2003 Porsche Boxster

2003 Porsche Boxster questions and answers

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Q: 2003 boxster radio does not work after battery was dead and replaced?
After a dead battery, a jump, and finally a battery replacement, my 2003 Porsche Boxster radio worked intermittently, now it just says "Porsche" across display and does not work. Any ideas? None of the radio buttons work, there is no response from them. I did take this to a local dealer and their initial review was in-conclusive. They want me to pay them to troubleshoot further. They told me either the amp or radio is broken, but they do not know which????

A: check the radio fuse .. it most likely blew due to the powerd drain

Q: Advice from Porsche Boxster owners: 2003 vs. 2005?
I test-drove the 2003 Porsche Boxster for the first time today and I am very impressed. I saw a 2005 Boxster at the same dealership, and it costs about $10,000 more than the 2003. A friend who has a Honda S2000 keeps telling me how expensive maintenance is for German cars. The salesperson told me I'd probably only need to service the car once a year and it would be about $350, barring major problems, of course. I need some advice from Boxster owners, please. Thanks. Everyone seems to be especially keen on the S model. I read about it so I generally understand the concept, but why is it so much more desirable? I drove the non-S model and loved it. Of course, it was my first time to drive a Boxster. I test drove the S2000 on a busy interstate exchange in the rain and do not wish to repeat the experience. Poor visibility, for one thing.

A: the Boxster S is a great car and especially the current generation models are very reliable and don't loose much of there value instantaneously and I'd prefer you to go with the S model as they are what you'd call a Porsche where as the Boxster is IMO useless. and your friend is right about Porsche being very expensive to maintain but I can tell you this that my 997 911 Cerrera S has been with me for almost 4 months now and its got about 14,000 miles on it and its working superb (I drive it at least 15 hours a week) and Porsche nowadays have become much more sophisticated and relaible and its the same case with my Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, its been with me for almost 3 years and 60,000 miles now and its still working like now mind you I'd advice that never miss a service date. and as for the S2000, its a truly amazing car but automatic transmission ruins almost all of the fun of that car, if you ever want to buy an S2000 stick shift is the way to go, where as the Boxster S with a Tiptronic S tranny is as good as a Boxster S with stick shift infact nowadays Tiptronic S Porsche's are faster in a straight line compared to normal manual tranny Porsche and I've experienced it my self as my Carrera S is a standard manual which I raced a 1/4 mile against a Carrera S with tiptronic and I lost by a feet or so but never the less you win by an inch or a mile, winning is winning. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- well the standard Boxster is slow compared to the S model, meaning the Power to Weight ratio is lower meaning a whole 0.9 second slower to 60 then the S model and at the top end it is about 10 mph slower then the S models, there are certain options that are not avaiable for the standard Boxster that are available for the S and I've heard that you get a discount on the Porsche Club entry fee wen you buy the S model. and the S2000 with a manual tranny is a pure drivers car i mean you bring that car to the Roads of Europe and it'll show its real self and what its made of and when shifting at 9000 rpm its a whole different experience, and in simple word for a Driver and Car Enthusiast like me it'll (with manual) do the same work as the Porsche but for a lot less $$$. but then again Porsche is a world class brand known to people for its quality and performance where as the S2000 is Honda after all.

Q: Porsche owners please! I'm a first time owner of a 2003 Porsche boxster S and i need your honest opinion !!!
It has 42k miles on it & it's in excellent condition. I just bought it last week & i'm starting to enjoy it, BUT i want to know what to expect later on when it has higher mileage,in the 60s , 70s or more. Does they performe as good with high mileage or should i expect trouble after certain mileage ??? Was it a wise decision that i bought a Porsche & went against my friends advice who recommended a Japanez car ?

A: over time the typical Porsche owner spends much more in service and repair than any Japanese car owner how ever most Porsche owners still have the same car[s] 20 yrs later. water pumps are a real pain on boxster's look at 4 yrs and 80 k miles for this to show up [some last longer than others] remember you have to love the car if you don't or can't, trade it for a road going appliance.

Q: I'm buying a 2003 Porsche Boxster s but i was wondering what the euro ncap saftey rating for it was?


A: Porsche have never submitted their cars to the Euro ncap crash test. I wonder why not?

Q: Please give me advice! Soon i will buy a 2003 Porsche Boxster S with 41k miles on it & in excellent condition.
How to start taking care of it & how to keep doing what's best for it to stay reliable & run smooth for tens of thousand of miles more.

