Elise to Boxster S - anybody done it?

[limpsfield]

I am sure there must be others out there who have been through the same thought process and may have actually done it, or decided against it.

I bought my 111r in July last year and it is very much a weekend/sunny evening car but I have covered around 6,000 miles since then. It has a sports exhaust on it and sounds fantastic - I love it.

But...there are lots of other cars out there too that I think as a petrol head you have to own for a bit if you can. If I could, I would keep the Lotus as well - but that's not really an option.

So one of those cars that I have to try is the Boxster S.

So I was thinking, if I really want to change now is the time to do it - mine has just been serviced and MOT'd, summer is coming so I need to be thinking about changing now, or decide to hold on for another year.

Pros for Lotus:

I love it
The noise
The looks
The colour
The handling
The positive reaction (only had someone shout "" at me once - rest of the time all very positive)

Cons for Lotus:

err...I would maybe use a Boxster a bit more day to day. And I think that's it.



Pros for Boxster

It is considered by many to be the best all-round sportscar
Bit more practical
Its an itch I would like to scratch

Cons for Boxster

Image
Ubiquity
I perceive it as being not as much of an event as the Lotus.

So, what thoughts are there on going from this



to this?

[Grinnders]

I went from S1 to 997 C2S. I believe in horse for courses.

So what's your new course (expected usage profile)?

[limpsfield]

Grinnders said:

I went from S1 to 997 C2S. I believe in horse for courses.

So what's your new course (expected usage profile)?

Not massively different Grinnders. Maybe the odd trip during the week into work in London but I would still keep my Alfa as an every day car. It is more about trying out another car rather than a change in my situation. Another consideration was the Z4M coupe, but after driving arond today with the roof off, I would miss that and I don't like the look of the Z4M convertible.

[Grinnders]

Well I won't argue against the Carrera 2S wheels.

my new motor.


There is certainly something more of an "event" of travelling in and being noticed in a Lotus. No debate. Porsches are more common and most people seem them as generically the same.

I changed from an S1 to a 911 because my commute changed from 16 miles to 70 miles a day. I don't have much time for a weekend only car so needed my driving thrills to be accessible mid-week. I'm not badge concious. I just wanted an automatic (tiptronic) because of the expected traffic jams that wasn't slower than the Lotus!

It's obviously not a boxster, and for the same journey I think you may find the boxster is more relaxing but less engaging. Is that what you want?

From a 911 perspective I feel more like a pilot than a driver... the boxster although a very capable car may be similar.

As I stated, horses for courses....

[limpsfield]

Grinnders said:

I think you may find the boxster is more relaxing but less engaging. Is that what you want?

From a 911 perspective I feel more like a pilot than a driver... the boxster although a very capable car may be similar.

I think this is spot on with how I think they will be different. I will sort out a test drive and see.

I do love the Lotus because it is so low, small and great fun at legal speeds. I think if those things are important to someone as a driver, there is almost always going to be a compromise in going to anything else.

Thanks for the pointers.

[Grinnders]

No problem. If I was still doing my old commute I couldn't justify a 911 and I doubt a boxster would have given me as much smiles per mile as my standard S1. You can do a lot to the Lotus to improve it with a modest budget... Porsche's generally are already well spec'd.... I'm a bit older and have little hair so feel a little more conspicuous in a convertible these days.

[TIPPER]

A while ago now, but I bought an Elise (S1 as it turn out) instead of a Boxter.
I was looking for a fun car and test drove (amongst others) a Boxster, S2 Elise and Vx Turbo. In the end the S1 Elise got the nod (despite being the slowest) as it was just so alive. Of the others the Boxster felt most like a normal car, albeit one with great steering (although not as good as the Elises) and balance.
I think a few have gone Elise to Boxster and back but I'm sure just as many have gone Boxster - Elise and back, finding the Elise too raw.
I'd try and get a good hour or two test drive of a Boxster and then drive the Elise home. You'll probably know the answer (for you) then.

[S Works]

Tipper speaks sense. You've gotta buy it because you love driving it, not for what you *think* about it. I now drive my other half's 350Z and whilst I miss some days when having a very lightweight sportscar is a plus, generally it ticks all the boxes that any of my previous Elises did, and then some more. I love it. Would I have a Lotus in the garage too if time and money allowed, hell yeah! If I had to choose between the two though, the Zed wins for an "everything" roadster.

[F.C.]

I had a Boxster S then to an M3 to a 911 Turbo to a Noble M400 to a Ferrari F430 to an Exige S
All of these cars have merit in one way or another but The Noble and the Exige put the biggest smile on my face by far.
F.C.

[chieflief]

Of all the cars mentioned the lotus has the most character for sure (except maybe the Noble) - and gets the most respect from me!

[The devil]

I have recently got rid of my exige which was great and always a hoot to drive (Istill have an S1 Elise which is great as well), I test drove a 911 turbo, it was a very capable car and obviously went like stink, then I test drove a Noble M12, well, coming from an Exige, it was like driving a grown up version of the Exige. Consequently I bought the Noble. The trouble now is finding enough excuses to go out for a blast. If you like the handling and the feeling of being connected to your car its brilliant.
I have just started another thread on here (which would you buy) I think its called! I am looking to get another Exige to replace my Elise for the wife to use, we love the Lotus's and they are very similar to the Noble.
Good luck in your decision.

