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

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.

The c5 is, forgive me: a **************** car.
It represents the full monte of mullet- wearing redneck-ism.
It's not anywhere near as fun to drive as even a base boxster. Personally, I think you'd be sorry.
But drive one and see: maybe you HAVE a mullet? ;-)

What are you looking for in a boxster? And what's been stopping you? I see the word "investment" in your post, but i don't think you really meant it that way, right? 'cuz these cars aren't investments. They're likely at the bottom of their depreciation.... but they're not likely to increase dramatically.

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

Hahaha, love it Maytag! I don’t plan on blocking any of your posts anytime soon ;)))))

I don’t have a mullet, luckily. I have a head full of black curly hair. Not quite an afro though.

Investment might not have been the best term for it, but that’s what came to mind when spending 10 grand on a car. I think most cars would be considered an investment no?

I’m looking for a “cool” car, hah! Aren’t we all.

It must handle well because I love the twisties up here in NorCal. I’d prefer it to have the “oh look a ” behind it too. Doesn’t have to be “DAMN WHAT A SICK CAR” like certain car manufacturers in countries that start with I and end with talian get. But enough prestige behind the look and name that it’s not a Lotus Espirit and people go “what is that?”.

Probably a key determinant: It cannot be passed by ugly ricer cars who think adding stickers and makes their cars faster and thinks slamming and camming so they’re scraping on every bump and driveway is cool.

Oh and this car will just be daily driven to and from work and school (should it start again). So I’ll be “commuting” 70% of the time in this car, but not like a 30 mile commute.

The redneck stigma comes up with about 30% of people if you ask them their thoughts on Corvette. I had thought they grew out of it with the C5 generation and newer. Shoot, the C8 is doing laps around everything under the sun, and they haven’t even released their track versions yet (The C8 Z06 is said to rev out to 9k, which will sound absurd on a track). I don’t think people are too happy that some rednecks are beating them around every single loop around the world. Don’t mention that their car costs half as much as their competitors :)

But yeah that’s where I sit. And I’ve never owned a car that it’s hood opens the other way!

I’d be intrigued to hear more about why you think even a base boxster will be way more fun to drive, as fun to drive is indeed a top factor.

I think we've got some competing interests here. ;-)

Perhaps it's because of the years i spent on superbikes, and drag-racing musclecars, but i don't find the straight- line speed exhilarating any more. So for me, a "cool" car doesn't need to care about how many ricer cars can beat it from stop light to stop light. And since that's not on my list of what makes a car fun to drive, well, then my list might be different from yours. My fun-car list includes a base boxster because it's like driving a go kart, which makes you earn every mph you can gain on a straight by carrying a few more through a corner. To me, watching someone who's been toying around with you in traffic fade in the mirror as you accelerate into an interchange for which they are braking.... well.... THAT'S fun. Same can be said for braking zones. Like the corvette (of any generation) it's easily recognizable, but carries a little more sophistication on the badging.

In my own opinion, the C7 corvette is when I started noticing that Chevy was interested in moving the focus of the car; once this happened, the C8 was inevitable. And, because i happen to own one of those starts-with-an-I ends-with-talian cars, I'm active on the Ferrari forums, where the C8 is a hot topic right now. Having driven one, I'm quite confident i could rally a C8 pretty hard at the racetrack, haha. Seriously: it would demoralize my F430, which even 13 years old still costs more than the C8. (But then again: it's 13 years old.... should we be comparing them?)

Ok.... back to your fun-car. Maybe the C5 hits the buttons for ya. I think if I were looking corvette, I'd be more inclined towards an early-to-mid '70's. It seems they're beginning to outgrow the stigma. You should go drive some, and get back to us. ;-)


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My buddy is going into a pre-mature midlife crisis and he's getting a C5 soon.

I'll let you know about the comparison, but my box is chevy powered so I got the best of both worlds.


C5 is powerful and reliable, but I don't think you're missing out on much. I get the feeling its like ridding a Harley Davidson. When you ride a Harley you get the feeling of "murica" when you twist the throttle; a C5 is probably the same thing. BTW HD motorcycles are TERRIBLE; I only had one to try it out couldn't get rid of it fast enough.

