Reviews, Comparisons and Flying Low

[Mantis]

Originally Posted by TerryB

Several weeks ago I had a problem sleeping and went downstairs. After awhile my wife came down to see if I was OK. She found me in the garage sitting in a lawn chair. I was admiring my Boxster with a glass of Pinot. She said "unbelievable" and went back to bed.

.

I got busted doing the same thing, how funny. Grigio or Noir?

[scubaguy10]

I had a lot of people looking at my BoxsterS last weekend. At a local autocross, only the third time I have raced this car, I ended up winning my class, winning the PAX index, and having the 4th fastest time out of 60 competitors. I had to flog the bejesus out of it to beat a fast young kid in a new Evo SM, but managed to clip him by .10 sec.

THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE.

[jzmd1]

During my 23 years practicing medicine, I indulged my youthful fancies by owning 12 sports cars: (3) 911 Turbos, (3) 911s, (3) NSXs, a Viper R/T 10, Lotus Espirit S4S and a Corvette ZR-1. I guess my wife was correct when calling me "a maniac" (something I heard on more than one occasion).
Disgusted with the state of medicine, I retired several years ago. Uncertain about the future, we "downsized", selling our Lake Las Vegas home, my '96 993 Twin Turbo/2000 NSX, my wife's '03 E-55 AMG and moved to Florida. To replace these terrific cars, we purchased a 6-speed Volvo V70R wagon. I have been in a state of withdrawl ever since.
Not wishing to tempt fate-or start WWIII at home-I resigned myself to driving drudgery. To my incredible surprise, my wife presented me with a pristine 1997 Boxster for my recent birthday. Joy of joys, the "permagrin" has returned!

[RandallNeighbour]

Coming from far faster cars, I'm surprised a 97 Boxster does it for you.

I do love mine. But I've never had a Turbo! It would probably be hard for me to go "backward" that way.

[myfirstporsche]

Originally Posted by Mantis

I got busted doing the same thing, how funny. Grigio or Noir?

I just got my 1999 Boxster on Monday. It has 30K miles and is in showroom condition. My friends had it and stored it in a heated / air conditioned garage. All maintenace was done at the Porsche dealer. I have put both kids to bed and then walked to the garage to pull the car cover up to about mid hood and stare at the front badge....my wife laughs at me every night. Will it ever wear off??????? LOL

[eightsandaces]

Originally Posted by myfirstporsche

I just got my 1999 Boxster on Monday. It has 30K miles and is in showroom condition. My friends had it and stored it in a heated / air conditioned garage. All maintenace was done at the Porsche dealer. I have put both kids to bed and then walked to the garage to pull the car cover up to about mid hood and stare at the front badge....my wife laughs at me every night. Will it ever wear off??????? LOL

No it only gets deeper into your blood but since we all are mortal, go look at the badge and celebrate being privileged enough to have one to drive, the hell with what year it is, it's a Porsche!!!

[TEX]

Hi All,
First time Owner of a Porsche!!
Very pleased with it ,has done 93,000 kms and is a Forest Green Colour.
Having owned other sports cars through the years , i am very impressed with the handeling and performance.
Also have owned a Lotus Elan S4 , a Austin Healey Sprite and Nissan Sports 1600.
Service seems to be the number one issue with this car, is it all that expensive compared to other modern day Cars?
Cheers to all ,
Tex ps a great web site ,Love IT!!

[moncleroutletwp]

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[Squozen]

Hi all, I bought my first Porsche just this month, a silver 2003 Boxster S with extended red leather throughout, Litronics, Bose stereo, M030 suspension, active mirrors and rain sensors, heated seats, etc, etc..

I took it out for a nice 2-day holiday last week and just clocked 33,000 kms. Yup, it's pretty much brand new. Hopefully I haven't already lost my license due to the speeds I was 'accidentally' reaching.

[blinkwatt]

Please include your model (e.g. Boxster S) in the title of your post.

First off I have a 99',5 spd.,55k miles.

We invite you to tell your story of why you love your Porsche

- I wanted to by myself the best 18th birthday present possible and I did.
- The handling from the factory is great!
- The acceleration is fast,not super fast. I don't care what anyone says but from 40 mph+ these 2.5L get up and go.
- The car stops on a dime.
- The look of 30+ year old guys who pull up to me when I'm driving and shake their head in disbeleif.
- The Porsche Whine from the engine is intoxicating
- The open air around me from a busy/stressful day is theraputic,nothing can beat cruising with top down.
-THE CAR JUST FEELS RIGHT!

