My story with the 986 Boxster

[pothole]

Great story, rondocap.

As far as I'm concerned, you get it. I'm really impressed. Not many people make the progression you've made the way you've made it. It must have been a hell of a lot of fun.

A base 986 Boxster is one of the few cars you can buy for reasonable money that gives you that purity you speak of and combines it with such a sophisticated - you might say aristocratic - powertrain.

BRZ is indeed in the same ballpark, but in the end isn't nearly as nice as a sorted 986. The Boxster's engine is miles nicer. It has a nicer, firmer and less over-servoed brake pedal. The gearchange is nicer.

The 986 isn't perfect. The steering is a bit over assisted, the gearchange could be more mechanical. And it would have been nice if they're done a 986 coupe of some kind. But for the money, they are pretty damn lovely.

[Michiganstar]

Nice write up. I love my S for the mix of power and raw handling. Having owned both Cayman and 997 I can safely say the boxster has a raw edge that the other two lack - don't get me wrong they'd both lap a track faster but I think I'd be having more fun - especially at lower speeds which is why I prefer it on the road. I honestly think that the Boxster is criminally undervalued at its current price in the UK. All the better for us owners that are in the know I suppose

[jb92563]

I have driven stick cars all my life and I have to say that there is definitely a learning curve even for experienced shifters.

I still have the occasional stall if the music is too loud and I can't hear the engine.

I use the tack a bit more at stops when the music is up, but it turns out that the better music is the sound of the engine most of the time.

I'd say it took me 6 months to become silky smooth with the shifting, even under hard acceleration.

Just a note, absolutely do not fear the quality of the S model. I test drove a base 2000 at the dealership but ended up buying an 2001 S from a private seller.

As much as you love the base, just add 25% more love for the S with the same handling, but even more responsive acceleration.