Just curious...

[NickCats]

I'm sure many of you fellow Boxster owners are in a financial situation where you could have purchased a 911 instead of a Boxster.

I was just wondering how many of you test drove / considered both, and ended up buying a Boxster over a 911, and why ?

Thanks,

Nick

[z12358]

I test drove the Z4, Corvette, 987(base) and 997 before picking the 987S as a clear winner, by far. I tested the 987S last, as I anticipated the result. The first 75mph curve sealed the deal.

Affordability for me was the least important factor, as I tend to be much more conservative there than most (from what I hear and read). Most important was bang for my $ and 987S won there, hands down.

Z.

[Brucelee]

I prefer the Boxster S to a 911 Cab.

The Boxster S is a true sports car/roadster which combines a number of sublime characteristics in one tiddy package. Looks great too!

If is were more bullet proof and a bit more affordable new, it would be pretty much close to perfect IMHO. Porsche has milked every bit of margin on this car I can tell you.

The 911 Cab is a bit of a compromise, a car that does many things well but not brilliantly. A stock 6 speed Corvette at 45K can hammer a 911 cab for about $30K less, so if I was thinking 911 I would go C6 for sure.

Moreover, personally I am tired of the 911 derivative styling. Can't these guys come up with something fresh and new?

The Box is one in a million from a design and driving perspective.

Oh, it does have a terrible stereo system.

[insite]

Originally Posted by Brucelee

I prefer the Boxster S to a 911 Cab.

agreed. for me, a driving factor in my purchase was that it HAD to be convertible. i think the box is a lot more fun to drive than the 996/997 cab. that having been said, if i had my choice in hard top, the 997S is unbelieveble.

[EPIQTodd]

I have driven a number of 911's, including some on the track, and even though the 997S was tempting, I still preferred the lightness and nimbleness of the Boxster, which has a more organic feel to it than the 911 which is an engineering marvel constantly designed to overcome its organic flaw which is a rear engine design. I always felt the 911 was a comfortable, fast, cruiser - a GT. I prefer a sports car to a GT.

[NickCats]

Originally Posted by EPIQTodd

I have driven a number of 911's, including some on the track, and even though the 997S was tempting, I still preferred the lightness and nimbleness of the Boxster, which has a more organic feel to it than the 911 which is an engineering marvel constantly designed to overcome its organic flaw which is a rear engine design. I always felt the 911 was a comfortable, fast, cruiser - a GT. I prefer a sports car to a GT.

Todd,

Very interesting observation...

Never thought of the 911 as a GT as compared to the Boxster as a true sports car. My only complaint is the Boxster is underpowered compared to the 911 ( by design ). I would love to drive a new Boxster S - can't imagine what 295 hp would feel like compared to my 201...

Nick

[AUDIOGUY]

Good post! Definately could have gone for the 911 if I wanted to. My best friend has a 2002 C4S and I have alot of miles in that vehicle. That was a benchmark for me as far as performance and Porsche quality. I would certainly have loved to own that car, but at 70k it was out of my price range. I knew I wanted a convertible. My prior 2 cars were BMW M Roadsters. I drove a 2000 911 coupe, 6 speed. Not all that impressed and was priced at around 40k. Drove a 2002 Boxster S and was very impressed, had more options and felt more nimble and comparably powerful. I drove a 2001 Cabriolet priced at around 44k and was not impressed at all... car was heavy feeling, had a clumbsy top and didnt give me any goosebumps. Finally found a 1 owner 2001 Boxster S with 20 k miles with 99% of the options I wanted at a sub-forty k price! I knew that I was going to buy it and in fact added a B and B exhaust and Evo intake at the Porsche dealer and still came in under budget!

I am sure there are people that will feel completely opposite about the 911. I do love the car, I just cant help feeling more and more positive about my Boxster S purchase every time I drive my buddys C4S. They are totally different and both wonderful cars. I feel that I truely bought the perfect car for me!

[seventythree]

Compared to the Boxster, the 911 may not be the better-handling car, but overally, it is the better car without a doubt. So, had my personal affordability equation told me that I could spend more on a car, I would have bought a 911 instead of a Boxster.

[MartinJ]

First point is that I had to have a soft top.

