So why a Boxster?

[Lordblood]

The 350z is too ugly and is too heavy.
The S2000 looks...girly
The Mazda Rx-8 is good, but has that ricey atmosphere about it (I hate ricers with a passion)
The Audi TT is too numb and isn't a sports car
The SLK is a GT car not a sports car
The BMW Z4 is pretty good, but the suspension is harsh and isn't as sophisticated.

Really in this price range you're left with a Boxster. To me it's the perfect mix of everything good about each of the other cars in the range, plus it is mid-engined which is something it shares with no other car in the price range.

Actually I might go as far as saying that the Boxster is the best overall sports car Porsche makes right now. I'm not too sure about the newest 911, but the older ones didn't handle as nicely as the Box, the Cayman is sort of like a Boxster with a solid roof, and the Cayenne...I'm not into SUV's.

[sd_boxster]

The Boxster is a sweet-looking car with a mighty pedigree that cost less and looks better than the Pontiac Solstice Coupe I got tired of waiting for.

[Lordblood]

Originally Posted by sd_boxster

The Boxster is a sweet-looking car with a mighty pedigree that cost less and looks better than the Pontiac Solstice Coupe I got tired of waiting for.

Ah yes I forgot about the American competitors, but that's alright because they all raise the same concern in me.

They look great, especially the Sky (probably the best looking car in this range), however I've never trusted American cars as quality products. I'm probably being biased, but the few cars I have driven that were American just didn't feel as well put together as I'd hope for them to be.

Plus I wouldn't be surprised if GM put in numb steering and cheap plastics in those cars as they do with every other car they produce.

[eightsandaces]

Originally Posted by sd_boxster

The Boxster is a sweet-looking car with a mighty pedigree that cost less and looks better than the Pontiac Solstice Coupe I got tired of waiting for.

These two cars barely belong in the same sentence...Solstice = another Fiero = Pontiac's propensity to put a deck wing and "gt" on anything and consecrate it as a sports car... Remember when they did that with the sunbird? LOL @ Pontiac, I'd rather have an old school goat than any modern Pontiac...

[ekam]

- Most reliable in its class
- Mid-engine
- 2 trunks = practical
- Top comes off

Never was into Porsches before I got it.

[fragdude]

I chose the Boxster because it does have two trunks, great torque, good options, the badge (I love Porsches), and at the time the price was decent.

However, I feel a lot of hate goin towards S2000s
I am fortunate enough to be able to fit into one and I also used to have one. They are def. more reliable, but do have down sides such as low torque and little useable trunk space. I, also, personally don't think they look girly at all. A lot of people would say that about the Boxster too.

I was def. a toss-up between another s2000 or a Boxster for me. Boxster trumped this round

[Immortal1520]

Originally Posted by fragdude

However, I feel a lot of hate goin towards S2000s
I am fortunate enough to be able to fit into one and I also used to have one. They are def. more reliable, but do have down sides such as low torque and little useable trunk space. I, also, personally don't think they look girly at all. A lot of people would say that about the Boxster too.

Personally, I'd never take an S2000, but I do acknowledge it as a cool car. And of course, it's reliable. Come on, it's a Honda... those cars have a reputation for beling reliable. They'll last for decades.

Though, I can understand why people would look at that S2000 and think of it to be a girly car. It's pretty petite and lacks torque, which is something most girls love in a sporty car. Also, the color can really make it look like a blatant girls car.

If you ask me, the S2000's image reflects on the driver. On one hand, it's a small, dainty car that doesn't toss you around like a usual sports car. On another, it's a fast, easy to maintain, high-revving car that's about as reliable as they get.

I never thought the Boxster looked girly, considering the way it drives, the amount of room and the way it sounds and it's looks... they don't have the traits of a girly car. That's just my take on it though.

[mikefocke]

My wife said "quit looking, go buy one"...and she didn't care which one it was. So off I go. I drove about 20 samples of other cars. Wasn't looking at Porsche except maybe the 928 at first. Had had a bad reliability/repairability experience with a 914 in 1970-71. Tested ine and it drove like a truck and felt like it was designed in the early 70s (which it was). BMW...took one out and after a block and a half was turning around ..felt like a Mustang from the 60s. Vette just rattled. Jaguar too many stories about engine failures. Honda felt like a shoehorn to get in and I'm not huge. Plus no trunk space. So one day I see an ad for a Boxster across town. Test drive took 30 minutes but in 5 I knew the answer. Negotiated hard from comparative figures, drove it home the same day. Lady replaced it in her 5 car garage with a Hummer H1!!! Lasted 5 months until I totaled it (looking at a Boxster parked in a used car lot, wasn't paying attention to the F150 stopped in my lane). Insurance settlement was more than I had paid for the car so went with a S for the replacement.

