"poor man's" Porsche...a RANT.

[BIGJake111]

I have to say, these are chicks cars.

I impress way more girls with my car than men. What a shame.

(Speaking of which as of today my girlfriend is unmotivatedly in the market for a 986!)

[Giller]

Interesting....for all the posts and views - very few actual examples where anyone has insulted our cars. We all seem to be worried that it's happening - but in reality, it appears it's mostly in our heads.

We just need to relax and enjoy our cars and not be so worried what others might think.

[Nine8Six]

Funny stuff... in the part of the world I am now Porsche cars are considered a chick car. Regardless of the model/make, Porsche cars are dedicated to women. End of the story.

You'll see guys driving old Cayenne but in no ways a married Chinese man is allowed to own & drive a "sport car" here. He'd be instantly labelled as a Playboy by both his and his wife's family. How disgraceful (different culture isn't it lolll). As for single guys... well, sadly if they can't afford a wife they even less can afford an-any-model car

That being said, I am a huge disgrace to my wife family (no BS). That's why I normally hide and keep the boxster for weekend rides only lolll

So..

Men = Cayenne (few uses Macans)
Women = 911, Cayman, Boxster, Panamera

[lkchris]

If you look at the past couple years' sales figures you'll note more 911 sales than Boxster sales.

Pretty much by definition mid engine is better than rear engine--too bad Caymans are so ugly.

I think 986 may someday be more sought after than 996.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by Giller

Interesting....for all the posts and views - very few actual examples where anyone has insulted our cars.

Car enthusiasts rarely hold back their opinions. Here are a few direct quotes about the Boxster said to my face;

"Oh, that's a girls car"
"A Boxster? You should have bought a 911"
"An overpriced Miata"
"He races a Boxster" to a group of 911 racers
"I will never race another hair dressers car" said by another Boxster racer

But as I said, the comments about the 996 were even worse;

"You bought a 996? Are you fudking crazy?"
"The 996 is a complete piece of crap. Oh, is that the car you just bought? ... Sorry dude."
"The 996 is what ruined Porsche"
"You need to sell the 996 and either get a 997 or an air cooled 911."

[BIGJake111]

The Boxster has the benefit of being old enough that in most cases it doesn't come off as showing off or something abrasive. It's like a guy at the gas station with an old mg. The 996 sadly seems like you wanted to buy an exotic, (you basically did they're such capable cars, as is the Boxster) but with the 996 you're open to way more criticism. I would fear worse public opinion in a 996 then in a Boxster. Also, if mileage was even (911s always have less mileage, Idk why,) I already think Boxster S cars would sell for the same as 98 and 99 automatic 996 cabs.

[Pdwight]

I really do not care what any one thinks

Don't live your life to others standards

Take care of what you have and not not covet others possessions....someone will always have more

[ksjohn]

So far, I have received nothing but compliments about my 986 from both men and women. Everyone seems love it and want one. Every time I gas up, someone is asking me about the car. One guy even asked if it was a new model.

I knew about Boxsters for a long time, but I had always wanted a 911. My budget put me in the lower end 996 category. After doing a lot of research, I came to the conclusion that the maintenance on such a car would be a big problem.

So I started researching and test driving Boxsters. I ended up finding a deal and fixing the engine. Now I have put about 5500 miles on it since February! I love it! I think it is pretty much the epitome of a classic sports car, only better!

I have been impressed by most of the engineering and quality, save the IMS bearing stupidity. That fixed, I drive it like I stole it. I love the sound as the engine revs and I work through the gears. So much fun! Sometimes I have to wipe the grin off my face when I get out of the car.

Sure, I could spend A LOT more money on something newer and faster. But I doubt I could have any more fun!

[geraintthomas]

I appreciate so many cars on the road. People buy interesting cars because they're the same as us - petrol heads. If I see another car that's potentially a rival, I'll wave and put my thumbs up. It's great to make friends like that. The only people who would make that sort of comment are people who buy expensive cars for fact that they're just expensive, as it's such an anti-social thing to say.

Thing is, no one knows where to draw the line.

"The only reason why you bought a Boxster is because you couldn't afford a 911".

No problem. And what about the guy driving the 911? Could you say:

"The only reason why you bought a 911 is because you couldn't afford a Ferrari".

And what about...

"The only reason why you bought a Ferrari is because you couldn't afford a Bugatti."

It's pathetic. It makes absolutely no sense at all for someone to say that about the Boxster. The Boxster is a totally different car to the 911. Porsche made the Boxster to appeal to the mid-engined roadster market, and not for a "Here, have a budget Porsche for you poor guys".

But then, it all stems from jealousy. Personally I've not had anyone say it to me. But I imagine that the person who will say it will be driving a Ford Fiesta. In which case, I'll simply say:

"You only bought a Fiesta as you couldn't afford a Boxster".

[Retroman1969]

I've never heard it outside the Internet. In fact, I've only heard it from people saying that people say it. If anyone ever did express it to me, I'd ignore them like the shallow, ignorant asshat they are. Fortunately I've never gotten anything but compliments. I even get the occasional nod or wave coming from a newer 911 driver.
My daily driver Boxster is an old '99, has 175,000 miles on it, and a couple of dents and paint going a bit dead in spots. I'm keeping it that way. I simply enjoy the hell out of the car and love how it drives and looks and feels, and enjoy the heritage and history of the Porsche company. It's not meant to impress. Thing is, I still get positive comments on it every day and have never gotten a negative comment.
Anyone that could possibly think that it's a poor man's Porsche, or not a real one, has never driven one, period. After I drive ANY other car, getting back in my old 986 is a completely different world. The comfort and razor sharp precision feel of everything just screams out to you. It's a really fine car regardless of the price or badge.

