Box - 911 Has anyone done it and wanted the Boxster back?

[sootyvrs]

I test drove both Cayman S Gen 2 and 997 Gen2 Carrera back to back before deciding which model I preferred.

They are both great cars but did think the Cayman was a more exciting drive (only just) which was enough for me to decide to get a Cayman (R in my case).

I can only assume the 987 and 981 Boxters are similarly great drives.

If it's an itch you have to scratch, then just do it.... What's the worst that can happen but to change back to a Boxter in the future, if assuming you think you made a mistake which I doubt will be the case.

[itsybitsy]

Dblue said:

I was given a Boxster S (987) as a courtesy car when my 997GT3 was serviced a couple of years ago and it was a sweet fun car in every way with delightful handling and a raspy motor but was , of course, entirely overshadowed by the GT3.
Different to a C2 I know but in isolation the Boxster would have impressed but back to back it was miles slower and felt every bit a car worth half the price, maybe a third of the price.

i agree with above if talking about gen1 cars but not the gen2.
the spyder/cayman R were half the price of a 7gt3 but not half the car hence i opted for a spyder which is far more useable on the road.plus the fact the new 991 gt3 will now have essentially the same engine as the gen2 987/997 puts those cars in a whole new ball park.
in some ways the best car porsche now make and closer to the original concept 40 years ago is the humble 2.7 boxster although not that i would have one i would always have to take the S

Edited by itsybitsy on Thursday 13th September 13:39

[gd]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Nope, sorry, can't agree with that. On paper it's right, but when actually getting in and driving the cars, the two are very different (or should I say were, as I am referring to a 986 and 996).

Yes they share lots of parts, but the configuration, the handling, the way you can use the power and the sounds are all just different. Dropping off the 986 and driving out in a new 996 I expected to be wow'd, but I remember feeling that is was less nippy, less dynamic and less fun.

I don't really give a rats a** about the 'image' of a 911 v Boxster, I'm just interested in how the car drives. I had 3 Boxsters as I loved the way they drove before changing to a 911.

To the OP, I'd say go for a few test drives and see what you think. Only you can decide.

[Raitzi]

Maybe the thing is that if you simply 911 greatly, all it improves is the power output.(layout, weight, feel, two boots on c and b, price) And this is not enough for the money at least for me and also it makes it harder and harder to enjoy on normal driving.

[Dblue]

itsybitsy said:

Dblue said:

I was given a Boxster S (987) as a courtesy car when my 997GT3 was serviced a couple of years ago and it was a sweet fun car in every way with delightful handling and a raspy motor but was , of course, entirely overshadowed by the GT3.
Different to a C2 I know but in isolation the Boxster would have impressed but back to back it was miles slower and felt every bit a car worth half the price, maybe a third of the price.

i agree with above if talking about gen1 cars but not the gen2.
the spyder/cayman R were half the price of a 7gt3 but not half the car hence i opted for a spyder which is far more useable on the road.plus the fact the new 991 gt3 will now have essentially the same engine as the gen2 987/997 puts those cars in a whole new ball park.
in some ways the best car porsche now make and closer to the original concept 40 years ago is the humble 2.7 boxster although not that i would have one i would always have to take the S

Edited by itsybitsy on Thursday 13th September 13:39

Good points about the 987 and the Spyder. Certainly they are great cars but I have to say the roof on the Spyder really limits its usability. Not just the shenanigans involved in taking it off/putting it back on but the noise and limitations it imposes on day to day running.
Cayman R different kettle of fish and a very fine car. Personally, I reckon the GT3 is worth the extra but thats only when compared back to back

[itsybitsy]

yes the cayman R is the best day to day car whereas gt3 and spyder are more weekend toys which is what i wanted!hence the spyder with its removable roof and lighter clutch in traffic ,gokart like handling has the edge over a gt3,the spyder/cayman R just need a few more horses and they would eat the gt3 for breakfast so not really half value of a gt3 i would say more like 80% the value of a GT3

[Dr S]

Boxster S is the best value for money Porsche do.

Whilst I drive a GT3 I don't think I could go back to a cooking 911. I'd rather have a Boxster S then...

[Ozzie Osmond]

Drove both - bought the Boxster.

[bigee]

Had a 996 (that looked like a GT3 ) and now have a 986 Boxster S....to me,the boxster is the better drive,more precise somehow.Sure the 911 is THE car to have apparently,but, go and drive one and you will be surprised,i was/am !

[TryHarder]

Thanks again for the views and opinions :-)

[ryankelly]

I traded my Boxster S for a 996 C4S last year. I found myself missing the Boxster but didn't necessarily regret the trade. A few months ago I ended up buying my Dads (100k one owner) Boxster as it was fantastic value. I now have both at my disposal and they are fantastic cars. It is hard to beat the experience offered by the Boxster (beautiful mid engine handling, the lovely induction sounds and open top motoring). Then again the 911 is much quicker, has more torque, looks better and is an icon.

[rob.kellock]

Yeah but... the 911 isn't quicker really is it?
Not on public roads anyway. A well driven 997 turbo cannot lose a Boxster Spyder on the deserted back roads of France around LeMans. We did a proper scientific experiment and everything...

[Raitzi]

rob.kellock said:

Yeah but... the 911 isn't quicker really is it?

Not necessarily. 981 Bosxter S with PDK was clearly faster than 991 S manual in Scandinavian Sports Car of the Year test.

[FrankCayman]

Having covered 90K in a Boxster, 80K in a Cayman and around 10K in a 997 I would say my preference is.......

Cayman.

[rdjohn]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

When it comes to the cost of building these cars Porsche’s target was that 911 Turbo, should only cost $6,000 (say £4k) more to build than a Boxster. The cheaper to build Cayman probably made the difference a bit more. $US dollars were used as that is the market with the smallest margins.

[Dblue]

I have never been able to understand how Porsche get away with charging a £5k premium for taking the roof of a 997 and yet do the exact opposite further down their range.
Surely a Cayman should be cheaper than a Boxster, not the other way round

[Ozzie Osmond]

Dblue said:

Surely a Cayman should be cheaper than a Boxster, not the other way round

Marketing. So production cost is of little significance. Same rules apply in the price of items on the lengthy and expensive list of options where the cost of producing the car barely changes.

They know the Cayman is effectively a 2-seat 911 with the engine in a better position so can charge a price between Boxster and 911.

If you want a convertible - buy the Boxster
If you want a 4 seat coupe - buy the 911
If you want a coupe with beautiful mid engined balance - buy the Cayman

[nickfrog]

I agree. I suspect the 3 cars cost roughly the same to make irrespective of engine size and spec. I did say roughly, and I mean that in relation to the retail price, which must be about 4 to 5 times as much ? Just a guess.

[BnB]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

That might have been true before the 991. But not to me it isn't (now).

[996GT2]

I've had Caymans, Boxsters and 911s over the years, currently in a 997 GT2. The only car I really want to have back in my garage is the Cayman, preferably an R. When the GT2 is out of my system I'll be back in a Cayman.