Am I Crazy or is the Boxster More than Enough

[BuffaloBoxster]

I never wanted a 911. They never did it for me. IMHO, any car aspiring to be the ultimate in performance has to have a mid-engine design. It's the 911's biggest drawback.

As far as the Boxster "being enough", I think that this car has limits so high that to get near them on the street is really irresponsible. If you want more straight-line speed, I guess I can understand that but handling is what gets me going and this car is so fast through corners you could easily do a lot of damage to persons and property driving it at the limit on the street.

In that respect, it's enough.

[luxury1]

Originally Posted by BuffaloBoxster

As far as the Boxster "being enough", I think that this car has limits so high that to get near them on the street is really irresponsible. If you want more straight-line speed, I guess I can understand that but handling is what gets me going and this car is so fast through corners you could easily do a lot of damage to persons and property driving it at the limit on the street.
In that respect, it's enough.

You hit my point exactly, this is more than enough performance and everything else. What more could I want especially since I don't spend time on the track.

911's do nothing for me stylistically or logically. If I was going to spend $80,000 on a sports car, I'd be looking elsewhere.

I agree and $80k is starting. My fathers was around $120k (with tax). I live in Pittsburgh so there is no way I am going to be able to drive this thing every day. I would much rather have a luxury sedan for those days that are rainy, cold or snowy and a boxster for the nice days.

[Perfectlap]

this is what usually distinguishes a sports car driver from a guy who just reads about them (or just looks at the pictures!) in magazines.

Roadsters are Roadsters

Coupes are Coupes

They serve different purposes.

A guy/gal who buys a Boxster wants two seats and purpose built top down fun without compromising performance. He'll consider a BMW Z4, Honda S2000 and AMG SLK.

A guy/gal who wants a non-turbo/gt2/gt3 911 probably needs a back seat and has kids and is probably older. He'll consider an Audi S4, BMW M3 or one of those Jaguars.

Whenver I hear someone say "Boxster nice but no 911" I know I'm talking to a guy who probably has never taken a trip around a track or autocross and the discussion will turn to styling vs. performance.
p.s.
On Styling I'll give the edge to the 2002-2004 911 over the Boxster.
The most beautiful 911 yet, in my opinion (would never be confused with a VW)
But good luck ever convincing me to give up a mid engine car for a rear engine one.

If Porsche made a mid engine AWD(with ZERO understeer) 911 I would never want another car. Well maybe I'd keep the Boxster for sunny days

[70Sixter]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

Whenver I hear someone say "Boxster nice but no 911" I know I'm talking to a guy who probably has never taken a trip around a track or autocross and the discussion will turn to styling vs. performance.

I've had a 911, and did not really realize that I'd been Boxstered until I calculated that I could afford to buy either. And there was no doubt in my mind I had to have a Box. Perfectlap hit a chord, but it isn't just the track aspect for me. The Boxster is a modern, mid-engined Speedster, and the spirit of the car is what I love.

Every bit of Porsche history that is in the 911/964/993/996/997 is also in the 986/7. Some Boxster owners might be posers and entry-level buyers waiting for "The Real Thing." But I think most of us know that the Boxster is more fun and the spiritual successor to the original mid-engined Porsche.

The 911 is a fine car, even if you don't need a 2+2. Just give me a Boxster.

[986Jim]

I have to whole heartily disagree. The 911 is a super car, and I would gladly trade in my Boxster for one if cash were to permit. They are better looking, faster, and all around better sports car than the boxster is. While the mid engine rear drive layout is superior, you just can't argue with 415hp from a NA rear engine rear drive car. The 911 GT3 is a super piece of machinery and purpose built for one thing. It's really hard to beat at any price point unless your into super cars which nobody really can afford.

I may afford a GT3 one day, I will not afford a Lambo or Enzo one day and they are not that much faster to justify 4x the price (or more).

I only have a Boxster because I can't afford a 911. If a 911 were the same price as a Boxster would any of us own one?

[Perfectlap]

ummm yeah.

I test drove Several 996's before buying my BoxsterS. Actually I didn't even consider a Boxster. I figured if I'm buying a Porsche it HAS to be a coupe.
My plan was to get a second hand S2000(track/autocross) and a 911S for daily driving. I wasn't comfortable with the idea of putting an expensive car on the track, especially a rear engine one.

Then I drove my 986S and no way was I going to pass it up.

If the 996 911 were a better car then 986 would have a 3.6 engine in it by now.
CaymanS with tall 1st gear just slow it down?

I think you get the picture.

Porsche wants people to think that the Boxster/S is a step down so that you'll buy up to a 911 some day. Keeps them in business, And some people actually "buy" that.

So yeah I could have easily gone for the 911 but
I'm A ROADSTER GUY 'TIL I DIE!

p.s.
I do plan on making my 'practical' car a 996 C4S but it will NOT replace my BoxsterS.

p.s.s.
I don't think anyone is arguing that a $100K GT3 isn't a better sports car than a $50K Boxster. We're are talking about more run of the mill 911's that aren't unpractical daily drivers that are dangerous in the rain when the alignment is off like the GT3.

[Rail26]

Why haven't they shoe-horned the new Cayenne Turbo S (520hp?) into the 911? That would be a monster!

By the way, I love all Porsche products. I wish Porsche would start making airplanes....yeah baby yeah!

Question: Is the wind in the cockpit of a 911 cabrio comparable to a Boxster? Didn't know if the aerodynamics of the 911 kept the cockpit calm without a wind deflector.

[eslai]

Originally Posted by 986Jim

I only have a Boxster because I can't afford a 911. If a 911 were the same price as a Boxster would any of us own one?

See, here's the problem--some of you like the way the 911 looks, while others don't.

Money aside, I would still choose a Boxster S over a 911, simply because I think 911's are ugly.

BUT, for $80,000 I'd be looking outside of Porsche.

[SD987]

BUT, for $80,000 I'd be looking outside of Porsche.

I wish Honda would hurry up and finish development on the next NSX. That was a pretty bad-ass automobile back in the day. Kind of like the Carrera GT of the 90s...only, more practical as a daily driver.

[BuffaloBoxster]

Originally Posted by 986Jim

I only have a Boxster because I can't afford a 911. If a 911 were the same price as a Boxster would any of us own one?

I certainly would. All you're doing is making the distinction between not fast enough and fast enough. We all know that the Boxster has the potential to be the better car. If the a hypothetical Boxster had the same wheel/tire package and the same drivetrain as a hypothetical 911, the Boxster would be the better car.

Porsche is crippling the Boxster in order keep the 911 alive.

I'd rather see it die personally.