It's official...the Boxster is underpowered - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

limoncello · 04-25-2006, 12:03 PM

The physics of that bother me: Similar HP/torque and similar acceleration, but the Honda is 500 lbs. heavier! How can this be?
3.4 liters to the rescue (see other thread), and from the looks of it, not a moment too soon!

And besides, ya can't get the Honda in yellow...

Y2BOX · 04-25-2006, 12:09 PM

And for the money.........

drburton · 04-25-2006, 01:01 PM

Makes me happy I went with the 'S'. Although many sedans are close to that level of HP too. Glad to see Porsche will be doing the increases for the 2007 model year.

Perfectlap · 04-25-2006, 01:08 PM

Maybe the "callin 911" cover story in MotorTrend (presumably read by lots of prospective sports car buyers) where teh 911 get trounced was a wake up call for Porsche headquarters.

p.s.
Unless we are talking an additional 50 HP to any Porsche I don't think its a big deal. An extra 20-30 ponies is nice but isn't going to re-invent the car.
But Porsche have to feed the power hungry masses, even though 90% will never see a track, DE or autocross with their shiny just waxed sports car.
Pretty soon 350 HP will nothing, considering how few Porsches have been built with this kind of displacement it seems like the times are a changing.

986Jim · 04-25-2006, 01:21 PM

Guys that straight line acceleration. You don't buy a Boxster or an Accord for that matter for straight line acceleration. If you want to do 1/4 mile times, buy a Supra, Talon or Rx7. Those are straight line cars, though they can all do corners well if you want. If your into newer cars that you don't modify, buy a Corvette Viper or Mustang GT they are all fast in a straight line and can't corner to save their lives. The new Corvette still uses leaf springs if you can imagine that. LEAF SPRINGS!!!!

The Boxster is a track and cornering car. If you put the new Accord against the Boxster at a track, it could not keep up. Even with 400hp a front engine FWD car just can not keep up period. The Accord would be left sliding off the road looking like a poor excuse for a car. Front wheel drive is the work of Satan and no real car is FWD.

The Accord is not as fast as a boxster in any way shape or form. It will not break as fast, it will not turn in as fast, it will not go as fast around a track, corner or anywhere else where real driving counts. It will however go in a straight line as fast, whoptie do. If thats what your looking for, buy a train cause they do that pretty well too. Hell with 409hp and 415ft/lbs I will bet the new Escalade will do 14.5 in the 1/4. Is it fast? Hahhah yeah, right.

Brucelee · 04-25-2006, 02:30 PM

'The new Corvette still uses leaf springs if you can imagine that. LEAF SPRINGS!!!! "

The car handles like it is on rails. It could have jello back there for all I care.

eslai · 04-25-2006, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 986Jim

The new Corvette still uses leaf springs if you can imagine that. LEAF SPRINGS!!!!

Well, more accurately it uses a single, non-composite leaf spring in the rear, which simplifies the suspension system and, I believe, actually isn't all that heavy!

Perfectlap · 04-25-2006, 03:08 PM

don't forget the balsa wood wrapped in carbon fiber underbody.

The ZO6 spanked the 911 so bad at Laguna Seca I'm surprised Porsche didn't have a day of mourning.

longislander1 · 04-25-2006, 01:13 PM

A question and a comment for SD987 --

Question: Are you tracking your car? If not, why (and where) would you need more horsepower to outgun a Honda Accord in a straight line? Not on my street, I hope

. I can't find a place anywhere near my home where I can possibly use all 280hp in my 987S. Beyond that, the only reason for more horses is to engage in a "mine is bigger than yours"/bragging rights kind of thing and, IMHO, that's a dumb reason to buy a car.

Comment: Read the 987S review on the web site you mentioned and see if you'd rather have the Accord. I can't imagine that the base 987 wouldn't run rings around an Accord on the slalom.

Perfectlap · 04-25-2006, 01:18 PM

you know come to think of it in addition to never having seen a Merc at a track/autocross I have never seen an Accord either (my first car, hatchback).

p.s.

$30K for an Accord? Damn I remeber when Beamers were expensive at $35K

I'll take a second hand Boxster or 993 over a BRAND SPANKIN NEW fully loaded Accord any day. (yep I'm a single guy).