Comparing my car to an '84 Carrera
 

I was curious about how our cars compare in raw numbers to Porsches of the past. The closest to my '04 base is the 1984 Porsche 911 Carrera. 0-60 mph 6.1 | Quarter mile 14.4. What a gorgeous car!

There is no comparison!! Apples and oranges here. The mid 80's 911 ( I had an 87 and 89) are great cars in their own way but the Box is a completely different animal.

An 04 Boxster and a 84 Carrera might be comparable in acceleration, but not anything alike in terms of cornering, braking, or driving experience.

....Or perceived value......

I have had a 1984 Carrera, a 1987 Carrera, 2001 Boxster, 2001 Boxster S (current car) and a 2008 Cayman S (current car). I my opinion, the 986 and 987 cars are far and away easier to drive, more comfortable, better handling, better braking and all round better cars than the 1980's Carreras. And now that for the price of a worn out, high mileage 1988 Carrera you can buy a late model 987 and have change left over, the choice is an easy one.

I've had a 78 SC and 89 C4 and the Boxster S is a much better all around car. Frankly the 78 SC really feels like a old car and even the 89 C4, which was a pretty big update, still felt old but with some more modern aspects to it. Remember the air cooled Carrera's basic design dates back to the early 1960's. All in they are still all fun cars to drive and you have to enjoy them for what they are. Even the 986 feels very dated compared to the 981.

Bottom line is progress happens. Silly to expect anything else, especially from Porsche.