Autocross and other quick questions! - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Mrmaddbrad · 09-12-2011, 04:51 PM

Oow, you have no idea how bad i want to go swimming in that kind of water! lol

Yeah, but here in a few months i think that I am going to buy one. I'm pretty sure I'm going to buy a base model, but everything about an S looks so much more appealing! Suspension, brakes, extra hp. Everything!

Has anyone driven both? Do you feel as though you could go back to driving a base model after driving an S?

Topless · 09-12-2011, 04:57 PM

As an Instructor I get to drive em all: Box S, 930, 951, GT3RS, Carrera GTX, Cayman R, Boxster Spider, Z06, AMG, M5 etc. I don't suffer from "S" envy at all but I know a lot of drivers who do. To each his own. I like my lil 2.5L pea shooter just fine.

tnoice · 09-12-2011, 05:19 PM

I autocross my 986S in a "few" autocrosses each year, so I can't speak for the base Boxster, however you must be careful on what modifications you do because it could bump you into a higher class, where you find yourself less than competitive. SCCA is pretty strict about their stock classes.

The best modification I made that made the car a lot better to flog around the course was new tires. I went with the RE11's. They are amazing.

Have fun autocrossing!

Mrmaddbrad · 09-12-2011, 07:22 PM

Wow guys! Already being very helpful!

I do know about autocross rules. I am currently autocrossing a 1986 BMW 325es in G-stock. Tires are the biggest modification you can make, while you can still do shocks, new air intake, and front sway bar modifcations and still remain in stock class.

I don't plan on doing much to my boxster, MAYBE a front sway bar if i can find the right one. But for the most part, tires will be the only thing i will be using and hopefully a good set of R-compounds will let me dominate the 10 miatas in C-stock at my local autocross...

Thanks for all the help everyone!!

Topless, do you find the acceleration in a 986 vs a 986S to be as significant as people make it seem? I figure even the base model will be way more fun than what i have now :P

The dude · 09-12-2011, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrmaddbrad

Topless, do you find the acceleration in a 986 vs a 986S to be as significant as people make it seem? I figure even the base model will be way more fun than what i have now :P

Sorry to butt in.......

I drove a few different cars before getting the S. The base seemed to be a little underpowered.... And I drove both a 1999 and 2000 which had differing horsepower. The S was significantly quicker and, in my mind, a whole different beast. Not that a isn't worthy.......

It all comes down to driver anyway on a track. For me, I just drive on the street.

DenverSteve · 09-12-2011, 07:31 PM

As long as you're comparing like years of Base and S then yes they are very comparable. You have a bigger difference when comparing a 1997 base and a 2004 S for example. I had a 2001 base and now a 2002 S and the S has more torque and HP but the 2.7 had a manual which makes up for a lot of difference. As a track car either will do nicely.

Mrmaddbrad · 09-12-2011, 08:14 PM

Alright. Thanks guys! It seems to me like i just need to get out there and start test driving. I work at a German auto mechanic and have been waiting for some to come in for some service work, but in the few months i've been there none have come in!! I'm dying to drive one! lol

Anyone live in Northern california thats willing to let me drive theres??

Topless · 09-12-2011, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrmaddbrad

Wow guys! Already being very helpful!

Topless, do you find the acceleration in a 986 vs a 986S to be as significant as people make it seem? I figure even the base model will be way more fun than what i have now :P

A Box S is definitely faster than a base Box in a straight line. So is an M5, GT3, MB AMG, C6 Z06, Viper and on and on. There is always a faster car out there... it never ends. I am kinda pragmatic. A car is simply a tool and I want the right tool for the job. My goal in performance driving is not TTOD but rather to get that spacer between the seat and the steering wheel really lined up

With two TT championships and 6 PCA track records in BSX it is working pretty well.

A Base Box among a fleet of Miatas is a good race. Last time I checked SCCA they bumped the 986 Box S in with C5 Corvettes. If you show up in the Box S you are bringing a knife to a gunfight. You can still win here but you will do it on talent and not with the car. Use the local AX rules and class structure to your advantage.