Boxster vs 911 cab--claustrophobic?

[CRCGuy]

no...not another one of those threads (I don't think). I've driven both and definitely prefer the boxster based on test drives. More balanced, more useable as a DD due to dual trunks and seemingly easier to get in and out of.

My question is (to those that have owned both) is which do you prefer on long hauls? I'm now living in Switzerland permanently and will be taking long trips through the alps, deep into France and maybe even italy. Just wondering if the Boxster ever gets too claustrophobic with top up and if I would be better off with a 911 for the extra space behind the seats. the only thing I preferred in the 911 was the steering, otherwise, it just wasn't as fun to me. I could care less about performance differences. I think I drive at 5/10ths most of the time.

any advice?

[landrovered]

I have not owned both but I have driven the 2010 Boxster, Cayman and Carrera S.

If I could only have one car then the choice would be the Carrera S. It has more cabin room, a more upright seating position and better visibilty. For long trips it would be a more comfortable interior. It is taller and thus other drivers seem to see it more than with the Boxster/Cayman.

For winter driving the 4S would be my choice.

For me I don't have only one car, I have six (not bragging, just don't like to sell stuff, I am a hoarder) so the Boxster/Cayman was my choice.

I like sitting lower to the ground, I like the fact that it feels like more of a sports car than the Carrera S.

I have done five hour trips in my Boxster and found it to be quite comfortable. Best thing to do is go to the dealership and drive them all. Then decide.

[Perfectlap]

I was going to point out that the bath tub with the big butt has seats that fold down and that you might want to take that into account if you participate activities for which you will need the space like cycling and an extra set of wheels for a driving event. But then I remembered it's not a coupe....nevermind.

[RandallNeighbour]

Why would you think a 911 cab would be claustrophobic? From the seat backs forward it's the same car in a sensory "this is how I feel in it" kind of way.

You know, you should definitely pose this question on a 911 forum. Those guys would know far better than us, and they are not biased toward the 986/987.

[mikefocke]

And are you the only one on the trip and how much stuff is the other passenger going to want to be bringing along? Do you value top down driving? Are you going to get a hardtop which does provide more headroom and cut down noise a bit? Aren't the 996 and 986 almost identical in firewall-forward design and so why would the steering be that different (could it have been alignment)? What years are you considering for both cars?

I've taken several 400km trips in the Boxster and I find it comfortable. Lots of luggage room, not much room for stuff inside the cabin which I find OK but my wife likes her things cluttered around her. OTOH, my wife doesn't like it as she feels she is sitting on the road.

[ARModen]

I've done a few 800-1200 mile trips in the Boxster. I spent a good 30 hours in it during a hurricane evacuation. I don't think claustrophobia is so much of an issue. I'd be more worry about what sort of shape your tailbone is in at the end of the trip. I'd take both out on the highway and see which has the smoother ride. I choose the boxster for zipping around town, but the 911 might be better for cruising on the highway. That and depending on what year you're looking at you might need to opt for the 911 so you have cupholders and a glove compartment.

[CRCGuy]

thanks all for the insight. any trips would be just me and a cute thin swiss girl

I didn't say the 911 was claustrophobic, I was referring to the boxster since there's kinda just a wall behind ya the entire time.

I wasn't disappointed in the ride comfort in the boxster, I could probably handle that. it was just that feeling of a small space for long periods. top down the entire time on highways is not an option most likely due to speeds involved, esp on the autobahn (my hairline is already half gone. or is it half full?). otherwise, i'll pretty much have the top 99% of the time in town. ability to put top down is absolutely a must. Life's too short for a hardtop for me. I never have and never will be timed on a track.

I'm also looking at latest models (987 and 997). I drove both back to back last Nov. there is definitely a difference! the boxster steering felt totally numb by comparison--yes the 911 has that much road feel (or at least, the new ones). but def not a deal breaker. The comments about 4S are well-noted. it can get slippery here in winter, esp at higher alititudes. awd would certainly provide some peace of mind.... as long as it didn't make me too complacent.

I was confused about comments regarding room with seats folded down. doesn't it work the same in the cab vs coupe?

good idea to post in 911 forum. I just figured there'd be lots of folks here who'd done several XXXX mile trips in a box and wanted to see if it got annoying because of interior room.

thanks again
crcguy

[vipola]

I'v done a 2720 km (almost 1 700 miles) trip (Ottawa - Prince Edward Island - Ottawa) in a 99 boxster and never feelt like missing space behind me :P most of the time the top was down, but It was very confortable and nothing to complain.. Space in the two trunk was just perfect for me and my girlfriend. I would do it again anytime!

[RandallNeighbour]

Originally Posted by CRCGuy

thanks all for the insight. any trips would be just me and a cute thin swiss girl

I'm sure there's a few fat ugly chicks in Switzerland (quality control workers in chocolate factories?) but I've never encountered one on my trips to your part of the world.

Same thing goes for the girls in Norway and Sweden.

[husker boxster]

Have you thought about a Cayman? Might be the best of both worlds.

[ARModen]

The interior size difference really isn't that much. The 911's barely a 4 seater. I'd bet the difference between the volume of the back seat in the 911 and the boxster's rear trunk+area on top of the engine is pretty small. My dad and I did 1400 miles from Arizona to Louisiana and never had any claustrophobia issues. We're both decent sized guys, and we had the top up the second half to minimize our skin cancer. I think my dogs get claustrophobic after about 8 hours of traveling.