Drove 4 Carreras today

[blue2000s]

A buddy of mine is shopping for 911s. I went with him to the dealership today and we drive 4 different 911s, C4S manual, C4S PDK, Targa4 PDK, and a standard Carrera manual. The PDK C4S had PASM, the 6-speed had the sport crono plus, the Targa 4 and Carrera had the standard suspension. All had 19 inch wheels.

My impressions:
-The PDK is so smooth, you can't feel the shifts. It's a great auto shifing transmission.
-The 6 speed makes the more involving experience. Driving around on the streets with the PDK is pretty much the same experience as an automatic. The stick shift is still the more involving car.
-The RWD car is noticeably lighter on it's feet, more tactile, and more entertaining to drive.
-The Targa is ALOT of glass.
-We both agreed, the standard suspension has better feedback and is preferred, even to the sport mode in the crono package. Even though the Targa is heavier and the Carrera is lighter than the 2 C4Ss, both cars with the standard suspension were more alive than the ones with PASM.
-The 3.8 is pretty torquey and more powerful than the 3.6, but on the street, the difference probably isn't worth the cost.
-I wouldn't take any of them over my Boxster.

My buddy went into the dealership thinking that he wanted the C4S and was undecided about the transmission. Now he's totally confused because the car we both liked the most wasn't the one he expected and he liked both transmissions for different reasons. I told him to buy 2 cars, but I don't think he's cool with that plan.

[PlayersExpress]

For the money he would spend on something new... tell him to pick up a nice, low mileage boxster S and drop a Raby 3.8x51 into it..... preform which ever other mods, and pocket the rest towards a GT2 or GT3.

[r9i8c7k]

Every time I've had the opportunity to drive a 911 I've come back with greater appreciation for my 987.

[Perfectlap]

I suggest driving a 997 GT3. preferably in white.

[husker boxster]

You should suggest he try a Cayman.

[AndyA6]

This is interesting!

I am on my 8th Porsche, if you count a VW Beetle make it 9

I started with a 356('62), 2 911 SC('78 + '83), 1 928S ('86),1 C4 ('89), 1 C2('90 and modded), 1 Cayenne S ('08 wife, does not count here!) and now the '04 Boxster S. Besides above I had classic Alfas like Bertone, Spider, Gulia, various BMWs etc etc etc

Most recently I drove regular non-optioned C2, PDK C4S, new Box S and the Spyder.

After all that I wish for 1 thing only, a bit more power in the '04 S. The handling with the stock supension and 17" wheels is very nice and plenty "fast", the soft top is a great morning canyon run or evening sunset cruise option, it feels light and alive, the steering is hard to beat by ANY other car. Over time I might do a bit in terms of handling to get closer to the Spyder and def. some engine work. This for the track days.

Conclusion:- my used Box is so much fun and compared to today's 911 offerings I don't see the big reason to change. Now having said that I still want a GT3, closest thing to the old school aircooled cars. Even a real good/sorted 964 like mine built to RS specs would be cool.

Another reason I like the Boxster is more subjective, it has soul and feel. If you ever drove and owned a '70s Alfa or an aircooled Porsche you know what I mean. Of the modern Porsche lineup the Boxster is the one.

Later,
Andy

PS.: Jacked up in the garage the car is waiting for the next run......, but before I will start some work like the UD pulley I get from my wife for Xmas!!

Merry Christmas!

[blue2000s]

He's been dreaming about a 911 all his life. Although he's had the means for a long time, he hasn't been able to justify the purchase. He's an engineer like me. So it's 911 or nothing, no Cayman or Boxster, even though I tell him how much more of a driver's car it is.

[Topless]

Originally Posted by AndyA6

Conclusion:- my used Box is so much fun and compared to today's 911 offerings I don't see the big reason to change. Now having said that I still want a GT3, closest thing to the old school aircooled cars. Even a real good/sorted 964 like mine built to RS specs would be cool.

Another reason I like the Boxster is more subjective, it has soul and feel. If you ever drove and owned a '70s Alfa or an aircooled Porsche you know what I mean. Of the modern Porsche lineup the Boxster is the one.

Merry Christmas!

Agreed! My current favorite Carrera is the C2S PDK. I enjoyed driving one very much but it will probably never grace my garage.

[ekam]

Originally Posted by AndyA6

After all that I wish for 1 thing only, a bit more power in the '04 S. The handling with the stock supension and 17" wheels is very nice and plenty "fast", the soft top is a great morning canyon run or evening sunset cruise option, it feels light and alive, the steering is hard to beat by ANY other car. Over time I might do a bit in terms of handling to get closer to the Spyder and def. some engine work. This for the track days.

Conclusion:- my used Box is so much fun and compared to today's 911 offerings I don't see the big reason to change. Now having said that I still want a GT3, closest thing to the old school aircooled cars. Even a real good/sorted 964 like mine built to RS specs would be cool.

Another reason I like the Boxster is more subjective, it has soul and feel. If you ever drove and owned a '70s Alfa or an aircooled Porsche you know what I mean. Of the modern Porsche lineup the Boxster is the one.

