Does the 986 suspension lose the test of time?

[thstone]

This may not be what you want to hear but the run of the mill Mazda MX-5 has always had a better suspension design than the Boxster. The MX-5 has dual front wishbones whereas the Boxster has the cheaper to manufacture and poor camber curved front MacPherson struts. Given the same power and rubber, a MX-5 can hang with or possibly beat a 986 in the corners (depending on driver, tires, wear/age of the components, etc).

This is a good description of the two suspension designs and their benefits/drawbacks: Comparison between MacPherson & Double Wishbone Suspension System

[ekam]

Originally Posted by thstone

You may not want to know this but the run of the mill Mazda MX-5 has always had a better suspension design than the Boxster. The MX-5 has dual front wishbones whereas the Boxster has the cheaper to manufacture and poorly camber curved front McPherson struts. Given the same power and rubber, a MX-5 can hang with or possibly beat a 986 in the corners (depending on driver, tires, wear/age of the components, etc).

This is a good description of the two suspension designs and their benefits/drawbacks: Comparison between MacPherson & Double Wishbone Suspension System ~ Mechanical Engineering

Well...

Supercharged Mazda MX-5 (Miata) MK2 vs New Porsche Boxster track battle - YouTube

[thstone]

Originally Posted by ekam

Well...

Supercharged Mazda MX-5 (Miata) MK2 vs New Porsche Boxster track battle - YouTube

Same power, but not necessarily the same rubber. Those MX-5 tires look pretty skinny compared to the Boxster's. They should have been careful to match the tire brand/model and width between the two cars.

[Porsche9]

Originally Posted by thstone

Same power, but not necessarily the same rubber. Those MX-5 tires look pretty skinny compared to the Boxster's. They should have been careful to match the tire brand/model and width between the two cars.

True, but doesn't the Maita have track day oriented tires plus it weighs a bit less thean the Boxster? Either way the Miata does well against a car that costs considerably more. Not so sure that 1.8 with a supercharger on it is going to last too long.

[woodsman]

I bought my Boxster because of how it corners including how it FEELS while doing so. I've driven a lot of cars and never found another that has what the Boxster has: rear weight bias with a lower polar moment ( mid-engine, short wheelbase- giving the car outstanding transient response or an eagerness to change directions RIGHT NOW! ), extremely low center of gravity(flat 6, canvas roof), world class steering, Porsche- spec brakes, aluminum undercarriage( try using a magnetic trouble light!),fat wheels and tires, leather interior...

[woodsman]

Comparing hardware and stats only gets you so far- my car has Soul....

....and yes I've driven a few Miata's including a Mazdaspeed.