Four real seats? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

jthomas_null · 01-22-2009, 09:48 PM

I've been shopping for a convertible and fallen in love with the Boxster. The steering feel is brilliant, I love the cozy cabin, and the handling is outstanding. The long summer afternoon I spent wandering through the Wisconsin hills in a Boxster is easily the most fun I've ever had driving in my life.

However, my family situation might make a roadster impractical, and so I have to consider 4-seated substitutes.

I have two questions:

1) how close are 911s to Boxter in feel? I don't need tons of power, I care more about handling and road feel.

2) What's the closest thing to a Boxster with 4 real seats? I know nothing will be close, but what's the best option if I have to go that route?

Jacques79 · 01-22-2009, 10:02 PM

The 911 has pretty much the same front suspension-steering as the Boxster S so if you like the steering in the Boxster you'll like the steering in the 911.

But the 911 backseats are pretty useless...

Closest thing to a Boxster with 4 real seats?

That's a tough one... light weight, RWD, great steering feel,...hmmmm...

Well there's the Mazda RX-8 but the power is nothing like a Boxster S. Maybe comparable to a 986 base model, but still, the lack of power below 6000RPMs will be a shocker to you.

Aside from that...Perhaps an E36 M3, it has great steering feel but the suspension is very soft.

Try out an RX-8 and see if the engine doesn't bother you too much.

nefarious986 · 01-22-2009, 10:53 PM

those 4 seats are real enough when needed .. I've driven a 3000gt which is also a 2+2 seater .. and I've fit 4 adults in the car seats. The 2 in the back just gotta twist and squeeze a bit .. and biggest person go to the front. =]

stateofidleness · 01-22-2009, 11:22 PM

panamera

nefarious986 · 01-23-2009, 12:19 AM

OP requested a convertable? As far as I know the Panamera will never have a convertible top ?

Off topic:

Is anyone on this board actually `in love` with the Panamera ?

IMHO, seems like Porsche mated the Cayenne and 911 cab, and had an child which is the Panamera. Like all product of incestuous relations, its not quite right. Certainly has all the facial feature of the family line, but the package as a whole seems wrong ?

Anyone else ?

cvhs18472 · 01-23-2009, 03:00 AM

I know how you feel about the Boxster, but there is probably no 4 seater which will give you the same driving experience as a Boxster. Why do think that we all drive them and not something else. Sorry. Ed

ChrisZang · 01-25-2009, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nefarious986

OP requested a convertable? As far as I know the Panamera will never have a convertible top ?

Off topic:

Is anyone on this board actually `in love` with the Panamera ?

Anyone else ?

not "in love" but I certainly like it a lot.
If I had the money I'd get one

renzop · 01-23-2009, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jthomas_null

I've been shopping for a convertible and fallen in love with the Boxster. The steering feel is brilliant, I love the cozy cabin, and the handling is outstanding. The long summer afternoon I spent wandering through the Wisconsin hills in a Boxster is easily the most fun I've ever had driving in my life.

However, my family situation might make a roadster impractical, and so I have to consider 4-seated substitutes.

I have two questions:

1) how close are 911s to Boxter in feel? I don't need tons of power, I care more about handling and road feel.

2) What's the closest thing to a Boxster with 4 real seats? I know nothing will be close, but what's the best option if I have to go that route?

1) The 911 is a nice handling car but is certainly different than the Boxster. Also the rear seats are really tiny. No adult would want to be back there even for a short drive. If you have infants and toddlers they would be ok (although its a real pain to strap kids in the back of a two door car)

2) The closest thing to a Boxster with 4 real seats is 2 Boxsters. any convertible with large enough rear seats to be called "real" will have tons of issues with buffeting and handling because of the big hole in the middle of the car.

Personally I would not even try searching for a car that's like a Boxster with 4 seats. Instead I would buy a Boxster and a 4 door sedan, wagon or minivan.

