997 is it worth it?

[bladeboy]

Been toying with upgrading my 996 cabrio for a 997 cabrio.

Here's the thing, the Boxter S now has a 3.4 engine in it and its only 0.2 of a second slower to 60 than a 997 cabrio.

Now a well spec'd 997 cabrio is about 75k and a simliar equiped Boxter S is about 52K.

The Boxter is also a purpose built drop top. Am I mad to consider saving myself 23k and buying a Boxter S.

Even a used 997 cabrio is the best part of 67K.

Now the 997 has 325 bhp and the Boxter S 295 bhp. I wonder how long it will take for someone to come out with an ecu re-programme for the Boxter S that will give more power, it could end up faster than a 997.

 

[oliver]

I think you got the maths wrong - the difference is £23,000.

Unless you need the rear seats (slightly compromised in the Cab) I'd go for the Boxster and buy a classic or track 911 with the change.

 

[bladeboy]

Thanks for pointing that out, 23k to be able to put my coat on the rear seat.

 

[Guest]

I'd say don't even think about it... go for the 997S... but then i'm biased ! I absolutely love it and find it very hard to fault.
My kids can still fit in the back (just), and i need the two seats, because i chauffeur them around as my weekend job! But even if i didn't need the seats, i'd want the 997S. Whether one considers it's "worth" the extra money is very subjective, but i'd say if you're comfortable spending the money, it has to be the 997, if not , am sure the boxster's probably as much fun (tho i've never driven one).

Nick

 

[bladeboy]

Think I might go and demo a 3.4 Boxster S and see what I think.

The only problem I find is that half an hour in car is not really long enough to really get to know a car.

Of course the other rub with the 997 is that the hard top is now extra, now I know its a pain finding somewhere to keep the hard top but its still nice to be able to put it on when the weather starts to get bad, like today!

 

[burrow01]

I was speaking to someone about their new 997 (Coupe) at Le Mans, and asking how it compared with their previous 996 - "Light years apart" was the reply, so it is probably worth test driving one to see how it compares

If you don't need the rear seats, and like the looks of a Boxster (which is where I come unstuck) then that has to be the sensible choice (but when has buying a sports car been about sensible choices [] )

Pete

 

[Rodney Naghar]

I don't get it. Do people really think that the defining differences between a Boxster and a 996/997 are the rear seats and a few tenths of a second 0-60?

I have owned a 986 and now a 996 cab and although I almost never use the rear seats, the two cars are very different.
Don't fall into this trap, test drive them both and make your own mind up.

And as for the hard-top....best place for it is on Ebay!

 

[bladeboy]

ORIGINAL: Rodney Naghar

I don't get it. Do people really think that the defining differences between a Boxster and a 996/997 are the rear seats and a few tenths of a second 0-60?

I have owned a 986 and now a 996 cab and although I almost never use the rear seats, the two cars are very different.
Don't fall into this trap, test drive them both and make your own mind up.

And as for the hard-top....best place for it is on Ebay!

So would you consider going back to a Boxster?

 

[Rodney Naghar]

So would you consider going back to a Boxster?

I would have mentioned that in my previous post, but I don't think it would be a fair to compare a 1st generation 2.5l Boxster with a facelift 996, and expect the Boxster to come out on top.

My first impressions of moving from 986 to 996 were initially a big dissapointment. The steering was heavier with less feel, the brakes were weaker, the weight gain noticable, a much less 'chuckable' car. My 986 only had lux pack whearas the 996 is fully loaded......but I didn't like that initially, I really don't need 95% of the spec, so it made me feel like I was in a bloated saloon rather than a lightweight sportscar. What had I done?

However, after a month or so, I got to absolutely love the 996, the steering is heavier but is less twitchy, and with that kind of power I felt I was more in control. The brakes are absolutely awesome, but only after they have warmed up for at least 5 minutes or so.The balance of the car is quite different, you really do notice the weight being further back which gives you more driver involvement (I used to think of this as such a cop-out line 911 owners used to use, but there is truth to it!). The engine note is much more of a bark, rather than the whine I used to hear below 5k in the Boxster.

