What next for the Boxster

[Rodney Naghar]

Nowadays Porsche's are

a) Good value for money
b) Very reliable daily drivers
c) Have relatively low maintenance costs
d) Easier to handle by the average driver

Coupled with the availability of cheap financing to a wider potential client base, all increases the spectrum of buyers (ie not necessarily enthusiasts) hence a pressure to move away from supreme driver focused cars, to ones with increasing creature comforts and thus heavier cars.

This potential move may be diametrically opposed to the desires of people such as many of us on this forum.
Just my thoughts

 

[JCB..]

If Porsche GB are really interested in marketing they would/should have noted this thread and the responses/hits. Obviously many people are interested. Wouldn't it be a good idea for someone from Reading [HQ] to contact us and invite us for a chat/lunch, listen to our ideas from the UK market etc.
Time alone will tell if they are really interested - although I would hope that the powers-that-be in PCGB might alert them to our interest/concerns/ideas.

Why would they need to? As Porsche AG is already the most profitable car manufacturer on the planet it seems that they are pretty sharp in the marketing department already.

Another thing to realise is that although most contributers to this forum are passionate about their cars they only represent a fraction of the Boxster/Porsche owning community.

JCB..

 

[juliany27]

John

You are probably right but imo the enthusiastic owners should not be afraid of making their views known on this web site and, indirectly, to Porsche GB. Focus groups have given us all sorts of things in life - see what has happened to the state of politics/the Government at present.

If enough owners/enthusiasts from the UK or elsewhere make comments about the future of a car then, perhaps, the manufacturers will sit up and take [some] notice and/or address our concerns publicly. I accept that this is something of a folorn hope but you never know....

Incidentally I would be [relatively] happy to join such a focus group to discuss the issues raised in this thread. Go on Porsche GB surprise me and make my day!
Any other volunteers?
Any other suggestions as to the future of the Boxster?

 

[THX911]

ORIGINAL: juliany27

If enough owners/enthusiasts from the UK or elsewhere make comments about the future of a car then, perhaps, the manufacturers will sit up and take [some] notice and/or address our concerns publicly.

This applies to any established products/brands made for mass market (yes, I am afraid Porsche has become a mass market producer when it comes to the Boxsters, Carreras and Cayennes and not a producer for enthusiast):
The owners/enthusiast will pretty come back for more when they are ready but what such business models thrive on is to attract new comers to continue expanding the business. So large consumer markets (like USA) and competition will pretty much drive the features and future models. (IMHO)

 

[Guest]

Latest consumer survey shows Porsche average for repair frequency and top for cost of repairs. RMS issue? This should be top priority for "incremental improvement".

Get the DSG sorted and available as an option.

 

[Michael Downing]

ORIGINAL: juliany27
Incidentally I would be [relatively] happy to join such a focus group to discuss the issues raised in this thread. Go on Porsche GB surprise me and make my day!
Any other volunteers?

Let it be recorded right here, right now, that if Porsche GB want to invite selected Porsche customers out to a nice venue in order to have a light and tasty bite to eat and then an afternoon playing with their latest toys on a test track using their tyres and insurance, with the only proviso being that we have to tell them what we think of it all, then I'm up for it too.

If Reading would like to email me then I'll reply with full contact details asap.

[]

 

[thboxster]

ORIGINAL: mdowning
Let it be recorded right here, right now, that if Porsche GB want to invite selected Porsche customers out to a nice venue in order to have a light and tasty bite to eat and then an afternoon playing with their latest toys on a test track using their tyres and insurance, with the only proviso being that we have to tell them what we think of it all, then I'm up for it too.

If Reading would like to email me then I'll reply with full contact details asap.

I suspect that if this happened, there would be a clamour for the keyboard and a deluge of forum posts. I'm sure I could re-arrange my diary aswell.[8|]

 

[THX911]

ORIGINAL: mdowning

Let it be recorded right here, right now, that if Porsche GB want to invite selected Porsche customers out to a nice venue in order to have a light and tasty bite to eat and then an afternoon playing with their latest toys on a test track using their tyres and insurance, with the only proviso being that we have to tell them what we think of it all, then I'm up for it too.

If Reading would like to email me then I'll reply with full contact details asap.