A: Find your mechanic BEFORE you buy the car. You do not have to use the dealer. In most major cities there are well qualified independent mechanics to service your Porsche. Many are factory trained, and just got tired of working for the dealer and started their own business. When you find your mechanic, have him do an inspection on the car BEFORE you buy it. The dealer cannot be relied on for an inspection if he is the one you are buying the car from. The independent mechanic will be able to tell you what you are in for in the way of maintenance. Most will follow the factory guidelines from the owner's manual.

Q: Tips pleaseee! What should i expect from my 2003 Porsche Boxster S at 50K miles, 60K ..etc?
I mean what problems i might run into at these mileages. Now it has 41K miles. Oh one more thing, what would be the best warranty for it to take ???

A: awesome that you picked a boxster S vs a normal one. if you can, get an extended drivetrain warrenty through maybe 100k. You really dont want to have to pay for something like an engine or tranny. I wouldnt keep the car past 100k though. The repair to vehicle value ratio just wont be worth it. and at 41k it should be very reliable for you. just do the recommended service, and get it done at a good porsche mechanic (theyre luckily easy to find because bad mechanics get weeded out of this class of car pretty fast). I suggest contacting your local porsche club of america and asking them where a good place to get service done is. Dealers LOVE to gouge with prices, especially porsche dealers. with regular maitenance, you shouldnt really run into any big issues. maybe small stuff every once in a while, but the drivetrain is really pretty bulletproof. and also, if you really want to enjoy the car, do one of the local PCA drivers ed events. Theyre a total blast, and really not that expensive. Youll also really learn what your car can do (which is 100x more than you think!) Itll be the best ~300 bucks youll ever spend.

Q: Going from a 2003 Porsche Boxster to a 2006 Lotus Elise. Would you? Or would you stick with the Boxster?
It would be my only car and I commute about 20 miles each way to work everyday, in Dallas.

A: YOU HAVE A TOYOTA MOTOR IN THE LOTUS AND IS A GREAT CAR BUT NOT REALLY APPROPRIATE FOR ONE RIDE HOUSE. THE BOXSTER IS MORE LIVABLE FOR A EVERYDAY CAR. I PERSONALLY COULDN'T LIVE EVERYDAY WITH EITHER ONE. TRY BUYING SOMETHING MORE USABLE AND MAKE THE LOTUS A SECOND CAR. CHECK TO MAKE SURE YOU CHECK WITH INSURANCE YOU MAY FIND THE INSURANCE HIGH ON THE LOTUS. DO A LIST OF PROS AND CONS ON BOTH CARS.

Q: If u have to make a choice between a new Mazda Miata MX-5 & a used 2003 Porsche Boxster S 41k miles,?
full options, Navigation & in an excelent condition. Which would u choose & why ??? EVERYONE here gave ma a great answer ! I don't know which one to pick 4 10 points. I hope the rest understand, if i pick one. Thank you all !!!

A: By far the Porsche Boxter S 41K, the Mazda Miata MX-5 is not a top of the line in anything. The acceleration, ride, and comfort is more in the Boxter. Maintenance is another thing. But it will be a good car for the next 59K.

Q: Is A Porsche Boxster an upgrade over a corvette?
Thinking of trading my 98 corvette for a 2003 Porsche Boxster,anyone have an experience owning a boxster.Are they reliable expensive to repair.Are they a fun car to own.

A: This will depend somewhat on just which version of the '03 Boxster you are looking at (the basic version or the "S"), and what you are looking for. Looking at a broad spectrum there are some items that will be an upgrade, some that will be similar, and others where your current wheels will exceed the Porsche. While the Boxster S will be a better match up in terms of power against the Corvette, bottom line, none of the Boxsters are going to match up against the small block Chevy. In terms of handling, the 'Vette's very wide rubber will give it some great grip, but the Boxster will more than make up for this with it's balance and chasis. The Boxster gets a mild edge in braking as well. And while the build quality on the Boxster may not be as high as some earlier Porsche, it is going to be better than the Corvette (though the Corvette definitely is better than cars produced outside the Corvette plant by GM). The Boxster is a fun car to drive. It handles great and is a good overall package. Compared to the 'Vette it may feel underpowered though, and if you are tracking the car, you will need to pay alot of attention to maintaining your momentum (though the Boxster's balance makes this easier than in many other cars). Porsches in general tend to be very reliable, but if you have a problem parts and labor can get expensive. One of the reasons they are reliable is the use of premium components - which equates to higher costs when something does go wrong. Cost of ownership would probably be in the same range as the Corvette. Many years being less, but on occassion being a bit more.

Q: Anyone know how to hook an iPod up to a 2003 or newer Porsche Boxster's stereo system?


