Last week I obtained a 2000 Buick for my 16 year old to drive. One owner - stupid well mechanically maintained. Not so much for appearances - but that is coming back with modest elbow grease. It has 20 years of use, but the Buick looks dang good. The Boxster looks better in every respect and is almost as well maintained. It did get driven less.
The Buick was all but free. (Like under $1k - Thanks Dad.) I had to make a handful of repairs/maintenance but it should serve just fine. In fact, it might turn into my winter beater.
So I am going through stuff. Basically, the Buick was bought several months after the Boxster and cost slightly more than half.
It has intermittent wipers - not the Boxster.
It has home link - not the Boxster.
It has steering wheel controls for the radio - N T B.
I has power everything seats - N T B (in fairness, I like the manual seats better - but I digress)
It has automatic lights, automatic dimming mirrors (that can be turned off - unlike the BMW), heated seats, and robust floor mats - all unlike the Boxster. And no IMSB to worry about. In fact, all reports are that the 3.8L engine is pretty much bulletproof.
In many ways, other than driving dynamics, one could easily state the Buick was the better car. If you went feature by feature - it is not even close. In fact, the Boxster was not close to the feature list of my 1995 Camaro either (and that car WAS within reach (albeit longish) of the Boxster on driving dynamics).
It never ceases to amaze me how much we pay/paid for our cars. Yes, I know none of this is a new or groundbreaking revelation.
And yes, I know, it is still a Buick. But I gotta tell you, it is a nice place to be for a long haul. Comfy in the extreme. Good mileage etc. I could get used to the "land yacht" style of driving. Like a Barcalounger on wheels. It actually reminds me of my first driving experiences. Olds Cutlasses (X 3), a Buick Electra 225. I also truly enjoyed my VW Bugs (X 4) - I think I followed that path.
But I still truly enjoy driving the Boxster A LOT.
But Every task its tool, every tool its task....