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Old 04-23-2013, 04:14 AM   #1
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How I learned to love the 981!

Last night a 26 year old friend of my son was at our house, saw my 986 Boxster in the driveway and exclaimed, "Wow, that's one of the original Boxsters, isn't it?" Well, yes. "How old is it?" She'll be 14 years old in August. "Looks incredible!" Well, that's it then. I don't have to care if the 981 has better acceleration, a higher top speed, better handling, braking and ergonomics, because mine is a classic!

I know, in most States in the US a car has to be 20 years old to get a classic car registration and plates (although the first Boxsters will be getting there in only three years), but still... As I see it, when the 987 came out, the 986 was relegated to being nothing more than a used Porsche - the previous model. Now that the 981 has arrived, the 986 Boxster has become not simply a used car, but the 'original' Boxster. The one that started the line - and unlike the 914, 924, 944 and 928, I say line as I fully expect the Porsche 'Boxster', like the 911, to carry on for a very long time. So in a sense, the introduction of the 981 and its more modern (if less unique) design has allowed us to move past the used car label, into the classic car one. And for that, I have learned to love the 981 and its electronic power steering, electronic emergency brake activation, optional vector control, non-unique styling, etc., etc.

Brad

Last edited by southernstar; 04-23-2013 at 04:15 AM. Reason: sp
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Old 04-23-2013, 04:24 AM   #2
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Last night a 26 year old friend of my son was at our house, saw my 986 Boxster in the driveway and exclaimed, "Wow, that's one of the original Boxsters, isn't it?" Well, yes. "How old is it?" She'll be 14 years old in August. "Looks incredible!" Well, that's it then. I don't have to care if the 981 has better acceleration, a higher top speed, better handling, braking and ergonomics, because mine is a classic!

I know, in most States in the US a car has to be 20 years old to get a classic car registration and plates (although the first Boxsters will be getting there in only three years), but still... As I see it, when the 987 came out, the 986 was relegated to being nothing more than a used Porsche - the previous model. Now that the 981 has arrived, the 986 Boxster has become not simply a used car, but the 'original' Boxster. The one that started the line - and unlike the 914, 924, 944 and 928, I say line as I fully expect the Porsche 'Boxster', like the 911, to carry on for a very long time. So in a sense, the introduction of the 981 and its more modern (if less unique) design has allowed us to move past the used car label, into the classic car one. And for that, I have learned to love the 981 and its electronic power steering, electronic emergency brake activation, optional vector control, non-unique styling, etc., etc.

Brad
+1 here!

The more newer models they introduce, the more nostalgia points our 986s earn!
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Old 04-23-2013, 05:54 AM   #3
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+1 here!

The more newer models they introduce, the more nostalgia points our 986s earn!
Maybe it is because I own one, but I prefer the looks of the 986 over the 981.

986


987


981



I know the 981 is a couple inches longer, but it looks squatier (?) to me. Like I said, maybe I am biased becasue I have a 986.
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Old 04-23-2013, 09:00 AM   #4
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Originally Posted by Coffinhunter View Post
Maybe it is because I own one, but I prefer the looks of the 986 over the 981.

I know the 981 is a couple inches longer, but it looks squatier (?) to me. Like I said, maybe I am biased becasue I have a 986.
using your pic, my 13 year old car (or 20 year old concept design) is aging quiet well when compared to the current car.

I have to wonder if the 981 will look as current when the 2033 Boxster is parked next to it some day.


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Old 04-28-2013, 10:46 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by Perfectlap View Post
using your pic, my 13 year old car (or 20 year old concept design) is aging quiet well when compared to the current car.

I have to wonder if the 981 will look as current when the 2033 Boxster is parked next to it some day.


