Befuddled yet Bewitched

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

It's interesting that the S2000 comes up as often as it does in Boxster comparisons.

When it (S2000) first came out (well actually before as I was following it in the literature), I thought it was a car that would appeal to me. But, once I drove it, it just didn't do it for me.

It wasn't just one thing either, not the Ski Jump-shaped power curve, not the handling (or lack thereof), not the whining powerplant noise, the styling (IMHO) looked much better in Mags than it did in person (always sort of reminds me of the Jensen-Healey - another example of Not Quite Right). It was just the overall sullen impression that it left with me. Very similar to that of the NSX - not so much a Sports Car as someone's interpretation of a Sports Car.

But, this review of the Boxster (smattered, once again, with references to the S2000), seems to offer a fairly unbiased review of the Boxster - not all good, not all bad and a perspective which I haven't seen offered on this Forum - http://www10.epinions.com/content_179278483076

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[lwc]

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

. . . this review of the Boxster (smattered, once again, with references to the S2000), seems to offer a fairly unbiased review of the Boxster - not all good, not all bad and a perspective which I haven't seen offered on this Forum - http://www10.epinions.com/content_179278483076

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

That was an interesting review, thanks.

My .02, one can carry golf clubs in the rear trunk of a Boxster.

[Houston C4S]

Okay kids, I am going to jump in here just one more time.

I don't know if this will clarify it or not, but here is how I see
it from the point of view of someone who has spent a lifetime
around cars, built plenty of them (of various sorts, some as
rebuilds, some as modifications) and generally I am a pretty
knowledgeable guy on the car topic.

Plus, for the most part, I can read and write a little.

What the Boxster is about, at least to me, can be summed
up in a single word...

Balance.

I admit, I like the brand. But I cannot name a single car that
has the balance of style, weight distribution, power, handling,
ride, features, just plain ol' top down fun as the Boxster.

Then there is the brand thing.

Not one. The Miata? Great car.

Corvette? Well, if that's your cup of tea it's a good sports car
for the money.

Honda? "Gee. When I grow up I always dreamed of having a...
Honda???"

So that's it for me.

An older 911 can indeed be had in that price range. But does
it have the balance of a Boxster? Nope.

Dale, drive one and see.


You don't need to modify it at all. I haven't -- other than putting
on a 2004 S muffler to get just a tad more exhaust note.

It is a sweetheart of a car.

It's all about balance and that balance can be a metaphor for your life.
You need balance there, too. Of career, family, time, hobbies, spirituality,
etc. When you are in balance, you feel great about yourself and others
around you.

When your car is in balance, it really won't matter if you have 200 horsepower
or 250 or more. It is all those things together that matter.

Change anything too much and you aren't balanced anymore. In your
car or in your life.

So there you go.

I'm through for now. I gotta make like a dog with worms...

and scoot...

- Mark

[z12358]

Mark, very well said.

I too have driven a lot of cars before. Close before buying my Box I test drove a 987, 997, and 987S in that order in the same day -- never having driven a Porsche before. I wasn't even that serious about buying a car at that time. I was having fun contemplating and testing various models over the preceding year (BMW 5, M3, Audi S4, RS6, MB E500, E55, etc.) as I was looking to replace my 9yr old Maxima with something better -- but didn't really have to as I don't need a car for commuting.

From the moment I drove the 987 I knew I was in trouble. I had never before had so much fun in a car while at the same time feeling the balance, safety, and control that actually allow you to feel comfortable having the fun. Keep in mind that playing with the probablility of ending up in a ditch is NOT my definition of fun, though for some it may be.

Then came the 997 test drive and it showed the sweetness of the low end grunt and the benefit of a larger engine. But it wasn't a convertible, doesn't look as good as a convertible, was too butt heavy compared to the 987, the interior was the same, and it would have costed $40k more than the 987S.

So even before getting into the 987S I knew I was done for. On paper, it should have combined all the positives of the 987 and 997, without the negatives of the 997. When I actually drove it I literally could not wipe the grin off my face, even though I tried to contain it next to the salesman. A month later (last May) I picked up my triple-black 987S from a dealer that offered me the best deal in the area.

This car changed the concepts of "driving" and "weekend" for me. I only drive it on weekends and in the country (far away from the city). I can't wait for the weekend to come so that I can just get out there and drive it. No other car that I have driven (and I've driven the Miata and the S2000, too) would have encouraged me to arrange this set-up -- leaving the Maxima for the occasional errand around the city. The 987S did. That's how good I feel it is.

