Do You Like the "Boxster" Name?
 

I was at a business dinner on Monday and the conversation went like this;

Them: I hear that you own a Porsche.
Me: Yes!
Them: Really, what model?
Me: A Boxster.
Them: A boxer?
Me: No, a Boxster.
Them: Boxer?
Me: No, Boxster. B-O-X-S-T-E-R.
Them: Oh, is that how its really spelled?
Me: Yes. Its a combination of the words Boxer and Roadster
Them: OH!! Now we get it.

I never have this problem with my 911.

I guess I fell in love with the car 1st & thus the name soon after.

Not really enthralled with the boxer nomenclature.

My car does not have the "Boxster" emblem on the lid. So I just tell people it's a 986. Ironically, the text editor just tried to correct Boxster with boaster, booster, bolster and boisterous. I just added Boxster to it's memory.

"Carrera Roadster" would have been best, but also would have required a 3.4 in the engine bay. Likely not what Porsche would have wanted in a new entry level car intended to fill the dealerships with first time buyers.
Put me down for 986.

I too took the BOXSTER emblem off the trunk mainly because I thought it was cheap looking and the end of the "r" breaks off easily. Now when people ask what it is I tell them it's a Porsche and that seems to be enough. Given most people can't pronounce Porsche properly I don't put a lot of weight on the specific model and add to the confusion.

Well, if it were a Cayman, it would be like :
I've got a Cayman.
Oh, one of those big 4X4s.
No, that's the Cayenne
So, it's a smaller 4X4?
No, that's the Macan.
See, it's really a Coxster: a Boxster with a roof!
-oh, I see...

I like Boxster just fine. Anyway, if others have trouble with it, it's due to their ignorance :rolleyes:.

Hahahaha. This had me cracking up. I almost had that exact conversation with a friend when telling them I'd like a Cayman.

I like the "Boxster" name. Using the number is fine - but can add even more confusion....986? 986.2? 987 987.2 981 9??

If they had kept the numbers consistent - like the 911 and other models.

At least the Boxster name links them all together.

It's a Porsche.

They shoulda just called it the Porsche Roadster.

986 Roadster, or just 986

No I don't like the name. Actually I don't like any of the names. I'd rather they just stuck with the number systems. I'm so old school.

CRM114 has my vote

Gee, I don't know--do you like the name Porsche?

Definitely 986. There's an interesting possibility that the turbo 4banger variants will be called 718s. I like the idea of numbers for the sports cars and names for the trucks and sedans.

I usually say "porsha" at the dealership and when talking to other owners, otherwise I say "porsh". Although I realize it is the correct pronunciation, "porsha" always sounds a bit pretentious and affected to me. I also think they could have come up with something much less silly than "boxster".

Honestly never was fond of the name. A bit too cutesy kitschy. When the car first came out my friends and I debated what the production model name would be. The hopes were for 550, Spyder, Speedster, or even 356.
Sigh. They stuck with Boxster.
Love the car nonetheless so I guess it doesn't matter. I always just say Porsche when someone asks anyway.

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.

Ah, we never get any respect... :)

http://youtu.be/j4wCYLTy-6w

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.

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.