[]

...and for the same record: I am happy to skip the light and tasty bites, if it puts me in front of the queue []

 

[Michael Downing]

ORIGINAL: THX911
...and for the same record: I am happy to skip the light and tasty bites, if it puts me in front of the queue []

I'll meet that and raise you by bringing my own nibbles []

 

[juliany27]

I will add my abilities to write reports on the views of the participants including my own! And not charge one penny.

Over to Porsche GB - go on, invite us, listen to us and surprise us. You know it makes sense.

 

[boothy]

and I'll raise you, willing to travel, at own expense, to where my opinions will be listened to. No food or drink required. []

[]

 

[juliany27]

Here, just a minute, I started all this and I think that it is only fair that I get an invitation... and I am quite prepared to re-arrange my professional commitments to help Porsche by testing their latest cars etc.

I am still holding my breath for a response from Porsche GB. Time alone will tell if there is anyone out there.

 

[Guest]

Back to the original question, a starter button would be good, better if combined with keyless entry. Also, DAB radio's must be about to make an appearence.

Paul.

 

[Guest]

• Optional 4-wheel drive (yes yes I know.. not required for the real enthusiasts but I wouldn't mind the option, particularly if you live in a place with frequent bad weather conditions and also when executing quick manoevres in tight space)

Aside from that, all I can think of to improve it is finishing touches. The Boxster by and large is superbly designed: Looks, engine, brakes, handling, shifting, steering - all suiting me. Here's what I can think of:

• A new key - Audi style - that folds and has a separate button for locking and unlocking, as well as producing an audible tone when locking. I keep standing in front of my car pressing the currently lone button and trying to decide whether it's locked or not.
• Sports chrono option without the stop watch ("the wart")
• Integrated bluetooth and ipod interfaces
• Better PCM layout (buttons positioned in a way where they are not unreachable if you're driving in 3rd or 5th gear; consistent volume control for all modules)
• Oil dip stick
• Added color choices. Exterior: perl white metallic (lighter than gt silver). Iterior: light grey leather (lighter than the current grey choice and better in line with the graphite PCM bezel), black instrument dials on the S
• Different wheel choices - ditch the carrera s style and add a more industrial, cleaner looking option instead
• Soft top: Separate control light indicating when the top is fully closed/opened, and one-touch operation at all times (not only when in motion)
• better default sound system (e.g. with rear speakers)
• center console storage lid should open the other way in RHD cars

 

[Guest]

What might be nice is...

1. DSG (it should now be the end of tiptronic anyway)
2. More grunt - 3.4L Cayman engine or tweaked current S engine?
3. Keyless go - like the AM DB9 and, yes, with the red/blue backlit crystal!!
4. AWD?
5. Multimedia options e.g. iPOd-compatibility etc.
6. Fully auto hood.
7. I agree with others, a lot less brushed aluminium bling, its not a TT.
8. Praticalities notwithstanding i.e. lack of space but a limited edition turbo would
be sweet!

cheers,

Iain

 

[juliany27]

Iain

Sensible suggestions but, I fear, no-one at Porsche GB is listening. In due course perhaps I will collate all of the replies on this post and prepare one long note and sit and wait for a reaction - I will not hold my breath.

Please, folks, keep the suggestions coming.

 

[ClubRacer]

Hi Julian,

Top of my list, and one which would have a realistic chance, bearing in mind the success of current Boxster models, would be the RS version you mooted. (would not take away existing customers but be a lower priced option to the GT3).

We could discuss a suitable spec for this:

• Lightweight
• More Power (the chassis could handle a lot more power)
• Suspension and brake upgrade a la GT3
• GT3 seats - direct replacement as Mark will tell you
• GT3 type front splitter and cills (not so sure about a spoiler...)

Mouth's watering already....

 

[oliver]

ClubRacer,

Spot on, almost.

The Boxster is a sports car. Lightness and simplicity are therefore the key ingredients - Colin Chapman's philosophy. All the best Porsches have always adopted this doctrine.

Some of the suggestions just add unnecessary weight and dull the driving experience. I mean, a fully automatic roof? How many extra micro-processors and electric motors is that going to require to stretch and close the roof? And 4WD - it's never made the 911 a better car. It would just add weight, complexity and fill the front boot. Mind you with the US market being so important who knows what extra luxuries might be added.

I think the RS and Club Sport variants will probably be reserved for the Boxster Coupe, I mean Cayman.