Just curious...

[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

[EPIQTodd]

Originally Posted by NickCats

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

One of the most fun experiences I had was driving a 911 turbo with manual transmission. Wow, that was crazy, but still, I felt as if it was a vehicle that was good despite itself - the engineering marvel that it is created a car that performs like it is not supposed to because of the rear engine configuration. I like a lithe car, one I can really feel on the road, and frankly except for the Elise the Boxster is the best at that, and the Elise/Exige really isn't that much better - less than I expected anyway.

[Brucelee]

It is no surprise that all wheel drive is needed to make the 911 handle with some degree of certainty, ie the back end not coming around to meet you upfront.

That says TONS about the design flaw of the 911.

Give me the balance of the Boxster any old day.

I still remember my old VW having its butt swing out in front of me on one snowy day!!!!!!!!!!

[Perfectlap]

Yep right here. I couldn't make up my mind. did I want a roadster or
a Coupe or something in between.
For a little under an aditional $10K I had spotted a 996 that I was considering.
My loan check from El Banco was good for several times what I ended up spending
on my BoxsterS so it was not at all a situation where the Boxster was purchased because it was the lower cost option.
After driving the BoxsterS and having driven every Porsche but the GT3 and CGT,
I said the BoxsterS makes a 911 Cab redundant, actually a step down if you are a DRIVER. I know this will annoy many 911 Cab owners but I really saw no need for 911 Cab.

Furthermore, the pendulus cornering of the 911 is unacceptable to me.
Some guys think its great to drive a car that they have to master in order to be quick in it. But I frankly see no point in learning how to drive a particular car before you have even learned how to drive at all. If 'mastering' a rear engine
car produced some insurmountable advantage over mid or front engine cars then I think it would be worth it. But it doesn't. Even if you can drive a rear engine car a good driver in a mid engine config. will be always be quicker.

Now if I were buying a sports car to impress people and needed a back seat for my two little kids then I think the 911 is a good choice! just kidding one thing the 911 does have which would have been great in Autocross is that you can fit a race jack and four wheels in the fold down rear. That would have made life much easier.

[ohioboxster]

My reproductive organ is of ample size so I did not fee the upgrade was necessary.
J/K, I gave myself a buget of 30k as was going to buy an 02 Z-06 but went with the Box, I could have bought a used 911 decided to spend 20k instead.

[insite]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

Furthermore, the pendulus cornering of the 911 is unacceptable to me.
Some guys think its great to drive a car that they have to master in order to be quick in it. But I frankly see no point in learning how to drive a particular car before you have even learned how to drive at all. If 'mastering' a rear engine
car produced some insurmountable advantage over mid or front engine cars then I think it would be worth it. But it doesn't. Even if you can drive a rear engine car a good driver in a mid engine config. will be always be quicker.

i'm not sure i agree with that. there are some distinct advantages to the 911 configuration. while it is difficult to master and part of the pleasure is mastering these difficult dynamics, the ability of a 911 to enter a curve way too hot, bleed off speed on entry, and rocket out of the apex using the throttle like a rudder is pretty unique. the ability to lay down the power exiting a corner is unparalleled. a seasoned driver in a 911 on an unfamiliar course will have a distinct advantage, in my opinion, over drivers in other cars. on well known courses, the advantage diminishes, but it really depends on the course. some types are very 911 friendly. others are not.

[Rome]

I need four wheel drive here in New England. I considered a C4S, but for about the same money I decided to get a Cayenne S AND a 987 S. The Caynenne is more practical than the C4S ever could be, and the 987 S is just as much (maybe even more) fun than the C4S.