But the real difference is that when driving the Boxster hard, you feel (perception maybe rather than reality) that you could lose control much more easily than in the 996. In the 996 the performance envelope feels so much larger that you have much more confidence to take it a step further.

Again, I have to point out that I am not comparing recent models together, so it's not a truly fair comparison.If I was to try out a 987 vs a 997 things may be different. But they really are quite different driving experiences.

If it was my money, I would give up cabrio' bliss for life with a 996 turbo or a GT3 MK1, both very good value, both awesome machines.

 

[bladeboy]

Very Interesting, been talking to some mates over the weekend and you know the problem with the Boxster, its not a 911.

 

[Alex L]

The 997 Cab is simply AWESOME. My girlfriend in fact gets very jealous about how much I love my car.

I had a 987S as a loaner for a day and yes it's fun to throw into corners as it's much more naturally balanced than a 911, but really it's just a different driving style.

People seemed to treat me different too driving the Boxster. Nobody let me out of a side-turning all day, and when I parked in an empty car park I later came back to find someone had deliberately parked 5cm from my driver's door so I couldn't open it. Next day when I got my 997 back everything went back to normal.

For me there is just no comparison.

 

[bladeboy]

Yeah the more I think about it the more I've gone off the idea of a Boxster.

Think I'll hang onto my 996 until spring and then maybe look for a used 997.

Of course the other option would be to trade up for a Turbo Cabrio, seen so advertised for 67K ish.

 

[Alex L]

If you can hang on until the 997 facelift (which could be as early as Aug 07 from some rumours - mid 2008 is probably more likey though) then you will probably get even more discount on a used 997's. But I suppose the longer you wait the less you'll get on your trade-in.

 

[bladeboy]

Its always a balancing act with the best time to change, must say when I bought the 996 is was a decision of the heart, spent far more than I intended, must have had a bang on the head that day.

 

[Guest]

ORIGINAL: bladeboy

Its always a balancing act with the best time to change, must say when I bought the 996 is was a decision of the heart, spent far more than I intended, must have had a bang on the head that day.

Wait for the facelift I previously owned 996 - wife had boxster s. 2 totally different cars although both great - Prior to owning 996 I would have welcomed a boxster, then after owning 996 I would never drive another porsche unless 911 just such a great car. There seems to be loads of information coming regarding facelift, I would wait for that as pre facelift with no doubt will be worth less. Good Luck!

 

[Guest]

ORIGINAL: bladeboy

Been toying with upgrading my 996 cabrio for a 997 cabrio.
Am I mad to consider saving myself 23k and buying a Boxter S.

In my opinion yes but it depends what you want out of the car.
I have a road near me with a couple of linked 's' bends with difficult camber etc. I've driven a boxster S through them with clinical precision and at very high speed. Same road in my 911 cab and I must have driven the road 20+ times since I got the car. Only once have I managed to get the car perfectly balanced through both 's's but the sense of satisfaction (and indeed the speed you can then carry through them) is immense. In my hands the less powerfull boxster is probably faster on challenging roads but ultimately less fun - its all a bit too easy, the 911 remains a challenge which I may never completely master and thats why love it.

 

[Richard Knight]

Go the whole hogg and drop a 3.6L into a boxster it only took 18 months to get it right!!!! But God only knows she absolutley fly's.

 

[bladeboy]

Blimey, 3.6 in a boxster, maybe this is the car Porsche should have built.

I think this is Porsche's problem, they could quite easily make the Boxster of Cayman faster and better than a 911 but they would f--k themselves.

How about a 3.8 in a boxster, I know some of the tuners are doing this for the Cayman.

At the moment I'm going to keep the 996, interestingly though there are 996 turbo cabrio's being advertised in Top Marques for 65K ish.

Makes you wonder what would be the better long time buy a 997 cabrio or a 996 Turbo cabrio, my gut feeling is the 996 Turbo Cabrio from a depreciation point of view. Look at the 993 Turbo's which are still 40k plus for one with lots of mileage and 50/60K for a low mileage one.

Anyone know how many 996 Turbo cabrio's were produced?

 

[philippe]

I had a new boxster s loan car for a week and thought i would not want my 7 year old 996 back, but i myself could not compare the two was very pleased to get back in my 996, so there must be no comparision with the 997 and the boxster.

Phil