Caught the power bug .. pretty bad - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

9eighty6 · 07-25-2008, 05:28 AM

I would have to agree with Rick and the others ... Stick with a Porsche for the refined reide quality and handling. These cars just won't win on the drag strip BUT take them onto a tight, twisty road and you will certainly have an advantage.

As far as the upgrades go: I would move into a 997, 996, or Cayman S (probably in that order). With the 911 the handling is different but you might have the increased HP you are looking for. The Cayman might be a good middle road with the upgraded power while still retaining the mid-engine layout we enjoy so much right now.

Best of luck with your decision!

MikenOH · 07-25-2008, 06:09 AM

If it's the stop light grand prix you're looking at, consider the 2002-2004 Z06 Vette. Not especially pretty--neither is an STI--but it deliverers the goods--0-60 in 4.5 seconds, 1/4 mile in 12.0 and they handle very well.

Price range is in the $22-30K range for a decent car, you may be able to get one with a warranty.

If I was looking for a car to do strictly DE's and an occasional auto-x; this would be the car I'd be looking at: Capable, reasonably reliable, relatively inexpensive spare parts, lots of places to get work done and big on the fun side. If you need more HP there are plenty of aftermarket accessories to get it close to 500

Dr. Kill · 07-25-2008, 06:19 AM

-1 on the Viper. I got some seat time in one a few years back, and while it is was a monster to drive down the autobahn, I think it would make an atrocious DD. It is very loud and the ride is very harsh. After about an hour of driving it, I was quite fatigued. My boss’ C6 Z51 feels like a Lincoln by comparison.

ekam · 07-25-2008, 06:21 AM

I wouldn't bother racing anyone off the line... what you were describing reminds me of that scene with Vin Diesel & Paul Walker in their Supra racing the Ferrari from that movie called... oh ... Fast & Furious???

If you're into doing that type of stuff why don't you buy an Evo or STI? They make 400hp+ easy on some simple bolt-ons.

Don't be that guy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKOjCIy6F4c

Topless · 07-25-2008, 06:34 AM

Sage advice from a reformed street racer: It doesn't really matter what you get. Someone somewhere will always be a little faster, have a little more HP, be a little quicker out of the hole, have a little better top end. It never ends.

Dr. Kill · 07-25-2008, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ekam

Don't be that guy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKOjCIy6F4c

Youtube always disturbs me when I read the comments people write – like the latest post for this link, the guy ends his anti-American rant with “bleed America bleed.”

nefarious986 · 07-25-2008, 08:11 AM

Corvette is off my radar because as capable as a z06 is. They are a dime a dozen.

Cayman is out because one of the main reason I love the Boxster is that it is a convertible. If I wanted a hard top, there's so much more choices.

I hear what you guys are saying about the Viper. Its a Dodge go cart. LOLs.

Its not all about straight line performance for me. I just hate that smug grin those kids in the Evo get when they 'powned' a Porsche and there's no turn in sight for me to show them why I love this car.

I do love the Boxster. This is actually my SECOND Boxster. My last Boxster's warranteed expired, so I had a choice to trade at the time. I thought long and hard and test drove a couple cars, including S2K, STi, SLK. I made the choice to get a Boxster again. The best CPO one I could afford, and thats exactly what I got.

I just really wish this car had a little bit more balls sometimes. I talked to a couple Porsche mechanics and all they really can recommend is exhaust / chip. The 3.4 swap is looking very attractive right now, especially since I know that if I can fit a charger on there, it would pull 370hp to the wheel (tcp stats). Thats all anyone really need in a street car.

Anything over 400 hp rwd on the street to me is just unecessary, any anything over 500 is getting dangerous. Trust me. I know this. I am a reformed street racer too. I used to have a 450hp 3000GT VR4 and although I lost about 20% to the AWD system, and the thing weighed almost 4000lbs, it was a damn fast car.

I guess the choice really is, do I love the 986 enough to drop 30k worth of mod in to it ? It would have to be a car I want to drive for maybe the next 5 - 10 years, or even keep forever, because I know I m never going to get even 1/3 of what I paid out of the car when its time to sell.

I do really really like this car .. but when do you know its love ? LOL.

Sorry for the long posts guys. I havent slept all night.

nefarious986 · 07-25-2008, 08:23 AM

If I kept the 986, and dropped $ into it to get it where I think it needs to be, the mods would be:

- GT3 brakes $4k on ebay
- 3.4L engine with similar blower setup to TCP $10k for engine swap + ?? for supercharger
- PS9 or Motons $2.5k
- Sway + struts $1k
- New clutch / Short thow / Misc stuff $2k
- Some new rubbers $1.5k

That would eat up 30k instantly but then I think I would really have a 'nefarious' 986. LOL.

I do need more $ .. anyone need a DBA ? =D

Blkboxster · 07-25-2008, 09:18 AM

yep i got the power bug too. got myself a 335i, and cant wait to chip it

Lil bastard · 02-04-2009, 12:54 PM

As someone already said... "don't be that guy"...

nefarious986 · 02-04-2009, 03:09 PM

wow .. funny how your mind set changes after less than 1 year ..

I have realized that with as little hp as the Boxster have, its already a better car than i'll ever be a driver.

Plus I haven't been feeling the power bug much lately, as work & life keeps me pretty busy.

Who knows, maybe a few months / year from now, when this economy starts to swing up again, the power bug will bite once more and I'll switch over to an '09 310hp box with PDK or maybe even a used Lambo if certain projects treats me right.

For now, the box = car happiness.

MikeM · 07-25-2008, 06:16 AM

I've had lots of friends over the years that have had Chevy and Dodge muscle cars and even they admit that "God help you if you ever have to stop or turn".

IMO..unrefined and under engineered, when compared to anything European.

One friend with a Corvette told me that although he loved the car,"it road like a buckboard and shook itself apart".

Like they say....no substitute.

Cheers

NickCats · 07-25-2008, 06:21 AM

You may want to reconsider the Viper. I went for a cruise with a buddy of mine last Sunday. We spent the day cruising around in the country, and while the Viper is extremely fast and very sharp looking, he was pretty miserable since the engine generates SO much heat that he was frying in the cockpit. He had the AC on full blast the whole time ( it was about 80 degrees out ) and was covered in sweat every time we stopped.

Give RUF a call :

http://www.rufautocentre.com/

Nick