Does a 987.2 Boxster S feel special?
Discussion
I currently own an Elise 111R, prior to that a TVR Chimaera. Both used purely as fun cars, trips to the Nurburgring with friends, early morning drives when the roads are quiet, ferrying my kids about of an evening when the weather is good, that kind of thing.
I owned the TVR for seven years, totally re built it and enjoyed it for what it was, which to me was a 8/10ths type of car.
Ive not owned the Elise for very long, I love the look of it, it feels like an event to drive, I love the way it handles, love the direct feeling of the controls but the getting in and out is a mission and the engine lacks character.
On paper a 987.2 Boxster S is comparable money wise to my Elise, I'm just wondering if they feel special? I'm interested in peoples opinions who own one or have owned one. I realise that I need to have a drive of one to make my own mind up but realistically I'm not going to change the Elise until I have given it more of a chance to get under my skin and I don't want to waste anyones time who is selling a Boxster.
Cheers Paul.
I owned the TVR for seven years, totally re built it and enjoyed it for what it was, which to me was a 8/10ths type of car.
Ive not owned the Elise for very long, I love the look of it, it feels like an event to drive, I love the way it handles, love the direct feeling of the controls but the getting in and out is a mission and the engine lacks character.
On paper a 987.2 Boxster S is comparable money wise to my Elise, I'm just wondering if they feel special? I'm interested in peoples opinions who own one or have owned one. I realise that I need to have a drive of one to make my own mind up but realistically I'm not going to change the Elise until I have given it more of a chance to get under my skin and I don't want to waste anyones time who is selling a Boxster.
Cheers Paul.
italian job said:
I currently own an Elise 111R, prior to that a TVR Chimaera. Both used purely as fun cars, trips to the Nurburgring with friends, early morning drives when the roads are quiet, ferrying my kids about of an evening when the weather is good, that kind of thing.
I owned the TVR for seven years, totally re built it and enjoyed it for what it was, which to me was a 8/10ths type of car.
Ive not owned the Elise for very long, I love the look of it, it feels like an event to drive, I love the way it handles, love the direct feeling of the controls but the getting in and out is a mission and the engine lacks character.
On paper a 987.2 Boxster S is comparable money wise to my Elise, I'm just wondering if they feel special? I'm interested in peoples opinions who own one or have owned one. I realise that I need to have a drive of one to make my own mind up but realistically I'm not going to change the Elise until I have given it more of a chance to get under my skin and I don't want to waste anyones time who is selling a Boxster.
Cheers Paul.
You are screwed :-)I owned the TVR for seven years, totally re built it and enjoyed it for what it was, which to me was a 8/10ths type of car.
Ive not owned the Elise for very long, I love the look of it, it feels like an event to drive, I love the way it handles, love the direct feeling of the controls but the getting in and out is a mission and the engine lacks character.
On paper a 987.2 Boxster S is comparable money wise to my Elise, I'm just wondering if they feel special? I'm interested in peoples opinions who own one or have owned one. I realise that I need to have a drive of one to make my own mind up but realistically I'm not going to change the Elise until I have given it more of a chance to get under my skin and I don't want to waste anyones time who is selling a Boxster.
Cheers Paul.
Any one who has owned a Lotus, then tries to find a car which feels like a Lotus but works.
This is not possible, I chased this with circa buying 76 of some of the worlds best known sports cars.
I did stop and find a keeper in 2011 it is my 987.2 Spyder, I call it my larger working Exige and it’s the closest thing to a Lotus Porsche make.
I still buy many cars and I will still end up with another Lotus I hope one day.
The 987,2 Boxster is 80% there so yes it’s feels special and you can mod it or even for the Spyder shocks to it.
Best £20k sports car for sale today maybe.
. Cheers for taking the time to reply.“A bit of a mission getting in” I can sympathise with.
There has to be a market for a small light weight and fun car that doesn’t require an act of contortion to get into.
Especially if you keep you car in a garage or want to park it anywhere whilst out and about.
The Boxster is a great car, not sure it’s totally special. But great fun.
I expect to end up with a 4.0 GTS and be very happy with it. Just have a few other cars to work through first. A few more years of contortion ahead yet
There has to be a market for a small light weight and fun car that doesn’t require an act of contortion to get into.
Especially if you keep you car in a garage or want to park it anywhere whilst out and about.
The Boxster is a great car, not sure it’s totally special. But great fun.
I expect to end up with a 4.0 GTS and be very happy with it. Just have a few other cars to work through first. A few more years of contortion ahead yet
supersport said:
“A bit of a mission getting in” I can sympathise with.