Topless · 01-23-2009, 08:24 AM

Drive a BMW 3 series. It is no Boxster but it is a World Class drop top with 4 useable seats. A 911 is only an option if your rear passengers have no legs.

greesedc · 01-23-2009, 08:39 AM

VW EOS convertible hardtop
Audi S4 Cabriolet (if you like to go fast in syle)
Audi A4 Cabriolet (lots in the pre-owned market)
While I am a German car fanatic all the way, considering the sorry state of car sales at Volvo, maybe a look at their convertible hardtop...

nefarious986 · 01-23-2009, 09:16 AM

In retrospect, the Cayenne probably didn't get a red carpet welcome from the Porsche community either. But it turned out to be a good thing.

Even the Boxsters were poorly regarded first when it was announced. Being considered "the poor man's Porsche" is not exactly flattering.

Lets hope the Panamera is going to be freakin brilliant.

achillian · 01-23-2009, 09:19 AM

IMO, if you want a convertible sports car, and you need room for four, the BMW M3 is the only car to get. The E36(older) , E46(newer), and E92(newest) bodystyles have all been fantastic sports cars with room for four. The M3 will not handle the same as a boxster, thats a given due to different dynamics, i.e. engine location, size, and weight. But, the M3 is similar in that you get a lot of performance in a stock package. Their power to weight ratios always seem ideal as well. I believe an M3 would put a smile on your face everytime you drive it, like a boxster would, just probably not quite as big.

gerrygug · 01-23-2009, 09:36 AM

Another vote for the M3
I have a 3 Series BMW and it is hands down the best Sedan I have ever owned.

cvhs18472 · 01-26-2009, 02:21 PM

Don't laugh till you have driven one, but a Volvo C-70 is not a bad car and is a bit of a hoot to drive. No it is not a Boxster, but then again nothing else is. My wife drives a C-70 and it really is a nice car. Ed

renzop · 01-25-2009, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topless

Drive a BMW 3 series. It is no Boxster but it is a World Class drop top with 4 useable seats. A 911 is only an option if your rear passengers have no legs.

I had a 3 series convertible and the amount of buffeting with the top down was unbearable at speeds over 40. The only way to reduce it was a big, ugly windstop that made the rear seats unusable. I stick by my earlier statement that there are no 4 seat drop tops that work as sports cars.

Topless · 01-25-2009, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by renzop

I had a 3 series convertible and the amount of buffeting with the top down was unbearable at speeds over 40. The only way to reduce it was a big, ugly windstop that made the rear seats unusable. I stick by my earlier statement that there are no 4 seat drop tops that work as sports cars.

Sure. At highway speeds all four seaters are a "Wind Tunnel" in the back seats. When driving at speed the top goes up or the rear passengers can simply don those cool looking leather aviator helmets and goggles.

Kirk · 01-25-2009, 08:36 PM

I've been looking for a 2+2 coupe, but not a convertible. Here's my input based on cars I've driven and sat in:

Audi TT - useless back seat unless you're a quadruple amputee

Mitsubishi 3000GT - better back seat, but still uncomfortable for anyone over 5' 4"

Porsche 911 - Back seat is a total joke

Infiniti sports coupe - same joke

Jaguar XK8 - still the same joke

G35/G37 - very usable back seat, new drop top is coming soon, this one may be a great option

BMW M6 - rear seat's very uncomfortable, useless for adults

Mazda RX8 - very disappointed, completely anemic engine, did not wear well used

Maserati Coupe/GranSport/GranTurismo - Back seat is a little piece of heaven, fits grown adults very nicely and very luxuriously, no drop top option with 4 seats though.

Based on my personal experience I'd say you're looking at either the upcoming G37 drop top or a BMW 3 series/M3 with drop top. The Audi A4/S4 may be an option too, but I personally don't care for them much for the money. For sportiness you'd probably be better off with the G37 or BMW over the Audis.

There are other options if you want to go to FWD, the ones I listed are all RWD or AWD and sportier.

Kirk

Lordblood · 03-25-2009, 07:28 PM

It's really difficult to have a mid engine and 4 usable seats all in one car, in fact I'm not sure if it's ever been done, the closest in the 911 but thats rear engined.

I think depending on your price range, the BMW M3 (new or used) cabrio or the Audi RS4 Cabrio is the way to go. They don't have nearly the sportiness of a Boxster, but if you must have 4 seats this is the way to go.

Now if you can manage without a convertible top, there are a few more choices, the RX8 or the completely crazy Mitsubishi Evo are really good handlers as far as sports cars go.