I've test drove the new BMWs, Nissan Zs and I've yet to come across any modern sports car that has the same steering feedback as my 04. I couldn't believe how little do people know how underrated our cars are. People nowadays just buy cars by looking at the 0-60 time and how many HP under the hood, or how fast the ring time is.

I drove the new PDK 911s, they're impressive, but they're too expensive for what you get (Porsche admit they have higher profit margin on them than Boxster/Cayman). I didn't grow up wanting a 911, nor did I dreamt of a Porsche.

Now a GT3, perhaps a 996 GT3, now that I will take gladly. But I really have a soft spot for 356 Speedster (more attainable replica).

[JoeFromPA]

I recommend your buddy drive a 96-98 993 c2 and c4s in 6-speed manual only, since he's committed to the 911.

The look, feel, drive, and sound are all extremely mechanical and extremely Porsche. The feeling of lightness is, to me, better than my (early base) boxster. And it rode soo much better I was surprised (this was a c4s with the turbo suspension).

There is a reason 993's are ridiculously priced in alot of instances, and it goes beyond collectability. The car is just damn fun to drive.

[clickman]

When I first bought my Boxster I thought someday when I get rich I'll move up to the 911. I've come to realize that I prefer the Boxster, and there's no need to apologize. The only shortcoming, other than not being able to drive it when I have more than 2 people, is not having 911 displacement.

My long term goal is to sell my car, buy a roller, and put a Raby 4L in it. All for much less than a 911.

[JAAY]

What other mid engine cars are there out there that are even close to the price range of a box? A elise, is smaller and has nothing for comfort or class in my eyes. Cayman of coarse but.... They should have just put their tail between their legs and dropped a big f'n motor in a boxster and put that at the top of the line up! I hate that in all the porsche adds the boxster is always in order of the cheapest porsche. Sorry for my rant. :ah:

[JoeFromPA]

It's ironic when you look under the boxster and see all the part numbers starting in 996

[jbs986]

Originally Posted by JAAY

What other mid engine cars are there out there that are even close to the price range of a box? A elise, is smaller and has nothing for comfort or class in my eyes. Cayman of coarse but.... They should have just put their tail between their legs and dropped a big f'n motor in a boxster and put that at the top of the line up! I hate that in all the porsche adds the boxster is always in order of the cheapest porsche. Sorry for my rant. :ah:

Sorry but I have to disagree with you on the Lotus Elise it out performs my Boxster in every way , It out accelerates,out brakes and out handles it and you can track the car all day and drive it home and get 35mpg.

Yes it is a smaller car but it also is 1,100lbs lighter then my Boxster, as far as comfort, I am 45 6.2 and weight 205lbs I have no prob, getting in or out of the car and the seats are vary comfortable and far as class is concerned, Most people who do not own a Boxster look down on are cars as, Some one who can not afford a real Porsche ; ie a (911) or it is a girls car or a hair dressers car or a secretaries car ect. ect.


I also like the fact that there is only 5,000 Lotus Elises in all of North American, Here where I live Porsches are a dime a doz. and I swear,The most jerky people are driving them.................Sorry for my rant.

[JAAY]

Okie. I said nothing of the performance of both cars. I know that a Elise out Performs a standard box. I almost bought a couple Elises a few years back and then realized that my wife and I would not be happy sitting in one for a extended drive. Boxsters and Elises and any other car you can think of are a dime a dozen around here, lambos, ferraris etc. I do not care what people think about boxsters. Most people have no clue that I is a superior car in most ways than a rear engine p car. I would love a Elise as a play car for the track though.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

I recommend your buddy drive a 96-98 993 c2 and c4s in 6-speed manual only, since he's committed to the 911.

The look, feel, drive, and sound are all extremely mechanical and extremely Porsche. The feeling of lightness is, to me, better than my (early base) boxster. And it rode soo much better I was surprised (this was a c4s with the turbo suspension).

There is a reason 993's are ridiculously priced in alot of instances, and it goes beyond collectability. The car is just damn fun to drive.

Even the 993 is fat compared to my favorite 911, the 78-81 SC. It's the epotime of a sports car. I wish they could still make them like that.

[mts]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

I recommend your buddy drive a 96-98 993 c2 and c4s in 6-speed manual only, since he's committed to the 911.

The look, feel, drive, and sound are all extremely mechanical and extremely Porsche. The feeling of lightness is, to me, better than my (early base) boxster. And it rode soo much better I was surprised (this was a c4s with the turbo suspension).

There is a reason 993's are ridiculously priced in alot of instances, and it goes beyond collectability. The car is just damn fun to drive.

I totally agree with this.....the 993's are big fun to drive vs. the current offerings. The new ones are better cars to live with on a daily basis, but I still think the older ones are more fun to drive.

[ekam]

Everyone should read the "9-1-1" article in Excellence written by Chris Harris. He was pretty spot on on what Porsche is doing with the 911.

He said 911 feels like a car that's made by BMW. It's similar to the 5-series which it's only known for its history because the new 5-series is nothing like the earlier models. He also calls it "Tag Heuer on 4 wheels."