Boxster S or this ?
 

Well, since it's winter and I'm missing my car, I'm internet shopping again and I came across this :

http://lexington.porschedealer.com/preowned_cars/info.php?inventoryid=368961

So my question is, would you rather have this or a brand new Boxster S ?

Nick

Three years later and those round headlights still have not grown on me. :(
They look good on a 993 but it looks like a de-evolution from the exotic 2002-2004 face lift. Worst of all is the 997 GT3 which looks like hodge podge of RX8 and Volwagen Beetle...looks great from the sides and back though.

Either way you can't go wrong.

I would go with the new 987 S. I prefer the 911, but greatly prefer to buy new. I know it doesn't make as much economic sense, but knowing every mile that is put on the car is worth the extra money to me. Maybe I have just had too many bad used car experiences...

That's an easy choice for me. I love topdown driving. :D

Wow Nick... did you short a bunch of stocks or buy $50k in apple puts in January?

I'm wondering how I'm gonna make back the $10k I lost last month, not looking at new Pcars :)

BTW, you would HATE the way the tail kicks out on that CS at the tail of the dragon. I would not buy a Carrera unless I could have a C4S or better.

Mid-engine spoiled boy,

Randall

while that car looks great, i like to drive aggressive sometime, and i bet i would crash the sht outta that car thinking it would handle like the box.

spoiled? yes very much so, once u can make these high speed turns with ease it comes as second nature to expect it from all other cars.
pretty funny, the other day i was driving my car, and there is this turn that i alway take pretty fast on the highway, and i 'kinda' forgot what car i was in, and no joke i almost flipped his car lol...screw that, sure looks nice, but forget it if you cant have fun with it, so handling is worse and cant take the top down...

Depends on what you're looking for I guess. I think the choice would be between handling/convertible and power/looks (for me). I would go with the Carrera, personally, especially since you've already had the Boxster.

On a side note, I live in Lexington, let me know if you need someone to go check it out for you before you make the drive down if you go that route.

I would go a bit older.. I have seen early 996TTs in the 50-60K range. Since I have sworn off no "new" porsche unless a Turbo or GT3 (and therefore the "better" motors) I like seeing 996TTs getting so "cheap" ;)

That said, 997 trumps 987 ... its 10 more afterall :)

Try to get a 911 cab so you can have more hp and still put the top down. Personally I also prefer the exotic look of the 2004 911's lights.

I'd go with a brand new Boxster S. :D

While I'd take either one in a heartbeat, I'd probably pick the Carrera S. For me it would add a bit more versatility. I have a two year old son and the Carrera would allow us to tour more. I don't think the differing driving characterics of each would be much of an issue. I think the challenge of learning to drive the 911 hard would be as rewarding as the inherent smoothness and stability of the Boxster.

Nick, I have been looking into older 993 Turbos. 1996. AWD. 400-500 HP. But, I have two problems:

1) No garage space
2) Scared to death what the maintenace might be like! :eek:

I would get a 987 S.

Personally I think the 911's are great cars but just don't make much sense. Yes the power is there but the handling isn't. Most of us are not pro drivers and would be unable to safely and effectively drive the 911 to its potential on the street.

The Box S offers plenty of power, top down fun and great looks.

A C4 or C4S is another story though. I would love to have one as a daily driver since I encounter lots or rainy days and the odd snow/slush.

I personally think the 911 cabrios look a bit odd. The lines of the boxster flow so muhc better if you want a drop top.

The 911 is more of a status car than anything (and you pay for it). If you really want more practicality as well as great power and handling go for a Cayman S. If you want to enjoy the sun at the same time. Go for the Box S.

Regardless with what you go with, just enjoy what you have as much as possible :)

As "tricky" as a 911 is to maximize its handling, the new versions are very hard to do anything silly in. Go back to an '80s or '70s 911 and its a bit different story. No computers, smaller tires and antiquated suspension design.

Believe me, if you "think" you are getting 100% out of your boxster on the street, you would have to be an even better driver than if you were in a 911.

Why?

Because in a 911 you are always aware of that mass behind you. You learn to always ADD gas in a corner, rather than lift.

the boxster has such balanced handling, that is doesn't give nearly the amount of feedback as you approach the limit untill its nearly too late. A boxster becomes VERY twitchy at the limit compared to a 911.

The Boxster is easier to drive.. but that doesn't make it better ;)

Something about the Carerras just doesn't look right anymore? I was infatuated with them until the 996 came around. I think if I were to buy anything newer it would have to have a big freakin' wing on it (turbo or GT3) or something to break up its big flowing a$$. ;)

Between the two I would take a newer (I don't buy new cars) Boxster S. In a perfect world I would buy an early 90's (right before the 993) turbo. Now that looks nice! :D Sure the maintenance might be a little scary but the looks are worth it. Plus if you think of it as spending $30k plus some maintenance it is still cheaper than $60k.

I vote for the Boxster S

I would go for the Boxster S for open air riding, and its mid-engine placement resulting in superior handling.
vincesf

As for handling I have to agree with racer d. The Boxster has a lot going for it handling wise but that does not make the 911 a bad car. I had my butt kicked by a GT3 RS on the track, the straights were a no brainer and the curves I even had a hard time keeping up. I picked the Boxster because I preferred the look. The new 911's have that bubble of a rear end and it just seems to be handing out there. I also love the convertible. The Boxster also fits my neighborhood a little better.

