Boxster S or this ? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

NickCats · 02-21-2008, 07:23 AM

Well, since it's winter and I'm missing my car, I'm internet shopping again and I came across this :

http://lexington.porschedealer.com/preowned_cars/info.php?inventoryid=368961

So my question is, would you rather have this or a brand new Boxster S ?

Nick

Perfectlap · 02-21-2008, 07:36 AM

Three years later and those round headlights still have not grown on me.

They look good on a 993 but it looks like a de-evolution from the exotic 2002-2004 face lift. Worst of all is the 997 GT3 which looks like hodge podge of RX8 and Volwagen Beetle...looks great from the sides and back though.

AUDIOGUY · 02-22-2008, 03:10 PM

I would go for the 911... it is just so sickly refined. With the new powerplant and updated interior I couldnt resist. Gotta have a sunroof at least. Cant bring myself to like the Cab though.

[z0ne] · 02-22-2008, 03:43 PM

997S all the way. That model 911 (997-S) is supposed to be one of the most fun cars to drive of all time. Ask Richard Hammond.

renzop · 02-22-2008, 03:54 PM

Really its up to you. And you shouldn't let other people's opinions influence you. Also you asked on a Boxster board so of course, there is a Boxster bias.

If I had 60 large to throw around here are some of the factors I would use to make my decision:

1) Am I a convertible guy? Is open air motoring really important to me
2) How risk averse am I? The 911 is a used car and there is more potential for it to have expensive problems than a new car. If the 911 is a Certified Porsche car then the risk goes down considerably.
3) Which car do I like the looks of more? I would ask someone else to surprise me with this question and whatever first popped into my head would be the right answer.
4) Is the miniscule back seat of the Carrera of any benefit to me?
5) Do I really enjoy fast acceleration or is reasonable power and good handling more important?
6) How long do I plan to keep the car? If a short time (like 1-2 years) then I am going to take a big deprecation hit on a new Boxster and much less on the 911. Even buying new vs new the Boxster depreciates faster.
7) How important is it to get all of the options exactly the way I like them? If you buy used you get what someone else wanted. If you buy new you have the option of ordering a car exactly the way you want it.

I would ignore the comments that implied that the 997 is hard to tame or needed AWD to be safe. If you were looking at a '60s '70s or '80s 911 it would be another story but the 997 has had all of its vices tamed through suspension evolution and electronic gimcrackery. Both the Boxster and the Carrera are great handling cars and as long as you use a little common sense and don't exceed your abilities then they will be very stabile and planted.

Whatever you decide to do, once you make the decision don't look back and there will be no regrets. I am sure you'll be happy!

Regards,
Alan

Dr. Kill · 02-21-2008, 07:38 AM

Either way you can't go wrong.

I would go with the new 987 S. I prefer the 911, but greatly prefer to buy new. I know it doesn't make as much economic sense, but knowing every mile that is put on the car is worth the extra money to me. Maybe I have just had too many bad used car experiences...

Sputter · 02-21-2008, 08:23 AM

That's an easy choice for me. I love topdown driving.

RandallNeighbour · 02-21-2008, 08:42 AM

Wow Nick... did you short a bunch of stocks or buy $50k in apple puts in January?

I'm wondering how I'm gonna make back the $10k I lost last month, not looking at new Pcars

BTW, you would HATE the way the tail kicks out on that CS at the tail of the dragon. I would not buy a Carrera unless I could have a C4S or better.

Mid-engine spoiled boy,

Randall

djomlas · 02-21-2008, 09:00 AM

while that car looks great, i like to drive aggressive sometime, and i bet i would crash the sht outta that car thinking it would handle like the box.

spoiled? yes very much so, once u can make these high speed turns with ease it comes as second nature to expect it from all other cars.
pretty funny, the other day i was driving my car, and there is this turn that i alway take pretty fast on the highway, and i 'kinda' forgot what car i was in, and no joke i almost flipped his car lol...screw that, sure looks nice, but forget it if you cant have fun with it, so handling is worse and cant take the top down...

