New Or Used

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by Ronzi

The Miata and the Boxster share the fact that they both have four wheels, two seats, and a rag top. That's about the end of the similarity...

Hi,

The same can be said of the Boxster vs the 550 Spyder. The Boxster is Uni-Body, Longer, Wider, much Heavier, 6-cyl, FI, Hydraulic Clutch, AC, Power Top really no comparison at all.

' A throwback to the 550' - a Romantic Creation of the Marketing Dept. designed to boost sales by riding on the Coattails of a Legend.

I have an acquaintance who owns a Real 550 Spyder - #47, which I have driven. It is so much more responsive and provides so much more feedback. When I drove home in my Boxster, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was in some Fat, Overweight, Gentleman's Cruiser. That's how much the 550 betters it in performance, not speed to be sure, but overall feel, it's the winner hands down.

'Course, I don't have a cool $250K burning a hole in my pockets, so I turned up the Stereo, turned on the AC, adjusted my Seat Back and like Stephen Stills remarked... "Love the One You're With!"...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[Perfectlap]

my previous car the 1.8 Miata was indeed different but they are also both rear wheel drive finely balanced cars with high revving engines. Because of the low HP the Miata is a very forgiving car like the neutral Boxster. The Miata is not as predictable as the Boxster, a little prone to oversteer in abrupt turns unlike the Box but its still a very responsive car. I'd say the S2000, Miata and Boxster are three best handling roadsters I've driven. The Miata is probably the most represented car in grass roots motorsports because of its handling and bullet proof reliability despite its girly car image. The S2000 seems to be the only roadster to have escaped the "girly car", "poser" or "old guy" image.

[faterikcartman]

Great observation about the S2000. If it had six airbags it would have been more of a consideration.

[Brucelee]

The Miata owes no apologies to anyone. Great little car for the money, tons of fun and reliable as all get out.

[Ronzi]

MNBoxster wrote:
"The same can be said of the Boxster vs the 550 Spyder. The Boxster is Uni-Body, Longer, Wider, much Heavier, 6-cyl, FI, Hydraulic Clutch, AC, Power Top really no comparison at all.

' A throwback to the 550' - a Romantic Creation of the Marketing Dept. designed to boost sales by riding on the Coattails of a Legend."


As you point out, there were a lot of things the 550 didn't have. Like a top (that little scrap of canvas set on stilts doesn't count as a top, unless you're a LeMans scruitineer), any road amenities whatsoever, and about 1,700 extra pounds.
Bottom line, the 550 was a dedicated race car, the first for Porsche. The fact that James Dean got half way from LA to Salinas on the open highway in one is incidental.
I agree, the connection between the 550 and the Boxster is basically a figment of the Porsche marketing department's imagination. But that's what they get paid for.