Unsuccessful Boxster S search - What do I miss out on/gain with a C5 Corvette?

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by Russdawg1

Well, it’s in the title. The used Boxster market is horrendous in NorCal. I thought I’d be able to find a good pick sometime this summer. I was wrong.

Whether they had too many problems to be a decent investment, or sold out under my nose, I failed at finding one. Luckily there seems to be a contender from the other side of the Atlantic.

I’ve gone to a bunch of different forums, reading threads from years ago about both and how they compare and differ. Even the E46 M3 gets thrown in the discussion quite often.

But it’s 2020 now, and times have changed, and cars have aged. What do you guys think about the C5 Corvette vs a 986 Boxster S?

Some of the more glaring points that you guys can choose to gloss over or perhaps even nitpick:

C5 - 5.7L V8 350hp/350lbf - 0.94g skidpad
Boxster S - 3.2L F6 250hp/228lbf - 0.92g skidpad

It would seem to me that cost of ownership for the C5 is drastically cheaper than the Boxster, not to mention servicing and modding will be easier and cheaper, since the LS engines are exceptionally plentiful.

The Boxster is obviously going to win in regards to interior quality, and probably just overall prestige but I don’t mind either of those, it’s more of a moot point for me. 2001+ Boxsters have cup holders, but again, moot point.

In regards to seating quality they seem to be well matched, one not being significantly better than the other, and most choose to replace them with something of their own choice and I will do the same.

I plan on getting inside a C5 sometime soon to gauge how much space I have and if the pedals are comfortable for me (both must be manuals!), but I would expect the C5 to have more cabin space, and even more trunk (or just storage space as the Boxster has a frunk!).

From an outside person’s glance, such as mine, it seems the C5 is the better performing car, almost all around, as long as you overlook the cheap interior, which like with most cars, you can change with a bit of time and money. Gas mileage somehow looks like a wash too.

If my info is incorrect, or you have some more pointers, please share!

Thanks all.

In 2002 I test drove new cars for a living. My favorites were Porsches & the C5. C5 is very comfortable & has as much leg room as any vehicle I've driven. The seats are a simple design but they work. It has instant throttle responce & lot's of torque. It's relatively cheap to maintain & looks good too. handling is good with those wide tires & suspension. The same year Boxster S is smaller inside & out & more expensive to maintain. I had nothing but muscle cars up to this point but wanted a new car, something about the Boxster was just funner at sane speeds & the C5 just made you want to break the law to enjoy it. So I bought my 2000 S in 2003 & have never regreted it. I did rebuild the engine to 3.6 litres in 2010 to give it more power.

[Russdawg1]

Originally Posted by BYprodriver

In 2002 I test drove new cars for a living. My favorites were Porsches & the C5. C5 is very comfortable & has as much leg room as any vehicle I've driven. The seats are a simple design but they work. It has instant throttle responce & lot's of torque. It's relatively cheap to maintain & looks good too. handling is good with those wide tires & suspension. The same year Boxster S is smaller inside & out & more expensive to maintain. I had nothing but muscle cars up to this point but wanted a new car, something about the Boxster was just funner at sane speeds & the C5 just made you want to break the law to enjoy it. So I bought my 2000 S in 2003 & have never regreted it. I did rebuild the engine to 3.6 litres in 2010 to give it more power.

A car that’s encouraging you to break the law is never fantastic, but that’s definitely interesting. I’m sure it has something to do with the fact that you’re doing 100+ in 3rd gear with the C5 :O

Glad you agree that the C5 would be easier and cheaper to maintain.

If you had to take one on a 800 mile road trip, which would you pick and why?

You can factor in the fun aspects you pointed out above, or just talk about driving comfort/ease. Or both. But as you know, speed limits only go up to 70mph here in California

[Qingdao]

Originally Posted by Russdawg1

If you had to take one on a 800 mile road trip, which would you pick and why?

The Chevy hands down.

Just cause if your alternator (or whatever) decides its time to bite the dust at mile 498; there is bound to be a repair shop at mile 500 willing to do the work on the chevy. Not so with the Porsche.

Both cars equally fully restored to concourse perfection. I'd take the Porsche.

[itsnotanova]

From what I've seen at the track, the boxster out handles and brakes the corvette. The corvettes walk away in the straights though. There's a lot of corked horsepower with the first gen boxster but there's not much you could do to catch up with what the corvette has stock. Interior wise, the 2000+ porsche interior might look better when new but is one of the least durable interiors of any car. You'll scratch that soft touch paint if you even look at it wrong and the seats start looking old around 70k. I've never driven a C5, so I can't comment on how they ride, but the boxster is pretty impressive to me. Looks wise, hands down the boxster wins. I've always thought the C5 and C6 looked like an okay looking woman in the front but when you get a view of the back she has a flat ass. The rear on them are hideous. It's like the designers got to the back and clocked out. I doubt anyone has confused a corvette with a Ferrari but I've had a few people ask if my boxster was one. If you factor in the cost of ownership(specially if you're paying someone to work on it), the corvette has an advantage there. In my opinion they're a coin toss on which is better overall.

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by Russdawg1

A car that’s encouraging you to break the law is never fantastic, but that’s definitely interesting. I’m sure it has something to do with the fact that you’re doing 100+ in 3rd gear with the C5 :O

Glad you agree that the C5 would be easier and cheaper to maintain.

If you had to take one on a 800 mile road trip, which would you pick and why?

You can factor in the fun aspects you pointed out above, or just talk about driving comfort/ease. Or both. But as you know, speed limits only go up to 70mph here in California

Well if I had a female passenger most likely the C5 for comfort & you can drive faster without scary them because you feel more of the road for better or worse in the Porsche. I bought my 2000 Boxster in Portland in 2003 & drove all the way down PCH to Manhattan Beach with my wife & that is the best drive I ever did. Another drive I drove from Dallas to Manhattan Beach in 24 hrs with only 1 hour break, if the Box fits you they are comfortable. The newer they are the more comfortable.