New Boxster.......why buy the 997?
Discussion
I've just picked up this week's Autocar and it shows the first official pics of the new Boxster which it says is going on sale on the 27 November (sooner than I thought).
It looks pretty good. These were my initial thoughts:
1. It's good value, £32,320 for the 2.7 and £38,720 for the S.
2. It has quite a bit of poke, 237 BHP for the 2.7 and 276 BHP for the S.
3. Stacks of exterior details are like the 997. The wheels look the same as the 997 S wheels. The shut line ahead of the rear lights is downward sloping and looks very good, just like on the 997. The door handles are the same as the 997 too.
4. The front end looks better than the 997. Less Beetle-like. I especially like the GT2-esque intakes below the headlights. I like the rear air intakes too, much better than the present car's.
5. The interior is similar to the 997's as well. OK, so it only has 3 dials and not 5, and the round air vents don't look too good, but the dash, steering wheel and doors all look identical to the 997 to me.
So, exluding options, the Boxster S is 20 grand cheaper than the 997 and quite a lot cheaper than the 997 S. I must say, it looks very tempting. I mean, approx 280 BHP aint bad, is it? We are in 993 country here.
It looks pretty good. These were my initial thoughts:
1. It's good value, £32,320 for the 2.7 and £38,720 for the S.
2. It has quite a bit of poke, 237 BHP for the 2.7 and 276 BHP for the S.
3. Stacks of exterior details are like the 997. The wheels look the same as the 997 S wheels. The shut line ahead of the rear lights is downward sloping and looks very good, just like on the 997. The door handles are the same as the 997 too.
4. The front end looks better than the 997. Less Beetle-like. I especially like the GT2-esque intakes below the headlights. I like the rear air intakes too, much better than the present car's.
5. The interior is similar to the 997's as well. OK, so it only has 3 dials and not 5, and the round air vents don't look too good, but the dash, steering wheel and doors all look identical to the 997 to me.
So, exluding options, the Boxster S is 20 grand cheaper than the 997 and quite a lot cheaper than the 997 S. I must say, it looks very tempting. I mean, approx 280 BHP aint bad, is it? We are in 993 country here.
I guess it's a double edged sword for Porsche; 911 owners resent the fact that their car looks like a cheaper, less exclusive model, yet that's the very reason people buy a Boxster, because it's 'like' a 911 for a great deal less money.
As a Porsche salesman once said to me, "everyone who comes in here wants a 911, but some people leave with a Boxster".
(and those with more money than taste leave with a Cayenne
)
As a Porsche salesman once said to me, "everyone who comes in here wants a 911, but some people leave with a Boxster".
(and those with more money than taste leave with a Cayenne
)
toppstuff said:
To which you could add...
"....and those who simply want the best possible car drop a 996TT motor into a boxster chassis, and don't care what people think you are driving..."
Yeah the Boxster handles pretty well. But you can't put a bunch of bags full of garden waste on the rear seats of a Boxster to take to the tip, can you, eh???
davyboy said:
Any mention of the coupe?
Autocar showed pics of a disguised Boxster coupe. They reckon it is tipped to be called the GTS and it won't appear intil next summer. They say it will have a lift up rear window separate from the boot lid. There are rumours a Club Sport version will be launched......yum.
They also say it will cost significantly less than the drop top, which will be termed "Roadster".
noony said:
Why get a boxster S with a few options at 40 odd k when you can have a LHD 993 RS...ferrari 355...993 turbo...
Because when it comes to actually spending the money, a lot of people want to piece of mind of a 3 year warranty and known service costs.
Any of the above 3 secondhand cars have the potential to land you with a 10 grand bill.
poorcardealer said:
THe coupe version will be a winner for Porsche, it will sell as fast as they can make it.........I think it will harm 997 sales though, especially if it drives like a 911.
...to be honest, due to the mid-engined layout, it's likely to handle BETTER than a 911. Porsche will have to cripple it in the power department to avoid losing 911 sales (from enthusiasts who don't need the two back seats).
However, 911 sales to the status-conscious will remain unaffected.
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