Befuddled yet Bewitched

[racer_d]

Originally Posted by richmond058

My dream car has always been a porsche. 911 to be exact but financial fortunes being as they are I have been contempulating the purchase of a boxster instead. I have researched the car extensively and I confess that I am somewhat concerned about reliability issues with the car. I do like the Honda S2000 as well and have driven many examples of each car. I cannot decide on either direction. Could perhaps the good people of this forum be kind enough to offer their profound words of wisdom, assurance etc. It would be most appreciated. By the way I have looked into extended warranties, PPI etc.

Cheers,

dale

1) What 911 version were you looking for. I ask only because depending on the type, the Boxster may not be the correct substitute.

I drove both a 914 and aircooled 911 on and off for about 18 years and well, the Boxster is a completely different car. From the luxuries available (like Ac, heat, power top, 18" wheels etc) to its performance to how it is built. I moved into my Boxster after my 911 and completely enjoy it. I love the sound. I love its power (and its only a 2.7l 217hp version). I love the direct shifting. I love the direct turn in response.

But. It is not a 911. Its that simple. Depending on the 911 of your dream, you may find it underpowered and lacking in interior room. You may find it "too modern" or, if a 997 was your goal, not modern enough.

While it may raise some ire, I did NOT find MMBoxster's comments wrong, when you consider how many folks out here have enjoyed their cars, but want even more performance. More power. More braking. Stiffer suspensions. Bigger wheels. All of that is fine as well.

That said, a Boxster is a great starting point.

Before I bought my boxster i thought I could fill my porsche fix with a 924/944/968 series car. I drove samples of each. Each one got better, but to me, they just didn't feel like a Porsche. They were fine "cars" but not what I wanted.

I would encourage you to test drive as many samples as possible. 2.5l tips, 3.2l 6speeds etc. Get a feel for the range of performance these cars offer. THEN, go find the right one for you.

[richmond058]

I guess my absolute dream 911 would be one of the turbo varieties. Not for the power but for the look. Personally I like the look of the 993 or the 911SC.

Cheers

dale

[racer_d]

Originally Posted by richmond058

I guess my absolute dream 911 would be one of the turbo varieties. Not for the power but for the look. Personally I like the look of the 993 or the 911SC.

Cheers

dale

Dale -

Um.. well. SC's can be had from $8K (rough) to $16K (very competant daily driver) cars.

993's seem to be low $20s to mid $50s depending on mileage/condition.

Boxsters (986's) run from low teens (12-13K to mid 20's) for nice Non-s versions.

While I don't recall your price range, it would appear that an SC or 993 could be had for the same money as a Boxster.

SC's and 993's don't drive anything like one another. Sure they look similar (the roofline never changed) but the power/luxuries of the 993 are not present in the SC. The SC has a nice light rawness to it. COMPLETELY different cars.

Don't overlook the 964's either (1989-1994) as an excellent blend of SC and 993 virtues.

Sounds like you have a lot more test driving to do

[Peer]

MNBoxster wrote:
> If the Boxster is such a perfect car, why is everyone tripping
> over each other to change it? What is it I'm missing?


Seeing that you are quite knowable, I don't think you miss much anything.

However, I think many Boxster owners are quite similar to, say, Ducati owners -- although very passionate about their bikes, they like to modify and enhance them even further. F.ex, I doubt many Jaguar X owners would consider any mods done to their car, but does that make it a more "perfect" car..?

I guess some vehicles just attract certain personality. The Boxster is like a crippled race-car -- a bit similar to Ducati's "race first, sell later" philosophy.

-- peer

[Brucelee]

I believe that each Boxster takes on the subjective reality of the owner. In fact, the Boxster without context means, well nothing.

So, one guys looks at a stock boxster and is bewitched. The next guy only sees the mods that he is going to make.

And so on.

Lets face it guy, it is a great car and some folks only see it as a starting point.

Let the good times roll!

[David N.]

Am I the only one that wasn't offended by Jim's post?

Compared to other comparably-priced cars, the 986 Boxster has less power. Although the 987s are getting closer, it's a known fact Porsche has knocked down the Boxster's power potential a bit to maintain their idea of proper market seperation. If straight-line is important to you, I think it's a fair point to consider.

The Boxster also isn't God's gift to corners. If you want that, get an Elise. I was really surprised to find it had all Mcpherson vs. multilink suspension. There -ARE- a few better cornering cars out there for the racing fans, but it's a matter of priorities.

Personally, I find the Boxster is pretty damn good for the money. It's a good car, a great compromise, and always fun. But even the Porsche Prayer appeals to a Ferrari, it's just a matter of priorities...


-David

[C5150]

If you end up wanting a roadster over a coupe - get the Boxster! This is THE roadster. The S2000 may be great - but it's a honda. I think you deserve a Porsche - you won't be sorry. Can't say the same thing if you take home the S2000.

As for mods:

I never thought I would mod my car. That is..... 'Till I saw TriGem's ride!!!!!!

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

It's interesting that the S2000 comes up as often as it does in Boxster comparisons.

When it (S2000) first came out (well actually before as I was following it in the literature), I thought it was a car that would appeal to me. But, once I drove it, it just didn't do it for me.

It wasn't just one thing either, not the Ski Jump-shaped power curve, not the handling (or lack thereof), not the whining powerplant noise, the styling (IMHO) looked much better in Mags than it did in person (always sort of reminds me of the Jensen-Healey - another example of Not Quite Right). It was just the overall sullen impression that it left with me. Very similar to that of the NSX - not so much a Sports Car as someone's interpretation of a Sports Car.

But, this review of the Boxster (smattered, once again, with references to the S2000), seems to offer a fairly unbiased review of the Boxster - not all good, not all bad and a perspective which I haven't seen offered on this Forum - http://www10.epinions.com/content_179278483076

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[lwc]

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

. . . this review of the Boxster (smattered, once again, with references to the S2000), seems to offer a fairly unbiased review of the Boxster - not all good, not all bad and a perspective which I haven't seen offered on this Forum - http://www10.epinions.com/content_179278483076

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

That was an interesting review, thanks.

My .02, one can carry golf clubs in the rear trunk of a Boxster.

[Jump]

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

Hi,

But, this review of the Boxster (smattered, once again, with references to the S2000), seems to offer a fairly unbiased review of the Boxster - not all good, not all bad and a perspective which I haven't seen offered on this Forum - http://www10.epinions.com/content_179278483076

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

From the review suggested above:

'I'll begin with the engine. The cabins of mid-engine cars like the Boxster tend to be flooded with engine noise. Not this one. I could barely hear the engine. The throaty exhaust, certainly, but not the engine. Before I had a chance to voice my surprise the salesperson explained that buyers had complained of too much engine noise. They wanted to hear the exhaust, not the engine. And for 2005 that's one of the "improvements." '

Is this true? Can anyone with a 2005 or later attest to this? If it is true, it definitely detracts from buying a 2005+ IMHO! I love the sound of the engine!

[Dr. Kill]

Originally Posted by Brucelee

I believe that each Boxster takes on the subjective reality of the owner. In fact, the Boxster without context means, well nothing.

Very Zen of you Bruce. I will meditate on this.