Both cars have been good, better than other cars from other makes I have owned at the same time and used in the same way. But I don't gaze fondly at any of them as I pass them like I do with the "toy" car. And they don't average a complement a day like the now old '01 does.

[fragdude]

Of course everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I'm going to have to disagree with you on a lot of points you make. I am only speaking from my experience with the s2000 (it was an AP1) and yes it was a small car, but it was a blast to drive. It did not have the same torque as my S, but it handled extremely well and it could most certainly "toss you around."

As for what makes a car girly. This is obviously something that would be very difficult to describe in words, but I think the s2000 would come short on the fact that it is not comfortable at all. I personally am fine with this, but I would imagine that someone who buys a "sporty" car would want the looks of a sports car, but the comfort of a more modest vehicle which is something the s2000 fails at. My mechanic who loves Porsches and owns many, including a 986S, says that it (Boxsters) looks like a girls car.

And girls love a car that lacks in torque? Most of the points you make go both ways, Boxster or S2000.

Obviously I ended up with a Boxster, and love it dearly, but by all means you can view me as a driver that would buy, and enjoy, an S2000.

Originally Posted by Immortal1520

Personally, I'd never take an S2000, but I do acknowledge it as a cool car. And of course, it's reliable. Come on, it's a Honda... those cars have a reputation for beling reliable. They'll last for decades.

Though, I can understand why people would look at that S2000 and think of it to be a girly car. It's pretty petite and lacks torque, which is something most girls love in a sporty car. Also, the color can really make it look like a blatant girls car.

If you ask me, the S2000's image reflects on the driver. On one hand, it's a small, dainty car that doesn't toss you around like a usual sports car. On another, it's a fast, easy to maintain, high-revving car that's about as reliable as they get.

I never thought the Boxster looked girly, considering the way it drives, the amount of room and the way it sounds and it's looks... they don't have the traits of a girly car. That's just my take on it though.

[SeanZ4]

I had a black '03 Z4. I loved the looks of the car but it did beat me to death! I've owned over half a dozen bimmers and never had any major problems with them. I'll own another one some day I'm sure. The Z4 just didn't have the magic my Boxster S has. It's a third car so I don't drive it every day. My maint. problems will hopefully be less than some I've seen.

sean

[sd_boxster]

Gotta disagree with you. The Solstice GXP is a looker, and it's very fun to drive.

Originally Posted by eightsandaces

[/B] These two cars barely belong in the same sentence...Solstice = another Fiero = Pontiac's propensity to put a deck wing and "gt" on anything and consecrate it as a sports car... Remember when they did that with the sunbird? LOL @ Pontiac, I'd rather have an old school goat than any modern Pontiac...

[Immortal1520]

Originally Posted by sd_boxster

Gotta disagree with you. The Solstice GXP is a looker, and it's very fun to drive.

I've never actually driven a Solstice before, but I will admit it's a pretty nice looking car. Has that nice old school roadster look like the Z4 has. My only quip? The grills in the front feel like they're out of place, a little too low.

[urban_legend]

I was reading the paper and came across an auto auction from the local sheriff.
Your usual assortment of junkers... 92 camry, 96 explorer, etc and then a 91 porsche - when I called the girl said it was a "porsche boxcar" or something. No date, no time, no place for the auction listed in the paper; only the few that called got the details - and then 8 inches of snow on the moring of the auction. No one showed except me.

I didn't choose this car - it was choosen for me.

[eightsandaces]

Originally Posted by sd_boxster

Gotta disagree with you. The Solstice GXP is a looker, and it's very fun to drive.

Pontiac has never made anything that can corner like a Porsche. I have not driven this vehicle but my family has had dealerships my entire life, to each his own...

[Banana S]

Originally Posted by eightsandaces

Pontiac has never made anything that can corner like a Porsche. I have not driven this vehicle but my family has had dealerships my entire life, to each his own...

I have driven both, and you don't know what you're talking about.

