Reviews, Comparisons and Flying Low

[Pilot2519j]

Originally Posted by YellowJacket

I have a 1997 with 40k miles.
The only downside is that at 22 years old, I have a lot of cars left to buy, and there's not a lot of room for improvement. So it's scary to think what I might be driving when I'm 40 or 50. :-)

Dam I should feel angry at your statement about the "old folk" but I am 56 and waited until I was 55 to buy my first Porsche 2003 Boxster S. I always bought the practical car as my father had saddled me with that thought. If it wasn't for my wife I would not have this car today. I originally looked at the Audi S-4 and M-3 when my wife said to me why don't you look at the Porsches that you have always longed? I love the car , Boxster S and it is a machine and an experience that keeps multiplying every day. I use it as a daily driver and people are shocked about that! In NY in the winter Oh my god!. I simply answer I bought to be used not to sit in a garage and collect dust.
So young man just think of me when you get old and still driving my Porsche and your scary thoughts should disappear. Just buckle up and enjoy the ride.

[Brucelee]

I am 55, drive motorcycles and Porsches and work out 5 days a week. No ready for the boneyard yet!

[aglsteven]

Why I love my boxster?
There are too many reasons, but....

It makes me smile every time I drive it. You can't beat driving to work in the morning with the hood down!

It handles beautifully, all the time!

I saved every penny for two years before I got mine. I'm now saving for the replacement in two years time. Will it be another Boxster or a 911 cab? Who knows. One things I do know, it will definitely be a Porsche!

My colleagues at work all ask me about it, where I got it from, how much it cost and how I like it. They are always amazed when I tell them it is 6 years old already, and how reasonably priced it was. They all want one.

I'm addicted to it!

[Brucelee]

"My colleagues at work all ask me about it, where I got it from, how much it cost and how I like it. They are always amazed when I tell them it is 6 years old already, and how reasonably priced it was. They all want one.

I'm addicted to it!"

This is one of the cooler things about the Box. If you keep it pristine, the 97 looks like the 04 to most folks. Add some 18" wheels and you are off to the Country Club in a 20G car.

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

[PasadenaBoxster]

Let me give this a try.

I love my Boxster because:

1) The handling is absolutely amazing. It handles so well, I can now honestly say that I know what people mean when they talk about the car being an extension of the driver. No other car has given me that feeling.

2) I love twisties! Exhilarating is the only word that I could find to describe the feeling of blasting around corners in this car.

3) It's a Porsche. As has been said many times there is a certain aura of mystique that surrounds Porsche. In LA you seen tons of BMW's or Mercedes on the roads, so much so they stop catching your eye. But a Porsche will still turn heads.

Compared to:

BMW Z4: My father has an 03 Z4, and while it's a great car in it's own right it just can't measure up. The steering is not nearly as tight or responsive as the Boxster, nor is the handling through the twisties. Also, I don't feel like part of the car while driving it. It's fun to drive, it's just not "exhilarating".

[IceBox]

...Because it is everything a sports car is meant to be and nothing a sports car is NOT meant to be...
It is:
A two seat drop-top, the essential component of the Sports Car.

The most pure expression of the 'Modern Sports Car' since the introduction of the Miata, itself a pure blood in it's own right.

A true Porsche in every sense of the word, and attached to all that heritage.

Beautiful; near flawless design

Powerful enough, even in base model to constantly deliver fun and excitement while offering a daily driver that forces you to make zero comprimises.

Track-bred. Try one out on your local raccing complex and you'll see what I mean. Those who have already know.

Fits me like it was made for me alone. The interior layout simply enfolds you and mates you to the machine

It is NOT:
A truck
A four door
All show and no go
Ugly
Harsh
A compromising design
Fragile
Flimsy
Cheap
Goofy-looking
Overly Gadgetized
Overly complicated
Cost-prohibitive for a good cross-section of enthusiasts
Parked in someone else's drive-way :dance:

[QporscheQ]

Ill just stick with comparisons to other cars, since everyone has already said what is so great about the car


Cars I've driven (recently)

2005 Corvette -- Tons of power, okay handling, okay styling, problem was it only felt like a fast version of my '95 Firebird. I was less than blown away.