[limpsfield]

Thanks for all the opinions so far. I think I need to spend some time with a Boxster to make my decision so I am going to hire one for a day in the next month and give it a whirl.

[Ryder35]

If you are genuine about buying you may want to speak to Bruce at porsche Centre Mid Sussex. I am an ex customer but don't have a porsche at the moment. Bruce gladly lent me a 911s for 24 hours for free. Ask and it might save you the hire cost!

[Chris49]

I asked the same question a few months back -

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Shnozz]

yep, I did. My change was prompted by the fact that I rarely drove the elise as my (then) everyday x-type was far more convenient to use, albeit no sports car. I found 95% of my driving was in the Jag and 5% in the Lotus.

The Boxster is 95% of the drive of the Lotus but capable of being used 100% of the time without compromise.

The Elise is a better drivers car, but not vastly so and (perhaps this is just me) but the more forgiving nature of the Boxster handling means I tend to push it a bit more for knowledge that the PSM has shown its pretty incredible at what it can save you from, and yet really lets you have an awful lot of fun before it gets involved (ie you really have to take the p1ss).

The main difference is that the Porch carries a stigma and you are no longer an enthusiast putting up with the compromises of a stripped sports car for the joy of driving - you are just driving a very capable sports car that can do the daily with no hardship. As such, you are just as likely to buy one with your bonus as a status symbol because you wont soon tire of the smell of fibreglass or the tent like roof arrangement etc.

I've just got back from a long b/h weekend touring through france with Davey in his Cayman S. On French roads both cars were awesome. We camped some nights and so were carrying large amounts of stuff which each car swallowed comfortably, happy to cruise at xxx kph with ease, air con on and BOSE stereo playing tunes and doing 3 - 4 hour stints on the payage. Switched off the payage and country lane, sweeping bends and some big overtakes and once again the car comes into its own. Not only that, but in France both cars drew positive attention rather than jealousy! For that sort of trip, it all makes a lot of sense. Incidentally, Dave went from an Elise>Exige>Cayman S largely on the basis of doing european trips.

Wouldf I buy another Lotus? Yes, possibly. I still love them and I am certainly no Porsche fan boy. However, I can certainly now see the attraction of Porsche (albeit still not that keen on the looks). It simply does everything fantastically well without making anything a hardship.

[Grinnders]

Chris49 said:

I asked the same question a few months back -

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

and who could believe that 8 months ago I thought the 911 had a fat arse. Now look at
me?
Ultimately two factors ruled out the Cayman... The nose (can't get over MY "not round" headlight phobia) and the practicality.... Yes with kiddie seats and more storage capacity the 911 became the more practial option. What d'ya know?

[kambites]

Grinnders said:

Chris49 said:

I asked the same question a few months back -

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

and who could believe that 8 months ago I thought the 911 had a fat arse.

Well it does. Horribly proportioned car.

[Boggy]

I'd recommend you go and drive a few Porka's 1st first and see what you think

I've been down this road now twice in the last 2 years, for me it would have been a huge mistake as I don't use the car daily. Thought 1st about buying either a Cayman or a Boxster, then a 911 C2S. I've test driven all variant's I.e. a(Cayman S,Boxster S, 911 C2, 911 C2S) the only one I'd think of buying after the test drives is the 911 C2S but not until I couldn't get in a Lotus anymore

As far as an S1, I wouldn't bother as you've already got a superior car with the R, don't get me wrong a Porka is a great car if you want to go touring but it's no Lotus and if you want a fun car isn't worth the spend

Boggy

[limpsfield]

Thanks again for the replies

Shnozz said:

The Boxster is 95% of the drive of the Lotus but capable of being used 100% of the time without compromise.

That is an interesting comment - my perception was that the boxster would be much less of a drive - so 95% would be fine with me. Again, I will have to try it out.

Shnozz said:

The main difference is that the Porch carries a stigma and you are no longer an enthusiast putting up with the compromises of a stripped sports car for the joy of driving

and that's my opinion too..my subconcious reaction when I see them is "how unimaginative"..which does it a disservice.

Boggy said:

..but it's no Lotus and if you want a fun car isn't worth the spend

I think the problem is that I have been spoilt for other cars. The Lotus is the first sportscar I have had in many years and I have been blown away by it - I would not hesitate to reccommend one to anybody who was looking for a second fun car.

Like many on here I jump at any excuse to go out in it - this weekend I have a great trip planned, just me and the car up to North Wales from Surrey, then a couple of days driving from North to South Wales before picking up the M4 and back to civilisation. If I was told tomorrow I could never have another car it would be no hardship to keep this one forever.

But of course we can have other cars and there are loads still on my list - Z4M/350z/caterham/911/Exige/Vantage/Lambo/Ferrari/R8 etc. The logical next step for me is the Boxster (in terms of price and roof-off for the summer). So I am pretty sure I will be making the change - and if I hate the Boxster I would have no hesitancy in getting rid. And none about getting back into Lotus again.

Thanks very much for the comments so far

[crazy6]

Anyone got any pointers ( URL's, online articles etc.. ) on just how light and powerful you could get a stock boxster? I don't want to kill myself driving it but if I had to move from the elise I wondered if modifying a boxster would be a route worth pursuing? ( porting engine, induction, increasing volume of air moving though, ECU/chip upgrades + getting rid of unecessray weight - sat nav, heavey seat etc... ).