how many of you guys owned miata before graduating to boxster?

[racer_d]

Does NOT having owned a Miata make me unqualified? yup. No Miata. 914. 911 and some VW's along the way.

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

I don't see it as graduating from one to the other as they are totally different cars.

The Boxster is a Pudgy (2800-3000 lb.) mid-engined Luxo Sun Cruiser while the Miata is much closer to a traditional minimalist (2070-2414 lb.) front-engine, rear drive, Sports Car.

While I've not owned one, I did do several thousand miles in a brand new one (Gen 2) over a two week period on Maui back in '01.

The Miata is a great car for what it is. The Boxster is a great car for what it is.

But, frankly, I believe it takes more skill to drive a Miata at the limit than it does a Boxster. To me, this is important - a Sports Car shouldn't be as easy to drive as an Accord - it should take some skill (Driver Input) to make the car perform at it's peak.

Honestly, after two years ownership, the Boxster is beginning to bore me. It has never delivered the sort of visceral response I've had from nearly every other Sports Car I've owned, and I may well be graduating to an MX-5 in the near future...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Sounds like you want a new M roadster. With its tail happy ways and unforgiving nature.

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

Hi,

I don't see it as graduating from one to the other as they are totally different cars.

The Boxster is a Pudgy (2800-3000 lb.) mid-engined Luxo Sun Cruiser while the Miata is much closer to a traditional minimalist (2070-2414 lb.) front-engine, rear drive, Sports Car.

While I've not owned one, I did do several thousand miles in a brand new one (Gen 2) over a two week period on Maui back in '01.

The Miata is a great car for what it is. The Boxster is a great car for what it is.

But, frankly, I believe it takes more skill to drive a Miata at the limit than it does a Boxster. To me, this is important - a Sports Car shouldn't be as easy to drive as an Accord - it should take some skill (Driver Input) to make the car perform at it's peak.

Honestly, after two years ownership, the Boxster is beginning to bore me. It has never delivered the sort of visceral response I've had from nearly every other Sports Car I've owned, and I may well be graduating to an MX-5 in the near future...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by boggtown

Sounds like you want a new M roadster. With its tail happy ways and unforgiving nature.

Hi,

Not at all - the last BMW I ever liked was the '72 2002tii I owned 20 odd years ago.

Since then, these cars have slowly lost their Soul, not that they're bad cars, they are just coldly efficient...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[Peer]

Here's my graduation project:
http://ccrma.stanford.edu/~peer/roadstermods.html

-- peer

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

Hi,

I don't see it as graduating from one to the other as they are totally different cars.

The Boxster is a Pudgy (2800-3000 lb.) mid-engined Luxo Sun Cruiser while the Miata is much closer to a traditional minimalist (2070-2414 lb.) front-engine, rear drive, Sports Car.

While I've not owned one, I did do several thousand miles in a brand new one (Gen 2) over a two week period on Maui back in '01.

The Miata is a great car for what it is. The Boxster is a great car for what it is.

But, frankly, I believe it takes more skill to drive a Miata at the limit than it does a Boxster. To me, this is important - a Sports Car shouldn't be as easy to drive as an Accord - it should take some skill (Driver Input) to make the car perform at it's peak.

Honestly, after two years ownership, the Boxster is beginning to bore me. It has never delivered the sort of visceral response I've had from nearly every other Sports Car I've owned, and I may well be graduating to an MX-5 in the near future...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

I've had the polar opposite experience. When comparing my dad's 1999 Miata with the 6-speed, sport suspension and 16" wheels to my m030 2000s, his is the car that feels much softer. His suspension isn't as stiff, his clutch is much softer and his steering, while great, isn't as communicative as my Box. I like the light weight of the Miata, but going directly from one car to the other, my Boxster is definitely my preference.

The 99 box was more softly sprung and I'm sure the automatic transmission takes away from the driving involvement. I guess there's alot to be said for a few differences in basically the same car.

I've owned an Accord, and they're actually very sporty for a family sedan, but neither of the cars drives like one.

[Perfectlap]

I might have to disagree as well (btw, when was that posted? sounds old).
Driving a Miata on the limit will not get you nearly into the trouble a Boxster at the limit will get you in. For many reasons.

That's the great thing about the Miata you can take some chances with it because on power its not overwhelming. I think my first driving instructor said the same thing. No huge 'moment of polar inertia' either.
And if Miatae did have bigger power it would be hmmm what's the word....dangerous? Great car but its a tin can that I would not want to be in a high speed collision with. Either on track or on the open highway against a Yukon or Sequioa. My buddy lost his Miata to an SUV as it innocently sat parked in front of his apartment. SUV totaled it crushed it like a tin can. Hate to think what would have happened if my buddy was sitting in it.

I've had a miata for 14 years. With the exception of the early first year crank snout problem, they're ALL bullet proof compared to the box. Miata gearbox is second to none (w/redline MTL in it).


I recently purchased an 02S. I find it's almost as easy to get the tail out if I turn PSM off In stock form, the box is a much more capable car, as it should be. It does everything well with less drama.


Shortcomings (for me) of the box are the rubbery feel of the turn signal and wipers, vinyl rear window, vague and sloppy shifter. Everything else is what I'd expect from Porsche.


Yes, I miss the miata's more intimate/cramp feel and reliability. I beat the hell out of that car and it ran like a tank. Oh and I miss the simplicity and accassability that allows me to easily work on it myself. Routinely checking the box, I found those dealer hacks left the rear brake sensor elec. line unsecured in their clips... they were just about to wear through from dangling and rubbing on the CV. Nothing like working on your own car... I also miss the huge aftermarket support. Doubling the HP wasn't hard to come by for a miata. The box is sorely lacking in that department.


Having said that, I'm lovin the box

[Sparky2]

How about one step further? How many owned an MGB before the Miata, before the Boxster?

Still have the B, just got the 01 Boxster S. Miata is gone. Kind of like a natural evolution of the roadster...

Great forum!
(first posting)

[Grizzly]

Originally Posted by Sparky2

How about one step further? How many owned an MGB before the Miata, before the Boxster?

Still have the B, just got the 01 Boxster S. Miata is gone. Kind of like a natural evolution of the roadster...

Great forum!
(first posting)

I've had two MGBs and a Midget. I wouldn't be caught dead in a Miata.