Well I find a lot of fun in being able to experience G’s in all 4 directions. The last 2 directions you probably don’t want to be experiencing G’s, lol!

I find myself smiling when I take my current 330i (being replaced as the slush box is soon to go!) around the 270° on-ramp, pushing the tires to the brink of audibly complaining, and then opening it up on the merger.

But I love working on cars also. Call it being inexperienced or even lazy, but working on German cars, especially in their stupidly compact and over complicated engine bays is not a whole lot of fun. (Seriously though, on the right side of my engine bay I can’t even stick a fist through, but behind the left kidney grill I can nearly see the engine splash guard straight down!) From photos and forum posts, the expansive engine bay of the C5 must be a joy to work in.

I’m mostly overlooking the “Porsche tax” for now on parts and maintenance, because even though American muscle is generally cheap, there seems to be a “Corvette tax” too on certain things!

But thanks a bunch for your input Maytag.

That would be awesome if I could get your input after trying out his C5. What color does he want? I think the yellow looks phenomenal.

That’s actually the one thing on the C5 I wasn’t too keen on. I’ve (Sadly? Luckily? However you want to cut it) been brought up around nearly 100% German cars. Audi, BMW, Volkswagen, Mini (Mini BMW’s lol!), but mostly BMW’s, and gotten used to that, I don’t even know what to call it, but it just sounds German. Or just not American. Lol.

Going to an American V8 will be quite interesting. But that’s nothing some metalwork never solved. X pipes, equal length headers, lightweight mufflers, it won’t be all that bad with some time and experimenting.

My grandpa owns a Dodge Viper, which is definitely no C5, but is most certainly a slice of “Murica”, and I loved it, through and through. I couldn’t hear anything after being driven around in it for 15 minutes, but I’m sure it sounded sweet!!! ;)

No plans on getting a Harley Davidson! Always thought the GSX-R’s with Hayabusa’s were cool though. Ever ride one of those?

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.

I don't think he has a particular color in mind. I know he wants the coupe version.



I'm more of a Honda guy but I've had a few Suzuki's. Closest I've owned to a Hayabusa was a GSF1200. Fabulous bike, retarded fast, but like most of my encounters with Suzuki motorcycles while fun and fast they are always broken in some way.

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 ;)

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.

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.

I guess most of you never really owned a C5 or later model Corvette, so you speak with the typical ignorant arrogance. I own both a 2000 Boxster S and a 2002 Corvette Z06. There is no comparison between the two. My Boxster S is fun to drive and I drive it daily. My Z06 will kick it's butt any day any place, at the track thru the S's at Rd Atlanta.etc, etc, ..period!

As far as interior quality, while maybe boring, the Z06 doesn't have the soft paint that scratches, it doesn't have the top that constantly needs repairing with a cheap plastic window. The C5 has far more leg room, so no need to do the console delete. Get my point. How about respecting each car for what it is. My Boxster S was ordered with the leather interior options and cost a lot more than my Z06. I like them both. But if you want performance the Boxster is no match for the Z06. I am not bashing the Boxster, (just some you arrogant know it alls) like I said I drive it daily. The Z06 is a track beast and an awesome performance car at an affordable price.

Up until a year ago I owned a 2000 C5 Vette Convertible and a 2000 Boxster S at the same time. Driving them side by side I’d say they are both great cars, but so different they just don’t compare. It completely depends on what you want. The best way to explain the difference is how they each run through a twisty road I like near us. They both get through it in the same time. The Vette does it with pure brut force. Super loud, tires squealing, heavy feel, much driver input needed, totally in your face. The Boxster is completely in its element. Under control, smooth, everything working together, light and fast. I love both experiences, but if you can’t have both, you have to choose. But bottom line, it’s just not an either, or, choice. They are completely opposite experiences.

