How much lighter is my new Boxster?

[HereIam]

Hey folks. I had an unfortunate encounter with a patch of ice with my last Boxster. R.I.P. Dorothy. I just bought a 1999, and she is even more basic than my first base Boxster. She came without leather interior (has diamond textured dash and doors), and there is no speaker box/storage compartment behind my head.

Any idea how much lighter this model is than my 1997 base with leather and rear speakers?

[dghii]

Negligible. Same car, same motor.

Go wiki the specs of the two cars. Interior differences you mention would not make 10 lb. difference.

[HereIam]

I was guessing the box is A little heavier than that. But yes… Since I am not in the business of squeezing every last bit of performance out of my car for competition... no, it doesn't really make a difference. I was just curious.

[HereIam]

The vinyl in the leather probably weigh about the same. But I care more about how it looks.

I'm probably one of the few who thinks the vinyl is actually more attractive than the leather...I think the 986 leather has the texture of a basketball, and always looked dusty/dirty to me.

[The Radium King]

the early cars had a simpler/lighter roof assembly (no headliner or somesuch).

[itsnotanova]

Your old 97 had vinyl interior if it resembled the texture of a basketball. The part of the seat that you sit on would have been leather but the back and sides would have been vinyl. 97-99 had that type of vinyl. 2000-04 has vinyl that looks very leather like. Full leather only came in about 1 out of 10 boxsters. Full leather pieces for the most part are very smooth and luxurious. It sounds like you 99 has the sport design interior which is also a semi-rare option. As far as the difference in weight. There's probably no difference in weight between 97-02 if the cars are optioned the same. The biggest difference in weight would be between an auto and manual. The S model would also be a little heavier than a base. 03/04 have heavier tops but it's only like 5-10lbs. Full power vs manual seat would be another difference but still that's maybe 10-20lbs

[azlvr]

I get a laugh at all the ads for Boxsters that say they have leather interiors when the don't. If you don't know the difference then learn it. The door panels are the giveaway.

[Oldcarguy]

Originally Posted by HereIam

...I think the 986 leather has the texture of a basketball, and always looked dusty/dirty to me.

Hi HereIam, I'll have to respectfully disagree:

[j.fro]

Take your car to a truck stop and get it weighed. It will cost about $15. Compare that to the 2855 or whatever Porsche claims is the weight.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by HereIam

Any idea how much lighter this model is than my 1997 base with leather and rear speakers?

For all intents and purposes, a 1997 and a 1999 weigh the same.

With that being said, I don't know the exact weights of Porsche vinyl vs Porsche leather, but the most common automotive leathers and vinyls weight about the same; 3-5 oz/sq ft. The rear deck speakers and housing probably weigh around 12lbs.

So, your 1999 might weigh 12lbs less than your 1997. Or about the same as 2 gallons of gas.

[Jgkram]

I'm afraid I too have to respectfully disagree on the leather, especially after seeing Fred's car. I too have vinyl which is what I wanted (read cheap) but his full leather example is a car worth keeping even if/when the engine goes. Most other cars (including mine) are not.

Nice car Fred!

[Oldcarguy]

Originally Posted by Jgkram

Nice car Fred!

Thanks for the kind words Jg, she's a driver (106,000 miles), but I like to keep her in the best condition I can. Fortunately her previous owners felt the same way