I priced and drove the 06 Boxster S and the Carrera Cab I could afford either and if I wanted a Carrera S Cab was not out of the question but I really did not investigate that option. The Boxster just seemed to be more balanced and more nimble, for my driving style the 0.2 seconds less on the 0 to 60 did not matter, I will never drive the Boxster to its max speed on the track so I did not care about the higher top end. The fit and finish on the new Boxster is at the same level as the Carrera and I did not need the extra seats (I have other cars). The price difference between the two (for the same options) came to about $26,000 and I just could not see the value for money in the Carrera.

The Boxster is simply a world class driver’s experience that even the average Joe can appreciate and enjoy and that was important to me.

I drove a standard Corvette. This really is a nice car for the money but for me it was not the driving experience I was looking for so even though I could have got one for less than the Boxster (with more options) it simply did not sing to my soul.

I read and occasionally contribute to many Forums (I own a Boxster, a Mercedes CLK and a BMW 3 series that will be sold soon) and I find it strange how many people argue over which car is better (BMW vs. Corvette vs. Porsche vs. Mercedes…). I have driven and owned a number of nice/high performance cars over the years and I have to say that any of the cars you mention (and even some of their less well endowed stable mates) are great cars. The one that is best depends on your needs/wants/budget at the time, I say drive them all and buy what sings to your soul, it is your money and you should not care that you will loose a specification bragging game at the bar one night.

So in a nutshell here is why I bought my Boxster; it is simply a world class driver’s experience that even the average Joe can appreciate and enjoy, it is refined, poised and has more than enough power.

Final thought; I tend to drive either the CLK (a great highway cruiser) or the Boxster (so much fun on the mountain roads where I live) and the real truth is that either car is good; it is just that if I am going to spend a day eating the miles with the cruise control on then the Benz wins, for a fun driving the Boxster is in a class by itself. I will eventually add some US muscle and V8 roar (read Corvette) to my car collection one day and on the days when I want lots of raw power I will drive a Corvette that is the real reason I did not look hard at the Carrera S Cab variety is the spice of life!

[Brucelee]

"but overally, it is the better car without a doubt"

Well, of course, we have been generating doubt for the last 10 posts or so.

Perhaps you can define the criteria that you used to come up with that "without a doubt" conclusion?

[seventythree]

The 911 is designed and manufactured to higher standards and specifications, hence, the ~70% higher price premium.
Compared to the 911, the Boxster is a niche car and it fills that niche quite wonderfully.
The broader market appeal and perseverance of the 911 compared to its siblings, despite a hefty price premium in most cases, has been time-tested for nearly 4 decades. This level of dominance wouldn't have lasted for so long, had it been based on perception rather than real substance.
As far as what exactly makes the 911 one of the predominant automotive icons of our time, many Porsche specific books are available from some the most respected sources.

All and all, just my 2 cents worth.

[Brucelee]

Originally Posted by seventythree

The 911 is designed and manufactured to higher standards and specifications, hence, the ~70% higher price premium.
Compared to the 911, the Boxster is a niche car and it fills that niche quite wonderfully.
The broader market appeal and perseverance of the 911 compared to its siblings, despite a hefty price premium in most cases, has been time-tested for nearly 4 decades. This level of dominance wouldn't have lasted for so long, had it been based on perception rather than real substance.
As far as what exactly makes the 911 one of the predominant automotive icons of our time, many Porsche specific books are available from some the most respected sources.

All and all, just my 2 cents worth.

This sounds like a PCA public relations handout.

Just what are these higher standards and specifications that you are referring to?

i actually never even considered a 911, i didn't even drive it. i'm tired of the look of a 911. i did look at pricing and i would of found myself in a 2000-01 996, and it just didn't make sense. as great as the 996's are id take a boxster any day. my arm could of been twisted if i could of afforded the 996 turbo.....

i bet that i get more looks in my boxster then any 996 driver gets(lets exclude the 996 turbo)...lol

[Pilot2519j]

