Leaving the 911 fold '“ My story.

[Peter Cee]

Thanks to all you posters for your tolerant response to my possibly rather cheeky topic - given that this is the 997 forum.

The capabilities of the latest Boxster S in no way diminish the desirability of the current or past 911's which most owners love because of the unique way they look, feel and drive.

I just wanted to give a heads up to 911 owners regarding the level of performance now available from the latest iteration of the Boxster which really took me by surprise.

Right I'm off now to change my signature & avatar <Departs to the Boxster Forum>

 

[berty987]

Interesting discussion, I know of a 997 Gen1 Gt3 owner that went back to a boxster (gen2) after a line of boxsters before , purely for the fun factor. I've driven gen1 and gen 2 997 and boxster models including the targa and Spyder. For me , the boxster spyder has the most driver appeal apart from a Gt3 , though you need to accpet the compromises made by the roof. For cross country travel , the 997 S gen 2 has power and torque in ample supply , but it feels more of a Gt cruiser than a nimble sportscar when compared to a boxster. I guess it all depends on your requirements, the 997 gen 2 S offers a prestigious drive with capable , desirable credentials and impressive performance , though the front end still has that light feel under accleration that just isnt there in a boxster or cayman. Admittedly its lesser in a 4wd 911 , though you trade the agility for grip. When I've driven a 911 , I found I needed to drive 20 or so mph faster to get the same sense of involvement and excitement as a boxster. Horses for courses I guess, both cars fit the design criteria very well and dont sit uneasilly beside each other in the model line up.

 

[Steve Brookes]

Now that you've hung up your track shoes I think you've made a fine choice by going for the latest boxster as a fun road car. By pure coincidence I had the pleasure of some quick passenger laps in ChrisW's 993RS at Silverstone last week and for part of a lap we were behind a (well driven) gen 2 boxster S. The huge lateral grip of the 993RS from the apex was the main difference between the performance of the two cars....and therefore the boxster politely yielded after about half a lap. Yet, that short stint showed just how capable the boxsters are now....and as you've already noted, they are much more 'road friendly' than the old RS. The old saying of 'horses for courses' certainly applies here along with the fact that we all get our driving kicks in different ways []

 

[Ronnie C]

ORIGINAL: daro911

ORIGINAL: Ronnie C

£ for £ the boxster had always been better value, but it will never be better than the 911 until Porsche remove the deliberate technical handicap in place that is there precisely to prevent the usurping in the model range.

I think you will find the current "987 Spyder" has removed any "technical handicap!" and I would be very surprised if the up and coming replacement 988 doesn't go even further than the Spyder from a driving dynamics point of view and finally re-write this myth about the Boxster not being a better sports car than the base model 911 Cabrios in particular[8D]

thanks for your clarification.

Must admit I'm not as knowledgeable on boxsters as I am 911.

Certainly wasn't aware that this spyder model had a more powerful engine than the base Carrera cabios.

 

[jonc4s]

Recently had a Cayman S PDK on loan when my 996 went in for a service, wow, exceeded my expectations - god it felt fast!

Still though, for me a 997 would be the only upgrade I'd take in the current Porsche range, I just love 911 and the history.

This thread does a lot to increase the respect for Boxster/Cayman owners and the choices they have made. The new Boxster Spyder could nearly get me in a Boxster.

Horse 4 Courses and all that!

 

[Monty2]

I'll just throw this grenade into the fire, up until April last year I owned a 986 2003 Boxster S and my 997 Turbo, due to one being a garage queen and the other being used to the point that the mileage was going sky high and I was about to lose any residual value, I had to choose one to sell.
A mate of mine had been badgering me to sell him the Boxster and for an inflated offer I passed it on. I still have the queen in the garage yes I've used it more in the past year but no where near as much as the 986.
A few weeks ago I was but a pen stroke away from swopping in the 997 turbo for a very nice unregistered Boxster S in the showroom at Cambs. and I may be sat in the showroom in a few weeks time if there is a deal to be had.
Shocker really, why give up the cream of the Porsche range for what some see as an entry model, after much consideration where can I use all the turbos attributes in todays everyday driving especially acceleration and sky high top end, where as the boxster rewards with its nimble handling and the occasional tail out slide on the oiled wet junction or roundabout and it has more than enough power. Yes top gear might put the smaller Porsches up against other makes and possibly it does lose out to other sports cars that have four wheel drive but that's not reality, in a society when street racing is just about punishable by death the Boxster still has that wow factor.
So leaving the 997 fold has no disgrace if it involves the fun ownership of a Boxster (am I alone in thinking the 987 S lost something perhaps becoming a little clinical after the 986 S).
On second thoughts should I convert the Turbo equity into a deposit on a 988S?

Cheers

Paul

ps why have I become a guest of the club when I've been a member for several years?

 

[Alex L]

Sorry but you guys have totally lost me now [8|]

A stock Turbo is already under powered in my opinion, dropping down to Boxster levels would be simply unthinkable for me. All that torque under your right foot is utterly addictive and I use each one of my 798Nm every time I take the car out and get parallel with a NSL sign. So it's perfectly usable on public roads. And if you can get over to Germany on de-restricted Autobahns - oh my word does it amaze...

3 years I've had mine now and it still puts a huge smile on my face when I bury the throttle. I've been so spoilt that I simply wouldn't buy another car now with less than 500bhp - that includes family cars...

The suggestion that being able to throw a lighter Boxster INTO a corner at higher speeds is somehow equal in pleasure to warp speed acceleration in a Turbo simply doesn't compute for me. Going around corners faster than I do in my Turbo is already illegal in most instances.

Replacing a 911 Turbo with a Boxster only makes financial sense, not motoring sense.

Takes all sorts I suppose...

 

[garyw]

ORIGINAL: Monty2
ps why have I become a guest of the club when I've been a member for several years?

Paul, if you have put your membership number in your profile then it should automatically fix it..[&:]
If not, then post here http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=235860&mpage=9 and ask the magic question []

Nice to see you about and pleased you kept the 4 seater.... []

garyw

 

[Monty2]

Thanks Gary, have sent Paul Mc N. a message ref guest of the club thing. On the Turbo/Boxster topic it gets worse as have been helping fettle a 944 and am drawn to even less power but with a certain degree of hertitage. Starting to think its an age thing.
One of Alex's comments on the only reason to change would be financial have you seen how much a Boxster S comes out at specced to 997 Turbo levels defo not a money saving exercise.

Looking forward to MIRA group get together.

Pulled off a blinder and after a late request had the Lancaster bomber do a low flypast today at Millthorpe on the set up day for the R4 Engine and BBQ, hoping he will repeat tomorrow when we have the Porsches lined up but BBMF couldn't promise both days .