Maybe this is out of place but I'll compare it to my modified 96 Honda Civic (full interior, quieter, faster, big stereo, not 'riced out.'). The boxster being a convertible of course more fun in any weather with the roof down, nuff said.
The boxster definatly has a good driving position, the handling has a very good feel, in that I feel I can push the car into an oversteer and it'll be controlled. Its sporty but not uncomfortable, which is nice so its a good touring car. Its an enjoyable experience that I look forward to but when I'm done driving the car, its not a total satisfaction.
My civic on the otherhand is faster in a straight line, has a more direct and responsive clutch and steering and breaks away in a 4 wheel drift when pushed. Now its not a head turner, but as for driving, its definatly the old comfortable pair of shoes over a 986. The ergonomics are better, and I don't mean the conveniences and cupholders. The visibility is without blindspots, where the top-up of the boxster is of course poor with the roof, and climbing out of it looks very uncool while twisting yourself out of it. The civic has a more direct steering, and in my opinion a much better build quality, starting first with the interior build. The dash is solid and padded opposed to the very cheap and echo-ey plastics the boxster used. The cluster in the 986 is nice but evertyhing else is hardly ergonomic. From the cheap feeling blinker stem to the hollow sound of the armrest, everything in my civic feels 'refined' as if i've taken a step up, while the boxster is more 'compromise.' in order to have a sportscar you have to have lighter plastics that are flimsy and wind deflectors that will break if not removed in a delicate and correct manner.
So the 986 to me feels more like a sports car...almost a supercar in that you don't just get in and go, there are accomidations to be made. As for the driving experience, when you really "push it" it brings a bigger smile to my face than my other car. But as for a daily driver in traffic, you can tell where the money was spent.
For me, after driving a boxster I am reaffirmed that the build quality won't match my old Honda but my Civic, though faster on a track, definatly doesnt "feel" like the chassis is and always will be a pure-bred sports car chassis. And that tips me over the point of making the Boxster a more fun car and, for the price, probably the best bargain for a sports car