[Timco]

Originally Posted by geraintthomas

I appreciate so many cars on the road. People buy interesting cars because they're the same as us - petrol heads. If I see another car that's potentially a rival, I'll wave and put my thumbs up. It's great to make friends like that. The only people who would make that sort of comment are people who buy expensive cars for fact that they're just expensive, as it's such an anti-social thing to say.

Thing is, no one knows where to draw the line.

"The only reason why you bought a Boxster is because you couldn't afford a 911".

No problem. And what about the guy driving the 911? Could you say:

"The only reason why you bought a 911 is because you couldn't afford a Ferrari".

And what about...

"The only reason why you bought a Ferrari is because you couldn't afford a Bugatti."

It's pathetic. It makes absolutely no sense at all for someone to say that about the Boxster. The Boxster is a totally different car to the 911. Porsche made the Boxster to appeal to the mid-engined roadster market, and not for a "Here, have a budget Porsche for you poor guys".

But then, it all stems from jealousy. Personally I've not had anyone say it to me. But I imagine that the person who will say it will be driving a Ford Fiesta. In which case, I'll simply say:

"You only bought a Fiesta as you couldn't afford a Boxster".

Actually, as I understand it, that's exactly why they made the Boxster. An entry level Porsche that used an unprecedented amount of shared parts with the 996.

[kk2002s]

Someone paid $65k dollars in 2002 for my car.
I can't think in anyone's book were $65k for a 2 seater fun car is poor man's spending
I don't feel if I had that kinda of dough to spend I would ever buy a new Boxster but a lot of people did and do.

The Flip side - buying a 12 year Porsche in the mid teens, that might be considered a poor man's Porsche. It was the most Porsche I could buy for those $$$
It's a lot of Porsche for those $$$
Maintenance is Porsche $$$

I have never heard negative things said about my Boxster, only on this forum about what others have heard

This discussion comes up periodically and the constant that seems to come through is that a good 986 is a pretty darn good value / $$$ for this type of car.

Oh and it is a PORSCHE, a real PORSCHE !!!

[fridsten]

My mom, who's 67, is the proud owner of a 997C4. If someone comments on my Boxster, I sometimes answer that the 911 is an old lady's car. :P

[tommy583]

I was in the parking lot of an auto parts store. As I was getting into the car, some kid yelled Boxsters Suck!! He was driving down the road in a rusted out Neon

[BIGJake111]

Originally Posted by tommy583

I was in the parking lot of an auto parts store. As I was getting into the car, some kid yelled Boxsters Suck!! He was driving down the road in a rusted out Neon

NSFW.

http://youtu.be/o1Zw0eUCl2g

I'm sure he draws skulls in art class.

[paulofto]

Originally Posted by BIGJake111

NSFW.

http://youtu.be/o1Zw0eUCl2g

I'm sure he draws skulls in art class.

Okay, seeing that vid made me spit up my coffee I laughed so hard. Priceless!

[Retroman1969]

RCR!!
LOL, I watch those all the time! Great stuff.

[RedTele58]

Originally Posted by BIGJake111

I'm sure he draws skulls in art class.

Big Jake - you crack me up!

[nobrakes]

I have a beautiful 02S that's speed yellow with black Victor wheels and carbon fiber trim on the roll bars and interior. In my 3 years of ownership I have never heard any negative comment about mine, or any Boxster. Quite the opposite really.......Here in Atlanta there is a summer monthly car show called "Caffeine and Exotics" that only allows "exotic" cars. For the hell of it I filled out an application several times to show my Boxster in the show. To my surprise I have been accepted everytime I applied and the promoter has told me that my Boxster is welcome anytime.
I believe in the next 20 years or so the 986 Boxster will become a desired classic for the following reasons: Its the 1st Boxster and played an important role in keeping Porsche alive. Its a meat and potatoe sports car without a lot of bells and whistles, especially if its a manual transmission. The flat 6 cyl motor is no longer in production for the car. Look at old Austin Healeys and Jags they are considered classic British sports cars, so in the same way the 986 (or any Boxster will be considered a classic German sports car. Now I don't think that you will get rich for owning a "classic Boxster, but it will certainly be worth a respectable amount depending on how many old nice Bosxters will be around.......If someone thinks my Boxster isn't a real Porsche, or a "hairdressers" car that's their problem, not mine. You cant please everybody ya gotta please yourself.

[DWBOX2000]

My wife was at the hospital yesterday sitting in the waiting room. Slim pickings for reading so she picked up a magazine on cars. Big article on Limerock. As far as cars to drive on the track, it said there are so many Boxsters, it should be the park mascot. Must be a lot of hair dressers racing now. What does hair dressers car even mean? I've gotten a bit of snobbery from some old 911 guys but other than that, people always compliment the car. A lot want to borrow actually. Be proud, they are the car that helped save Porsche and obviously with all the folks racing them, they must be pretty capable cars. Porsches current "giant killer".