There has to be a market for a small light weight and fun car that doesn’t require an act of contortion to get into.
Especially if you keep you car in a garage or want to park it anywhere whilst out and about.
The Boxster is a great car, not sure it’s totally special. But great fun.
I expect to end up with a 4.0 GTS and be very happy with it. Just have a few other cars to work through first. A few more years of contortion ahead yet
You won’t be 100 happy with it if you own a Lotus.There has to be a market for a small light weight and fun car that doesn’t require an act of contortion to get into.
Especially if you keep you car in a garage or want to park it anywhere whilst out and about.
The Boxster is a great car, not sure it’s totally special. But great fun.
I expect to end up with a 4.0 GTS and be very happy with it. Just have a few other cars to work through first. A few more years of contortion ahead yet
And that’s the rub, no new car will even feel like the older cars now. Hence why I do own my 987.2 car.
GTS would be a nice car as a daily bit you wont want to get up at 6am on a Sunday and take it for drive.
Porsche911R said:
You are screwed :-)
Any one who has owned a Lotus, then tries to find a car which feels like a Lotus but works.
This is not possible, I chased this with circa buying 76 of some of the worlds best known sports cars.
I did stop and find a keeper in 2011 it is my 987.2 Spyder, I call it my larger working Exige and it’s the closest thing to a Lotus Porsche make.
I still buy many cars and I will still end up with another Lotus I hope one day.
The 987,2 Boxster is 80% there so yes it’s feels special and you can mod it or even for the Spyder shocks to it.
Best £20k sports car for sale today maybe.
It is a problem. I don't mind the getting in and out malarkey it's the lack of luggage space that compromises my Elise. The Boxster Spyder is an interesting suggestion, I just wish they didn't all seem to be white with black wheels. Red with silver wheels would be great.Any one who has owned a Lotus, then tries to find a car which feels like a Lotus but works.
This is not possible, I chased this with circa buying 76 of some of the worlds best known sports cars.
I did stop and find a keeper in 2011 it is my 987.2 Spyder, I call it my larger working Exige and it’s the closest thing to a Lotus Porsche make.
I still buy many cars and I will still end up with another Lotus I hope one day.
The 987,2 Boxster is 80% there so yes it’s feels special and you can mod it or even for the Spyder shocks to it.
Best £20k sports car for sale today maybe.
Venisonpie said:
It is a problem. I don't mind the getting in and out malarkey it's the lack of luggage space that compromises my Elise. The Boxster Spyder is an interesting suggestion, I just wish they didn't all seem to be white with black wheels. Red with silver wheels would be great.
Mine is white with silver wheels, very classy imo. It did to me, although mine was a 55 plate Cayman S
I'd previously owned a Griff 500, and more recently had owned a VX220 and a turbo version.
What made it feel special to me was the engine noise, especially cold start up in the mornings.
Then there was the build quality, although mine had the leather dash/door cards, which for me added that special touch.
I remember describing the car to my dad.
I told him I loved it, it's a sports car that is also luxurious, and very well made.
I think I could still be tempted into another one today.
A number of years later I had a 981 Cayman S, it didn't feel quite so special as my memories of the earlier car. Only kept it 5 months.
I'd previously owned a Griff 500, and more recently had owned a VX220 and a turbo version.
What made it feel special to me was the engine noise, especially cold start up in the mornings.
Then there was the build quality, although mine had the leather dash/door cards, which for me added that special touch.
I remember describing the car to my dad.
I told him I loved it, it's a sports car that is also luxurious, and very well made.
I think I could still be tempted into another one today.
A number of years later I had a 981 Cayman S, it didn't feel quite so special as my memories of the earlier car. Only kept it 5 months.
Timely thread Italian Job, I'm mulling over the same question right now so I'll be following with interest!
My job may change soon and if so I'll be going back to a 20 minute commute on A and B roads and I have narrowed the choices of daily down to 987.2 Cayman/Boxster and Elise/Exige. I used to own an Elise S1 and used to daily it in the summer months so I have some experience of the whole getting in and out thing
My job may change soon and if so I'll be going back to a 20 minute commute on A and B roads and I have narrowed the choices of daily down to 987.2 Cayman/Boxster and Elise/Exige. I used to own an Elise S1 and used to daily it in the summer months so I have some experience of the whole getting in and out thing
Hi OP ,
1 . I bought an Elise R 2010 ( 2zz NA 189bhp 133 lb-ft ) on 3/3/20 , but have only driven it from B&C back home in torrential rain , so can’t comment ..... waiting for the right conditions ( my hay fever is a real bore ) for my first proper drive in it , as I believe this variant really needs to be revved . Absolutely standard , except for a 2bular exhaust set to LOUD
2. Tried an Elise many , many times and didn’t get one because I couldn’t get in and out .
Then after many years decided that it was now or never , and did 2 things .
