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

Perfectlap · 09-14-2011, 02:38 PM

wow this is a lot of replies considering most Boxster owners go nowhere near an autocross or DE.

Let me give you a little advice. Don't pick which Boxster you are going to buy based on Autcross classes. Pick it based on what you get the best feeling from when driving it. IMHO a roadster at about this weight "comes alive" at about 240 HP. Particular out of tight turns where the extra ponies come in handy and when overtaking cars from the merge lane on the highway. Either way choosing which Boxster to buy leaves you up to the whims of those who make up those classifications. I mean are you more interested in winning $10 trophies or learning how to drive?

Around these parts the base boxster both 2.5 and 2.7 are grouped with the S2000.
The 3.2 and 3.4 are grouped with the standard 996 Carrera and some of the M3's.
Depending on the driver of course, I often matched or better either's time. The club director told me that the S was a bit a trick to classify because it clearly had an advantage over the S2000's on power but was a little short of some of the newer Porsches and BMWs.

I also had a Miata that I learned to autocross on and IMHO again that car is way more fun to learn how to drive, like for real driving, than a Boxster. If it wasn't such a sardine can in a road of millions of 4 ton SUVs I probably wouldn't have ever sold it. I read a recent Road&Track review of the latest Miata and they had surprsingly mixed views on it.

Mrmaddbrad · 09-14-2011, 10:15 PM

Wow, thats a lot to take in, in one post lol. Well ya know, as I am only 17 and looking to by a boxster, I really should just buy the one that i can afford. I've driven a 2000 Miata around quite a bit, and anything faster than that, i would absolutely love.

Like previously mentioned, its really hard to get into the whole Horsepower merry go round. Especially when money is such a big issue. But never the less, i would love to get an S, but like i said, money money money.

All in all, I'll probably get a nice example of a base 986 and maybe eventually upgrade it to an S or even a different car...

Perfectlap · 09-15-2011, 08:46 AM

17? you can't even by yourself a beer! And now you're thinking about buying the roadster that sets the bar in its class? Do you have any idea what you are doing?
You're peaking before you're even out of the gate. Do you understand what that will do to your whole view of the world? After listening to that Porsche engine right behind your ears... it's all going to be one unrealistic expectation after another.
Next you know you're going to think that your first job will be as CEO of Google.
And that your first house will be 6,000 square feet with a infinity pool.
Dude you are playing with fire.

but good on you for learning how to drive at autocross before being old enough to vote. I can't tell you how many spikey-haired, pimply-faced, unemployed, living at home, fast and furious racers have pulled up to me at a light looking to race their front wheel drivers. Too much Xbox.

thstone · 09-15-2011, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrmaddbrad

Well ya know, as I am only 17...

Ok, sorry but I didn't realize that you were only 17. In that case, the Miata is definitey the better choice. You are exactly the same age as my son and that is why I bought the Miata (for him).

You need to learn to drive before you need to go fast and the Miata will teach you to drive well and it won't get you into situations where your inexperience will cost you a lot of money. The Miata is super cheap compared to a Boxster to purchase, maintain, run, and repair after you crash it (which you are sure to do at your age regardless of what car you have).

And don't get me wrong - we ALL crashed a car in our teens! Heck, that would be a long thread, having everyone post up what car they crashed as a teen! Its part of growing up - you find the limit, exceed it, and learn that going over the limit doesn't always work out like in the movies.

My advice is to buy a nice NB or early NC Miata and use the extra money that you would have spent on the Boxter for upgrades, driving schools, and track time. Then, re-eval in a few years.

Perfectlap · 09-16-2011, 08:46 AM

^ boy aint that the truth. That's one thing I definitely miss about the Miata.
For the price Fabspeed charges for my full Boxster exhaust system I could have bought that old Miata. I set it up with FM springs and rear mounts, KYB adjustables, sways, autocross wheels and tires, a very slick Racing Beat aero kit, low profile headlights, that any old mechanic could work on and I had a car that you simply couldn't beat for that little money ....and could pound it all day without a worry about a hugely expensive repair.

Mrmaddbrad · 09-17-2011, 06:21 PM

*sigh* shouldn't have said i was 17....

Alright. Lets get a few things straight... lol. Not to be some cocky 17 year old, but I am currently driving a 1986, rear-wheel drive, BMW 325es... I do autocross it and actually do rather well. I have been dominating my class which consists of ~6 people depending on the day and usually win by 1 to 3 seconds (depending on the overall times of the course...). A few of these people have been racing for 20+ years and have cars much more competitive in the class. Not to brag, but it all just comes down to driver.

I can drive, I've never ever gotten myself into a situation where I felt out of control.

Biggest problem with the world... Stereotypes.

Lets say im 17, driving a porsche. What does everyone think? "Oh look at him... What did his mommy buy that for him? He'll wreck it in a few months anyways..."

Well not true at all. I'm taking a AP calculus, physics, AP government, and AP Spanish class and then go to work at a German Auto shop, working my ass off for my money that i can save and hopefully buy my dream car. I hate that just because of my age, everyone thinks i should buy a different car. I'm not a spoiled little brat, and I hope you guys will see that in me. Just disappointed in the world guys, disappointed...

thstone · 09-18-2011, 08:14 PM

Hey buddy, we're not down on you. We appreciate that you're trying to get some input and good job on doing your homework before shelling out the cash.

At the end of the day, only you can decide what car to buy. You asked for advice and input and the folks here provided that (for what its worth).

But if you really want a Boxster, get one. We'll always be glad to have another owner in the club.

Mrmaddbrad · 09-18-2011, 08:20 PM

Haha i know. I had just had this long talk with my boss (who's like 30) about how age discrimination is such a huge problem now lol.

Well, it is what i want, and most people ive been talking to are trying to discourage me from it, mostly just because of their badge on the hood... In the long run, its a car I hope to keep for a long time, and currently I'm just throwing money into a car i know I'm not going to keep.