A neighbor has a pristine C5 ZO6, imo it's VERY capable car and a bargain for what they currently cost. I know many like to denigrate it with the worn out cliches and rag on the interior (the Boxster interior ain't that great either) but I'd suggest they drive one before regurgitating things they've read.

<iframe width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NcCszG4yNIU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

If you get a C5, your going to have to choose a hood art option. Personally, I'd do a flag and eagle style. ...maybe we should start doing hood art on our Boxsters to show off our spare tires? :cool:
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1599402818.jpg

Honestly, you should probably just get youself teh turbo'd Civic with some JDM stickerz. They will always be faster.
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It's all up to what you value in your motorcar..
 

Hunt down a copy of the Road & Track Jan 2000 issue's comparison article of a C5 vs a Boxster S. Pros and cons of both cars from back when they were new..

Spoiler alert - they liked the Boxster S better!

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

Hahahahaha!

I know man. Those turbo civics are just too fast. What can we do once they’re at they’re 50th+ sticker. Thats like +250 hp with zero weight gain!

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparison-test/amp15140186/1999-porsche-911-carrera-vs-1999-chevrolet-corvette-archived-comparison-test/

I tried to track down that article but couldn’t find it. I may have to search through some mags we have at home.

I only found this one. 911 vs Base C5. They placed the C5 in first due to its better value, but if the 911 was that much better than the Boxster S, it would seem hard to believe they said the Boxster S was preferable.

Of course, I need to find that actual article first.

Haha, I love the people who are saying that because we disagree we must never have driven one... hahaha.
So many internet experts around here. Haha.

Look: this really is a personal choice. If you've dialed-in on what makes a car fun to drive for you, then weigh the pros and cons and go drive one to be sure. Don't believe anybody who'll tell you there's no question which is better..... there clearly IS a question.

As I said: for me, between the two cars, the C5 takes 5th place.

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Oh, lol.

I dismissed that article because I assumed it was simply between the C5 and Boxster.

Good read though.

Might I ask what 2nd, 3rd, and 4th be Maytag?

Boxster S Boxster S and Boxster Base?

When I was shopping for a sports car I drove a C6 6 speed, loved the car was low miles but couldn't agree on a price. Then I found my 2000S, love the car its quick really fun to drive perfect for my needs and was half the cost.

Honestly I was more comfortable in the vette, handled nice, V8 tone ect...
But The Boxster just drives like as mentioned a go cart where as the vette feels like a bruiser the Boxster felt more sophisticated.

In my opinion they are apple and oranges both fun but in different ways. My wife still wants a vette just for the look. I would love a C8 lol

Best thing to do is drive em both decide what you like best buy it and the enjoy it!

Maytag has this spot on personal choice!:cheers:

Ha!
Lemme think..... the comment was more of a "it doesn't even register..." sort of thing.
But if pressed, sub-$20k sports cars, I'd probably fill-out the other 3 with an R52S (supercharged mini cooper), maybe a subie sti or a 370z. An SLK is on the list for sure, but they're tough to find with the big motor and a manual trans. I love the Saturn sky, but it'd need a little love to get it where I want it.

Truth: right now, if I were gonna spend $15k on a car and it can't be a boxster, well, I'd build me a monster of a fiat spider, or an LS powered miata.

But I've got 7 cars floating around my place right now, with 3 drivers in the house. I'm outta room, haha.

Yesterday, when my wife told me she wants another old-skool amigo like the one I built for her 10 years ago, I asked her how many cars she thinks she wants at any given time. Her reply: "all of them. All of the cars."
I'm a very lucky man indeed. ;-)

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So I've heard that when you make a high horse power civic the rest of the civic doesn't like it. As in the chassis welds start to give weigh. Thats just hear say though I have no dog in that fight.

When I was buying my first Boxster, I drove several vettes to see what I thought of them. I'm not a high HP or mods sort. It felt like a truck. I knew in a half mile it wasn't for me. But my prior sports car background was with a 1.3 and 1.6 Alfa and a 1.6 914. So I was preconditioned to want light and nimble versus raw power.

No reason you should feel the same. The cars are so different I can't offer anything objective. Drive both and see how you feel.

