Just Ranting - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

phrankandbeanz · 03-08-2005, 07:41 PM

I am tired of uneducated 996/997 owners saying how their vehicles have better handling then our boxsters. I can understand the argument of how our boxsters are underpowered and what not. But to say that the 996/997 handles even close to the boxster is absurd. If you were to put exact same engines in the boxster and the 996/7, the boxster would win hands down. It is just pure physics. A mid engine roadster will beat a rear engine 2+2 sports car. The new 987 boxster S will out slalom a 997 s or not. In the latest road and track, I believe the boxster beat the ENZO's slalom record. I am a car enthusiast, holding nothing against the 996/7 but I cannot stand ignorant comments.

I dream about owning a 997 turbo one day and think the m3 is more practical, however, I love my boxster. I just cannot understand the 996/7 community(claiming their true "car" enthusiast) lying to themsleves that their car handles better then ours because it just ins't true.

Flame away

Perfectlap · 03-08-2005, 09:20 PM

I once told myself I would never buy a Boxster. If I was going to plunk down big bucks for a car it would have to be the 911.
Well I didn't know what the hell I was talking about back then. Like most people..
Buying a cabriolet Porsche in my book is for old guys or Britney spears.
Which leaves only one choice if you want a drop top and a Porsche: The 986

IMO, The Boxster and the 911 are two completely different engineering/design principles.

One car was orginally designed to be a convertible the other was not.

I blame Porsche for not marketing this point enough. But they were in desperate need of a car to sell to the masses to save the entire operation from going the way of the Tucker (extinct). Porsche wasn't interested in making any points other than "look we made a CHEAPER Porsche, PLEASE BUY IT SO WE CAN PAY THE ELECTRIC BILL!" Well like the Miata, Porsche missed an oppourtunity to educate consumers on the enourmous engineering that went into creating this car. The Miata is probably the most sought after car for new racing drivers yet its still seen as a chick car. No mention of its excellent chasis, equal weight distribution,light weight,precise shifting,great power to weight, and bullet proof reliability, its still to this day after years of club racing, a chick car.

I once read an interview with the head of Porsche UK in which he said "well the first time Porsche buyer will generally buy a Boxster and then later on move up to the 911 ". I thought he should have been fired for saying that. Until I read an interview with 18 year old Patrick Long (American racing driver) in which he said that off track the Porsche racing apprentice drivers are given Boxsters and the fully inducted drivers are given 911's. "you have to pay your dues before you get the 911".
I now see where this misguided feeling that Boxster is a stepping stone comes from: Porsche.

ranbar2 · 03-09-2005, 04:30 AM

There will always be that perception that someone bought a boxster because they couldn't afford a 911. And I agree that Porsche marketing is partly to blame, along with 911 owners who have the natural kneejerk reaction to defend a car that costs 25K and up more. Unfortunately for its "image", used boxsters can come cheap, with 2.5's priced in the upper teens, low 20's and 2000 S's under 30K. Moreover, I do see a disproportionate amount of boxsters driven by women. Just yesterday I pulled up alongside a silver boxster at a light, eager to wave to a fellow owner. However, the woman driving it was too busy putting on her makeup to notice. Such is how a stereotype is perpetuated. One thing I have noticed is that almost every S I have seen had a man behind the wheel whereas it is a more even split on the 2.5/2.7's. Perhaps this is because the S is marketed as more of the "performance" boxster? (Apologies in advance for the admittedly sexist remark, but I am just reporting my observations.)

Brucelee · 03-09-2005, 05:20 AM

It is all good stuff. From my point of view:

Porsche builds cars to make money and they have their own cultural biases. They have the 911 franschise to protect and they need the Boxster. It is a tightrope they walk everyday. Also, being German I can say that arrogance is our birthright. It shows up in cars big time!

Those 911 owners have their own reality. I am fine to let them have it. Hey, they pay enough for it. When I have a 911 to drive, it is a kick. Yet, give me a S Box any old time.

RE: Women and Box S's? I love to see a pretty woman in a boxster, any model, preferrably siting next to me in mine!

BTW- on a track, give me a Box S and I will take on any base 911 out there. Money on me????

phrankandbeanz · 03-09-2005, 01:15 PM

i put would money on a boxster stock for stock and equal driving ablities

Pilot2519j · 03-09-2005, 03:19 PM

Whatever the perception whatever the marketing ploy whatever the whatevers the fact is that the Boxster holds its own vs. anything placed on the road against it. We should be not only happy to own such a fine car but we are immensely blessed to drive such a fine machine. I don't feel chided by not owning a 911 or depressed about it. I feel that our car is super quick has the same brand as the 997 and the Cayenne etc. As far as racing heritage lots of the Porsche victory have been by prototypes 917's, 962's etc not necessarily the 911. So it's not the racing prowess of the 911 or the handling of the 911 for sure, it is just the marketing of the 911 that pushes the Boxster aside to a lesser role.
Proof for all Boxster malcontents is the fact that automobile magazine after magazine picks the Boxster over the 911 time and time again. More fun to drive, get more for your money, and much better looking. What more can we say about our car that is a KICK ASS CAR. Screw the rest.

ntmatter · 03-13-2005, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phrankandbeanz

i put would money on a boxster stock for stock and equal driving ablities

On an autocross track, totally. On a road track, though, I'd be very surprised if I'd be faster in a Boxster than a 993 or later. The bigger car just has the grunt on any sort of straightaway, and while after driving both I think the Boxster turns better, the margin isn't enough to make up for the grunt in the 911.

(Sorry, not a flame, but that extra $50K has to buy something , right?

A.

ntmatter · 03-13-2005, 10:32 PM

Most of the track-slanted reviews that I've read have said that the Boxster out-handles the 996, I just bought one yesterday and I have to say the handling on it is outstanding. (And everything else, I'm thrilled with the car). I traded my track-prepped Viper GTS for it, (for several reasons), and I can say that my base '01 boxster handles better than my sorted Viper.