RE: Open Season: Porsche Boxster
Discussion
I am on my second Boxster (a 2.7 987) and drive it all year round. I just can't believe how good it is to drive. The chassis is simply stunning, as in not better than the S2000, Z4 or SLK chassis, but without exageration, totally in a different league to those. Steering is nothing short of telepathic, damping is incredibly well judged, grip is ridiculous, traction immense, noise incredible. My only crticism is the gaps between gears (5-speed), not helped by the modest torque. Only other issue is 19' wheels robs a bit of feel for very little grip benefit. I paid £15k for a 4 year /45k miles high spec car. Can't think of a better car for that kind of money. I love the fact that those who've never driven one or would not appreciate its dynamic qualities anyway slag it off as it keeps second hand value very low so a big thank you to the idiots who still go on about the "poorman's Porsche" or the "hairdresser's car" type of Clarkson inspired comments. Keep them going please.
nickfrog said:
My only crticism is the gaps between gears (5-speed), not helped by the modest torque.
Glad you like it 
.I don't know whether I'm being annoying or helpful by saying this, but the six-speed in the 2.9 does fill in those gaps (I agree with you about the five-speed 2.7 - I tried this in a Cayman once and found the gearing a bit long).
I'll probably get shot down for this but I thought the SLK350 was a better drive, more exciting...the steering was more accurate in the boxster but I preferred the SLK the engine note was better, punchier. I know the boxster would be quicker point to point but I could get the SLK out of shape(yes traction control doesn't fully disengage but it still allows some tail wagging)it was more fun, for me anyway. Both rentals only a couple of weeks apart some I gave them a good thrashing.
they are chalk and cheese. I frequently "have" to use my Saab 900 Convertible in the winter and, with windows up and (aftermarket) wind deflector in place, I actually have to turn the heater down because it's too hot...
It feels no more draughty than a tin top with the sunroof open on tilt. Fleece, gloves, maybe a hat (but not usually): that's all I need. My 3 year old agrees and hates it when the roof's up. But then, the car was designed to be driven top-down in a Swedish winter, so the UK is a walk in the park.
It feels no more draughty than a tin top with the sunroof open on tilt. Fleece, gloves, maybe a hat (but not usually): that's all I need. My 3 year old agrees and hates it when the roof's up. But then, the car was designed to be driven top-down in a Swedish winter, so the UK is a walk in the park.
Stuart said:
I had a few hours in this over the weekend, and loved it. I also love the colour, even though I'm not sure I'd be brave it enough to spec it like that if it were my own car.
My major problem with the colour though is its name; "Riviera Blue." To me this particular shade of blue is actually a motor racing blue, more redolent of 70s prototypes, or IROC cars or of Le Mans special oddities. It isn't quite a French Racing Blue, but it is certainly closer to it than than the Bournemouth Hairdresser style moniker Porsche have given it. Hmm.
If it's L39E Riviera Blue it's been around a very long time, possibly in keeping with the 70's, and some of us think is lovely My major problem with the colour though is its name; "Riviera Blue." To me this particular shade of blue is actually a motor racing blue, more redolent of 70s prototypes, or IROC cars or of Le Mans special oddities. It isn't quite a French Racing Blue, but it is certainly closer to it than than the Bournemouth Hairdresser style moniker Porsche have given it. Hmm.
Did over 200 miles in my Boxster Spyder last weekend, roof down all the way, temperature ranging from -3 when I set off, down to -6 in the Welsh hills, peaking at a tropical -1.
Without any shadow of a doubt, one of my most enjoyable drives ever in any car.
Boxster is a fine car, in Spyder form it is sublime.
Without any shadow of a doubt, one of my most enjoyable drives ever in any car.
Boxster is a fine car, in Spyder form it is sublime.
DS3R said:
[
If it's L39E Riviera Blue it's been around a very long time, possibly in keeping with the 70's, and some of us think is lovely
Yes, that's the one. I know it has been around for a long time and I LOVE the colour. I just don't think that the name really does justice to the colour, if that makes sense? A Riviera Blue 993 RS with black wheels would be If it's L39E Riviera Blue it's been around a very long time, possibly in keeping with the 70's, and some of us think is lovely
.nickfrog said:
I am on my second Boxster (a 2.7 987) and drive it all year round. I just can't believe how good it is to drive. The chassis is simply stunning, as in not better than the S2000, Z4 or SLK chassis, but without exaggeration, totally in a different league to those. Steering is nothing short of telepathic, damping is incredibly well judged, grip is ridiculous, traction immense, noise incredible. My only criticism is the gaps between gears (5-speed), not helped by the modest torque. Only other issue is 19' wheels robs a bit of feel for very little grip benefit. I paid £15k for a 4 year /45k miles high spec car. Can't think of a better car for that kind of money. I love the fact that those who've never driven one or would not appreciate its dynamic qualities anyway slag it off as it keeps second hand value very low so a big thank you to the idiots who still go on about the "poorman's Porsche" or the "hairdresser's car" type of Clarkson inspired comments. Keep them going please.
I fully agree. earlier this year I was looking at replacing my wife's beloved Alfa Spider 3.0 V6 and I was tempted into a OPC to test drive their Boxster 2.9 demonstrator. Given all the nonsense written about Boxsters I wasn't expecting to like it but it would eliminate it from my search process (really don't like the Brera/Spider too heavy and the Merc SLK has no boot plus the Merc salesman was an arrogant t
t). After just 5 mins at the wheel I realised I was really enjoying driving it. As you say the steering, brakes, clutch, gear-change all seem so well in balance that it's almost telepathic the way it goes round corners. As for the power, let's be honest it's not slow. Obviously if one is comparing it to a 911 or something then yes but 0-62 in sub 6 seconds is quick enough if you have a hooligan TVR Griff 500 to drive when you feel a bit mad! As for the comments, they're water off a duck's back to me. I really like ours a 987 GenII 2.9 with just a few options including heated seats! Stuart said:
DS3R said:
[
If it's L39E Riviera Blue it's been around a very long time, possibly in keeping with the 70's, and some of us think is lovely
Yes, that's the one. I know it has been around for a long time and I LOVE the colour. I just don't think that the name really does justice to the colour, if that makes sense? A Riviera Blue 993 RS with black wheels would be If it's L39E Riviera Blue it's been around a very long time, possibly in keeping with the 70's, and some of us think is lovely
.
Had my 987 S for coming upto 2 years now.
With the heater on full and the heated seats on it's great.
The heater in the 987 is good but not brilliant, with my 986 I was worried the heater vents / tubes would melt the temperature of the air that thing gave out : 987 + heated seats = warm, 986 = too warm, had to turn the heating down.
And the 19" rims make it handle really well, I had some loaner 18" wheels on for a week recently and my instant impression was I could really feel the higher sidewalls flexing more and the car just felt more "squidgy".
Got brand new Conti CS2's on now and this weather hasn't worried it yet.
With the heater on full and the heated seats on it's great.
The heater in the 987 is good but not brilliant, with my 986 I was worried the heater vents / tubes would melt the temperature of the air that thing gave out : 987 + heated seats = warm, 986 = too warm, had to turn the heating down.
And the 19" rims make it handle really well, I had some loaner 18" wheels on for a week recently and my instant impression was I could really feel the higher sidewalls flexing more and the car just felt more "squidgy".
Got brand new Conti CS2's on now and this weather hasn't worried it yet.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff