New Boxster comparison

[ProjectM96]

I went to the Porsche dealership in Warrington, PA to get an estimate on repairing my rear bumper + spoiler + decklid. I was rear ended. There is a 5 inch diameter dent in the middle of my rear bumper right under the spoiler. Barely visible in the photo.

I parked next to the New 3rd Gen Boxster.
From what I can tell, the cars have the same length and same height (my car is lowered 1 inch), but this new Boxster is about 5 inches wider And it has 20 inch rims.




The front of the Boxster looks like the Ferrari 599.

[ekam]

Look at how high that rear end is... I'm not crazy about women with big butt.

[pothole]

Pics emphasise how much less "Porsche" the 981 front end looks.

People criticise the 986/996 front end and lights, but they're looking cleverer and cleverer to me. A radical update of previous Porsche lights, but still retain the round lamp vibe within the bigger multi-purpose cluster.

[Eric G]

Nice pics, but as it stands now I like the older cars as they retain more of the sports car essence.

The Gen III back end is to big, to high and the rims are to large for the car, but the only thing I do like is the wider stance.

Thanks for the post!

[Johnny Danger]

I think the important message here is, that Porsche vehicles evolve slowly . And, unlike other brands, regardless of the year or body style the Porsche marques carries forward nicely on most of their vehicles . Thus, preserving each model - iteration after iteration .

[NoGaBiker]

The big butt looks worse from behind or rear 3/4 view, but MUCH better to my eye in profile. The other thing that makes the profile work so much better on the 981 is the fact the windshield is shifted forward perceptibly. It all promotes more of a wedge profile rather than the melted candle droop of the front and rear ends of 986/987.

That said, I'm not trading -- every one at my dealer yesterday (I think there were 7) was PDK and was over 80,000!

[ProjectM96]

When I was there, I also noticed the seats in the 981 are weird. They are at a smaller angle than a 986/987, meaning your knees will be much much higher than your butt.

And the 981 mirrors are much more aerodynamic and smaller than the 986 as shown in my pictures.

Also, the side air vents are much better designed in the 981. It makes the air flow directly into the engine.

I love the side profile and front of the new 981. but I can never get over the interior and rear end.

[blue2000s]

That really shows off how combersome all of the differnt design elements of the new car are compared to the original car's simple flowing design. Way overstyled. The new car also looks huge next to the original. What a bummer.

[thstone]

These are some of the first side-by-side photos that I've seen (thank you) and the new Boxster looks HUGE!

I am also not a fan of the upturned big butt look (e.g., Lotus Elise) nor do I like the 20" wheels.

However, the 3/4's aspect looks great due to the nicely redesigned front and sides. Overall, I like the look of the new car quite a bit.

[ProjectM96]

And here is a 2013 Boxster S track test video and information on 0-60, 1/4 mile, etc.
2013 Porsche Boxster S Track Test

The Boxsters shown in my pictures earlier in this thread are both base models.

[particlewave]

Originally Posted by pothole

Pics emphasise how much less "Porsche" the 981 front end looks.

People criticise the 986/996 front end and lights, but they're looking cleverer and cleverer to me. A radical update of previous Porsche lights, but still retain the round lamp vibe within the bigger multi-purpose cluster.

Yes, yes, yes!!! I've been complaining about the 981, but didn't think anyone agreed with me.
Porsche headlights are round or oval...wth is going on with this thing?!

I used to think the 986/987 headlights were funny looking, but now I love them. Especially after seeing a side by side!!!

I'll keep my 986 for now.

[Rfromet]

I just test drove one over the weekend, and it is indeed bigger in every way...

Including the price - $88K for a Boxster S!

So much for "entry level".

[ProjectM96]

I actually like the new headlights and front end. But not the tail lights/wing integration. And I don't like the large "PORSCHE" emblem displayed over the "Boxster" emblem.

[jbs986]

Last week I went to Porsche of the Motor City in Eastpoint Mi.for the premier of the new Boxster. they had 4 cars on display two were base mods. and two were S Mods. the new Boxsters are 10X better then the old models that they are replacing.Porsche has gotten rid of the lame and problematic front and rear suspension and drivtrain and finally addressed some of the 22 design flaws in the engine.The only negative that I have with the new cars are the prices,
the 2 base Mods, were:61k & 62K and the S Mods. were $84K & 81K other then that thay are great cars.

PS, I own a Lotus Elise and love the look of the rear-end

[mrjr1000]

I was able to attend a reveal of the new 981 last week at local Porsche dealership. I was so anxious to see the new car. This was the first reveal the dealership had ever done and they did a great job.

Impressions:

PRO-love the Carrera GT look of doors and air ducts
love the integrated rear wing into the rear taillights
love the headlamps and running lights
love the 8 sec no clam shell top
love the added HP
love the weight reduction
CON-so much larger has the mass feel of 991
restricted vision with top up
20" wheels too large
reduced opening in rear trunk (although deeper with taller tail)
too much plastic! love leather wrapping Porsche does so well but too much plastic in interior of 981

Would I buy one? Maybe used but not at the prices they are asking. Would I take one if given to me? IT A HEART BEAT! ;-)

[j.fro]

I must say that I find much more to like about the 981 than I dislike about it.
As to the Great Headlight Debate, [I]NOT[I] all Porsches have round headlights...It's just that all 911's have round headlights. There are vertical rectangular light setups on the RS Spyder, 906, 908, 910, 917, 918. Hmmm...lots of mid-engined racecars there! The less like a 911 and the more like a racecar that the 981 is, the more I like it. Wouldn't it be great to see a 981 platform in Grand Am/ALMS! (I know, never happen, but I can dream!)

[986_inquiry]

Originally Posted by jbs986

Last week I went to Porsche of the Motor City in Eastpoint Mi.for the premier of the new Boxster. they had 4 cars on display two were base mods. and two were S Mods. the new Boxsters are 10X better then the old models that they are replacing.Porsche has gotten rid of the lame and problematic front and rear suspension and drivtrain and finally addressed some of the 22 design flaws in the engine.The only negative that I have with the new cars are the prices,
the 2 base Mods, were:61k & 62K and the S Mods. were $84K & 81K other then that thay are great cars.

PS, I own a Lotus Elise and love the look of the rear-end

Am I the only one that thinks those headlights were ripped off a 350z or G37?


Seriously Porsche wtf? Why spend Porsche $$$ to look like a Nissan?

Guess I'll skip the 981, hope the next gen look like Porsche and not like Nissans

[particlewave]

^Totally agree with you.^

They look cheaply generic.

[jacabean]

i recently stopped my local dealer to take a close look. I like the new car but not as much as I thought i would. I think i over hyped it in my mind. I looks over worked to packaged.
something seems missing from the new car.