How often do you think about the 911?

[rondocap]

The Boxster is fantastic, and real car enthusiasts know that. But surely, the 911 shadow is always hanging down on anything Porsche as that is the "Icon".

How often do you consider or compare your Boxster to the 911?

I do sometimes. Heck, I'll search for a nice 09+ 911, and see that it is still over $50k. Then I see a nice Cayman or Boxster 09, for $15k less, and it discourages me from the 911.

Even in my 986, everytime I sit down in it, I think to myself...996 interior is basically the same, all you're missing is a little power and less balanced handling.

[Perfectlap]

If they made a mid engine Carrera I probably would have ditched the Boxster or at least added Porsche #2 long ago. But there's no beating a drive in a roadster and a Carrera with the roof hacked off just isn't right to me. It's not nearly as nice looking and convertible Carreras are not what built the legend. I can't picture Steve McQueen driving a Miami Vice 911 Cab. So the Boxster will always be the choice for a purpose built roadster, and conveniently it's still the bar-setter in that category.

As far as legacy, the 911 was pretty late to the racing game, not until the the 70's really.
The 550 Spyder was winning races in the 1950's some 20 years earlier and more importantly it was made specifically for racing.
Whereas the 911 was more about selling street cars with a rear seat. In fact, Porsche 356 #1, the 911/912's daddy, was rolled onto the unveiling with the engine in the middle. For production/sales it was moved to the rear. It was born of compromise.... whereas the 550 Spyder was born to race. And when you look at Porsche's race victories, there have been just as many if not more from midengined racing cars. In fact, the last time Porsche won overall at LeMans was in a midengine fried egg lights car.
Not sure why the pendulus 911 gets all the glory, I suspect its a generational thing -- guys who grew up learning to drive in the 70's and 80's. Beautiful looking cars though.

p.s.
Here' a great hypothetical question:

you are offered one of the two cars below for free but the hitch is you can't sell it. If you wreck it, they'll replace it but again you can't sell it.

981 RS (assuming they build one with regular softop this time, maybe manual instead of motorized)

or

a comparably priced 991 Carrera? (assumes a few options).

which do you choose? I'm using the RS because the 981 S only matches a 991 or falls a teeny tiny bit short on the time sheets.
The a 981 RS version presumably would be as quick if not faster. I think this really cahllenges the 911 mystique vs. a near perfect modern day roadster.

Non-brainer for me. 981 RS every day, all day.

[l3m]

I have always wanted a 911 Turbo but can't afford it. I would never have bought a convertible (more likely a Cayman) but it was good deal and my former neighbor always took good care of his P-cars. So far I'm enjoying the Boxster. I still yearn for more power and a widebody P-car. When I'm not daydreaming, the Boxster is really a great car.

[WhipE350]

I've thought about it quite a bit recently and even worked up a great deal on a 2008 Base 911. I drive a 991 'S' that a friend owns all the time and it is just too big for me, I really don't have a desire for one of those, the 997 fits me much better. My reason for looking at a 911 is to have a daily driver with automatic and a hard top. I have two Boxsters (one is for sale) so I'll always have a little mid-engine convertible.

I've also been looking at Caymans with auto but they are hard to find. I'm not totally happy with their look but I like them enough if the right one came along I would buy it and save a lot of money over the 911.

What I'm actually thinking of doing is ordering the new Cayman in Base with PDK. I think it is a beautiful car, I'm looking forward to seeing one in person in March. This would actually cost more than a used 911 (well the 2008 at least).

I do struggle with the 997 being so much like the 987 in so many aspects and costing so much more, it seems that 80% of the parts are the same. When I took the first test drive I was like...well this drives like my 2007 Boxster, looks like it on the inside so what am I paying for. I did take a second test drive to learn Tiptronic a little better to make sure I was going to be ok with it. On the second drive I realized how much heavier and more of a long trip daily driver the 911 is. It certainly has it's appeal.

[Bryan topping]

I had a 911 & a 914 before my Boxster. Give me a mid engine roadster every time. Better handling all the way around, you can predict when a mid engine will spin, a 911 will snap 180 degrees with no warning.

[thstone]

Owning a 911 is definitely in my plans. Every sports car enthusiast should own a 911, even if just for a short time. Same thing for owning an old British sports car and an Italian one. Make a list and work your way though it. YOLO.

[Johnny Danger]

9/11 was a horrible day in history that I try not to think about !

[DFW02S]

I've had a 996 Turbo before and expected that I'd keep the Boxster for a year and then switch to a GT3.

I've gotten so attached to the pleasure of the convertible, that I've abandoned the GT3 idea for a 981.

[AKnowles]

I've never even considered the 911 until you brought it to mind. And I'm happy where I am today. Tomorrow is tomorrow. When it is time to think about my next ride then I'll consider what it might be then. Until then I'll keep on being happy where I am.

[com3dorm3]

If anyone is not happy with their 997 GT3 RS and want to trade in even for a 986 just let me know. I'll gladly take that pendulum off your back. LOL.

[Grim1ock77]

My aunt had a 911 when I was young, and that car really got my love for Porsche going. But I am really happy with my 986 and it fulfills that love just as much as a 911. I don't think this will my my last Porsche, but the next one could just as well be another Boxster or possibly a Cayman.

[sgt brad]

Bought my box thinking it would be a daily driver. I figured water cooled was better for hot Alabama stop and go summers. And, I figured I would enjoy the convertible top. Now it's a fourth car in the stable and gets driven once a month. I have a soft spot for 3.0 cs 911s and regret not buying one. Overall I am happy with the box, but not a great investment vs older aircooled 911s.

[Johnny Danger]

Originally Posted by com3dorm3

If anyone is not happy with their 997 GT3 RS and want to trade in even for a 986 just let me know. I'll gladly take that pendulum off your back. LOL.

We could have a deal !

[com3dorm3]

Originally Posted by Johnny Danger

We could have a deal !

That's insulting to me. They're not even garaged indoors

[rondocap]

I remember when I drove a 2007 911 turbo. The car was very easy to drive, tiptronic. When you accelerated - the torque was unbelievable and just pushed you back hard, but the exhaust was quiet, and the car was so easy to drive that it was drama free.

The Boxster is a bit more of a handful for me because it's a manual, but as I go over 5k RPM the engine just sings like an exotic car. Super exciting.

If I get a 911 in the future, as much as I love the power of the turbo, I'd want a naturally aspirated engine - most likely a Carrera S. I think that'd be the most fun to wring out.

[Deserion]

Not often. Sure, when I see my dad's 911 (964), I think about them. Or if I see one in traffic or at a PCA meet. If I were to get a 911, it would be in addition to my Boxster, not in replacement of.

[mountainman]

every time I walk by my C4 to get into the boxster. The power and stability are great in the Ce, but I still prefer the handling of the boxster and I have had quite a few of both.

[Johnny Danger]

Originally Posted by com3dorm3

That's insulting to me. They're not even garaged indoors

Hey, it was summertime !

[mikefocke]

When I see one, I admire it. Even though I could have afforded one, I didn't want one and thus bought two Boxsters. Likewise I didn't buy new. I'm somewhat conservative in my finances and am quite content getting 95% of the fun for less than 50% of the price. Plus I never felt the need to street race or otherwise go faster than the Boxsters could go .. even the 2.5.

[Topless]

I appreciate the 911 for what it is, no 911 envy though. I always make sure to wave as I pass them on a race track.