Undoubtedly, there are plenty of other cars out there that are as good or better, and even tough I can comfortably afford almost all of them, I am a value seeker at heart, and for me the 987S is the best bargain in the sports car, convertible, AND roadster universe, bar none. I am also very image conscious -- but in the opposite sense, as ostentation is not my thing. So the fact that this Box is a Porsche had absolutely nothing to contribute to my decision to buy it. If anything, it may have hurt the decision, given the "rich folk" notoriety of the brand. So I got the Box, despite that, too.

Now, after becoming a PCA member and enjoying a few excellently organized events through the club (DE, rally, coffee run, etc.), I appreciate meeting all these Porsche people who are nothing but great, helpful, and enthusiastic folks sharing the Porsche secret together. I have a feeling it wouldn't have been the same with any other brand, but I could be wrong.

Just my $.02.

Z.

[NickCats]

Originally Posted by z12358

Mark, very well said.

I too have driven a lot of cars before. Close before buying my Box I test drove a 987, 997, and 987S in that order in the same day -- never having driven a Porsche before. I wasn't even that serious about buying a car at that time. I was having fun contemplating and testing various models over the preceding year (BMW 5, M3, Audi S4, RS6, MB E500, E55, etc.) as I was looking to replace my 9yr old Maxima with something better -- but didn't really have to as I don't need a car for commuting.

From the moment I drove the 987 I knew I was in trouble. I had never before had so much fun in a car while at the same time feeling the balance, safety, and control that actually allow you to feel comfortable having the fun. Keep in mind that playing with the probablility of ending up in a ditch is NOT my definition of fun, though for some it may be.

Then came the 997 test drive and it showed the sweetness of the low end grunt and the benefit of a larger engine. But it wasn't a convertible, doesn't look as good as a convertible, was too butt heavy compared to the 987, the interior was the same, and it would have costed $40k more than the 987S.

So even before getting into the 987S I knew I was done for. On paper, it should have combined all the positives of the 987 and 997, without the negatives of the 997. When I actually drove it I literally could not wipe the grin off my face, even though I tried to contain it next to the salesman. A month later (last May) I picked up my triple-black 987S from a dealer that offered me the best deal in the area.

This car changed the concepts of "driving" and "weekend" for me. I only drive it on weekends and in the country (far away from the city). I can't wait for the weekend to come so that I can just get out there and drive it. No other car that I have driven (and I've driven the Miata and the S2000, too) would have encouraged me to arrange this set-up -- leaving the Maxima for the occasional errand around the city. The 987S did. That's how good I feel it is.

Undoubtedly, there are plenty of other cars out there that are as good or better, and even tough I can comfortably afford almost all of them, I am a value seeker at heart, and for me the 987S is the best bargain in the sports car, convertible, AND roadster universe, bar none. I am also very image conscious -- but in the opposite sense, as ostentation is not my thing. So the fact that this Box is a Porsche had absolutely nothing to contribute to my decision to buy it. If anything, it may have hurt the decision, given the "rich folk" notoriety of the brand. So I got the Box, despite that, too.

Now, after becoming a PCA member and enjoying a few excellently organized events through the club (DE, rally, coffee run, etc.), I appreciate meeting all these Porsche people who are nothing but great, helpful, and enthusiastic folks sharing the Porsche secret together. I have a feeling it wouldn't have been the same with any other brand, but I could be wrong.

Just my $.02.

Z.

Great write up, Z !

I always dreamed of owning a 911, until I took my first test drive in a Boxster

Next goal, buy myself a NEW Boxster for my 40th Birthday...

Nick

[Dr. Kill]

Originally Posted by Houston C4S

What the Boxster is about, at least to me, can be summed
up in a single word...

Balance.

Mark you really hit the nail on the head from my perspective. I have owned a lot of cars, and without fail, when I was in an economic position to mod them, I did - and quite heavily in several cases.

When I bought my 987 new, I assumed I would do the same thing and start modding immediately, but have found it to be such a perfect balance of everything, that I believe it needs nothing, and anything I did would upset this wonderful package. My friends and family have been very surprised. Knowing me, the first thing they have asked is, "so, what have you done to it?"

The only thing I have wound up doing was adding the Bel RX75 remote mounted radar detector/ laser jammer so I can enjoy my car's "balance" with a little more piece of mind.

[Jump]

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

Hi,

But, this review of the Boxster (smattered, once again, with references to the S2000), seems to offer a fairly unbiased review of the Boxster - not all good, not all bad and a perspective which I haven't seen offered on this Forum - http://www10.epinions.com/content_179278483076

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

From the review suggested above:

'I'll begin with the engine. The cabins of mid-engine cars like the Boxster tend to be flooded with engine noise. Not this one. I could barely hear the engine. The throaty exhaust, certainly, but not the engine. Before I had a chance to voice my surprise the salesperson explained that buyers had complained of too much engine noise. They wanted to hear the exhaust, not the engine. And for 2005 that's one of the "improvements." '

Is this true? Can anyone with a 2005 or later attest to this? If it is true, it definitely detracts from buying a 2005+ IMHO! I love the sound of the engine!