Firstly started extreme stretching
Secondly devised my own technique...... one leg in , sit on sill , stretch right back , and almost go horizontal , get second leg in , use arms to lever yourself off sill , move sideways , drop into seat .
Works a treat .Try it .
3. Have pretty much the last 981S Boxster into the UK . It’s not dissimilar to the 987.2 .
Done 32,000 miles in it
Use it only on the continent
Been brilliant , BUT it is a filtered experience.
Only gets really exciting at v high speeds .
Over long gearing is the drawback to the brilliant PDK and the wonderful flat 6.
You can enjoy either one at any one time , or enjoy both simultaneously and risk losing your license .
4. But this is also true of any supercar ..... Countach , Murcie , KTM X BOW , all show a different and brilliant side at high revs and high speed...... while risking the lock up ( cf the lockdown , ha, ha )
5. I find my MX5 Series 1 me you great fun at a reasonable cost .... can’t speak highly enough of my 142,000 mile 27 year old Series 1.
My most memorable journeys on the Route Napoleon , Col du Turini , part of the Mille Miglia were in the MX5 .
You get to use every rev in every gear . Brilliant fun .
Did the same trips in the 981S at a higher speed , and it was fun , but I couldn’t use more than the first 3 gears , which was intensely frustrating .
The Lambos on the passes with their poor turning circles were a minor nightmare .... don’t believe Topgear , who prob have the passes closed for them allowing the full width of the road to be used .
In the summer I could probably walk the Stelvio faster than drive it in a wide car .
And it would be more fun , certainly less nerve wracking .
6. My wife adores the 981 S over all the others ..... comfortable , huge luggage capacity etc
I love it too , but it lacks edge .... I think it was designed to lack edge.
The only criticism that you could reasonably level at it is that it is very civilised.
That’s not actually a fault ... it just might be something that not everyone wants .
7. Now please tell ( ie anyone on this forum ) of your experience , and how to get the best out of a 2zz naturally aspirated 189 bhp Elise .
1 . I bought an Elise R 2010 ( 2zz NA 189bhp 133 lb-ft ) on 3/3/20 , but have only driven it from B&C back home in torrential rain , so can’t comment ..... waiting for the right conditions ( my hay fever is a real bore ) for my first proper drive in it , as I believe this variant really needs to be revved . Absolutely standard , except for a 2bular exhaust set to LOUD
2. Tried an Elise many , many times and didn’t get one because I couldn’t get in and out .
Then after many years decided that it was now or never , and did 2 things .
Firstly started extreme stretching
Secondly devised my own technique...... one leg in , sit on sill , stretch right back , and almost go horizontal , get second leg in , use arms to lever yourself off sill , move sideways , drop into seat .
Works a treat .Try it .
3. Have pretty much the last 981S Boxster into the UK . It’s not dissimilar to the 987.2 .
Done 32,000 miles in it
Use it only on the continent
Been brilliant , BUT it is a filtered experience.
Only gets really exciting at v high speeds .
Over long gearing is the drawback to the brilliant PDK and the wonderful flat 6.
You can enjoy either one at any one time , or enjoy both simultaneously and risk losing your license .
4. But this is also true of any supercar ..... Countach , Murcie , KTM X BOW , all show a different and brilliant side at high revs and high speed...... while risking the lock up ( cf the lockdown , ha, ha )
5. I find my MX5 Series 1 me you great fun at a reasonable cost .... can’t speak highly enough of my 142,000 mile 27 year old Series 1.
My most memorable journeys on the Route Napoleon , Col du Turini , part of the Mille Miglia were in the MX5 .
You get to use every rev in every gear . Brilliant fun .
Did the same trips in the 981S at a higher speed , and it was fun , but I couldn’t use more than the first 3 gears , which was intensely frustrating .
The Lambos on the passes with their poor turning circles were a minor nightmare .... don’t believe Topgear , who prob have the passes closed for them allowing the full width of the road to be used .
In the summer I could probably walk the Stelvio faster than drive it in a wide car .
And it would be more fun , certainly less nerve wracking .
