Caught the power bug .. pretty bad

[MikenOH]

If it's the stop light grand prix you're looking at, consider the 2002-2004 Z06 Vette. Not especially pretty--neither is an STI--but it deliverers the goods--0-60 in 4.5 seconds, 1/4 mile in 12.0 and they handle very well.

Price range is in the $22-30K range for a decent car, you may be able to get one with a warranty.

If I was looking for a car to do strictly DE's and an occasional auto-x; this would be the car I'd be looking at: Capable, reasonably reliable, relatively inexpensive spare parts, lots of places to get work done and big on the fun side. If you need more HP there are plenty of aftermarket accessories to get it close to 500

[Dr. Kill]

-1 on the Viper. I got some seat time in one a few years back, and while it is was a monster to drive down the autobahn, I think it would make an atrocious DD. It is very loud and the ride is very harsh. After about an hour of driving it, I was quite fatigued. My boss’ C6 Z51 feels like a Lincoln by comparison.

[ekam]

I wouldn't bother racing anyone off the line... what you were describing reminds me of that scene with Vin Diesel & Paul Walker in their Supra racing the Ferrari from that movie called... oh ... Fast & Furious???

If you're into doing that type of stuff why don't you buy an Evo or STI? They make 400hp+ easy on some simple bolt-ons.

Don't be that guy...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKOjCIy6F4c

[Topless]

Sage advice from a reformed street racer: It doesn't really matter what you get. Someone somewhere will always be a little faster, have a little more HP, be a little quicker out of the hole, have a little better top end. It never ends.

[Dr. Kill]

Originally Posted by ekam

Don't be that guy...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKOjCIy6F4c

Youtube always disturbs me when I read the comments people write – like the latest post for this link, the guy ends his anti-American rant with “bleed America bleed.”

[nefarious986]

Corvette is off my radar because as capable as a z06 is. They are a dime a dozen.

Cayman is out because one of the main reason I love the Boxster is that it is a convertible. If I wanted a hard top, there's so much more choices.

I hear what you guys are saying about the Viper. Its a Dodge go cart. LOLs.

Its not all about straight line performance for me. I just hate that smug grin those kids in the Evo get when they 'powned' a Porsche and there's no turn in sight for me to show them why I love this car.

I do love the Boxster. This is actually my SECOND Boxster. My last Boxster's warranteed expired, so I had a choice to trade at the time. I thought long and hard and test drove a couple cars, including S2K, STi, SLK. I made the choice to get a Boxster again. The best CPO one I could afford, and thats exactly what I got.

I just really wish this car had a little bit more balls sometimes. I talked to a couple Porsche mechanics and all they really can recommend is exhaust / chip. The 3.4 swap is looking very attractive right now, especially since I know that if I can fit a charger on there, it would pull 370hp to the wheel (tcp stats). Thats all anyone really need in a street car.

Anything over 400 hp rwd on the street to me is just unecessary, any anything over 500 is getting dangerous. Trust me. I know this. I am a reformed street racer too. I used to have a 450hp 3000GT VR4 and although I lost about 20% to the AWD system, and the thing weighed almost 4000lbs, it was a damn fast car.

I guess the choice really is, do I love the 986 enough to drop 30k worth of mod in to it ? It would have to be a car I want to drive for maybe the next 5 - 10 years, or even keep forever, because I know I m never going to get even 1/3 of what I paid out of the car when its time to sell.

I do really really like this car .. but when do you know its love ? LOL.

Sorry for the long posts guys. I havent slept all night.

[nefarious986]

If I kept the 986, and dropped $ into it to get it where I think it needs to be, the mods would be:

- GT3 brakes $4k on ebay
- 3.4L engine with similar blower setup to TCP $10k for engine swap + ?? for supercharger
- PS9 or Motons $2.5k
- Sway + struts $1k
- New clutch / Short thow / Misc stuff $2k
- Some new rubbers $1.5k

That would eat up 30k instantly but then I think I would really have a 'nefarious' 986. LOL.

I do need more $ .. anyone need a DBA ? =D

[Blkboxster]

yep i got the power bug too. got myself a 335i, and cant wait to chip it

[TMM986]

Sounds like a better option might be to trade the Boxster toward a used 996 Turbo and if you're still worried about power they can be modded to over 700HP.

The all-wheel drive on the Turbo will allow for better launches and less wheel spin. In addition to the Boxster I have a 996 C4S which is very quick indeed but no plans for forced induction on either one.

The 3.4 and supercharger route sounds like a ticking time bomb especially if you're pushing it hard. To get it right lots of internal and ECU mods for the engine have to be made to compensate for the forced induction. Definitely not a bolt-on DIY job.

Go for the Turbo if you really need the excess speed. ;-)

[angman]

I picked up a 335 as well and althought the 300 HP and torque is incredicble it still doesn't leave a grin on my face as much as the boxster does with the top down.

Originally Posted by Blkboxster

yep i got the power bug too. got myself a 335i, and cant wait to chip it

[Lil bastard]

As someone already said... "don't be that guy"...

[nefarious986]

wow .. funny how your mind set changes after less than 1 year ..

I have realized that with as little hp as the Boxster have, its already a better car than i'll ever be a driver.

Plus I haven't been feeling the power bug much lately, as work & life keeps me pretty busy.

Who knows, maybe a few months / year from now, when this economy starts to swing up again, the power bug will bite once more and I'll switch over to an '09 310hp box with PDK or maybe even a used Lambo if certain projects treats me right.

For now, the box = car happiness.