Compare it to other performance cars that you've driven (or driven against!).

I haven't been in many others performance cars only some modified A4,M3s, and some Mustangs.

Modified Audi A4(99' 5spd.)
-The Audi IMHO is a nice car stock....It doesn't feel right modified. One day when I have kids perhaps one will do.

Modified M3s(96' & 97')
-Great cars from the get go! Handling is alright,speed is there,braking is alright. I never felt a presence from either M3,it was just a car to me.

Mustangs(Too many to list,I have been in every one)
-There are way too many of these on the road. To me IMHO,its a sedan with an aggresive looking body,unless you get a GT,those have some speed. I can't find out why people like these,maybe for a high-schooler but not for me.(No offense)

[wanna986]

Hello all,

I should change my user name as "wanna" is in the past. I bought a 2002 S.

I've read this whole thread and my neck hurts from nodding, admittedly I'm also fighting "nodding off" owing to 2:00 a.m. having passed!

Before my S, I test drove a 2002 base model. The salesman had me go to an onramp and was actually encouraging me to go fast- "when you think you're going fast, give it some more- don't worry" I was impressed more by the salesman's confidence in the car than with my own driving ability, so I was rather reserved about pushing the car. The feeling was clearly different, though, as it felt like the car was actually being pivoted rather than being steered through the curve of the ramp.

I found myself saying "I get it" when, without being beckoned by my passenger this time, I changed lanes into the passing lane and gave it more gas. The howl as I entered variocamland! After the test drive, reflecting on what had just happened, I told myself that I shouldn't be impressed merely by an exotic exhaust note. My eyes verified the action of my right foot , though, as the acceleration spurt netted a quick gain in speed from 55 to 80 mph. It wasn't only my imagination, and this was "only" the 2.7.

Clearly a seed was planted. Although I found nothing wrong with the 2.7, (I even thought I'd be o.k. with the 2.5 if the price was right), I can't say I regret being influenced by my son who reminded me I've always bought the biggest engine available. The 3.2 is right for me.

My 60 mile trip home on the highway was an eye-opener. I realize why so many yearn for no speed limit. My previous domestic rides: Corvette, Mustang, 70s muscle, are famous for their torque, clearly, and owing to cam changes, superchargers, etcetera, weren't shy of the upper limits of the speedometer- but this car is just different. Entirely smooth and flexible with the engine being stiff competition with the Bose system for best tunes. Keeping it at a respectable75-80 mph was really a chore (and such a pity). The trip computer was even reporting mileage in the high 20s! In the city, well, why so many gears? Once I'm out of first (giving the engine a little breathing room, of course), it's into 6th if I want to keep a low profile.

This is long, but I can't imagine ending without commenting on the chassis. My corvette, with the targa top removed, feels as though it's going to fall apart. Quite normal, I'm told by other owners. The Boxster, of course, is amazing. I forget there "should" be a difference top up and down. Wow.

I have to go to bed now, although maybe just one quick look in the garage for an inspiration for "sweet dreams". Good night.

[Franco]

Hi, Why do i love my 1997 Boxster.
I can't afford a Ferrari
Love the timeless curves and still looks new.
Daily driving machine.
Overall balance.
Best trunk space compared to other roadsters.
Just can't stop waxing it.
Just can't stop staring at it.
Reliability.
The WOW factor i get from the young kids (Adults that's another Story).
Legitimate excuse to go away for the weekend without the kids.
Best of all my wife telling me if only u would take care of me as u do the Boxster. :troll:

PS. She's been home for the past 16 years. :ah:
The laughs and information i get on this forum.

Owned 1 other sports car, a Camaro Z28 air induction fun at the time but not worth comparing.

[smagerstein]

Hi There,

I have now had my Box for 1 month.

Living on the Adriatic ocean in Slovenia I am blessed with countless windly roads in perfect condition, with some excellent mountain driving only half an hour away and some nice autobahns for the speed demons all within a day trip! This car is just made for these roads. This is truely a smile machile. Where the box misses out on power it sure does make up for in handling ten fold!

