Boxster S vs Air-cooled 911?

[Pat]

I love the SCs. That said, if you're looking for a comfortable commuter you made the right choice. The SC doesn't have the performance or comfort of the Boxster. Not even close.
If your priority is style, get the SC. But based on what you are using the car for you easily made the right choice.

[thstone]

I drove quite a few older 911's when I was looking for my first Porsche last year. I didn't "think" that I wanted a Boxster because it was:

(1) not a 911
(2) the poor man's Porsche
(3) a girlie car
(4) not a 911

During my 911 search, I happened to drive a Boxster at a dealer who had one on the lot (along with the 911 that I was interested in), so I drove it and I immediately changed my mind and started looking for a Boxster.

The Boxster is everything that an older 911 should be - except that it doesn't have that classic 911 styling. Otherwise, the Boxster is better in almost every regard.

I'd suggest that you go out and test drive several older 911's and see what you think.

(Of course, I still yearn for a 911 and even test drove a 2004 996 Carerra S about two weeks ago.)

[Topless]

If you live in Florida and want an A/C that actually works, stick with a water buffalo. The A/C in an SC is beyond useless... same for the 80s Carreras. A 964 is better but not up to Florida DD demands. The A/C in a 993 is really pretty good but still a long way from the excellent 986 climate control.

This is what killed my search for a classic 911. I don't DD my Boxster but I do appreciate modern A/C on hot days a lot. A classic Porsche is a great car to own and drive but don't ever confuse it with a modern car with excellent A/C, ABS, airbag safety, modern crumple zones etc. A classic 911 would have to be strictly a fair weather weekender for me.

[Perfectlap]

Buy the 911 as restorations/investments. They will be worth a lot more in a few decades when they become hard to find or really expensive to restore. We discuss this in another thread but I see collector cars that were limited in production rocketing in value in the future. Heck American muscle cars did incredibly well during the credit bubble although I'm not sure how that market works as far as supply and deep-pocket buyers. I'm guessing they made a lot of muscle cars and they're a lot cheaper to restore than vintage Porsches.

Buy the Boxster to drive or drive hard.

two wholly different purposes and investments.

[san rensho]

Don't forget the dreaded trail throttle oversteer of the 911. Get into a corner too hot, lift off the gas and watch as the back end is now pointed forward.

[blue2000s]

The SC is absolutely my favorite (realistically buyable) Porsche. It provides the light weight (2400 lb) magical man/machine connection like no modern Porsche can but also has enough power to not embarass itself (but you do have to rev it to really get going). I can feel the steering wheel bouncing around in my hand as I write this!

The air-cooled Carreras that came after got heavier and more luxurious (very noticeably heavier) and then the water cooled cars just got huge. Look at an SC parked next to a Boxster and you'll see how bloated these cars have become.

There are companies out there who make retrofit kits for the AC and I've read really good things about the results.

The SCs also have very reliable engines and have good rust-proofing that earlier 911s don't.

If you like the noises (oh that air cooled flat six growl) and sensations of a very mechanically pure and connected sports car, the SC is a great choice. If you're looking for something with modern safety, convenience, and luxury, the Boxster is a better solution. The Boxster is like driving an old 911 with an extra layer of insulation between you and the car.

[maj75]

These posts really capture how I feel...

I lust after the sound of the air-cooled flat six revving. I can upgrade the AC with a vintage air kit that will actually cool...

I would like the driving position of the 911 more.

I don't care about automatic HVAC control or ABS or even power seats... (I would miss cruise) The Boxster S is a very nice car, I'm not sure after 3000 miles that it has the Porsche feel I was looking for. The sound is definitely not there. The ride is pretty soft compared to my former C6 and current IS-F. Handling is very good, but the car does feel heavy (could be that I need to lose 40 lbs )

I have stopped kidding myself that any car purchase was an investment I can't keep a car long enough to see any appreciation. I only hope to not lose too much!

Logic tells me I made a good choice, but my head still turns when I hear the sound of an air-cooled flat six or see an old SC go by...