. Everything you add on a Porsche car is a extra and priced right down to the logos on the seats or wheels. They are very expensive when buying new. Used might be a better all around deal.

Laurie

DeeGee

Even over here in England the Boxster would be way more expensive to run than the vette

The scheduled maintenance costs an arm and a leg

striper

Maintenance wise, my car has not cost me a nickle more than just oil changes, which I probably do more frequently than the factory recommendations. I now have 56k miles on my '03 Z06. Now if you include mod dollars, then that's another story all together. Yet with all the mods I've done, repairs have been around zero.

OhioC5

Well this is right down my alley since I went from Porsche to C-5. The Boxster has a dreaded RMS issue thats probably the biggest concern. Next would be MAF, O2 sensors and the ignition switch. I didnt have an RMS failure but it was always in the back of my mind. Im pretty handy with a wrench so repairs were not that big of a deal for me. I did a nice supercharger install write up for my Boxster on another forum. I think the cheaper maintenance will be on the C-5. I base this on owning other LS model GM's. I have an extra ignition switch in my garage when you need it, just PM me.
I just touched on the common problem areas and if you are serious I will get you links to all you want to know about the 986. For the record, I loved my Boxster it just didnt have enough umph, even with the SC kit. GO check out 986forum.com there is some great info on there. Under performance section you can see my install, its stickied.
Both are great cars, good luck!

As stated above, Boxster holds almost 10 qts. of synthetic oil and the filter is around 20 bucks.

I had to edit, if you plan on using a dealer for Porsche service, get ready to shovel out the dead presidents. This was never a problem for me because I do just about everything myself.

ZO6 Lee

I had several Porsches before I bought Vettes. The maintenance is pretty much a direct result of how you use the car. Taking it in for dealer servicing is probably NOT the way to go for either car ... find a good independant shop and establish a relationship with them.

All that being said I will suggest in looking at the two cars you consider the interior size. I'm 6'-2" and the boxster always felt small. I could get in and out, no problem but it felt small. The ZO6, and for that matter the C6 feel bigger - especially when there's someone with you.

Good luck.

fortunate dad

my own personel thought is you cant count the cost of MODS on to the cost to keep a vette up because those are cost you added not the cost to keep it up.