Boxster vs miata handling

[JayG]

I am actually thinking about buying a Miata for a track car.
They are much much less expensive to build and fix. A Miata motor can be had for under $1k. I know several guys running Miatas for the track and several have dropped superchargers or Toyata/Honda motors and are in the low mid 200's for HP. That HP with the lower weight will out run a Boxster at the track.

Don't get me wrong, I love my Boxster, but I can build a Miata track car for under $10k and when it breaks, I don't have to get a 2nd mortage

[The Radium King]

Originally Posted by JayG

I am actually thinking about buying a Miata for a track car.
They are much much less expensive to build and fix. A Miata motor can be had for under $1k. I know several guys running Miatas for the track and several have dropped superchargers or Toyata/Honda motors and are in the low mid 200's for HP. That HP with the lower weight will out run a Boxster at the track.

Don't get me wrong, I love my Boxster, but I can build a Miata track car for under $10k and when it breaks, I don't have to get a 2nd mortage

ditto. been thinking the exact same thing. plus, run spec and it keeps you from getting stupid and spending $ on power, suspension and fiberglass.

[Gelbster]

The expense and frustration of owning a Porsche will be substantial compared to a Miata.We have 2 Miatas and a Boxster S.The Miatas cost very little to run,seldom need repairs,are easy to work on,have full technical manuals (try getting a FSM or OBD manual for the Box!), every conceivable issue on a Miata has been researched and reported on in multiple locations on the Internet. I just wish there was a Miata for tall people.

Originally Posted by JayG

I am actually thinking about buying a Miata for a track car.
They are much much less expensive to build and fix. A Miata motor can be had for under $1k. I know several guys running Miatas for the track and several have dropped superchargers or Toyata/Honda motors and are in the low mid 200's for HP. That HP with the lower weight will out run a Boxster at the track.

Don't get me wrong, I love my Boxster, but I can build a Miata track car for under $10k and when it breaks, I don't have to get a 2nd mortage

[eallga72]

I too have owned both and had lots of fun with them, can't say a bad word, but now own only the Boxster and love it.

[BrantyB]

Originally Posted by JayG

I am actually thinking about buying a Miata for a track car.
They are much much less expensive to build and fix. A Miata motor can be had for under $1k. I know several guys running Miatas for the track and several have dropped superchargers or Toyata/Honda motors and are in the low mid 200's for HP. That HP with the lower weight will out run a Boxster at the track.

Don't get me wrong, I love my Boxster, but I can build a Miata track car for under $10k and when it breaks, I don't have to get a 2nd mortage

Strongest aspect of the Miata is low cost maintenance & consumables. Although I'm always tempted to AutoX our Boxster, the Miata is just the perfect tool for it.

I think for the purposes of this thread: handling, a Miata is really tough to beat - just look at the Solo Nationals entries.

[Giller]

Simply put, sports car enthusiasts would never cross-shop a Miata and a Boxster, just like supercar buyers won’t cross-shop a 2016 Ferrari 488 GTB and a 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Different strokes for different folks.

2016 Mazda Miata VS 2015 Porsche Boxster | car News @ Top Speed

Comparing some slightly newer models....

[DWBOX2000]

I've changed my mind since yesterday. If I wasn't such in the hole financially with my S I would seriously consider selling and buying another miata. The boxster is far superior but the accountant in me says the miata just makes so much more sense. Cost of entry is less, parts are less, simplicity is better, light and nimble. I find working on the boxster to be daunting because one bad move and your easily in for another $100. A friend scratches it, a kids bike wacks it, reAlly not a big deal.
Yes The S has way more power but is that really that important for a street car? You can't really use that unless you want a ticket or worse yet, to cause an accident. I
I drove this miata 10 years ago, maybe I should have bought it then. Sure Felt like that on Saturday.
I was talking to my friend about the confusion. His response," a miata for a Porsche, really?"
He's probably right. I likely just have new car fever. We will see how I feel in a month.

[clickman]

Originally Posted by Giller

2016 Mazda Miata VS 2015 Porsche Boxster | car News @ Top Speed

Comparing some slightly newer models....

"the first-generation model seemed to a smaller, cartoonish version of the 911 Convertible"

Another reason to feel inadequate as a Boxster owner. As if it wasn't bad enough already knowing I was driving a hairdresser's car...

[sharkbyte]

Originally Posted by Giller

Simply put, sports car enthusiasts would never cross-shop a Miata and a Boxster, just like supercar buyers won’t cross-shop a 2016 Ferrari 488 GTB and a 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Different strokes for different folks.

not always the case. I was looking at NC Miata's. Drove several, liked them fine just hadn't found the right one. Saw the Boxster I ended up buying on CL, went and drove it. My wife told me forget the Miata, buy the Porsche. Looked at several other Boxsters and a couple of Miatas. After reading about weaknesses of Boxsters, I went into it eyes wide open. I do my own work and nothing about Boxster really concerns me with exception of IMSB replacement. I'll pay to have that done.

Thus far, I have absolutely no regrets choosing Boxster over Miata. For the price, I was looking at a high mile early NC Miata (older ones are too little for me). Miata is more of a go kart but it's my daily driver, Porsche is more comfortable.