2005 GTO -- Sounded awesome, drove like a total piece of junk and looks stupid

2005 Pontiac G6 -- I included this because I thought it kicked the pants out of the GTO. Kind of strange.


Cars I've ridden in or driven against recently:

2004 MB SLK32AMG -- crazy HP in a small car. Completely destroys my Box off the line (it has the auto tranny that does everything for you), however I start to reel him back in when the speeds go up and the road starts to twist. I’m not crazy about the styling.

2004 WRX -- some how I completely obliterated a friend in his WRX off the line the other day. I’m still trying to figure this one out. I don’t think he had the turbo spooled in time and the lag killed him. My back tires cleared his front bumper before we went under the traffic light. I actually really like this car. It has some sedan usefulness, all wheel drive and is still pretty quick.

2004 RX8 -- I actually love this car. A friend bought one and every time I ride in it I think I like the car more. The back seat is more then large enough for an adult.

1968 GTO -- in a straight line no competition. However any turning of the wheel and he is done for.



The Boxster is by far the best looking car of the lot. In my opinion it drives better than any of them too. The Boxster is just everything a sports car / roadster should be. Its tough to beat.

[blinkwatt]

Quick Info
99 Boxster
Zenith Blue
52k Running Damn Near New
I have not regret a second of owning the car. It is great,has speed,handles,and breaks well. The best aspect of the car is that you dont have to drive it hard/fast/stupid to enjoy it,just drive down the street and listen to the exhaust note with the top down. I did not know running out to pick up some Epsom salt for my dad's broken finger would be so fun. Being young(18) and having money(work at grocery store and for eBay) I receive some rather upset looks from people,so jealous people do not compliment me often unless they are younger then me. When I let my dad drive the car he receives compliments all the time. I have driven BMW's,VW's,Audi's and I can honestly say I would not trade it for a S4,M3,GTI 1.8T. Only complaint is the shift knob,but I am ordering a MOMO Anatomico short version shortly. I have heard some complain of the interoir but I have no clue as to why it is made from quality,granted I have the Hi-Fi upgrade to the stereo and a painted center console I would assume its not too different then a stripped stock one. A couple of recommendations would be to change to the updated 2003 taillights and order clear side markers($175 shipped new),painted valve stem caps($15) and matching Boxster license plate frame($40). I could have lived without them but since I had the money and said "why not?".

[threpwood]

2004 Boxster S
now 6000 kilometers

Some cars that I've driven:

1989 Chevrolet Camaro RS
240hp only. A fun and spacious car. Not a bad pony car.

1996 Chevrolet Camaro
The engine was the 3.8L but the room for mods made it interesting Everything from stock was basically worthless so had to put in few usual mods such as suspension (bilstein, eibach), borla and added an intercooler. A good friend of mine later added a dyno supercharger after I sold it to him. Good torque, but handling is similar to handling a mule.

1994 Chevrolet Cavalier
Bought it used for work car, but had serious reliability issue (engine and brake system didn't last).

2000 Honda Civic GTR
Still driving this as my second car. This is the only car I own that never breaks (no, not even once), cheap maintenance, super mpg making it a good grocery car I am considering trading it for a newer model of 2005 Civic (Hybrid) though for the sake of our earth

2004 Nissan Skyline
Only test drove the car. First impression was the engine was quite smooth, okay torque, but cheap and rattled interior, cramped back seat just killed it.

2004 Chevrolet Corvette
Well, yes I'm a Chevy fan. Test drove it. Corvette actually is quite nice but considering the size of local street in Japan (small), this car becomes almost impossible to drive, not to mention to park. I would love to have it as second car though...

2004 Porsche Boxster S
Test drove it and never looked back Nothing to complain really and have smile on my face everytime I drive it.

