986 or maybe a 996

[VGM911]

I've had both the Boxster and the 911.......

The Boxster has the inherent advantage of having a mid-engine placement, giving it a major advantage in cornering. You'll have to decide whether the 2 trunks are as valuable to you as they have been to me. Very few sports cars, if any, have comparable trunk space.

The water/oil cooled 911 has a real power advantage, with 296 hp in its first year of introduction (1999). However, you have to work harder with the 911 to take advantage of its power....the car just plain feels heavier as you try to fling it around corners. As a plus, I always found the space behind the front seats to be very convenient for storage (for purses, brief cases, coats, duffle bags, luggage, etc) and also allowed the seat backs to be reclined when you need to rest on a long trip.

Both cars have provided me with much joy and pleasure.

[mnc-i]

Reference the 986 vs 996,

1. Have a 1999 Boxster (tiptronic) with 269,000 miles.
2. Saturday, 19 Mar 2016, I purchased a 2000 Millennium Edition 911 with 110,000 miles.
3. I am not comfortable enough with the 911 to toss it around like I am with the Boxster. The Boxster handles like it is on rails. But even with the 18 inch wheels the 911 has a smoother ride than my Boxster with 17 inch wheels.
4. My 911 is a manual and the clutch is rather heavy...much like one on a big block mid-year Corvette or early big block C3.
5. The other big difference between the two is the interior noise. My Boxster is very loud. I attribute that to the engine right behind your seat, the convertible top and the after-market muffler I installed.
Just my two-cents
MNC-I