Nice wheels!
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Old 04-23-2013, 09:37 AM   #6
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Coffinhunter, I also think that the 986 is a more original and cohesive design, although I believe that the 981 is a much more modern design (as expected), and one that is very attractive in its own right. The 986 makes consistent use of 'modifed C', or 'half-oval' shapes throughout the design. From the front:
- the shape of the front air intakes
- the profile of the side mirrors
- the shape of the instrument cover (and the opening)
- the shape of the headrests
- the shape of the roll bars
- even the shape of the much maligned 'fried egg', lower amber portion of the headlights.
From the side:
- the overall body shape - sloping down front and rear
- the shape of the side windows
- the shape of the top
- the shape of the side air intakes
- in the optional 17 inch Boxster design wheels, in the slots between the spokes
- the shape of the front side-marker light
- the side profile of the tailights
- the shape of the door handles
From the rear:
- the shape of the rear bumperettes
- the shape of the rear central deck light
- the shape of the tailights.
- in the base Boxster, the shape of exhaust tip

These same shapes are also carried into the interior. Simply put, rather than being a mix of angular and rounded shapes, the design elements remain balanced, consistent and cohesive throughout. It also carries a strong family resemblance to the first mid-engined Porsche (apart from the prototype 356), the famous 550 Spyder. This is something that became less pronounced in the 987 and which is virtually absent from the 981. While others have already pointed out the similarity of the 981 to some other mid-engined sports car designs, one cannot confuse the 986 with any other car. Dated or not, it is immediately recognizable as a Porsche and no other car. And to me, that is no bad thing!

However, as to which car looks more aggressive (some would say masculine)? I would say the 981. Which looks faster when it is standing still? The 981. Which looks state of the art in 2013? The 981. In sum, the 981 is an attracitve, aggressive-looking, state of the art design for a mid-engined sports car.
A job well-done. But the 986 is also an attractive, balanced and original design - and one with historical elements that are uniquely Porsche.

Brad
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Old 04-23-2013, 11:15 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by Coffinhunter View Post
Maybe it is because I own one, but I prefer the looks of the 986 over the 981.

986
Still a pretty timeless design. I never get tired of looking at 986's. The 987's and now the 981 are nice, but there is just something about the earlier models that draws me in. When people see it either in person or in a picture, they always comment "that's a beautiful car!"
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Old 04-23-2013, 11:23 AM   #8
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Still a pretty timeless design. I never get tired of looking at 986's. The 987's and now the 981 are nice, but there is just something about the earlier models that draws me in. When people see it either in person or in a picture, they always comment "that's a beautiful car!"
It's really hard to believe that car came out in 1997. Back then, this is what its competition looked like:



Today, the SLK looks really dated to me, but not the Box.
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Old 04-23-2013, 03:12 PM   #9
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It's really hard to believe that car came out in 1997. Back then, this is what its competition looked like:



Today, the SLK looks really dated to me, but not the Box.
I actually think the original SLK is similar to the 986 Box in the sense that it too is simpler, purer and cleaner than the fussy cars that have followed it.

The SLK isn't as nice a design as the 986, but I don't think it's as bad as you suggest.

Generally I think the 986 has aged well because it's such a clean, unadorned design. There's not a huge amount to date. Parts of the 987's design are very fussy and have dated badly.

The 981 is pretty fussy too, so I suspect it will date fairly quickly.

There are of course always exceptions. The original Z4 is a very busy design, but for me it's aging very, very well. Still looks exceptionally fresh - arguably looks fresher than it's rather bland successor.
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Old 04-24-2013, 08:24 AM   #10
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I think the ginourmous wheels on the 981 make it look squatty.

I do like the look of the 981, but it's so close to my 987.2, I can't justify the extra $$.

Well, not yet anyway . . .

What I REALLY want is the GT3
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Old 04-23-2013, 03:01 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by southernstar View Post
I know, in most States in the US a car has to be 20 years old to get a classic car registration and plates (although the first Boxsters will be getting there in only three years), but still....
I was sitting here doing the math in my head: "Now hang on just a minute! Three years? I thought my car was 15 years old being a mid-97 build and all...k, subtract that, carry the 2, adjacent over hypotenuse...oh, hey, he's right! My car's gonna be 16 in a couple months! Woohoo!"
:dance:
Don't mind me, I've been staring at numbers and all sorts of files all day and my mind is shot, totally wrong time to be doing any sort of math.
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