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Boxster 987S Vs 997 C4S

DrSimon

DrSimon

New member
Having had a 987S for the last year I took the plunge and purchased a 997 C4S a couple of weeks ago. Now, I was planning on reluctantly selling the Boxster to make way for the newbie. However, I've just taken the 987 out for a spin on a beautiful sunny morning and I think it's just earned itself a reprieve. What an awesome car! Yes, the 997 is great; lots of power and continent-crossing abilities, but the Boxster seems to raise a smile and the pulse the moment I set off in a way the 997 can't match. Ok, I've had an itch to buy a 911 ever since I was a kid but I've scratched it now and I feel the Boxster is simply tons more fun.

Has anyone else out there made the switch successfully from 987 to 997?


 
Having recently done the same it's made me realise what a great car the 987 actually is, yes the 997 has so much more grunt and an oh so addictive soundtrack but seems to be no match for the the 987'S superb and confidence Inspiring handling.

All in all, to have the choice, what a great place to be.

Mike


 
Ah ha...! I have a 2005 Gen 1 987S Boxster and have just spent the weekend at Silverstone for the BARC meeting. The Boxster flew there and back - wonderful top down high speed motoring (windows down too, of course!) down the A420, round Oxford on the A34, a bit of M40, then up the A43. I aspire to a fancy 911, but I can't afford one (I work for the NHS for Chris'sakes...) and the Boxster makes me smile every time I drive it. Enjoy the 997, but hang on to the 987 for some 'simple' fun, perhaps!
 
64911 -- your mentioning keeping the windows down made me think of the wind today (quite gusty).
In my experience (ex 997 C2) a key difference between the 911 and a Boxster, or any mid engine Porsche, is cross winds. 911s, which handle awesomely and predictably (even when they go they do so politely) really don't like a cross wind. At first you wonder how can a car so low with a relatively slender profile be so skittish in a wind. All about weight distribution. The rear end weight which works so brilliantly for a 911 under decleration into a bend, bringing the car into balance, doesn't work in a cross wind. The fat rear tyres don't like standing water either.
These two points apart it's hard to fault a 911 in my opinion. But the mid-engined cars don't have these slight weaknesses even if they lack some of the 911's endearing quirkiness and driver involvement.
 
Just sold my mint 996 C4 and bought a 987 Gen2 Boxster S. Had some trepidation at first as I had owned the 911 for 10yrs and well- the Boxster ain't a 911 is it!!!
Soon got over that, the Boxster is a flying machine, excellent handling, lovely howling sports exhaust, top down motoring when required and loads of luggage space with the bonus of being half the price of a typical 911 of the same year. What's not to like????????
 
Couldn't agree more and I've experience on the track to prove it, you don't beat 14 (Yes, Fourteen; 12 PC Germany, 2 PCGB) 911's in a circuit challenge at Spa without being in a superior car :) This event also included a number of laps on the main track following a previous Le Mans winner with the 2 other PCGB cars during which we had to stop to let the 911's catch up as we couldn't leave them behind. Enough said, and Yes I've had a 911 also including a couple of years in a 964 and a couple of months in a 991. Would I get another 911, not sure been there done it and I LIKE and probably prefer mid-engined balance, predictability and stability. My porsche path to date has been 924S, 911 (964) Targa Carerra 2, 986 Boxster S, 987 Boxster S. Have fun!
 
Dear Bandido - I can't comment about a 911, not having driven one, but the Boxster is pretty good on the road wind or no wind. It feels light and nimble and does move about a bit as one drives it, but that's a bit of driver involvement too, and something I enjoy. My first ever car when I was seventeen years old was a genuine Lotus built Series 2 Lotus 7 with a 1500cc Ford engine which I had bored out to 1600cc and coupled to a couple of DCOE Weber carburettors. My Boxster S (the S is important!) reminds me of my Lotus (see image...). As I said yesterday I urge you to keep the 987, even as you, rightly, enjoy the power and sophistication of the 997.
 
Wow! Impressive. Comparing the 997 and the 987 yesterday I thought the Boxster's throttle response was so much more aggressive and it just felt so much more planted. Maybe I need to learn a slightly new throttle technique with the 997 but the Boxster provides a much greater adrenalin rush.
 
having had a 986s for 2 years then a 987 for 8 years, I looked and test drove a 911, 997 series before I bought my current 981 boxster,yes the 997 was good, but as I only need a sports car that has 2 seats I went for another boxster,maybe when I change this boxster I will look at the 911, 991 series.(I don,t fancy a 982 boxster due to what has been done with the engine)
 
Just spent two days driving roof down from south of France to Grenoble via route napoleon then today Grenoble through alps to Strasbourg
absolute heaven
why would I want another 911!!(I've had three now)
brilliant balance power and sunshine
keep the 987 ??
 
Hi 64
lovely Lotus and Boxster too
the picture in my avatar is a Boxster-my point was that the generally awesome 911 has two specific weaknesses (cross winds and standing water) not shared by the mid-engined cars. But I love 911s as well as Boxsters
 
If you get a chance have a go in one of the 718 Boxters, with power now at 300 bhp for the standard and 350 for the S they are even more of a match for the 340 in a "standard" 911 but with that lovely mid-engined feel.

And of course the 2 boots means that you can take more luggage on that cross content journey :)
 
Stephen

As you know, you may well have awakened the; "No way! It must be N/A and have 6 cylinders" brigade. No doubt they'll be along shortly.
[:D]
Hope you're enjoying your 718.

David
 
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