"poor man's" Porsche...a RANT. - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

MWS · 06-11-2016, 02:15 PM

Why do so many consider a Boxster a "poor mans Porsche"? It's as if the mindset is that "if it's not a 911, it's not a Porsche". Personally, I would RATHER drive a Boxster than a 911, it's just more fun....unfortunately, I spend a lot of time explaining why I think the Boxster is better than a 911 (or at least different in the feeling it provides).

Ok, I will admit I was guily too, but it was a different time, a long time ago. Back in the early '80s (ok, high school), someone had a Porsche, and was quite fond of letting everyone know he had a Porsche, but was never seen driving it. Finally one day, he told everyone that he had driven it, and after school, a crowd gathered to check out his car. Was it the exotic car of dreams? Nope, it was a sad litte 2 seater....yep, it was a 914. Oh how the teasing started (I think he needed up selling a bought a MG).

Now here we are later, and 914's are sought after classics. Unfortunately, sometimes I feel like the kid with the sad little 914. Personally, I blame Porsche...if they priced the 986 closer to the 911, perhaps it would get a little more credit. And you know what, I still would have bought a gleaming new Boxster over a 911.

Rant finished. For now...

grc0456 · 06-11-2016, 02:30 PM

I could give a flying pile of poo what anyone else thinks about my 986. I love it. It's the perfect roadster and weekend fun car. Now do most non-PCA 911 people (most PCA folks are welcoming and at least seem non-judgmental) give me the time of day - no, but many, many "regular" people come up me and ask about the car. Mostly "what year is it?" When I tell them it is 13 years old and cost me (to buy anyway

) as much a 3 year old Corolla, they can't believe it. Oh, and I loved 914's back in the 70's too when I was too young to know about P-Car elitism.

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BIGJake111 · 06-11-2016, 02:34 PM

I won't complain about the pricing, however the car should've been the 718 Boxster from the start and marketing just now figured that out.

CHRISP357 · 06-11-2016, 03:06 PM

I've had a few people say poor mans Porsche and I always respond with "What Porsche do YOU have?"

PaulE · 06-11-2016, 03:14 PM

Look at it this way, keep any Porsche on the road long enough and you can become a poor man!

Dave S. · 06-11-2016, 03:20 PM

Sorry couldn't resist. I think someone posted this on here once a long time ago.

Luv2Box · 06-11-2016, 03:26 PM

In over 6 years of ownership I've only had one person make a negative remark about my Boxster and he had cut the roof off a 356 to make it into a Spyder and had a replica 550 Spyder with a Subaru motor so put it into perspective. Everyone else thinks I paid $90K for it and, after 17 years, still think it's new.

mikefocke · 06-11-2016, 03:46 PM

Me. too only one fewer negative comment. 6 years, two states, upscale NOVA and rural NC and got nothing but approving comments and nods. And they came from very varied types of demographic backgrounds and were totally unprompted. Maybe color (AS) and driving style had something to do with it.

CHRISP357 · 06-11-2016, 03:52 PM

Strangers seem to love these cars. I've only had jealous co-workers talk any smack.

NewArt · 06-11-2016, 04:39 PM

Honestly, I think this is an urban legend. I've never heard anyone say that outside of a Porsche forum!

achillies · 06-11-2016, 05:13 PM

I had a 2001 911 and now a 03 Boxster S...I will say the 911 was faster but the Boxster is quicker. Much more willing to go around corners, similar braking and the interior is the same. Other than the 911 engine I really think the Boxster is the better sports car. I can see why Porsche never has given this car an engine with the same power as the 911.

jdlmodelt · 06-11-2016, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by achillies

I had a 2001 911 and now a 03 Boxster S...I will say the 911 was faster but the Boxster is quicker. Much more willing to go around corners, similar braking and the interior is the same. Other than the 911 engine I really think the Boxster is the better sports car. I can see why Porsche never has given this car an engine with the same power as the 911.

I agree

BIGJake111 · 06-11-2016, 05:29 PM

And if someone says the Boxster is a poor mans Porsche I have to say that when it comes to public opinion I think the 996 is at this point more ridiculed than the Boxster. Not that the 996 deserves any flack but it's made fun of far more often than the 986.

thstone · 06-11-2016, 06:13 PM

I've owned a Boxster, 944 Turbo, 996 C2, and a 911SC.

As Jake said, the 996 was, by far, the most maligned Porsche out of the group - Porsche people have a hatred for that car. I loved it; they are great cars.

As for the Boxster being a "poor mans Porsche", that's just plain old snobbery talking. With that kind of thinking, every Porsche except a 918 (and maybe a 74 RSR) is a poor man's Porsche. Anyone who thinks like that is kind of a d-bag, so don't be that guy. And don't feel like you have to apologize for owning a Boxster.

I proudly fly the Boxster flag everywhere I go.

Giller · 06-11-2016, 06:37 PM

There are a lot of snooty people out there - some with Porsches and some without, and I'm sure they like to look down their noses at us poor Boxster owners....but I would say those people are few and far between. Most real Porsche owners have a love for the brand and respect all the vehicles in the lineup.

Been in the PCA for a few years now, never heard anyone there with a bad word for the Boxster.

10/10ths · 06-11-2016, 06:40 PM

.....is that YOU are happy.

That's all.

jdm914 · 06-13-2016, 06:23 AM

I have owned 3 914s, 2 944s, 1 944T, 2 911SCs, 1 86 Carrera, 1 Boxster S and a 03 Boxster (automatic) which my wife loves to drive. All of these were heavily influenced by Porsche's engineers and craftsmen. I am just as proud to say I have owned 914s as well as the 911s. They are all great cars that do great things differently! As long as I can drive there will be at least one Porsche in my family....

Luv2Box · 06-13-2016, 03:38 PM

If we all fell for the negative comments, mostly on the internet, we'd be driving gay, chic, hairdresser's fake Porsches. Hell, mine's even a chicktronic, I might as well put a rainbow decal on it.

husker boxster · 06-12-2016, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thstone

Anyone who thinks like that is kind of a d-bag, so don't be that guy.

You can delete the "kind of".

I've only heard the "not a real Porsche" once and that was 9 yrs ago in my 986S. A young man and his 3 friends were walking by my car at Wrigley Field (or Wrigley Stadium as Jeff Gordon calls it) when he tried to impress his friends with his intelligence. I didn't think of it at the time, but am ready now. Will say "aww, that's too bad, I would let you drive it. But since you don't like it, I'll keep the keys".

cas951 · 06-12-2016, 10:50 AM

I've owned two 944 turbos and two Boxsters since 1993. Yep they both have been called poor man's Porsche, not a real Porsche, not a 911 or the last one I encountered Porsche's pecking order. I've heard them all many times. The last encounter was over a year ago at a local PCA event.
This was my response.
http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/54429-porsche-pecking-order-2.html#post421504