[richmond058]

Well I did test drive a 2005 with a tiptronic and all I could hear was the exhaust note. Did sound sweet though.......


cheers


dale

[z12358]

Originally Posted by Jump

From the review suggested above:

'I'll begin with the engine. The cabins of mid-engine cars like the Boxster tend to be flooded with engine noise. Not this one. I could barely hear the engine. The throaty exhaust, certainly, but not the engine. Before I had a chance to voice my surprise the salesperson explained that buyers had complained of too much engine noise. They wanted to hear the exhaust, not the engine. And for 2005 that's one of the "improvements." '

Is this true? Can anyone with a 2005 or later attest to this? If it is true, it definitely detracts from buying a 2005+ IMHO! I love the sound of the engine!

I haven't driven a 986 so can't compare, but I can definitely hear the engine and I love the sound of the engine and exhaust -- especially at 4k+ rpms. My fiance can hear it too, and the verdict is that if it gets any louder I'd be driving it solo much more often. For now, I'm not interested in increasing the frequency of my solo runs, so the noise level is just optimal.

Z.

[super66]

I hear plenty of engine....especially the high pitched whine on the downshift....I can't imagine it being any louder to tell you the truth.....sometimes when i have to take a phone call I have to tell the engine to shut up

[Franco]

I love my 1997 Boxster and haven't had any major problems yet besides the ones I create on those rainy weekends.
Buy the car and enjoy it

[JackG]

Originally Posted by Jump

From the review suggested above:

'I'll begin with the engine. The cabins of mid-engine cars like the Boxster tend to be flooded with engine noise. Not this one. I could barely hear the engine. The throaty exhaust, certainly, but not the engine. Before I had a chance to voice my surprise the salesperson explained that buyers had complained of too much engine noise. They wanted to hear the exhaust, not the engine. And for 2005 that's one of the "improvements." '

Is this true? Can anyone with a 2005 or later attest to this? If it is true, it definitely detracts from buying a 2005+ IMHO! I love the sound of the engine!

You have to take into account that the "review" is actually just some guy who hangs out on epinions, writing lots of "reviews". It's based on a test drive of Boxster from a dealership. and the guy is a professed Porsche hater, as he wrote "The upshot: I must admit to a not entirely rational prejudice against Porsches so strong that it has prevented me from even driving the cars."

Yeah... that "review" just oozes credibility.

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by JackG

You have to take into account that the "review" is actually just some guy who hangs out on epinions, writing lots of "reviews". It's based on a test drive of Boxster from a dealership. and the guy is a professed Porsche hater, as he wrote "The upshot: I must admit to a not entirely rational prejudice against Porsches so strong that it has prevented me from even driving the cars."

Yeah... that "review" just oozes credibility.

Hi,

All of what you say is true, but that doesn't mean it's not a fair review or a different persapective.

The guy doesn't Trash the Boxster, he makes several ponts in it's favor and several not so, but he does end up recommending it in the end. Would everyone be so critical of his review if it came back with nothing but glowing praise for the car? And, if it did, would that be a fair review?...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[JackG]

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

Hi,

All of what you say is true, but that doesn't mean it's not a fair review or a different persapective.
Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Of course it does. A person who is admittedly biased against Porsches takes a (almost certainly) chaperoned test drive for a few minutes, then writes something on Epinions, and you call that a "fair review"? I call that a biased first impression, at best. You can't be biased and fair at the same time.

Maybe my standards for car reviews run a little higher than yours. I tend to think of several days time with the car, track time, varying road trips, and open-minded professional drivers when I think of a car review. Not some Epinion hack with a five minute salesman-mandated test drive loop under his belt. You don't seriously think that qualifies as a review, do you?

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by JackG

Of course it does. A person who is admittedly biased against Porsches takes a (almost certainly) chaperoned test drive for a few minutes, then writes something on Epinions, and you call that a "fair review"? I call that a biased first impression, at best. You can't be biased and fair at the same time.

Maybe my standards for car reviews run a little higher than yours. I tend to think of several days time with the car, track time, varying road trips, and open-minded professional drivers when I think of a car review. Not some Epinion hack with a five minute salesman-mandated test drive loop under his belt. You don't seriously think that qualifies as a review, do you?

Hi,

OK, whatever - you win!...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[JackG]

[QUOTE=MNBoxster]Hi,

OK, whatever - you win!...


Sweeet! :dance:

Where are my fabulous prizes?