986 S vs. WRX Sti - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

l8braker · 03-17-2006, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjw930

I didn't see an WRX STi listed as competition in those results.

Yeah and according to them it is a stock Boxster not an S.......they don't have enough room to list it all.

KRZTACO · 03-17-2006, 10:55 AM

In my past AutoX (results have been taken down), I did beat a Mitsubishi EVO. The course was really tight, it even included a 180 turn. The EVO just couldn't boost the whole time, too much lag. Should the course been a little straighter then he could have made better times.

KRZ

MNBoxster · 03-17-2006, 11:06 AM

Hi,

The WRX is a serious contender no doubt, but at it's heart, it is still a Sedan. It may go Fast, even Faster, but, IMHO, it lacks the type of visceral response you get from a proper Sports Car.

If all you want is Fast, then there is lots of competition, but that's excluding the Total Package which the Boxster, among others, offers.

So far as Auto-X results, there are so many variables such as course layout, track surface, ambient temperatures, tire/brake condition, and of course, the driver, that direct comparisons are difficult.

Also, Auto-X is much more of a individual test than a field competition despite compiling and comparing times. I don't Auto-X to beat the other guys, I Auto-X to improve my Times and Driving (read smoothness) on each run - the never-ending search for the Perfect Run. How it all shakes out in the end is of secondary importance. But that said, I expect that the Subi will hold it's own among the field with even a minimally competent driver, the Car itself can make up for a lot of sins.

For me, the question becomes: Which do I want to drive home at the end of the day? And in this, the Boxster wins hands down...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

KRZTACO · 03-17-2006, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

Hi,

For me, the question becomes: Which do I want to drive home at the end of the day? And in this, the Boxster wins hands down...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Jim..that is the very reason why I chose the Boxster over:

Neon SRT-4, 350z, G35 Coupe, S2K, and the Evo

Anyone can drive fast, but at the end of the day I love peaking into my garage and that Gold hood crest just shimmering.

Brucelee · 03-17-2006, 11:38 AM

"(Deep down we are all just Ricers with expensive cars"

One can only speak for oneself!

RandallNeighbour · 03-17-2006, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KRZTACO

Jim..that is the very reason why I chose the Boxster over:
Neon SRT-4, 350z, G35 Coupe, S2K, and the Evo

NEON? You actually considered a hopped-up NEON?

Danger Will Robinson, Danger!

Carl AMG · 03-17-2006, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

So far as Auto-X results, there are so many variables such as course layout, track surface, ambient temperatures, tire/brake condition, and of course, the driver, that direct comparisons are difficult.

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Agreed. If people want to compare autocross results and scratch their heads look at the various 2004 season event results of our MB club. You wouldn't expect my C32 AMG (a 3700 lb. automatic sedan with an open differential) with a driver with three events experience at the time to beat some of the competition (including Boxsters, 911s, EVOs, STI) listed in the results.

http://www.gws-mbca.org/ax/autocross.html

wild1poet2 · 03-17-2006, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

Hi,

The WRX is a serious contender no doubt, but at it's heart, it is still a Sedan. It may go Fast, even Faster, but, IMHO, it lacks the type of visceral response you get from a proper Sports Car.

For me, the question becomes: Which do I want to drive home at the end of the day? And in this, the Boxster wins hands down...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Jim is right on. The folks looking for a brute power adrenaline rush are always going to see the Boxster as a girl's car. We know better because we've been around machinery awhile and we appreciate a "proper sports car".

If anyone out there has never taken their Porsche over the speed limit on a public road with clear sights, please turn in your man card and buy a Prius.

mjw930 · 03-18-2006, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

So far as Auto-X results, there are so many variables such as course layout, track surface, ambient temperatures, tire/brake condition, and of course, the driver, that direct comparisons are difficult.

Agrees 100% but that's part of the reason they invented PAX.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

Also, Auto-X is much more of a individual test than a field competition despite compiling and comparing times. I don't Auto-X to beat the other guys, I Auto-X to improve my Times and Driving (read smoothness) on each run - the never-ending search for the Perfect Run. How it all shakes out in the end is of secondary importance.