I bought the Boxster S over the Solstice because of the Boxster S's power level (a used Solstice GXP would have been several thousand dollars more than what I paid for the Boxster) and because the Solstice/Sky twins have virtually no usable luggage space. But even the base Solstice I drove handled comparably to the Boxster.

I also chose the Boxster S over:

- the S2000 because I wanted some usable torque;
- the Miata because I wanted some power, period;
- the 350Z because I can't stand the looks of the droptop Z;
- the Z3 because of the Z3's rear suspension point failure issues;
- the Z4 because I just liked the looks of the Boxster better; and
- the C5 Corvette because I can't stand the Fisher-Price radio and climate controls.

[eightsandaces]

Originally Posted by Banana S

I have driven both, and you don't know what you're talking about.

I bought the Boxster S over the Solstice because of the Boxster S's power level (a used Solstice GXP would have been several thousand dollars more than what I paid for the Boxster) and because the Solstice/Sky twins have virtually no usable luggage space. But even the base Solstice I drove handled comparably to the Boxster.

I also chose the Boxster S over:

- the S2000 because I wanted some usable torque;
- the Miata because I wanted some power, period;
- the 350Z because I can't stand the looks of the droptop Z;
- the Z3 because of the Z3's rear suspension point failure issues;
- the Z4 because I just liked the looks of the Boxster better; and
- the C5 Corvette because I can't stand the Fisher-Price radio and climate controls.

Whatever, you are welcome to your opinion, if you truly believe what you typed seems like you should have bought one and saved some cash..

2009 Solstice Base RWD 2-Dr Roadster L4 $24,275

could have had two...

[Immortal1520]

Originally Posted by Lordblood

The 350z is too ugly and is too heavy.
The S2000 looks...girly
The Mazda Rx-8 is good, but has that ricey atmosphere about it (I hate ricers with a passion)
The Audi TT is too numb and isn't a sports car
The SLK is a GT car not a sports car
The BMW Z4 is pretty good, but the suspension is harsh and isn't as sophisticated.

Really in this price range you're left with a Boxster. To me it's the perfect mix of everything good about each of the other cars in the range, plus it is mid-engined which is something it shares with no other car in the price range.

Actually I might go as far as saying that the Boxster is the best overall sports car Porsche makes right now. I'm not too sure about the newest 911, but the older ones didn't handle as nicely as the Box, the Cayman is sort of like a Boxster with a solid roof, and the Cayenne...I'm not into SUV's.

Lordblood, everything you've said is on the money. I'm pretty much seeing eye to eye with you in terms of the other cars, haha. I've also lways felt that the Boxster was one of the best sports cars compared to its competition in terms of looks and performance. And the namesake doesn't hurt either.

American cars aren't that bad. From what I've heard from others... they're pretty reliable. My Dad drives a Chrysler Crossfire and it's great if you can deal with the horrid suspension and the massive steering wheel. It doesn't look that bad either with the grooved hood and all.

The main problem with American cars IMO is that you don't really want to buy them as much as you would something from a more reputable brand. Saying that you bought a new Saturn doesn't have as nice of a ring as saying that you bought a new Porsche.

But, I'm going massively off topic here, so yeah... haha.

[sd_boxster]

I will probably still get a used Solstice GXP Coupe (if Pontiac stays solvent long enough to sell them) - but I'll go into it knowing that I may be buying a lemon. I miss my '88 Fiero... America's affordable mid-engine 5-speed (sound familiar) answer to the MR2, event though it was terribly unreliable. Oh, Fieros also had that unpleasant habit of catching fire.

I am willing to overlook such things, at least until the flames reach the cockpit.

[Lordblood]

Haha you can't really call the Boxster reliable either, so I see your point.

I can't see how people like the coupe over the roadster though. The coupe just looks wrong to me somehow, especially that rear window.

[vath2001]

First and foremost, I wanted a ragtop.

Looked at the Miata, nice reliable, but kinda cheap. And I didn't want to wear the British driving cap (I think that's mandatory).

Looked at the Z350 convertible, not attractive. The Saturn Sky is sharp, but out of my price/shopping range (and I hate GM). Don't like the Benz, my brother has a couple and all he does is work on them. I like the Lexus SC430, but the prices are too high. The S2000 are too small (and my boss already has one). The Z4 are sharp... but I didn't want a BMW.... their everywhere.

And I always kept coming back to the Boxster.
I'm not in love with the car. It has had some reliability issues. I feel some of the parts I've replaced should have never broke. But I do like the handling and the look.