New vs used Porsche 718 Boxster: what are top three differences?
Introduced around 20 years ago, die-hard Porsche fans treated the Boxster as if it was the runt of the litter. It was considered the poor man’s 911. Now though, after years of development and a new badge, the 718 is a thrilling machine and is considered to be one of the best in its segment. The used car section on our site is full of prime examples but what are the 3 main differences between new and used?
The new Porsche Boxster 718
The latest model features the brand's new design language which includes a refined front end. It is low which means it cuts through the air like a hot knife through butter. The headlights feature four LED Day-Time Running lights which give the car that distinct Porsche look.
The cabin features two sports seats and a racecar-like driving position. The quality throughout the interior is considered to be of the best, as is the technology which comes in the form of an Apple CarPlay compatible infotainment screen. Unfortunately, the current Porsche infotainment system does not support Andriod Auto however there are USB ports as well as Bluetooth connectivity options available. The Boxster also makes use of a partially digital instrument cluster and a host of other safety and luxury features while maintaining a focus on its sports car DNA.
The engine is mid-mounted which means that it is not quite at the back like in the bigger 911 model. It is mounted just behind the passenger compartment. This placement means that the car offers near-perfect weight distribution which improves handling. The engine in question on the standard model is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder flat unit with turbocharging. This motor develops 220kW of power, will reach 100km/h in less than 5 seconds and do well over the legal speed limit.
The rear of the car features a sporty bumper with centre mounted tailpipes, LED rear lights and a styling bar. The latest Porsche Boxster makes use of an electronically controlled rear wing which rises when you go over a specific speed. This helps in creating down-force for added levels of grip.
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What about Used?
Buying used has its advantages such as variety and money-saving. That said though it also has some negatives points which I will elaborate on below.
Maintenance Plan and Warranty
One of the advantages of buying a new car, especially a high-performance German sports car is that it comes with a full maintenance plan and warranty. With regards to the 718 models listed our site, the highest kilometre reading on one model is around 30 000km which is not that much at all. The cars that have been listed on our site still retain a large portion of their maintenance plan, which in Porsche's case is an impressive 3 year/100 000km. It will be to your advantage to consider the year of the vehicle as although the kilometres may be low and far from 100 000km, the vehicles age might mean a near cancellation of the plan.
Options
The second difference, in favour of a used Porsche 718 Boxster is the fact that the cars listed on the used market feature optional extras which were selected by the previous owners of which they had to pay for. This means that you can find a well-optioned car with a host of features such as interior colour combinations; some cars even have different colour rev counters. Some have different wheels compared to the standard model. To give you an example, not one of the 10 listed Porsche 718 Boxster models on AutoTrader are the same. This means that you can get a well-optioned car for less than a standard model on the used floor.
Price
It is all about the money and one can find a good deal on the used market. The recommended retail price of a Porsche Boxster 718 is R1 044 000 without a single option, and Porsche love to sell you a blank slate and then offer just about everything as an optional extra. Some of those listed online at around the same price as a new one have been optioned out by their previous owners. One such listing to use as an example can be found at Porsche Centre Johannesburg. The vehicle has a host of extras, under 10 000km and a list price of just R995 000.
Verdict
The Porsche 718 Boxster is a really impressive sports car. It offers class-leading performance, German-built precision and a badge that has defined the automotive world. Be it new or used the car will thrill you every time that you get behind the wheel
. Browse Porsche 718 Boxster listings here.
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