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- - Do You Like the "Boxster" Name? (http://986forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59060)

I'm surprised there are so few "...hate it..." - I hate it
It is to Cute
Roadster or 986 would have given it a little more dignity - I need all the dignity I can get these days

I'm pretty close to hating it, but more so because of the whole concept of "naming" Porsches that already have model designation numbers. BMW, Mercedes and Audi were smart enough to avoid this. Re-inventing the 550 as a 986 was dumb too.

Why did the 911 get a "name" but not the 4 banger 912?

Or worse, coming up with different names within the same model number.
A 911 Cabriolet is still a 911 Carrera... but a 987 Convertible and 987 Coupe get different names? Consistent...
How about just going with 987 Coupe? Too simple... it will never work. Needs more marketing fluff...

Oh and it gets more ridiculous... there are names within sub-sub designations....
A 987 Boxster with a manual top is a 987 Boxster Spyder, nevermind that all roadsters are sypders...
987 Boxster RS? not awkward sounding enough... 987 Boxster Spyder....much better.
The equivalent of this on the Cayman R would have been the Cayman Coupe...LOL

If I were CEO of Porsche in 1996 I would have called the 986 the 550 and 550S and offered a 550 RS (with Carrera S engine and GT3 seats) and 550 Turbo GTS to rake in the big spenders by tossing in every conceivable option. Dispense with this "budget" pigeon-holing of the roadster category. Such nonsense that only Porsche tried to pull. Two seats, boxer engine, mid engine, convertible top... I fail to see how the 986 and 550 were fundamentally different, technology advancements aside. Ooops we brought back the 550 but we're not actually going to admit it, we'll just call a 986 with a few options the 550 edition.That's like calling the 2014 911 Anniversary car the 356 edition 911? Huh??

I don't like it, but I don't quite hate it. As many have said, it is a name that often needs correction and explanation. The explanation "...Boxer Roadster" tends to lead to an awkward moment, then a swift change of subject to other aspects of the car.

986.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbeck (Post 469146)

Anyone run into the "oh, a Boxster" guy? Where the "just" seems to be implied? They are out there... It's usually that guy who's wife took all his toys away.

Usually shuts them up when you ask what year their 911 is.

Porsche 986 Spyder. Boxster for short...

Just Porsche. If they ask... a 911? I say no a 986.

Marketing brilliance, a great name. A big part of why it has been so successful as the entry level Porsche.