6. My wife adores the 981 S over all the others ..... comfortable , huge luggage capacity etc
I love it too , but it lacks edge .... I think it was designed to lack edge.
The only criticism that you could reasonably level at it is that it is very civilised.
That’s not actually a fault ... it just might be something that not everyone wants .
7. Now please tell ( ie anyone on this forum ) of your experience , and how to get the best out of a 2zz naturally aspirated 189 bhp Elise .
Edited by carspath on Sunday 14th June 16:32
Some really interesting points, cheers for taking the time.
The Elise was a now or never thing for me truthfully, the getting in and out thing isn't insurmountable, I know that.
Part of the problem is down to the timing of buying the car...a couple of weeks prior to lockdown....not the cars fault, the only real use its had is the odd commute to work but I try to cycle if I can where that is concerned.
Im booked on a track day in July, I'm are that will ignite a spark.
Your Elise has the same engine as mine 2ZZ 189 bhp, TRD airbox which is Loud...exhaust, virtually silent.
The Elise was a now or never thing for me truthfully, the getting in and out thing isn't insurmountable, I know that.
Part of the problem is down to the timing of buying the car...a couple of weeks prior to lockdown....not the cars fault, the only real use its had is the odd commute to work but I try to cycle if I can where that is concerned.
Im booked on a track day in July, I'm are that will ignite a spark.
Your Elise has the same engine as mine 2ZZ 189 bhp, TRD airbox which is Loud...exhaust, virtually silent.
I found the boot space in my 111R adequate. I did daily it when I first had it. I found it ok, even did a 220 mile round trip init. I was fine, mrs wasn’t that impressed though. She always had a cushion in the boot!
I did find when I went down the 2 car route it made the Elise feel even more special though.
I did find when I went down the 2 car route it made the Elise feel even more special though.
I had a 987.2 Spyder and I've spent the last 6 years regretting selling it and looking for something else that would be a good replacement, I've ended up with a V6 Exige which a simple description would be the Spyder +.
The Spyder has a few differences which makes it feel more special than a standard 987.2 (visually and mechanically) but I have a friend who has a 987.1 Boxster which he's spent a few grand on (exhaust, springs, tune, geo) and it really is a great car, as exciting as the Spyder but including mods would be cheaper overall.
I think non GT Porsches are a bit bland or "safe" out of the box but they have great chassis and you can create a great performance car with a few select mods. I had a 911 which was transformed with different springs and a more aggressive geo set up.
The Spyder has a few differences which makes it feel more special than a standard 987.2 (visually and mechanically) but I have a friend who has a 987.1 Boxster which he's spent a few grand on (exhaust, springs, tune, geo) and it really is a great car, as exciting as the Spyder but including mods would be cheaper overall.
I think non GT Porsches are a bit bland or "safe" out of the box but they have great chassis and you can create a great performance car with a few select mods. I had a 911 which was transformed with different springs and a more aggressive geo set up.
Depends on budget I guess. But the nearest thing ti an Elise that you can get in and out of is an Evora, it has many of the Lotus traits of steering, handling etc but is easier to use whilst retaining the sense of occasion.
Alfa 4c with the bump steer mod is interesting, I thought it was a lot like an Elise
Porsche911R's comment is interesting, and made me think "What will make you want to get up early to go for a drive?" There aren't that many cars that do that.
Alfa 4c with the bump steer mod is interesting, I thought it was a lot like an Elise
Porsche911R's comment is interesting, and made me think "What will make you want to get up early to go for a drive?" There aren't that many cars that do that.
I don’t think that most cars built this century feel very special.
There is nothing like a cable connected to the right pedal opening a bunch of butterfly valves, no Catalytic converter, no traction control, no power steering, no servoed /ABS brakes.
I do not think that any other company has come close to Lotus for understanding the relationship between chassis weight and suspension.
The visceral connection between man and machine has largely been lost. Having said all that Porsches are at the “very best of a bad bunch” end of the spectrum.
There is nothing like a cable connected to the right pedal opening a bunch of butterfly valves, no Catalytic converter, no traction control, no power steering, no servoed /ABS brakes.
I do not think that any other company has come close to Lotus for understanding the relationship between chassis weight and suspension.
The visceral connection between man and machine has largely been lost. Having said all that Porsches are at the “very best of a bad bunch” end of the spectrum.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
the issue is the 981 was a poor drive all told, if you come from an older car the 981 feels like Merc.they are just nice cars, nothing more. Nothing new will be as feel some as a 987.2 and that's still new enough not to spend 2 hours every Saturday working on it for that Sunday drive or having engine worries.
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