Go Back   986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners > Porsche Boxster & Cayman Forums > Boxster General Discussions

Post Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-17-2012, 06:15 AM   #1
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Philly
Posts: 594
New Boxster comparison

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.

__________________
00 2.7 5SPD MT

Last edited by ProjectM96; 07-17-2012 at 11:54 AM.
ProjectM96 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-17-2012, 06:23 AM   #2
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,656
Look at how high that rear end is... I'm not crazy about women with big butt.
ekam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-17-2012, 07:00 AM   #3
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 874
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.
__________________
Manual '00 3.2 S Arctic Silver
pothole is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-17-2012, 07:43 AM   #4
Theoretical propagandist
 
Eric G's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 793
Garage
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!
__________________
When life throws you curves, aim for the apex...
Eric G is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-17-2012, 08:01 AM   #5
Registered User
 
Johnny Danger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 4,810
Garage
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 .
__________________
Don't worry … I've got the microfilm.
Johnny Danger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-17-2012, 08:04 AM   #6
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 188
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!
NoGaBiker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-17-2012, 08:38 AM   #7
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Philly
Posts: 594
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.
__________________
00 2.7 5SPD MT
ProjectM96 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-17-2012, 06:45 PM   #8
Porscheectomy
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Seattle Area
Posts: 3,011
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.
blue2000s is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-17-2012, 07:02 PM   #9
Certified Boxster Addict
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 7,669
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.
__________________
1999 996 C2 - sold - bought back - sold for more
1997 Spec Boxster BSR #254
1979 911 SC
POC Licensed DE/TT Instructor
thstone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2012, 05:04 AM   #10
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Philly
Posts: 594
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.
__________________
00 2.7 5SPD MT
ProjectM96 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2012, 06:26 AM   #11
Custom User Title Here
 
particlewave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Ft. Leonard Wood
Posts: 6,163
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by pothole View Post
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.
__________________
https://youtube.com/@UnwindTimeVintageWatchMuseum
particlewave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2012, 07:21 AM   #12
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Cleveland
Posts: 36
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".
__________________
2002 Boxster S
Rfromet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2012, 07:51 AM   #13
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Philly
Posts: 594
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.
__________________
00 2.7 5SPD MT
ProjectM96 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2012, 08:34 AM   #14
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Novi Mi.
Posts: 194
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
jbs986 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2012, 08:36 AM   #15
Registered User
 
mrjr1000's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: SW MO PCA OLK
Posts: 21
Garage
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! ;-)
__________________
2000 S
Metallic Black over Boxster Red
6-speed
mrjr1000 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2012, 09:08 AM   #16
Rennzenn
 
j.fro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Virginia
Posts: 1,369
Garage
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!)
j.fro is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2012, 11:30 AM   #17
2006 987
 
986_inquiry's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: st. louis
Posts: 443
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by jbs986 View Post
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
986_inquiry is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2012, 12:03 PM   #18
Custom User Title Here
 
particlewave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Ft. Leonard Wood
Posts: 6,163
Garage
^Totally agree with you.^

They look cheaply generic.
__________________
https://youtube.com/@UnwindTimeVintageWatchMuseum
particlewave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2012, 02:53 PM   #19
Registered User
 
jacabean's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: mass
Posts: 731
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.

jacabean is offline   Reply With Quote
Post Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 03:09 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page