Sorry Jim, I have to disagree with you on this one. When I take the car to timed track event I'm there to WIN, second place is the first loser.

Now, DE's, that's a different story since it's not a timed event (not supposed to be anyway) and there are no "Winners" and "Losers"

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

For me, the question becomes: Which do I want to drive home at the end of the day? And in this, the Boxster wins hands down... Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Agreed

JP-s-in st. louis · 03-18-2006, 09:04 PM

I have a friend with a STI with new exhaust and BOV. We have ran on many occasions all from a 10-20mph roll on flat strip of open stretch of deserted highway, I would always pull on his STI and 350Z (exhaust). Now I have been up against a 360 and he did beat me from 40-120 but I was still at his door. There have been a few Cobra Butstains (close) in there and one Diablo VT6.0 (not even close). All these “test” have all before the Supercharger. Now I am looking for BIG fish to fry. If you do this be careful know the area like your own home and be safe. We always sent a car in front to make sure it was clear of other cars and no cops. .

markk · 03-19-2006, 12:17 AM

I've got a MY99 Impreza GT Turbo with prodrive tuning and decat/open exhaust. I think it puts about 265bhp at the engine.

I also got a MY01 BoxsterS, completely standard so 252bhp.

Impreza will smoke BoxsterS from a stand-still. Impreza will smoke BoxsterS in midrange without shifting. Turbo midrange punch above 2500/3000rpm is awesome, BoxsterS has to be above 5000rpm to make a match.

10-200 km/h (I don't like burning clutches on these cars) is for the Impreza, slighly (2 car length or so). However please note:
- that my wife drove the Impreza and I got the impression she could have shifted later and even got more out of it
- I was driving topless, especially about 120 or so the BoxsterS is significant faster with top up
- In the high speeds (180+ or so) I was gaining. Above 200km/h BoxsterS with top up is faster.

Futhermore:
- The WRX is heavier and slower then the GT Turbo model
- An STI standard already has 265bhp. If its tuned (which most of them are) is puts out above 300bhp easily.

Conclusion:
- I expect a WRX Sti to be an rather even match with the STI winning under 200km/h and the BoxsterS with top up above.
- I expect a proper tuned WRX Sti to smoke you, anywhere.

Mark.

MNBoxster · 03-19-2006, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjw930

...Sorry Jim, I have to disagree with you on this one. When I take the car to timed track event I'm there to WIN, second place is the first loser...

Hi,

I understand what you're saying and lots of guys feel the same way. But, I tend to think there are other types of competition (Rallies, SCCA Club etc.) where I'm there to win, which do a better job of reducing or eliminating the variables and better match Driver against Driver. In Auto-X, the Handicaps and different Classes help, but many advantages, for some, still exist...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

turtle · 03-20-2006, 03:47 PM

hmmm...Both the STI's and the EVO's are VERY fast. You can beat cars costing in the six figures with them, no doubt. Unless it is on the right track both these cars will beat most anything out there.
The problem is this: lots of power, no durabilty. I have seen too many STI's spewing the tranny's guts all over the road, and too many Evo's eating thier own engines and AWD coupling for lunch to consider buying them. After all, you get what you pay for. a $30k car that with $10k of mods that can keep up with and in some cases beat $80k plus cars are bound to have issues. And if you can afford to throw away $40k+, then you can afford a car that is built to go fast.
I would put some exceptions out there: a properly built 350Z with the Chevy 400 Turbo tranny swap is a real contender

Hoosier · 03-20-2006, 06:45 PM

You gotta have the whole package and the Boxster is hard to beat. That Suby looks like an old Pinto that was left out in the heat, started to melt and then someone tried to push it's sides back together. Or does it look more like a pregnant rollerskate? If you have to name a car that ugly with that many letters whose going to remember it anyway. I ask you. How can you forget a Boxster? There is not one person that looks at my car and doesn't say. "I bet that thing scoots. How fast does the speedo go?" Now what do you think the comments on the Suby are?..."Does it get good mileage?...That sure is a different blue color...I saw one of them there wings on the back at PepBoys, is that were you got yours?... I'm in this Porsche only mood tonight, sorry guys.