Boxster 1st Impressions - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

blue2000s · 03-31-2006, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ljd-924se

great first post! you sound like an excellent candidate for a quaiffe LSD and a porsche sport exhaust (PSE).

I'd gladly give up the 6th gear for an LSD differential. Don't get me wrong, the transmission is really great, but 5th and 6th are so close that 5th isn't really necessary. The handling benefits of LSD, on the other hand, are very evident to me. It seems like a marketing manouver more than an engineering one.

Ronzi · 03-31-2006, 11:10 AM

"Porsche obssess over weight?

I don't think you've been talking to many 911 drivers."

Absolutely. They have always been weight-conscious in the design of their cars.
For a couple of reasons. One, with most of their cars they have been laboring under the handicap of limited power, traceable to limited engine size. Two, the weird rear-engine design of the 356 and 911 cars made it necessary to whittle every extra ounce out of the car, particularly in the rear end, i.e., the engine , to reduce oversteer.
At one time the weight-consciousness was called Porsche's "alloy lug nut syndrome". It was not a joke. My old '81 911 did have alloy lug nuts. It was a $30,000 car when new in 1981, but had the world's cheapest piece of carpet in the luggage compartment. But it weighed absolutely nothing.
Newer cars have had to meet safety regulations, which adds weight, plus the relentless desire of customers for more comfort and conveniece features.

Adam · 03-31-2006, 01:55 PM

You are definately right about the turn signal stalk blue. That thing is a piece of s**t! I think KIA would be too embarassed to put that in to their cars.

Zerostatic · 04-01-2006, 01:40 AM

Porsche obviously puts a high priority on keeping the car on the light side. I mean just compare the Boxster to it's main competitors (i.e. Audi TT, BMW Z4, Mercedes SLK, Honda S2000). I think the S2000 is the only one that is lighter and Honda just like Porsche is a company that likes to keep their cars on the trimmer side of things.

blue2000s · 04-01-2006, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zerostatic

Porsche obviously puts a high priority on keeping the car on the light side. I mean just compare the Boxster to it's main competitors (i.e. Audi TT, BMW Z4, Mercedes SLK, Honda S2000). I think the S2000 is the only one that is lighter and Honda just like Porsche is a company that likes to keep their cars on the trimmer side of things.

The Elise?

janzenms · 04-01-2006, 05:57 AM

I bought my 2001 Boxster in January and I confirm your first impressions are very similar to mine. I also came from driving Japanese cars and when I'm driving my Boxster I'm still amazed how far it can be pushed in a turn. I'm hoping to get it on a track this spring/summer to really explore the limit.

Another first impression I've had, if you can call it that, is that I'm glad I bought a used one. If I had bought a new one I think I'd be a lot more careful with it. With this used Boxster I feel like I can have some fun with it.

xclusivecar · 04-01-2006, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue2000s

The Elise?

The Elise is in a different catagory. No comparison. Pure track car that BARELY makes it on the street versus a car that can provide comfort, reliability, performance, and more without flinching.

Brucelee · 04-01-2006, 06:13 AM

I would sep the two issues, that is one of weight reduction and interior cheeziness.

IMHO, some interior pieces and the overall lack of content in a 911 is unacceptable in a car of this price. Just the lack of an acceptable sounds system in the car is appalling.

Moreover, no one could accuse a 911 Cab of being light. Fact is, the 911 has been getting heavier for decades. I believe they started out at just over 2000 lbs.

The point of the 911 getting hammered by other sports cars is certainly true. Hey, I would love to see the 911 Turbo run the AMLS GT1 class but with the cars in there now, that's not gonna happen.

To wit, at Sebring this year, the corvette C6R beat the Porsche-Penske PROTOTYPE racer.

Ouch!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well now, what was the question?

blue2000s · 04-01-2006, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xclusivecar

The Elise is in a different catagory. No comparison. Pure track car that BARELY makes it on the street versus a car that can provide comfort, reliability, performance, and more without flinching.

It certainly wouldn't take 800 more pounds to make it quieter and softer. As for reliability, what can beat a Toyota engine?

The reports on the Esprit replacement so far sound like it's going to be a pretty light car as well.