Boxster vs miata handling

[Nmbrsix]

I've had an NA Miata R-Package that I sold to buy the 986S.

My Miata had the Flyin' Miata Stage 1.5 suspension, chassis rail braces, butterfly brace, Hard Dog roll bar, 205/50/15 Dunlop Direzza ZII's on 7.5" wide wheels, and a bunch of other stuff done.

My 986S has had a comprehensive suspension refresh (with all worn components replaced), new Bilsteins at all 4 corners with new hardware, and new Continental ExtremeContact Sports installed on the OEM 18" wheels.

The Miata had much more 'go-kart' handling feel compared to the Porsche. It also was much more of a momentum car. It wasn't fun on the freeway; one reason I sold it was it was tiresome to drive any distance at speed. But it would attack lower speed corners with ferocity.

The Boxster definitely feels heavier (which it is), and the midengine layout is very different; you feel the car rotating around the center of the car (where a majority of the weight is) unlike the Miata. The Boxster is less unsettled by mid-corner bumps, which is an issue with the Miata due to limited rear suspension travel (extended rear shock mounts help this which are OEM installed on the NB's).

I preferred the Miata's unfiltered manual steering over the Boxster, although the Boxster is light years ahead of the no-feel electric system in my Mk7 GTI.

[10/10ths]

....switched from a heavily modified 1990 Miata to my 2004 Boxster S with M030.

I concur with what the above posters posted.

The Miata is a more "pure" go-cart, and a blast on a twisty back road.

BUT, the Boxster is a better cross-country car.

I'd put it this way: The Miata is more fun to drive on the Tail of the Dragon, but I'd rather drive the Boxster the thousand miles to get there from my house, and it would still be fun on the Dragon.

But, if I LIVED on the Dragon, I'd rather have the Miata.

Since I live in Louisiana, Im glad I switched to the Boxster.