Comparable Alternative to Porsche

[thstone]

In regards to the OP, the 3-series BMW's are wonderful cars and quite the darling of the automotive press; but in terms of driving experience they won't outshine a Boxster.

The 3-series is probably the best of the 4-door sedans - as compared to other 4-door sedans. But it really can't compete with the driving experience of a mid-engine 2 seat sports car like the Boxster.

[EJ-Fresno]

Who dared comparing a 'stang and a Boxster??
I own both and there is no comparison possible.... Like comparing a zebra and a rhinoceros!
Mustang is great in long straight lines, but forget about the curves, the brakes, the weight...not mentioning the look!

[healthservices]

The SLK32 is a AMG product that has a supercharger and a intercooler. The SLK has many issues though. Hydraulics on the top mechanism, and the intercooler pump goes out intermittently reducing power.

Sound system is better than the Boxster too, then again a AM radio is better than a Boxster sound system

Oh and the Chrysler crossfire is a SLK not the other way around

And you can scour the Mercedes forum as I have my time slip posted there many years ago.

[The Radium King]

the proof is at the track where you have to pay to play; armchair bravado is worth what you pay for it.

s2000 is a quick car at the track. wrx sti and mitsu evo are too (tend to be driven by a lot of the instructors up here - drive to the track, drive fast, drive home, no issues once you do a few quick things to address brake cooling). miata with a turbo or LS is no slouch. lots of rx7 and rx8's on the track up here (rules favour the hp/displacement of the rotary engine, and they do handle well - mazda has a strong racing heritage). vettes and mustangs (esp the boss 302 track version that came out a few years ago) tend to represent very well. bmw m1 i(if you can find one) is a good alternative to the m3 or the z series.

people denegrate straightline power, but if you get to the corner a second before me after a long straight it don't matter much how quick i am through that corner. from what i've read the new z28 and vette are actually better corner cars than the boxster (as they should be - 10 to 15 years younger).

the boxster is probably one of the best straight out of the box, but the other options are great cars and can be improved for much less cost than can a porsche. check out the aftermarket support for the subi, the ford or the miata - cheaper and more of it.

ps, at the track it doesn't matter where you park your car when you aren't racing; it could be a mansion, it could be a trailer - fast is fast.

[jacabean]

Originally Posted by The Radium King

the proof is at the track where you have to pay to play; armchair bravado is worth what you pay for it.

s2000 is a quick car at the track. wrx sti and mitsu evo are too (tend to be driven by a lot of the instructors up here - drive to the track, drive fast, drive home, no issues once you do a few quick things to address brake cooling). miata with a turbo or LS is no slouch. lots of rx7 and rx8's on the track up here (rules favour the hp/displacement of the rotary engine, and they do handle well - mazda has a strong racing heritage). vettes and mustangs (esp the boss 302 track version that came out a few years ago) tend to represent very well. bmw m1 i(if you can find one) is a good alternative to the m3 or the z series.

people denegrate straightline power, but if you get to the corner a second before me after a long straight it don't matter much how quick i am through that corner. from what i've read the new z28 and vette are actually better corner cars than the boxster (as they should be - 10 to 15 years younger).


the boxster is probably one of the best straight out of the box, but the other options are great cars and can be improved for much less cost than can a porsche. check out the aftermarket support for the subi, the ford or the miata - cheaper and more of it.

ps, at the track it doesn't matter where you park your car when you aren't racing; it could be a mansion, it could be a trailer - fast is fast.

Well Put , I get dusted all the time in my Boxster S . I thought my 996 was fast . it gets wiped by lightly tuned WRX's and i think they handle better as well . The older i get speed is less of a concern for me anyway .

[nimblemotorsports]

The Boxster CAN get easy and quick access to the engine, just need to remove a few things.

[Perfectlap]

Why do you need to get to the engine for in the first place?
Are you going to find those elusive 50 HP that the engineers hid somewhere?
When it comes to Porsche, if you want more power, get a faster variant or model.
If you want a more reliable Porsche, that doesn't require rebuilds as a regular part of long-term ownership (or straight up used engine swapping) might want to buy another brand entirely.

Originally Posted by nimblemotorsports

The Boxster CAN get easy and quick access to the engine, just need to remove a few things.

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by jacabean

Well Put , I get dusted all the time in my Boxster S . I thought my 996 was fast . it gets wiped by lightly tuned WRX's and i think they handle better as well . The older i get speed is less of a concern for me anyway .