Design, functionality, road handling, value engineering there is no quantitive advantage I can see a 1960's design automobile would have over the Boxster. I've driven 911 and that tail is just very happy to go out on you. No Porsche will violate the laws of physics. I see the 911 as an old friend that has kept himself in shape. Being the older brother to the Boxster you can rest assured he will always be on top of the younger sibling all the time. Such is the analogy of the relationship of the 911 and the Boxster. The Boxster being a much better handling car will never be left unleashed so it may best the older designed 911. Recent testing of the Cayman at the Nurburgring besting the 997 Carrera was indicative of the potential of the Boxster Cayman design over the antiquated 911 design. All things being equal if both had the same engine there would be no comparison at all. The Boxster would crush the 911 hands down. All Boxster pilots are looked down by the believers that their 911 is the only true Porsche. The comaraderie that used to exist within the marque is no longer a monolith. These guys are all in the Porsche family for what it superficially represents to them. A "expensive car I have and you don't". It's Ok they don't know anything about the car, they can't drive it enthusiastically, most would have tiptronics, most of the car are garage queens, in short they are all pretenders and are only a bunch of effete snobs. Sure who would not want to have a status symbol that whose image is the epitomy of racing, but then you also have a ferrari, maserati and other more exotics cars to dream about. In spite of it all the Boxster outshines the others in my eyes and soul as a noble designed car that does everything exceptionally well and with lots of elan. The design should be in the MOMA next to the other gorgeous roadster XK-E. Great to look at, but a different animal to maintain and drive.

[seventythree]

Originally Posted by Pilot2519j

Design, functionality, road handling, value engineering there is no quantitive advantage I can see a 1960's design automobile would have over the Boxster. I've driven 911 and that tail is just very happy to go out on you. No Porsche will violate the laws of physics. I see the 911 as an old friend that has kept himself in shape. Being the older brother to the Boxster you can rest assured he will always be on top of the younger sibling all the time. Such is the analogy of the relationship of the 911 and the Boxster. The Boxster being a much better handling car will never be left unleashed so it may best the older designed 911. Recent testing of the Cayman at the Nurburgring besting the 997 Carrera was indicative of the potential of the Boxster Cayman design over the antiquated 911 design. All things being equal if both had the same engine there would be no comparison at all. The Boxster would crush the 911 hands down. All Boxster pilots are looked down by the believers that their 911 is the only true Porsche. The comaraderie that used to exist within the marque is no longer a monolith. These guys are all in the Porsche family for what it superficially represents to them. A "expensive car I have and you don't". It's Ok they don't know anything about the car, they can't drive it enthusiastically, most would have tiptronics, most of the car are garage queens, in short they are all pretenders and are only a bunch of effete snobs. Sure who would not want to have a status symbol that whose image is the epitomy of racing, but then you also have a ferrari, maserati and other more exotics cars to dream about. In spite of it all the Boxster outshines the others in my eyes and soul as a noble designed car that does everything exceptionally well and with lots of elan. The design should be in the MOMA next to the other gorgeous roadster XK-E. Great to look at, but a different animal to maintain and drive.

Configuration wise, the Boxster is a carbon copy of the venerable Porsche 914, also a 60's design. I should know; I own one of each, 02 base Boxster and 73 914-2.0L

[NickCats]

Originally Posted by Pilot2519j

Design, functionality, road handling, value engineering there is no quantitive advantage I can see a 1960's design automobile would have over the Boxster. I've driven 911 and that tail is just very happy to go out on you. No Porsche will violate the laws of physics. I see the 911 as an old friend that has kept himself in shape. Being the older brother to the Boxster you can rest assured he will always be on top of the younger sibling all the time. Such is the analogy of the relationship of the 911 and the Boxster. The Boxster being a much better handling car will never be left unleashed so it may best the older designed 911. Recent testing of the Cayman at the Nurburgring besting the 997 Carrera was indicative of the potential of the Boxster Cayman design over the antiquated 911 design. All things being equal if both had the same engine there would be no comparison at all. The Boxster would crush the 911 hands down. All Boxster pilots are looked down by the believers that their 911 is the only true Porsche. The comaraderie that used to exist within the marque is no longer a monolith. These guys are all in the Porsche family for what it superficially represents to them. A "expensive car I have and you don't". It's Ok they don't know anything about the car, they can't drive it enthusiastically, most would have tiptronics, most of the car are garage queens, in short they are all pretenders and are only a bunch of effete snobs. Sure who would not want to have a status symbol that whose image is the epitomy of racing, but then you also have a ferrari, maserati and other more exotics cars to dream about. In spite of it all the Boxster outshines the others in my eyes and soul as a noble designed car that does everything exceptionally well and with lots of elan. The design should be in the MOMA next to the other gorgeous roadster XK-E. Great to look at, but a different animal to maintain and drive.

Pilot, great big brother / little brother analogy !

MNBoxster, I'm suprised you haven't chimed in on this yet ???

[jeffsquire]

Originally Posted by Brucelee

This sounds like a PCA public relations handout.

Just what are these higher standards and specifications that you are referring to?

_________________________

I was just thinking the same thing. It sounds like one of those pat legal responses from K&N.