[Gelbster]

Interestingly similar to my situation so I have to ask- why didn't you buy a Z4 ? I am asking myself that same question !

Originally Posted by sharkbyte

not always the case. I was looking at NC Miata's. Drove several, liked them fine just hadn't found the right one. Saw the Boxster I ended up buying on CL, went and drove it. My wife told me forget the Miata, buy the Porsche. Looked at several other Boxsters and a couple of Miatas. After reading about weaknesses of Boxsters, I went into it eyes wide open. I do my own work and nothing about Boxster really concerns me with exception of IMSB replacement. I'll pay to have that done.

Thus far, I have absolutely no regrets choosing Boxster over Miata. For the price, I was looking at a high mile early NC Miata (older ones are too little for me). Miata is more of a go kart but it's my daily driver, Porsche is more comfortable.

[Giller]

Originally Posted by Gelbster

Interestingly similar to my situation so I have to ask- why didn't you buy a Z4 ? I am asking myself that same question !

Probably because mid-engine trumps front engine? Plus more luggage room? And of course, it's a Porsche, whereas the Z4 is but a BMW. BMW's are a dime a dozen.

[seningen]

Originally Posted by Giller

Probably because mid-engine trumps front engine? Plus more luggage room? And of course, it's a Porsche, whereas the Z4 is but a BMW. BMW's are a dime a dozen.

I daily drove a Boxster S for 4 years -- can't imagine doing that in a Miata.

On track, I have a lot of respect for a well driven Miata.

That being said, I now have a full weight 105K mile Boxster S with roughly a Spec Boxster suspension, I can keep up with a gutted well driven SpecMiata on a Miata friendly track (H2R) and leave the SpecMiatas behind at a track like CoTA.
My lap times in my Boxster S as is, is slightly slower then a SpecBoxster (driven well).

If I stripped the weight out of my Boxster S, even at H2R the SpecMiata would not stand much of a chance.

Cost to enter the used Boxster market is cheap (maybe comparable) -- the cost to maintain is not.

Mike

[sharkbyte]

Mostly this. I wanted a "sports car". Z4 didn't fit the bill for many reasons.

I have a 944 race car. Spec Miatas can run circles around me. I have a tremendous amount of respect for them. One of the things that intrigued me with Miatas is the simplicity and availability of performance parts. Not finding that with the Boxster.

Originally Posted by Giller

Probably because mid-engine trumps front engine? Plus more luggage room? And of course, it's a Porsche, whereas the Z4 is but a BMW. BMW's are a dime a dozen.

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by Gelbster

Interestingly similar to my situation so I have to ask- why didn't you buy a Z4 ? I am asking myself that same question !

I drove a Z3 & Z4 before buying my Boxster, I do not like the straight 6 cyl. engine, (also drove a 99 M3 & 02 330i conv.) power is good, but the sound is boring like an industrial engine. You sit too low in the Z cars & I didn't like the interior either.

[Gelbster]

Agreed . The sinking in the bathtub feeling in the Z4 was awful and I am tall. No such problem in my XKE. The SLK 350 was a little better.

Originally Posted by BYprodriver

I drove a Z3 & Z4 before buying my Boxster, I do not like the straight 6 cyl. engine, (also drove a 99 M3 & 02 330i conv.) power is good, but the sound is boring like an industrial engine. You sit too low in the Z cars & I didn't like the interior either.

[Jim Rockford]

Depends on what gen Miata you're comparing. Someone mentioned mechanical grip and to me the ND version of the Miata is a big step up in this regard from prior gens. Regardless, if you're looking ND to Boxster then stock to stock it's ultimately Boxster.

Boxster strengths are a brake pedal that feels like it channels Thor's hammer or something similarly magical, and more torque to pull you out on corner exit. This being said though I've driven a spec Miata and I was modulating the brake pedal through the sole of my shoe with my big toe, so there's a delicate precision that the Miata is capable of that isn't present in the Boxster.

Miata is under tire'd and under torque'd.

Modified Miata; NC with some engine and suspension and tire width to stock Boxster (the Miata would still come out cheaper to build and maintain) the Miata will dominate.

But looking down at the Porsche logo on your horn pad though counts for something that's not quantifiable.

[Nmbrsix]

Originally Posted by JayG

I am actually thinking about buying a Miata for a track car.
They are much much less expensive to build and fix. A Miata motor can be had for under $1k. I know several guys running Miatas for the track and several have dropped superchargers or Toyata/Honda motors and are in the low mid 200's for HP. That HP with the lower weight will out run a Boxster at the track.

Don't get me wrong, I love my Boxster, but I can build a Miata track car for under $10k and when it breaks, I don't have to get a 2nd mortage

There's no question which I'd have if I wanted a track day car: Miata.

Miata's are stupid simple to work on, there are a TON of reasonably affordable parts available, the drivetrain is basically bulletproof for track work (only needing a coolant reroute kit for really extreme duty), and as stated they have a better suspension design.

No way would I track a car with an M96 unless it was built by LN engineering with an iron-clad solution for each problem that the M96 presents, many of which are amplified by extreme duty and high G's. And then I'm $15k+ into a car that still needs $$$ in upgrades (suspension, brakes, cooling system, seats, roll bar, etc).