A: you need a IPOD Interface cable... these cables are vehicle specific any good car stereo shop can install this item look for them on the web or ask your local shop here it is on the web check it out fits 1948 - 2005 Porsche I have installed about 25 and no complaints period .... http://www.cardomain.com/item/PACAUXPOD

Q: Are there any negatives about the engine of the Porsche Boxster S from the 2003 & up models?


A: for being the "poor mans porsche" they sure as hell perform well. dont let that mantra get on your nerves. Thats just idiots saying crap having never driven one. Id like to see one of these chumps get in ANYTHING (high end ferrari, lamborghini, porsche, anything) and try to catch an experienced racer in a boxster. and the engine is pretty bulletproof. Its based on the 911 block that theyve been using FOREVER, just in watercooled format (which by 03 theyd had quite a few years (8 i think) to refine, not to mention porsche is awesome about working out their kinks, which are rare in the first place, FAST!). I believe they use a G50 variant transmission, which is essentially the best tranny ever built. Literally. porsches are well reknowned for being able to take pretty much any kind of abuse you can throw at them. Thats why theyre so unstoppable in endurance races. Hell, even my GT2, which has close to 500 hp is still more than realiable enough to be driven every single day. Half the time when i get off the track the brakes arent even warm yet because its so well designed to take a beating. Never has the temp gauge EVER moved above normal, even on our 105 degree texas summer days (track temps significantly higher!) going through the rigors of the racetrack. Seriously amazing how durable they are. also, if you have more questions, i can answer them via email if you want. Phanofmuzik@gmail.com, or if you use aim, its phanofmuzik.

Q: how long will my porsche boxster last? 200,000 miles? How reliable?
I am either going to buy this years model or maybe a used 2003. How long do you think boxsters last, i.e., will they go to 150 or 200,000 miles (w/o a huge overhaul or being rebuilt or something) ? Does anyone have a boxster this old & how's it doing? are they generally pretty reliable? thank you

A: Hi, Porsche Boxsters are very reliable! As far as longevity, the Boxster engines are solid, high quality, high performance, and with proper maintenance like changing oil with new oil and filter every 3,000 miles it should last 200,000 miles plus. This is of course with normal every day driving, this will not include racing the car or driving it very hard. Always use the factory recommended Mobile One synthetic oil, and all the factory recommended maintenance intervals. As a Porsche 1998 Boxster and a 1981 911 SC owner I can honestly tell you these cars will last you a long time with some TLC... Both of my Porsches are high mileage vehicles and they are running great without any problems!! Good luck with your search! Best regards, Mike

Q: Mercedes SLK 230 vs Porsche Boxster ?
I am looking for a new car to go along with my new job. I am trying to decide between the SLK and Boxster. I already have a Dodge Caravan (For the family) and Honda Civic (For the gas mileage) but looking for a convertable for the summertime. I will be buying used somewhere between a 2000 - 2003. Anyone have any thoughts on what may be a better choice? Both run about $15,000 - $20,000 for the year and mileage I am looking for.

A: SLK if you wanna exude some class... but for a fun car, i like the boxster better.

Q: how can i find out my cars service history???
i am trying to find the service history for my car LK03BHX. its a porsche boxster 2003 model with no service records at all. l know the LK part of the reg means it came from north london (stanmore) but would like to know how to find the dealer who sold it or any other suggestions you may have. please help...........have already dropped a line to the previous keeper without responce.........what now ?????

A: You call the Porsche customer service department and give them the VIN and the will give you the maintenance records that they have as long as it was done through a dealership.

Q: Person's Height on a Porsche?
I'm currently 16 years old, 6'3 and around 200 pounds. I've been trying to buy a used Porsche Boxster/Boxster S Convertible 2000-2003. The only concern I have over this is my height, I have been in many sports cars that I have trouble with my height by my head sticking over the top.. Such as the BMW 3 series convertible, and Mercedes SLK convertible. I don't ever sit straight up when i'm driving... I usually slouch down.. But if I was to slouch would my legs be riding up on the steering wheel? Porsche really catches my interest so I was wondering if there was anyone that could help me or could post previous experiences.. Thanks

A: I have driven a 98 Boxster, which is the same as the 2000-2003 versions. I am 6 foot tall and 190 pounds and I had lots of room and sat comfortably. I have driven over 200 cars and many sportscars like the 350z, Mazda RX-8, Audi TT, Mercedes SL55 AMG, Chevy Corvette, and more. When I drove the Porsche Boxster, I knew that I would one day buy a Porsche. It was the most fun I had in a car. In the rain, it is very slippery since it is RWD and the tires were not all season tires. And the one I drove had a broken convertible top that did not open. I don't think that is a common problem, but you should make sure you close it and open it properly so it does not break.