993 v Boxster 3.2S

[Guest]

Hi,

I have just popped in from the 993 forum for some help and advice. I am considering changing my 993 for a boxster 3.2S has anyone already done this? and if so I would be very interested in your opinions along with pro's & con's, I am not interested in the re-sale value just want to have some fun and really fancy a roadster[8D]. I have yet to drive one but I understand that they are similar in control etc to the 944 which I also used to own.

Any advice etc would be gratefully received

Thanks[]

 

[oliver]

The Boxster is very different to a 944. The only similarity is that neither has the engine in the rear.

I'm a committed 911ophile, but the Boxster, particularly the 3.2'S' is superb. Find a really good one with low mileage, high spec, FOPCSH etc and have a lot of fun.

 

[penfold944]

I would second that.

I moved from a 944 S2 to a 2.7 Boxster. The Boxster is a great car with power across the entire range. However, whilst the Boxster handled exceptionally well, I always felt more comfortable in the S2 when close to the limit. I may be slightly coloured by the fact I spun the boxster with absolutely no indications or warnings (and had to invest in a new front bumper). I think the handling on the limits is perhaps a bit more forgiving and progressive in the 944. But then again, mid engined is know for grip,grip,grip,grip, backwards..... Bit like a 911 but less scary....

What I did miss was the waft of torque when you hit 4k rpm in the 944. The 2.7 was quick - much quicker than the 944, but it just didnt feel it.

I'm now driving a 3.2 S with a tiptronic gearbox and definately the torque is back [][] When I went to look at the car I almost didnt go because i thought it was a slushmatic, but I'll say straight out that I was mightly impressed by the tiptronic and how responsive it was. Yeah I do yearn for a manual gearbox - but that all changes when I hit dublin traffic....

The 3.2 is a fantastic car and in terms of feel and grunt. It is on a par with the 944 S2 IMHO. In saying that I'm a complete freak that I love open top cars and you just cant beat the howl of a flat six in the open air behind you []

There was a very good article I read ( I think in PP ) that did a comparison between the 993 and the 3.2S. In the end it came down in the middle saying that if you wanted a weekend car to blast around backroad in then the 993 was the best choice. The Boxster was a better car for more everyday use and/or open top driving.

Top down motoring is something thats in your blood ( in saying that I would NEVER consider any variant of the 911 in a ragtop ). I know I'm a bit of a sad case using it as long as its dry and I've got a heater, Jacket, Heated Seats and Porsche Driving Gloves (which are exceptional and worth abolutely every penny they cost). I can draw some comfort in the fact that late last summer I can across the same red boxster driving in heavy rain in the Kerry Mountains with the top down on both occasions. Thats just more commital than commited

Drive one.... find a good B road... and see what you think....No advice will help - it's a gut thing.

 

[Guest]

Is the tip that responsive? I had a 964 tip that was awful and put me off tips for life[:'(] Mind you I guess things have progressed since 1992 what about fuel eco I get 22mpg from my 993 or 19mpg if I really drive it[]

 

[oliver]

964 had the first generation tiptronic and, in fairness, it has improved with each successive generation of 911, although I'm really surprised it hasn't been replaced by DSG on the latest cars.

Personally, I've never liked it on the Boxster though. My wife prefers the manual Boxster even for town driving. The 6-spd is just so good, with a light clutch, oodles of torque and a far more responsive throttle.

 

[THX911]

ORIGINAL: 964driver

Is the tip that responsive? I had a 964 tip that was awful and put me off tips for life[:'(] Mind you I guess things have progressed since 1992 what about fuel eco I get 22mpg from my 993 or 19mpg if I really drive it[]

If driving at motorway speed (on Motorway) or good A roads I get as much as 32mpg on my 986S Manual; for daily city use it is around 19mpg-ish.

 

[penfold944]

I should say, that my first choice in most situations would be a manual. I was prepared to ignore it as I figured it couldnt be any good. When I drove it though it surprised me.

Its not as good as a manual when you use it in fully automatic mode obviously and you do need to do the double tap of the accelerator when you want real punch. However, it does give a good feeling of low down torque and pure grunt and when around town the car just burbles away making that sweet deep note.

Its when you use it in manual mode - and push it hard - that its very responsive. I just drove over the Sally Gap this morning in the car in manual mode and to be honest there was no difference compared to driving it in a manual. In manual mode the buttons are very responsive and the engine will only automatically shift up or down when it hits the red line, or to save from stalling.

I didnt have a lot of choice ( not many boxsters for sale here in Ireland ) and I got a very good deal on the car as t was sitting on a mercedes delaers forecourt for 9 months with only 12k miles on it. Of course I'd prefer a manual, but with city driving the way it is these days it was a good choice I think.

 

[Guest]

R Maurice i thought you would not be able to resist a comment or 2 [][] it was just.....an idea but perhaps not a good one[] yes I know all about RMS[] but unfortunately I just never settle look at my marriage record!!!![] anyway point taken I will place myself under control and concentrate on terrorising the local countryside in my 993...........never thought of the windup approach tho................interesting......now what about swapping to a scooby[][]

 

[sawood12]

A few months ago Evo mag did a comparison with a 993 and a Caymen S. That might be a useful source if you havn't seen it already. I know a Caymen is different to a Boxter but the handling characteristics must be similar so should be relevant. In summary from what I can remeber the cars were very similar in their performance with neither being able to shake the other one off, but they both obviously felt very different to drive with the Caymen bieng a bit more carefree.

 

[Andy Tims]

993's & Boxsters are both great cars. If you fancy a Boxster for a while (especially a 3.2 S manual) get one.

You can always go back to a 993, but don't expect the Boxster to be particularly depreciation free if you buy a fairly new one.