Boxster S vs Air-cooled 911?

[Perfectlap]

Buy the 911 as restorations/investments. They will be worth a lot more in a few decades when they become hard to find or really expensive to restore. We discuss this in another thread but I see collector cars that were limited in production rocketing in value in the future. Heck American muscle cars did incredibly well during the credit bubble although I'm not sure how that market works as far as supply and deep-pocket buyers. I'm guessing they made a lot of muscle cars and they're a lot cheaper to restore than vintage Porsches.

Buy the Boxster to drive or drive hard.

two wholly different purposes and investments.

[san rensho]

Don't forget the dreaded trail throttle oversteer of the 911. Get into a corner too hot, lift off the gas and watch as the back end is now pointed forward.

[blue2000s]

The SC is absolutely my favorite (realistically buyable) Porsche. It provides the light weight (2400 lb) magical man/machine connection like no modern Porsche can but also has enough power to not embarass itself (but you do have to rev it to really get going). I can feel the steering wheel bouncing around in my hand as I write this!

The air-cooled Carreras that came after got heavier and more luxurious (very noticeably heavier) and then the water cooled cars just got huge. Look at an SC parked next to a Boxster and you'll see how bloated these cars have become.

There are companies out there who make retrofit kits for the AC and I've read really good things about the results.

The SCs also have very reliable engines and have good rust-proofing that earlier 911s don't.

If you like the noises (oh that air cooled flat six growl) and sensations of a very mechanically pure and connected sports car, the SC is a great choice. If you're looking for something with modern safety, convenience, and luxury, the Boxster is a better solution. The Boxster is like driving an old 911 with an extra layer of insulation between you and the car.

[maj75]

These posts really capture how I feel...

I lust after the sound of the air-cooled flat six revving. I can upgrade the AC with a vintage air kit that will actually cool...

I would like the driving position of the 911 more.

I don't care about automatic HVAC control or ABS or even power seats... (I would miss cruise) The Boxster S is a very nice car, I'm not sure after 3000 miles that it has the Porsche feel I was looking for. The sound is definitely not there. The ride is pretty soft compared to my former C6 and current IS-F. Handling is very good, but the car does feel heavy (could be that I need to lose 40 lbs )

I have stopped kidding myself that any car purchase was an investment I can't keep a car long enough to see any appreciation. I only hope to not lose too much!

Logic tells me I made a good choice, but my head still turns when I hear the sound of an air-cooled flat six or see an old SC go by...

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by maj75

The ride is pretty soft compared to my former C6 and current IS-F. Handling is very good, but the car does feel heavy (could be that I need to lose 40 lbs )

It shouldn't feel heavy compared to an IS-F. That thing outweighs the Boxster by about a half of a ton!

[stephen wilson]

If you're looking for a crappy, abusive ride, that's easily fixed with some stiff springs! But don't confuse that with good mechanical grip, they don't necessarily go hand in hand.

[Appleguy]

I had a 1974 2.7L 911S a while ago and now have a 2002 Boxster. The 911S was my daily driver while the Boxster is a project car for my son. Love both cars for different reasons as well as hated both cars for different reasons.

You seriously cannot go wrong on either car as long as you find the right car to fit you and your budget. Keep in mind that a 1980 SC is now over 30 years old and will provide you with a whole new realm of potential issues.

Good luck!

[DenverSteve]

Since no purchase, that most people can afford, will ever be an investment - get what you like. That said, a few years ago I bought a 1969 Boss 302 Mustang to "feel the car" and have the absolute driver's car with no extras or weight... blah, blah,...

That was great but didn't last. Most of us like the creature comforts of modern living like - AC, power brakes, door locks..... The Boxster hands-down out handles, out performs, is more comfortable than an old 911 and, of course, they are convertibles. A 911SC with a whale-tail in Guard's Red is certainly a classic. Maybe too classic for me.

[WhipE350]

Yes go test drive one for a good 20 or 30 min drive. Go with your heart since you don't keep cars long enough to be an investment. I think 'blue2000s' drew up a really good picture, makes me want to hear that growl of an older 911 that I wish my Boxster had much more of.

It is very hot in the south and the Boxster has an awesome AC. I had a 3 hour drive a few weeks ago in low sun (which helped), 100 degree weather in NC and never got out of fan speed above 1 or 2, it just got too cold for my girlfriend.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by DenverSteve

Since no purchase, that most people can afford, will ever be an investment - get what you like. That said, a few years ago I bought a 1969 Boss 302 Mustang to "feel the car" and have the absolute driver's car with no extras or weight... blah, blah,...

That was great but didn't last. Most of us like the creature comforts of modern living like - AC, power brakes, door locks..... The Boxster hands-down out handles, out performs, is more comfortable than an old 911 and, of course, they are convertibles. A 911SC with a whale-tail in Guard's Red is certainly a classic. Maybe too classic for me.

If you think a 60s muscle car is a driver's car, you NEED to drive an older 911 on a twisty road. Night and day.

Besides, it's not like an SC is a suspensionless track car. Porsches have always been known for making great streetable sports cars. The old ones are just lighter, more direct, and built better.

[Lil bastard]

I went from a Boxster I had for 7 years to an air-cooled (964 Carrera 4 Cab) a year ago and couldn't be happier.

I wasn't looking to make a change, but this car (one-owner 20k mi.) came available through a distress sale and I couldn't resist. I was also able to sell my Boxster for not much less than I paid for the 911 making it almost an even swap.

The AC is fantastic in the 911 (esp. considering it's a Cab). The 911 has it hands down on build quality - no comparison.

Other areas the 911 trumps the Boxster; the sound of that air-cooled flat 6, instant recognition, better interior, feels just as solid, 25% smaller giving it a more true sports car feel while still having a spacious interior - at least as much as the Boxster. And they're on the up-tick. The 964 is worth on average $3k more than I paid for mine last year, and expected to keep climbing. The Boxster I sold is worth $5k less than I was able to sell it for.

Despite being 200 lbs. more than the Carrera 2, the all-wheel drive handling (adapted from the 958 factory rally cars) more than makes up for the weight penalty - this car has manners and dispels the 911's reputation of handling which will bite you - and it's still lighter than the Boxster.

Several major car mags have revisited the 964 (somewhat maligned when introduced in '89) and re-reviewed it. They all stated that they were wrong - that after 20 yrs. real world experience the car has vindicated itself concluding that it may be the best 911 ever built. The 964 sold for less than it cost Porsche to produce (due to the recession of the early '90's) and almost dragged the company over the edge - good for the owner, bad for Porsche.

It's successor, the 993, was a somewhat dumbed-down version with lesser quality interior, a new awd system adapted not from the earlier 958 but from audi (for cost reasons). It's new, non-traditional styling was somewhat polarizing. But it's popularity over the 964 stems from it being the last of the air-cooleds, some like the styling as being more 'modern', it's engine mgmt. system doing away w/ the dizzys, and the adoption of hydraulic lifters though the engine - the M64 is the same 3.6L of the 964.

The SC's are maybe Porsche's best selling (and most produced) 911, and are great cars (I owned an '83). Their issues are: bad chain tensioners, bad AC, require regular valve lashing. But, they are also going on 30 yrs. now and will soon become more maintenance instense. I consider them marginal DD's.

In then end, the Boxster is a fine car, but as mentioned, a totally different animal. Get to know them both well and the right decision for you will be apparent.

Cheers!

[WhipE350]

Nice car! That will always be beautiful, even 20 years from now.