HIFI · 02-21-2008, 10:00 AM

Depends on what you're looking for I guess. I think the choice would be between handling/convertible and power/looks (for me). I would go with the Carrera, personally, especially since you've already had the Boxster.

On a side note, I live in Lexington, let me know if you need someone to go check it out for you before you make the drive down if you go that route.

Jacques79 · 02-22-2008, 10:45 PM

Personally I'd go with the Boxster S because I NEED to have a convertible.

The only problem is that extra torque and HP of the 911 could be addictive....But in the end it would piss me off too much to see other drivers lower the top on a nice sunny day while I lay inside a ''coffin'' with the AC on....

Top down motoring is just so orgasmic....

If I didn't care for the top down factor I would say 911 S in a flash.

Now with a 911 S Cabriolet, that's a different story, and a different price tag

Solution?

Get a slighly used 2007 Boxster S for 50 000$. 300HP in a sub-3000 pound mid-engine roadster is nirvana to me...

Keep in mind I've only driven a 2003 911, not a 2005+ 911 S!

Sammy · 02-21-2008, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickCats

Well, since it's winter and I'm missing my car, I'm internet shopping again and I came across this :

http://lexington.porschedealer.com/preowned_cars/info.php?inventoryid=368961

So my question is, would you rather have this or a brand new Boxster S ?

Nick

Something about the Carerras just doesn't look right anymore? I was infatuated with them until the 996 came around. I think if I were to buy anything newer it would have to have a big freakin' wing on it (turbo or GT3) or something to break up its big flowing a$$.

Between the two I would take a newer (I don't buy new cars) Boxster S. In a perfect world I would buy an early 90's (right before the 993) turbo. Now that looks nice!

Sure the maintenance might be a little scary but the looks are worth it. Plus if you think of it as spending $30k plus some maintenance it is still cheaper than $60k.

richv · 02-21-2008, 07:14 PM

I vote for the Boxster S

vincesf · 02-21-2008, 09:28 PM

I would go for the Boxster S for open air riding, and its mid-engine placement resulting in superior handling.
vincesf

8 Ball · 02-21-2008, 10:18 PM

As for handling I have to agree with racer d. The Boxster has a lot going for it handling wise but that does not make the 911 a bad car. I had my butt kicked by a GT3 RS on the track, the straights were a no brainer and the curves I even had a hard time keeping up. I picked the Boxster because I preferred the look. The new 911's have that bubble of a rear end and it just seems to be handing out there. I also love the convertible. The Boxster also fits my neighborhood a little better.

You really shouldn't pick a car by the performance numbers, they don't mean much when you are driving. You have to drive it and decide.

edevlin · 02-22-2008, 04:13 AM

I have thought about 911's because of the extra interior space, but the new Boxster Spyder seems hard to beat in my book, and it does not come with close to 40K of driving on it, like the 911 listed.... decisions, decisions.....

Ed

gcb · 03-07-2008, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickCats

Well, since it's winter and I'm missing my car, I'm internet shopping again and I came across this :

http://lexington.porschedealer.com/preowned_cars/info.php?inventoryid=368961

So my question is, would you rather have this or a brand new Boxster S ?

Nick

I totally am in the same boat as you.... however, I am going to lease whichever car I choose. I already have a '08 Boxster S on order due to arrive in about 3 wks. I also have my eye on a private sellers '06 Carrera S coupe (extremely low miles, good price) which I also can lease for "EXACTLY" the same monthly payment.....DILEMMA!!!

go for the new 987S or '06 997S???...

I have to say...that CS power is amazing and addicting, but I probably would miss the convertible option living in Arizona which is pretty much year round top down weather...

I know that I also am asking this on a Boxster Forum......but thought I would get a more objective answer than asking on a 997 Forum...

one (perhaps main) problem or issue I see with the Carrera S would be that the warranty runs out in about 1-1/2 years which would leave me without one for the other 1-1/2... that makes me a little uneasy..especially with a leased car...

your thoughts????