Befuddled yet Bewitched

[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.

[Houston C4S]

Okay kids, I am going to jump in here just one more time.

I don't know if this will clarify it or not, but here is how I see
it from the point of view of someone who has spent a lifetime
around cars, built plenty of them (of various sorts, some as
rebuilds, some as modifications) and generally I am a pretty
knowledgeable guy on the car topic.

Plus, for the most part, I can read and write a little.

What the Boxster is about, at least to me, can be summed
up in a single word...

Balance.

I admit, I like the brand. But I cannot name a single car that
has the balance of style, weight distribution, power, handling,
ride, features, just plain ol' top down fun as the Boxster.

Then there is the brand thing.

Not one. The Miata? Great car.

Corvette? Well, if that's your cup of tea it's a good sports car
for the money.

Honda? "Gee. When I grow up I always dreamed of having a...
Honda???"

So that's it for me.

An older 911 can indeed be had in that price range. But does
it have the balance of a Boxster? Nope.

Dale, drive one and see.


You don't need to modify it at all. I haven't -- other than putting
on a 2004 S muffler to get just a tad more exhaust note.

It is a sweetheart of a car.

It's all about balance and that balance can be a metaphor for your life.
You need balance there, too. Of career, family, time, hobbies, spirituality,
etc. When you are in balance, you feel great about yourself and others
around you.

When your car is in balance, it really won't matter if you have 200 horsepower
or 250 or more. It is all those things together that matter.

Change anything too much and you aren't balanced anymore. In your
car or in your life.

So there you go.

I'm through for now. I gotta make like a dog with worms...

and scoot...

- Mark

[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!

[richmond058]

Well I did test drive a 2005 with a tiptronic and all I could hear was the exhaust note. Did sound sweet though.......


cheers


dale

[z12358]

Originally Posted by Jump

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!

I haven't driven a 986 so can't compare, but I can definitely hear the engine and I love the sound of the engine and exhaust -- especially at 4k+ rpms. My fiance can hear it too, and the verdict is that if it gets any louder I'd be driving it solo much more often. For now, I'm not interested in increasing the frequency of my solo runs, so the noise level is just optimal.

Z.

[JackG]

Originally Posted by Jump

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!

You have to take into account that the "review" is actually just some guy who hangs out on epinions, writing lots of "reviews". It's based on a test drive of Boxster from a dealership. and the guy is a professed Porsche hater, as he wrote "The upshot: I must admit to a not entirely rational prejudice against Porsches so strong that it has prevented me from even driving the cars."

Yeah... that "review" just oozes credibility.

[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.