The only problem with the boxster is that not many people drives this car in Japan and being a 2 seater and living in rural area in Japan make the jealousy factor quite high (had cars spinned their tires behind me, car stopped in front of me for no reason in 2 months of driving. Unbelievable). Well, hell, grow up, it is MY money, I earned it and I AM enjoying spending it

[MLegere]

Originally Posted by Pilot2519j

Dam I should feel angry at your statement about the "old folk" but I am 56 and waited until I was 55 to buy my first Porsche 2003 Boxster S. I always bought the practical car as my father had saddled me with that thought. If it wasn't for my wife I would not have this car today. I originally looked at the Audi S-4 and M-3 when my wife said to me why don't you look at the Porsches that you have always longed? I love the car , Boxster S and it is a machine and an experience that keeps multiplying every day. I use it as a daily driver and people are shocked about that! In NY in the winter Oh my god!. I simply answer I bought to be used not to sit in a garage and collect dust.
So young man just think of me when you get old and still driving my Porsche and your scary thoughts should disappear. Just buckle up and enjoy the ride.

I am 46 will be 47 in April just picked up my first Porsche, first Boxster last week.
I traded in my 2004 BMW Mini Cooper S. The Mini is a very good car, the Boxster is a great car it only took one test drive. And ya my wife gave me permission!!!!!!
she is a great gal. I to use it as a daily driver, the more I drive it the more I understand just how good it is.

[longislander1]

Hey, I'm 54 and I think I'm giving up a little bit of interior space by switching my 968 for the Boxster S I have on order. After driving the S, it's worth the trouble. If I get too old to bend down, I figure I can get one of those top hoists that people mount on the garage ceiling and swing myself into the driver's seat. Now only if I could have ordered the driver's side "lift chair option" to help me out . . .

[Brucelee]

Wow, I am 55 and planning on taking the US Marine fitness test on my 56th birthday. Perhaps I should just take a nap instead?



:dance:

[scubaguy10]

Everyone's responses to this thread are very astute. I just got my 97 black Boxster out of the shop where it had been for 3 days while my local mechanic fixed a few minor problems (most annoyingly, the passenger side window quit working due to a corroded wire). I took it home, removed the hardtop, and cleaned the interior after a long winter. The hardtop had been on for the last 4 months as this car is a daily driver. Today I drove it to work with the top down for the first time since I installed the Dansk muffler, and all I can say is WOW. The absolute rightness of the way it feels, the fantastic sound with the top down are simply unmatched by any other car on the road. There are other good performing cars out there, but only the Boxster becomes part of you, an extension of your brain when you drive it. And it's just the best looking car on the road, bar none. I can't park it without taking one last glance over my shoulder as I walk away.

Mike

[YellowJacket]

Originally Posted by scubaguy10

I can't park it without taking one last glance over my shoulder as I walk away.

My girlfriend laughs at me for this at least once a week.

The other morning, I woke up before her, went to open the drapes, and just stood there staring out the window at my Boxster. Thinking my girlfriend is still asleep, I'm just smiling like an idiot, when I hear from behind me "it's still gonna be there when you get downstairs". Hehe.

[RandallNeighbour]

I've had my 97 for nearly a year now, and I still open the garage door, pull the car into the driveway, and sit down on a patio chair and just stare at it on Saturday mornings. All my life I dreamed of owning a Porsche and it's still hard to think "I actually own that car. It's mine."

I guess the marketing guys are right. Porsche, there is no subsitute.

[Mantis]

Originally Posted by Brucelee

Wow, I am 55 and planning on taking the US Marine fitness test on my 56th birthday. Perhaps I should just take a nap instead?



:dance:

Ugh, those were the days, Bruce...20 pullups, max of 80 situps in 2 minutes and a 3 mile run in 18 minutes. Semper Fi!

[eremite]

Originally Posted by Pilot2519j

Dam I should feel angry at your statement about the "old folk" but I am 56 and waited until I was 55 to buy my first Porsche 2003 Boxster S.

Ah, you're still a youngster. I'm 64 and about to buy my first Porsche, a car I've been in love with since forever. I don't know why I waited this long, must have been something to do with being poor.:ah: I suddenly have the feeling if I don't do it now I may never get around to it. So damn the expense, I'm going to get a Boxster S, join a club and take some performance driving lessons. Make hay while the sun shines!