Cand Driver Review of the New Boxster S
 

Car and Driver review of the new 981 Boxster S: 2013 Porsche Boxster S Test – Review – Car and Driver

What do you think? Would you buy a new 981 or the last year or two of the 987?

Sounds like a sweet ride

No doubt it's an extraordinary vehicle. I love everything about it, but the price. Loading up on options, it can easily close in on the 100k mark . And, that's without adding the CCB option. That kind of money equals, if not surpasses, the cost of some pretty exciting rivals. Yeah, you guessed it, a late model 360 Modena . :)

I.m waiting for the allwheel drive boxster

I'd buy my car again instead in a minute. Five more ponies, way better looks, steering that is connected to the car, lighter, likely a hair faster for a LOT less than the way over 100G's a new S would be with same options and more rare to see on the road.

Ghost,

I tend to agree with you . OMG ! I just realized that we finally agreed on something !! Holy motherella ! :)

Ahhh... But what color????

Super deluxe speed yellow !

>$100K I don't see the value. In 2005 I negotiated a new loaded Boxster S for @75K and that was a lot. Granted it's gorgeous and probably awesome to drive but like said above, that is in the price range of a slightly used Ferrari, C4S Cab or a slew of other wonderful sportscars.

Perhaps when the price point gets attractive in a few years I'll consider it but honestly even if it were in the low 40's in 5 years I'd look at other cars.

I'm not getting the complaints about price. IIRC, MSRP is $3000 more than a '12, and it has a few more things standard, doesn't it? Yeah the ones I'm seeing are stickersd at 85k or so, but that's just dealers loading them up with a buttload of options. Anyone ordering a $65,000 box S would still be getting a very nice car.

Right now, I have to agree with Ghost that the last few years of the 987 are more desirable than the new 981.

But I also agree with Johnny that I'd buy a used Ferrari first.

I will grab one when you can get them used for around 30-40k.

Tried a boxster s with PDK a month ago and it was better than my current car in every single way, loved it!

I doubt the 981 delivers more of what actually matters - driving pleasure - than a late model 987 3.4.

Frankly, I doubt it provides more than a 986 S on ROW M030. It may even provide less.

I think the best two Boxsters are the Spyder and a pre-facelift 986 on M030.

The only significant advantage of the 981 is that it looks snazzier to those who like shiny shiny new things. I actually think the 986 is the prettier car. And like I said I suspect a 986 on M030 is probably as good or better to drive. So the 981 doesn't hold much attraction to me.

I test drove a 2013 Boxster S and a 2002 996 Turbo for 30K less, I left with the turbo.

Wise man......

OK, everyone seems to be comparing the price of a new car vs. a used one, hardly an apples-to-apples comparison. Now compare a 5 year old Ferrari to a 5 year old Boxster, and see which is a better "deal".

Hell, if you option out a pickup truck you can hit $75k or so.

I was the first one to title my car, it had 3k on it, it's under warranty, that's close enough to new for me.

I think the point that members are trying to make is finding the best "bang for your buck" ! IMO, no boxster (either past or present) is going to match the thrill and visceral excitement of a 360 Modena . Given the current price of the 981, I'd opt for a late model, low mileage 360 over one any day .

Actually, I think the OP was asking for comparisons between the 2011/12 987 and the 2013 981. If I were buying new, I would definitely opt for the 2013 as: 1. Resale is apt to be much better for the current model over the previous one. 2. Based upon Porsche's history, the new body shell should remain in production and hence current looking for another 8 years. 3. Personally, I prefer the appearance of the new 2013 (other opinions may vary). 4. Despite increased interior dimensions, weight is down, while performance and fuel mileage are up.

Yes, Porsche has gone to electric steering; however, the insertion of a hydrualic power steering pump between the steering wheel and the steering box on previous cars hardly made for a direct mechanical connection either. Does anyone remember the howls from some purists when Porsche went from manual, to power assisted steering on the 911? I'd have to test the new steering to be certain, but I suspect that may of the complaints about reduced feel are from those who have never tried the new car, or at least, the new and old car back-to-back.

Brad

I agree! I graduate from anesthesia school in one year and I would like to pick up a used "new" Boxster then and let someone else take the hit.