Miata and Boxster Experience

[scribe]

Thanks for sharing your impressions of both the Boxster S and the Miata. It's always fun to see comparisons between two sports cars I greatly enjoy.

Right now I'm on my third Miata (an '06 Sport) and have been a Boxster S owner for less than a week. Thus far I haven't been able to do an exhaustive comparison of the Boxster and the Miata but can share some initial impressions.

In spite of the fact that the Miata is front engine/rear drive and the Boxster is midengine/rear drive, the cars are otherwise similar in many ways. Especially when comparing the current-generation (NC) Miata to the Boxster, the cars' dimensions are similar. Both are fun to drive even at low speeds and appear to be well-built. But given the fact that the Boxster is much more powerful and solid and is quite a bit heavier than the Miata, I'd go so far as to describe the Boxster as a Miata on steroids. It's at higher speeds and on the open road where the Boxster seems to really shine. I haven't had a chance to autox the Boxster or drive it on a road course yet, but I imagine it will perform very well.

I'm glad I'm able to own both cars because I don't know which I'd pick if I had to choose between the two of them.

[eightsandaces]

Just my opinion but I think the clutch in the Boxster sucks. It's not adjustable, it has an incredibly vague feel and requires infinite attention and focus for a smooth takeoff engagement. The Fiat was a cabled, direct mechanical clutch, the difference is like holding hands with gloves on or off. With the Fiat, you can finesse and judge gear engagement in a way no hydraulic clutch can match. I love my Boxster, it's overall performance is awesome but it's a bit pathetic that a 38 year old design, clicks into every gear and clutches in a way not available on a modern Porsche. The 944 was the same way, that rubber hub design was lousy.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by eightsandaces

Just my opinion but I think the clutch in the Boxster sucks. It's not adjustable, it has an incredibly vague feel and requires infinite attention and focus for a smooth takeoff engagement. The Fiat was a cabled, direct mechanical clutch, the difference is like holding hands with gloves on or off. With the Fiat, you can finesse and judge gear engagement in a way no hydraulic clutch can match. I love my Boxster, it's overall performance is awesome but it's a bit pathetic that a 38 year old design, clicks into every gear and clutches in a way not available on a modern Porsche. The 944 was the same way, that rubber hub design was lousy.

I've never found modulation to be a problem in my Boxster. To me it's very communicative.

I don't think anyone uses a cable-actuated clutch anymore.

[Lil bastard]

I love both cars. Have had extended experience with the MX-5 (2 month loaner) and I've pretty well made up my mind that come spring, I'm gonna try and trade my pristine '99 Boxster for an '06+ MX-5 even up. If a dealer will do it, I'm sold.

[grantsfo]

I have owned two Boxsters and one 2006 MX-5 long term. The Mazda MX5 is definitely a well engineered car, lighter, more responsive etc, but it wore on me over time as a daily driver. Quality of materials were not close to Boxster, seats became deformed, little trim pieces broke, top rattled. Ride felt cheaper and less controlled. The motor in the new MX-5's is sort of truck like too. Doesnt really make pleasant sounds and top end is nonexistent. Pretty much makes all its power from about 3500 RPM to about 6000 RPM. I'm more of a Honda engine fan.

Boxster to me just offers much more satisfying ride for daily driver. It handles poor surfaces better etc. Motor revs nicely and smoothly no truck motor feel like the MX5. Interior is much nicer to live with as well.

I actually traded the MX5 for car I'm much happier with, a 2007 Nissan 350Z GT Roadster. Now thats a car that is fun and easy to live with day to day! Talking about a nueteral great handling vehicle. I ran the 350Z roadster off showroom floor on Infineon and I was hanging tail out with reckless abandon! Wicked fun car out of the box with 307 HP. Boat loads of torque makes commuting an easy task. Funniest thing is I get far more compliments on the 350Z convertable than I ever did with Boxsters or the MX5.

[scribe]

Originally Posted by grantsfo

I actually traded the MX5 for car I'm much happier with, a 2007 Nissan 350Z GT Roadster. Now thats a car that is fun and easy to live with day to day!

That's interesting that you went from an MX-5 to a 350Z GT Roadster. I traded in a 2001 Miata on an '05 350Z GT Roadster, which I later traded in on my '06 MX-5. The Z was an awesome car, no question about that, and I put almost 30,000 miles on it the year I owned it. But I missed the lightweight, tossable feeling of the Miata (especially during autox) and always kicked myself for trading in the '01 Miata. And it's largely because of that remorse for trading the '01 Miata and my enjoyment of the '06 MX-5 that I'm probably going to keep the car for a good long time. I'll probably do the same with the Boxster so long as it doesn't turn out to be a money pit.

I'm glad you mentioned the 350Z, especially the Roadster ... in a lot of ways the Boxster feels like a hybrid of the 350Z Roadster and the Miata. The Boxster has the lightweight (but not flimsy), tossable feel of a Miata but also manages to have the solidity of the 350Z. The Boxster is also roughly halfway between the Miata and the Z Roadster in terms of weight and power.

[JTP]

I saw an interesting Miata last year. Sorry, I couldn't resist.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by scribe

Thanks for sharing your impressions of both the Boxster S and the Miata. It's always fun to see comparisons between two sports cars I greatly enjoy.

Right now I'm on my third Miata (an '06 Sport) and have been a Boxster S owner for less than a week. Thus far I haven't been able to do an exhaustive comparison of the Boxster and the Miata but can share some initial impressions.

In spite of the fact that the Miata is front engine/rear drive and the Boxster is midengine/rear drive, the cars are otherwise similar in many ways. Especially when comparing the current-generation (NC) Miata to the Boxster, the cars' dimensions are similar. Both are fun to drive even at low speeds and appear to be well-built. But given the fact that the Boxster is much more powerful and solid and is quite a bit heavier than the Miata, I'd go so far as to describe the Boxster as a Miata on steroids. It's at higher speeds and on the open road where the Boxster seems to really shine. I haven't had a chance to autox the Boxster or drive it on a road course yet, but I imagine it will perform very well.

I'm glad I'm able to own both cars because I don't know which I'd pick if I had to choose between the two of them.

The best way I could find to describe it was the Miata is a toy, the Boxster is a tool. Both are very rewarding to drive.