Updated 24 July 2026 · By Old Bangers Editorial
Short answer: The Mazda MX-5 and Porsche Boxster are both rear-drive roadsters, but the Boxster is a step up in every sense: a mid-engined flat-six Porsche with more power, more prestige and higher running costs. The MX-5 is the cheapest, most reliable, easiest sports car to own. On Old Bangers today the median asking price is about £3,750 for an MX-5 versus £9,000 for a Boxster — and the Boxster costs meaningfully more to run. Buy the MX-5 for low-cost, dependable fun; buy the Boxster for a genuine flat-six Porsche experience, provided you budget for it and check the engine carefully.
This is the classic “should I stretch to a Porsche?” question. Both are two-seat roadsters, both are rear-wheel drive, but they sit a clear tier apart on price, performance and cost of ownership. Here’s how they compare, with live UK prices from our own database.
MX-5 vs Boxster at a glance
| Mazda MX-5 | Porsche Boxster | |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | Front-engined, RWD | Mid-engined, RWD |
| Engine | 1.6–2.0 four-cylinder | 2.5–3.4 flat-six |
| Power | 90–160 PS | ~204–320 PS (by generation) |
| Character | Light, forgiving, everyday | Fast, balanced, premium |
| Running costs | Very low | Higher (Porsche servicing) |
| Median asking (live) | £3,750 | £9,000 |
| Live price range | £499 – £14,700 | £3,500 – £35,000 |
Live UK market — 24 July 2026
Mazda MX-5: 39 live listings, median asking £3,750 (range £499–£14,700)
Porsche Boxster: 19 live listings, median asking £9,000 (range £3,500–£35,000)
Live asking-price medians from Old Bangers listings on the date shown, duplicates removed. The Boxster sample spans the 986, 987 and later generations, so the range is wide; the earliest 986 cars overlap on price with the best MX-5s.
The headline is that a good early Boxster (986) now starts from similar money to a really nice MX-5 — our cheapest live Boxsters sit around £3,500. That’s what makes this comparison so tempting: for not much more than an MX-5, you could have a flat-six Porsche. The catch is what comes after purchase.
The Boxster is more car — and more cost
The Boxster’s mid-mounted flat-six gives it a pace and a soundtrack the four-cylinder MX-5 can’t match, plus the near-perfect balance that comes from putting the engine in the middle. It feels and sounds like a proper Porsche because it is one. But it asks for Porsche money to maintain: servicing, tyres, brakes and consumables all cost more, and specialist labour isn’t cheap.
Crucially, the early water-cooled Boxsters (986, and 987.1) share the same M96 flat-six and its intermediate shaft (IMS) bearing concern as the contemporary 911. A documented IMS solution and a specialist pre-purchase inspection matter enormously on these cars — a cheap Boxster with an unknown engine history is a risk, not a bargain. We cover the detail in our Boxster 986 price guide and Boxster 986 vs 911 996 comparison.
Which one should you buy?
Buy the MX-5 if you want the most fun per pound, the lowest running costs and a car you can genuinely use every day without worrying about a big bill. It’s the sensible, brilliant choice.
Buy the Boxster if you specifically want the flat-six Porsche experience — more performance, more prestige, a special thing to own — and you have the budget to buy a good one and run it properly. Don’t buy the cheapest Boxster you can find; buy the best-documented one, ideally with the IMS addressed.
On both, condition and history beat specification. Set your budget honestly against the live figures above — and, for the Boxster, add a realistic running-cost buffer — then buy the best example you can.
See the wider market
Live medians by era and marque, updated monthly, with the working shown.
MX-5 vs Boxster: FAQs
Is a Porsche Boxster more expensive to run than an MX-5?
Yes, noticeably. The Boxster costs more to service, insure and maintain, with pricier parts and specialist labour. The MX-5 is one of the cheapest sports cars to run, with abundant, affordable parts and huge specialist support. Budget for the difference before choosing the Boxster.
Can you buy a Porsche Boxster for the price of a good MX-5?
Almost. On Old Bangers as of 24 July 2026, the cheapest live Boxsters start around £3,500 — similar to a very good MX-5 — while the Boxster median is about £9,000 versus £3,750 for the MX-5. A cheap Boxster can be a false economy, though: on early cars the engine’s IMS bearing history and a specialist inspection matter far more than the sticker price.
Does the Porsche Boxster have engine problems?
The early water-cooled Boxsters (986 and 987.1) use the M96 flat-six, which carries the well-known intermediate shaft (IMS) bearing concern, along with possible bore scoring and rear main seal leaks. A car with a documented IMS upgrade and a specialist pre-purchase inspection is strongly preferable. The MX-5 has no comparable single major engine worry.
Which is faster, an MX-5 or a Boxster?
The Boxster. Its flat-six produces roughly 204–320 PS depending on generation, comfortably more than any standard MX-5 (90–160 PS). The MX-5 is lighter and superbly balanced, so it’s rewarding at any speed, but the Boxster is clearly the quicker and more powerful car.
Free checklist: The Classic Car Buyer’s Inspection Checklist
Print it and take it to the viewing — rust hotspots, MOT-history red flags, paperwork and the 8 walk-away signs. Enter your email and we’ll send you the PDF.