Best thing is you can go a couple of weeks without seeing and Pcars on the road in Slovenia so it attracts plenty of attention which is cool.

I bought my first Pcar when I was 24 (928) and bought and rebuilt the 911sc when I was 28.....(cost 2.5 times more to fix up than what I paid for it) and now how my first box at 34.......

Only advise I can give anyone that loves Pcars is to buy one as soon as they can. Keeps you young at heart forever.

Back in Australia I had a nice powerful 928 and a 911 sc, however with the restrictions on speed and the abundant law inforcement officers on the road you just cant appreciate what these cars are made for. I found my 2004 4wd Liberty turbo to be great on the windy roads but no big smile factor, its a fast good handling family car.

For the $$$ you cant beat the boxster.

Now I have to wait for my lease to expire (3 long years) and an S will definitely be considered!!

Cheers,

Steven.

[GSRP]

Many of you have a lot of experience with sexy cars. Me, I am now driving my very first German car -- and sporty at that.

My experience with speed has been limited to motorcycles -- and even those were not the sport bikes. Yet my 2003 Goldwing will probably take most every car on the road from the light. I looks like it belongs to the older generation -- and it does have all the creature comforts -- but don't let that fool you -- it will leave my Boxster standing still.

However, all that said -- I enjoy the Boxster more than the Wing. In fact, I'm selling the Wing. I can honestly say, I've never driven anything that was more fun than the Boxster.

I'm not a race fan -- and I seldom take risks -- but the Boxster has the power, the handling, the sound and the looks that make it a pure pleasure to drive -- fast or slow.

To put things in perspective -- my other rides include the LS430 and RX300 Lexus, the Wing (of course) and my faithful F-150. You can now see why I look forward to getting behind the wheel of my Boxster!

-gene

[eqs]

Here's my summary of the cars I've driven before buying a couple of months ago.

996 cab4 - nice unit with good directional stability, rear seats very tight
996 cab2 - nice unit but rear end looks big, handling ok
996 targa - looks balanced, rear seat area is way too small - no headroom at all

986S - good power, good handling, good balance
987 - needs to be revved above 4k to generate power, nice interior
987S - better power, good first gear pull, better looking headlights and bumpers
987S 295hp - better midrange power, more aggresive (rougher) sound

The 280hp and 295hp are very close to 60 due to lower gearing in the 280hp, then the 295 pulls a bit harder in higher gears as the ratios are the same third and up

Z4 - solid car with nice sound but I felt too isolated and car felt bigger than what it was, felt like a quality unit

Elise - very fun car with great sound but gearshift felt flimsy and top takes longer to put up and take off - high end power was intoxicating, the 08sc should pull even better, probably similar to the Exige. Handling and steering feel were excellent.

Overall the 987S was the best choice for me. Found a well optioned unit with a clean DME bill of health. 2 PPIs showed no problems, but after a month brought it in for warrantied part replacements missed in the PPIs. The warranty is important imo especially when buying used. 2 dealers tried to sell lemons but I found issues before going too far - be careful, buyer beware.

I wouldn't trade my 987S for a more expensive 997 cab as the 987S just handles better and top end isn't that important to me. The 987S is the best droptop overall with the best handling and more than enough power. Buy a good specimen and you will be very very happy. Keeping it pegged will keep you smiling and smiling. Have fun but be careful.

[oriley]

It will be a very interesting summer for me. I replaced my year-round car this winter with a 2003 Audi TT 225 Quattro Coupe.
I'm having the same feelings as I did when I purchased my 01 Boxster 3 years ago: Huge grin while driving.
The Boxster will be coming out of storage first Saturday of May. I suspect the Boxster will be driven on the sunny days and the TT when the clouds appear.
One thing I've noticed: I drive 160k per day and through 4 months of owning the TT I've only seen 2 on the road at the same time as myself.
In the last 3 weeks (with the amazing weather in Toronto) I've seen probably 20 Boxsters.

Andy

[jcbout]

I have a 2000 Boxster, and bought it new in 2000. Not a day goes by that I don't get excited about driving it (top down always). Just installed the Suncoast rear speaker kit, and the sound is great at 70mph. I've toyed with buying a new 991, but every time I get close, something pulls me back. I agree that the curves on the 986 are much cleaner than the newer models (in my opinion).

[somiviet]

wow!! very nice !!