I used to drive a very tuned STI and I know how fast they can be! The better feel of the Boxster is worth the loss of ~200 hp and tq. I logged about 150 miles of really fun, hills and twisty miles this weekend. The STI could have done every turn faster, but I enjoyed the Boxster much more.

[Perfectlap]

I saw a brand new Mustang last night, lowered with some light weight OZ wheels. The car looked like it could handle a slalom well. As for all the trucks that came before it, easily my least favorite handling and braking sports car.
The new Corvette and ZL1 Camaro (that laps quicker than a GT-R) wouldn't be bad alternatives if you appreciate handling and braking. some of the recent Corvettes are a good value as long as you remove the seats and burn them to ashes. But the second generation S2000 with revised suspension and the Miata (94 or newer) can't be beat for relatively hassle free ownership. The mini cooper has surprisingly excellent handling the first time you drive it but reliability is not a strong point, and that was coming from a Mini.Cooper mechanic whose raced all the aforementioned and strongly urged me to stay away If you plan to do anything beyond street driving.

[antny]

I agree, I had 2 highly ,modified Subarus that were very capable in straight line and turning. The Boxster is much more enjoyable than those cars in my opinion. I enjoy convertibles way more than your average person so I could say I am biased. I think the car handles just fine and has just enough power to have fun but definitely not the fast kid on the block. I have owned a 95 M edition Miata and it was fun but not practical at all. I would buy S2k if I could find one for the right price. I think those are really easy to drive.

[Finnegan]

I had a '99 (10AE) Miata and liked it quite a lot. But, it was not nearly as capable as the boxster, and had far less storage space. I also considered the S2k but don't really like the rev-happy engine. The audi tt has handling problems.. The SLK has no storage. And so back to the Boxster.

[BobRickel]

I have a 1997 Boxster. It is my 23rd Porsche and is a good car. My daily driver for 6 years was a Miata and it was very dependable and handled well. My new daily driver is a Scion FRS. Flat 4 boxer engine and rear wheel drive with Thorsen LSD and 4 wheel independent suspension and great 4 wheel disc brakes. Very neutral handling, 16" center of gravity, only 2700 lbs, and a drag coefficient of .27. I also get 32 mpg's in the city and 38 on the highway. She handles very well and comes with competition style seats from the factory. She only came with 200 hp which is just about even with my '97 Boxster with 201 hp, however any and every kind of aftermarket power increase is available for it. Tons of storage space as the design requirements were that it can carry 4 full size race tires, a jack, and a tool box to go track racing on the weekend. Handling is fantastic and steering is precise. Only $27000 new out the door.

[Giller]

Originally Posted by BobRickel

I have a 1997 Boxster. It is my 23rd Porsche and is a good car. My daily driver for 6 years was a Miata and it was very dependable and handled well. My new daily driver is a Scion FRS. Flat 4 boxer engine and rear wheel drive with Thorsen LSD and 4 wheel independent suspension and great 4 wheel disc brakes. Very neutral handling, 16" center of gravity, only 2700 lbs, and a drag coefficient of .27. I also get 32 mpg's in the city and 38 on the highway. She handles very well and comes with competition style seats from the factory. She only came with 200 hp which is just about even with my '97 Boxster with 201 hp, however any and every kind of aftermarket power increase is available for it. Tons of storage space as the design requirements were that it can carry 4 full size race tires, a jack, and a tool box to go track racing on the weekend. Handling is fantastic and steering is precise. Only $27000 new out the door.

Lovely car, although not at all comparable to the Boxster though. It has a little too much roof....

[BobRickel]

Originally Posted by Giller

Lovely car, although not at all comparable to the Boxster though. It has a little too much roof....

Absolutely true Giller, point well taken.

[landrovered]

My next car after my 986 3.6 will be a Ferrari 456 M GTA. Going to go for the Grand Tourismo V12, I think it is the last of the Classic Italian cars before they all became jet fighters.

As for a substitute for the boxster, there is little that is as balanced and pure but I have driven a few BMWs and Mercedes that were darned good. I don't think the Z3/Z4 is comparable at all with that huge mass swinging around in front. Lotus Exige would be closest to a boxster in my book.

[Pdwight]

THis is all well and good, however I have not seen the real reason....the wow factor

Miata, Mustangs, Corvettes and Subarus are everywhere.....I love having something a little different........I may not get there first.....but Boxster owners get there best.

[Franco]

Originally Posted by Pdwight

THis is all well and good, however I have not seen the real reason....the wow factor

Miata, Mustangs, Corvettes and Subarus are everywhere.....I love having something a little different........I may not get there first.....but Boxster owners get there best.

You are kidding right :ah:

[Pdwight]

No, I am not