BLUF: Drive them both. Be honest with yourself about what you want in a car. The C5 will never impress people like any year Porsche, of any model.


I owned a 2004 Z06. Without a doubt, a very capable car that does everything very well. In 2009 when I bought it, and I believe still today, you will be hard pressed to buy something "better" for $17k in terms of outright performance.

The 2001-2004 C5Z is also unique in that it came in a Fixed Roof Coupe (FRC). I liked the look and still do. The pickup truck steering wheel is provided at no extra cost.

All you need to do is change the oil and maybe flush the clutch fluid reservoir. Thats it. No drama. The LS6 is bulletproof and your neighborhood shop can work on it. Or the kid next door.

For me and my heavy foot, there was too much power sometimes. The speed came too easily and it really forced you to be on your game. Which is probably true for any modern car with 300+hp but more so for 405hp and 3100lbs to push around.

At the time my daily driver was a hot hatch and I sometimes debated what was more fun in the canyons. Since the performance was so much lower in my hatch you could drive it really hard and have lots of fun.

Thats where my current base Boxster lives. Sure I wish it was an S with a manual. But I can drive it pretty hard and the speeds are reasonable-ish. Its civilized where the Z06 is a raw race car. I knew the Boxster was going to be expensive to maintain but it is what it is.

Can someone spare me some Grey Poupon?

I agree with the others...comparing a Porsche Boxster S to a Corvette is like comparing apples to coconuts.

Totally different animals.

I say drive each and decide on your style/preference.

On a funnier note, to reply to the "arrogant" comment earlier...you can't find any YouTube vids of "Porsche Boxster Driver Fails" on the internet.

You should see how many Corvette Fails are on there. lol:cheers:

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.

Decided I would hop back on this forum and share some updates.

A: The Porsche Forums are 2-3, maybe 4x better than the Corvette Forum (Not LS1Tech though, those guys are legit). You guys were awesome while I had my stay here.

B: I ended up with a 2005 C6 Corvette (what? Not a C5 or a boxster?) yep. 400hp of pure driving bliss. I even got to race it during NHRA at Sonoma Raceway (twice).

Photo:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...5bf32165e6.jpg

C: Thank you for everyone that sent me messages and responded to my threads. Really helped progress me to finding my car of choice (unfortunately it didn’t end up being a Porsche)

Thank you again all.



Bonus: It hasn’t been without issues, but I expected that. I had too much fun at the drag strip just under a month ago (6th week out at Sonoma Raceway) and spun a bearing. Will be throwing in a 427 Sleeved 5.3 block for a hopeful 700hp :)

Good for you!
I've always had two seat roadsters but the newer Corvettes have caught my attention for many reasons. I'm glad you pulled the trigger....why not? Either you'll have a blast with it or you'll sell it and have another good data point. No harm, no foul.

My brother bought a nice stock 2006 coupe a few years ago. It was the first time I drove a corvette that I wasn't disappointed in how the car drove. It felt tight and responsive and quality seemed much better than earlier year cars.

The 'vette is on the list of cars I look at on the internet almost every night, along with P-cars, Alfas and (flame me) older Tesla model S's.

The Tesla is interesting as simply being something different to mess with and the fact that we enjoy our reliable electric golf cart that an electric car must be fun as well!

If you can't tell in a few miles of driving which one feels right to you, then ask on the internet.

Before I was married, I drove Alfas including race versions. 35 years later as I was looking for a sports car after paying off all the student debts and the house etc, I drove 5 or 6 brands. Several C5s. I knew within a mile.

Drive several possibilities. One will bring a smile, the others not so much. No reason you should make the same choice I did. Please yourself.

Agree 100%!

I was never a big 986 fan when they came out....wasn't crazy about the looks. The looks kind of grew on me over a few years and finally, in 2005, I had a chance to drive a 2003 Box S that was on a used car lot.

I knew right away I'd own one! It felt like a go cart and was jus fun to drive.

Took a few years but I finally bought a 2000S in 2008 that I kept for 10 years.

You just know!