Boxster or 911?

[Guest]

Hi,

I've got about 30/35k to spend on a car and I'm wondering whether to go for a facelift 2/3year old Boxter S or a '99/'98 911.

Has anyone got any thoughts about which route I should take??

What are the pros and cons for getting an older 911 against a later Boxster?

Thanks
Roger

 

[Black80XSA]

If you don't need the rear seats then a Boxster is the more practical car - rear boot will take golf clubs, rather than the rear seat in the 911.

debatable whether the Boxster has better handling balance, but has more steering feel. 996 has more rear end grip due to the engine position.

You should be able to get a Boster 550 anniversary for that sort of money form the OPC, whih should reduce soem of the depreciation on the normal 986 models.

 

[968er]

That sort of money would get you a good 993 which will not take the depreciation hit that a Boxster or 996 would have.

All very different cars, Boxster, 993 & 996, you should go out and try some and then decide what way to go.

Funnily I have been contemplating a switch to a Boxster, just for a change, but wife is dead against it as the 993 is very rare and we have a load of Boxsters. So I suppose that is another thing to factor in, exclusivity[]

 

[jac in a box]

ORIGINAL: 968er

Funnily I have been contemplating a switch to a Boxster, just for a change, but wife is dead against it as the 993 is very rare and we have a load of Boxsters. So I suppose that is another thing to factor in, exclusivity[]

Same boat as me William? Except I'd like to go from the Boxster to a 993[]

Well, I would when it's wet, but on a day like today I just couldn't do it.
Got a little peckish and decided fish and chips would be good; so Dundee to Oban and back; 225 miles for a bag of chips[] Strange the effect these Porsche's have on you!

O/T; Do as William suggests - go and try and them. Whatever you choose I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Jackie

 

[968er]

Jackie,

You still thinking about making a change? I didn't realise you were really looking.

Must have been damn good fish and chips[]

 

[John H]

Oban for a bag of chips ... that sounds familiar []

History repeats itself ... http://www.arthurlea.com/Prawns.htm []

John H

 

[jac in a box]

Well the change occassionaly arises in conversation William; and I blame you totally![]
One of each would ideal, the Boxster comes into it's own in the superb weather we've been having lately. More saving and I'll have a 911 as well.

John H - it was a large plate of langoustines and prawns for me, and the drive was superb too.
So who is the 944 owner then? Sounds as though he's just a litle further East than me.
As the sun is shining again, I wonder where dinner will be tonight[]

And to help Roger out with part of his original question "Has anyone got any thoughts about which route I should take??" - when it comes to gastronomic urges; the longest one?[]

Jackie



Jackie

 

[GreigM]

To add my 2 penneth.

I am in the fortunate position of having driven a 993, 3.4 996 and facelift boxster (as well as my current GT3) and the 993 is old technology in terms of the drive and interior. The 996 is light years ahead of the 993. The 993 was 10yr old design when it was launched and the 996 was introduced to bring the 911 into this century. Don't believe all the hype, air-cooled engines had their fair share of problems also - there is a very good reason why no manufacturers continue to use air cooling. I'm not saying the 993 is a bad car, it isn't, but it is old technology and very much feels it.

In terms of boxster vs 996 - the boxster is a far better b-road drive, more fun, balanced, pointy. The 996 is a sporty GT - better on the motorways and long drives. The boxster is more practical (more boot space). So depends on what you are wanting really. If I wasn't tracking a car I would be back in a boxster in a flash - screw all the pillocks that say "couldn't afford a 911" - they've obviously never lived with both cars, but at the end of the day your insides need the 911 badge then a 996 would be the way to go - great car, but for the same money a much younger boxster S would be my choice.

Remember Porsche admitted that it costs them the same to build a boxster and a 996 - and they were definitely making profit on the boxster, so that tells you a lot. Apart from the GT2/GT3 or TT (where the engine alone cost £28K) it is the only porsche where you are truly getting value for money.

 

[Laurence Gibbs]

Hmmm interesting thoughts. I own and drive both. And have driven most variants of both cars. If you need the practicality of taking more than one person with you when you drive then there is no choice buy a 911. For all those times when you need to give a couple of friends a lift or if you have kids for picking them up from where ever. Bulkier items will also fit in more easily in the 911 and in particular long things, try getting a patio door size curtain pole in a boxster for instance. If these things don't bother you then the boxster will be a fine conpanion. Like all the road tests tell you the Boxster S has a very usefull extra dose of power but you can just as easily live with the 2.5 or 2.7 if ultimate acceleration is not your bag. The boxster is a modern car with immpecable handling, better still it's also fun too.
if you do go the 911 route there is nothing wrong with the 993. It has the classic 911 interior and a smaller more compact exterior than the later 996. Both cars actually share an awful lot of chassis technology both have multilink rear axles for example. And both have similar front suspension. The difference is in the details and the stiffer chassis. The biggest change is the water cooled engine which certainly is not as robust as the older 993. The GT3 solves that by going backwards in engine design and using the 964 / 993 bottom end design. With watercooling also comes a conventional heating system too ! The 993 will give a "modern 911" driving feel but will still have some old 911 traits inclding the best engine soundtrack going. The 996 is completely modern and has similar road manners to the boxster whilst still managing to feel "911 like" only much more refined. So you really need to try them to see what floats your boat. Practicality ? Modernity ? refined? Porsche makes something for every taste.

 

[Guest]

Well, firstly I must say thanks to everyone who has replied. I honestly didn't expect such detailed repsonses. You guys really do love the Porsche!!

So I think that the message if try them both but the Boxster probably has the edge in a number of areas.

You'll probably be hearing from me agian soon.

Cheers
Roger