Why'd you choose the boxster?

[eslai]

lexuspilot's post in this thread got me wondering why everyone here chose the Boxster as their sports car.

I'm sure we've all talked about it at one point or another here (I know Randall's story for instance ), but for those of you that haven't, speak up!

For me, it was time for me to start looking at new cars in 2004. Five years of owning, tweaking and racing Eclipses left me with some high expectations for the kind of car I wanted. The first criterion was that I wanted a car that made me feel like I didn't need to change a thing. I started test driving and everything I tried on was lacking. "The steering sucks." "I'd want to change the dampers/springs immediately on this boat." "This is uglier than a Volvo."

I've never in my life had any big love for Porsche. I couldn't get into the way 911's looked--I actually preferred the 944 and 928. Well, we know what happened there, eh?

I had never thought much about the Boxster. I had the "pushme-pullyu" opinion about its looks, and the popular notion that it was the "Girly Porsche".

But it seemed like it might be the right thing and a couple friends told me that I really needed to give it a shot, so I took a couple different ones for a test drive. I found them lacking power and again, the suspension seemed too soft. The steering felt a little loose on-center as well. I passed it by.

Since then I've learned that maybe if I'd driven one with an 030 suspension option I would've thought differently. I went back to the dealership in early 2005 intending to test drive the 986 again when I first encountered the 987.

Took it for a test drive.

Came back with my order the next week.

This is the first car I've ever driven that felt like it was made for me (which is why I'm so hard on it for the few faults it has). It's going to take a lot of car to be better than this!

[SD987]

...for the cupholders...the self-deploying spoiler cinched the deal for me.

[Biz-z Z]

…was tired or war, pestilence and death; needed a new worry—RMS.

[blinkwatt]

I wanted a car very well rounded car from the get go,not something that needed to have aftermarket parts put on it. I also researched every Porsche cars resell value,because I wanted a car that was going to hold value in the future. I found that even a well maintained 944 was worth a couple of thousand.I as well "eewww and aawwwed" the rear spoiler.

First and foremost, I wanted a convertible. I also wanted something that was unique and not seen everyday driving around. You know, since I started looking in July of 2005, I have only seen a handful of 986's on the Chicago area roads, and only one 987!

[RandallNeighbour]

In 1997, I saw one weaving in and out of traffic in Houston. I was alone, but still screamed out "THAT'S THE PORSCHE I WANT!" Seeing that car actually motivated me to open a special savings account and start putting cash into it regularly to save up for the car.

What made me fall in love? The view of this car from the back. I love the looks of the Boxster from the back more than any other Porsche. Believe it or not, the convertible top was secondary, but a close second.

[BuffaloBoxster]

True story of how I bought a Boxster.

I wanted an S2000. I'd had an RSX and an Integra and I love Honda's high-revving four cylinders. So I went to the closest Honda dealer to have a go at it. In the showroom they had a yellow on black S2000. The salesman asked if he could help me, and I told him I wanted this car right here, and I'd like a test drive. He told me that I could not test drive the car without placing a deposit on it. I said there was no way I was going to put money down on a $33k car without driving it - Mercedes will gladly let me drive an SLK, and I've already driven BMW Z3s. He says "Let me talk to the boss". After waiting for this clown for about 10 minutes I told the lady at the desk that I was going to another Honda dealer and that I wouldn't be back.

On the way home, literally about 7 minutes up the road, I passed a dealership specializing in pre-owned European cars. Stopped in, asked to test a black '01 Boxster they had on the lot. The girl got me the keys, and all it took was me mashing the throttle on an on-ramp with the top down.

I bought the car.

To this day I still thin the S2000 is a fine car and would have made a fine choice. All that salesman had to do was put me in the car for ten minutes and he could've made my money. Instead someone else made it just a half hour later.

True story.

What really sold me about the box was the handling.. You just can't touch mid-engined handling dynamics. And I'd always loved the styling. I was never a 911 fan but the Box seems just right to me. I love every mile I've covered in it and I can't wait until the end of the month when I can get it out of storage.

[Ronzi]

Had an '81 911 Targa and wanted a more modern sports car, but still a Porsche. For example one that had an air conditioner that actually worked. Also, less stuff that could be on the edge of needing replacement, like power window hardware ($), fuel pumps ($$), idle compensators ($$$) and valve guides ($$$$$$$$$).
The cost of a newer 911 (993 or 996) was prohibitive considering that the car is, for me, basically a summertime fun car.
I have loved the smooth styling of the Boxster since the first time I saw the prototype show car. So the decision was easy, really.
Regrets? I've had a few, but then again, too few to mention.

[TriGem2k]

My cousin bought the Boxster back in 1997 when they first came out. At the time i was 11years old but absolutely loved cars. I knew from the day that car came home that I wanted one when I get my license. So when the time came and my dad asked me what car I wanted I put my foot down and said PORSCHE BOXSTER. He was totally against it and didn’t even come with me to the dealership to buy it. I had to go do it all myself.....Oh well I got it and that’s all that matters.

[jangobox]

First of all I have always loved the design of the Boxster over the 911, especially the way the back of it looks. Driving to Virginia beach one day and saw a white 986 crusing down the highway. There was a really attractive blonde in the passenger seat and her hair was flowing gracefully in the wind. I turned to the wife and said, " I am getting one!" She said " I saw it first!" The rest is history.

[Jeph]

I had a similar experience as BuffaloBoxster. It wasn't even a new S2000! I was looking at a $24,000 S2K on the used car lot of a Volkswagen Dealership (Lewisville Volkswagen, booooo!). At the time, I had never driven one and wanted to know if I could fit in it (6'2" 240). Salesman said nope, not unless I've got a deposit. $24k cars must be for the rich folk.

Turns out I can't fit. Either way, no sale... but guess what, now Lewisville VW is on my "Do not recommend" list (and now you all know -so tell your friends).

So why'd I choose the Boxster? A) I fit, and B) That Sound!
(but not in that order)

Plus I got a killer deal -cheaper than the Honda!