You really shouldn't pick a car by the performance numbers, they don't mean much when you are driving. You have to drive it and decide.

I have thought about 911's because of the extra interior space, but the new Boxster Spyder seems hard to beat in my book, and it does not come with close to 40K of driving on it, like the 911 listed.... decisions, decisions.....

Ed

:cheers:

I haven't owned a 911 enough to know the handling differences but everyone always says they are harder to drive and don't handle as well.

I recently read a MotorTrend article that sought to find the best handling car in America.

The GT3 was the winner with the Cayman S in second place.

MotorTrend - Best Handling Car in America


It sounds like the Box is easier to drive and less precarious but if you know what you are doing the 911 (at least in GT3 form) has better handling?

I'm an admitted 'Porsche' newbie, but I would take the new Boxster S. How could you go wrong. Full warrantly too, sweet.

I am probably not as good a driver as many on the forum, but I have owned a 911, and now own a 987. I believe the handling capabilities of both of these cars exceed my abilities as a driver, so from my perspective, handling wouldn’t be a factor in the purchase. Maybe it is different for other here.

I would go for the 911... it is just so sickly refined. With the new powerplant and updated interior I couldnt resist. Gotta have a sunroof at least. Cant bring myself to like the Cab though.

997S all the way. That model 911 (997-S) is supposed to be one of the most fun cars to drive of all time. Ask Richard Hammond.

To each his own
 

Really its up to you. And you shouldn't let other people's opinions influence you. Also you asked on a Boxster board so of course, there is a Boxster bias.

If I had 60 large to throw around here are some of the factors I would use to make my decision:

1) Am I a convertible guy? Is open air motoring really important to me
2) How risk averse am I? The 911 is a used car and there is more potential for it to have expensive problems than a new car. If the 911 is a Certified Porsche car then the risk goes down considerably.
3) Which car do I like the looks of more? I would ask someone else to surprise me with this question and whatever first popped into my head would be the right answer.
4) Is the miniscule back seat of the Carrera of any benefit to me?
5) Do I really enjoy fast acceleration or is reasonable power and good handling more important?
6) How long do I plan to keep the car? If a short time (like 1-2 years) then I am going to take a big deprecation hit on a new Boxster and much less on the 911. Even buying new vs new the Boxster depreciates faster.
7) How important is it to get all of the options exactly the way I like them? If you buy used you get what someone else wanted. If you buy new you have the option of ordering a car exactly the way you want it.

I would ignore the comments that implied that the 997 is hard to tame or needed AWD to be safe. If you were looking at a '60s '70s or '80s 911 it would be another story but the 997 has had all of its vices tamed through suspension evolution and electronic gimcrackery. Both the Boxster and the Carrera are great handling cars and as long as you use a little common sense and don't exceed your abilities then they will be very stabile and planted.

Whatever you decide to do, once you make the decision don't look back and there will be no regrets. I am sure you'll be happy!

Regards,
Alan

Personally I'd go with the Boxster S because I NEED to have a convertible.

The only problem is that extra torque and HP of the 911 could be addictive....But in the end it would piss me off too much to see other drivers lower the top on a nice sunny day while I lay inside a ''coffin'' with the AC on....

Top down motoring is just so orgasmic....

If I didn't care for the top down factor I would say 911 S in a flash.

Now with a 911 S Cabriolet, that's a different story, and a different price tag:D

Solution?

Get a slighly used 2007 Boxster S for 50 000$. 300HP in a sub-3000 pound mid-engine roadster is nirvana to me...

Keep in mind I've only driven a 2003 911, not a 2005+ 911 S!

Sorry I shouldn't say that the Boxster is a better car than the 911 (did I?). But its a friendlier/easier drive on normal streets. The 911 puts an insane grin on my face whenever I get in one but I will never take either car to its limits on the streets anyway. With the boxster I tend to drive at a decent but safe pace and enjoy the handling. With a 911 I find that I always tend to go faster than I should and usually take turns much faster tahn I should. I would think in the long run the 911 would cost me more in tickets or even worse.

Sure a GT3 would certainly handle better but thats not even a realistic price range for many of us even when purchasing slightly used.

I totally am in the same boat as you.... however, I am going to lease whichever car I choose. I already have a '08 Boxster S on order due to arrive in about 3 wks. I also have my eye on a private sellers '06 Carrera S coupe (extremely low miles, good price) which I also can lease for "EXACTLY" the same monthly payment.....DILEMMA!!!

go for the new 987S or '06 997S???...

I have to say...that CS power is amazing and addicting, but I probably would miss the convertible option living in Arizona which is pretty much year round top down weather...

I know that I also am asking this on a Boxster Forum......but thought I would get a more objective answer than asking on a 997 Forum...

one (perhaps main) problem or issue I see with the Carrera S would be that the warranty runs out in about 1-1/2 years which would leave me without one for the other 1-1/2... that makes me a little uneasy..especially with a leased car...

your thoughts????