HELP----DECISION NEW BOXSTER S OR USED 996 C2/4
Discussion
Aaaahhh. I debated this very issue.
A 996 will have more grunt.
But will not be as neutral in handling.
It does have two occasional rear seats (useful).
But when touring the rear luggage area is less good than the closed boot of the Boxster.
If you need to get the roof off - the Cabrio 996 is....well...an acquired tasete (with a fat @rse!
)
You could get a used 996 RIGHT NOW! You will wait for the Boxster S.
Lots to consider. I'd say go test drive one and check you like it. I might yet get a 996 on another occasion - but not yet. I love the mid-engined handling and two seater format too much to change right now. But one day...maybe.
A 996 will have more grunt.
But will not be as neutral in handling.
It does have two occasional rear seats (useful).
But when touring the rear luggage area is less good than the closed boot of the Boxster.
If you need to get the roof off - the Cabrio 996 is....well...an acquired tasete (with a fat @rse!
) You could get a used 996 RIGHT NOW! You will wait for the Boxster S.
Lots to consider. I'd say go test drive one and check you like it. I might yet get a 996 on another occasion - but not yet. I love the mid-engined handling and two seater format too much to change right now. But one day...maybe.
Steve,
Get hold of an issue of Evo magazine # 011 from September 1999.
This is the issue where they first test the Boxster S
It is a great review and it earns its ***** (5 star) rating.
Then go to pages 066 & 067 here they compare the Boxster S to the 996 even though the 2 cars had a whopping £22k differential they felt that the 996 was the one to buy.
Just for clarification this was an S vs a coupe 996.
I may be a little biased owning a C2 coupe,but I didn't think it was too difficult a choice,at least for me.
As for handling on a 996 if you get one with Sports chassis or if you can live with the sports suspension,then I don't think you will have too many problems.
Get hold of an issue of Evo magazine # 011 from September 1999.
This is the issue where they first test the Boxster S
It is a great review and it earns its ***** (5 star) rating.
Then go to pages 066 & 067 here they compare the Boxster S to the 996 even though the 2 cars had a whopping £22k differential they felt that the 996 was the one to buy.
Just for clarification this was an S vs a coupe 996.
I may be a little biased owning a C2 coupe,but I didn't think it was too difficult a choice,at least for me.
As for handling on a 996 if you get one with Sports chassis or if you can live with the sports suspension,then I don't think you will have too many problems.
I went to buy a carrera 4 cab earlier this year 1990 £16k when i had it checked by the AA They said it was "no good" needed a lot of money spending even though it had a FSH and was recording low mileage. The AA disputed the mileage due to the wear on the car.
So I though just do it so I went and ordered a new boxster and yes I have to wait and its a 2.7 not 3.6 but its new and with a warenty
so we all have the choice to make so you make your own choice
So I though just do it so I went and ordered a new boxster and yes I have to wait and its a 2.7 not 3.6 but its new and with a warenty
so we all have the choice to make so you make your own choice
i went for a used 996 coupe 2; no regrets. Great car, and i went from a Cerbera 4.5 to it. Didnt even think to look at the Boxster as all of my friends would have asked me why didnt i get the 996 or a 993. I started off looking at some of the older porsches,but couldnt make my mind up; the 996 made it up for me.
Went though the same thing, ordered a 2003 boxster (last August) and the wait was just to much, so started to look at second hand to fill the gap. Well I to my local OPC one Saturday morning and there was a 99 996 Cab. It was mine with in a few hours and the money was almost the same. I feel the 996 is more what I was after, my mate has a Boxster and it is a different type of car. Seems smaller and perhaps better to though around. But my mate and I am sort of the same, we do not drive at break neck speed every where and we feel that the 996 and the Boxster are great looking cars and the power and handling are not the top thought is some peoples minds when then by either.
I would say that either would be good, but which one do you like the look of best, from the drives seat at normal speed you will find it hard to tell the difference…….I dear what will I start by saying that? I have driven both for long period and as I have said for long normal (not fast sweeping roads or trakes) you will find it exactly the same to drive. I only went for the 996 Cab as I like the sort top idea (that's why I wanted a Boxster) but I also love the locals of the 996.
What every you do you will be in heaven!
I would say that either would be good, but which one do you like the look of best, from the drives seat at normal speed you will find it hard to tell the difference…….I dear what will I start by saying that? I have driven both for long period and as I have said for long normal (not fast sweeping roads or trakes) you will find it exactly the same to drive. I only went for the 996 Cab as I like the sort top idea (that's why I wanted a Boxster) but I also love the locals of the 996.
What every you do you will be in heaven!
you know it makes sense. 
This seems to be the most frequently asked question on every porsche forum i visit. If only Porsche would read these boards occasionally and they'd realise that the Boxster and 911 are already treading on each others toes and at the same time they are completely different animals. I'm sure that the profit would be just as big - perhaps higher - if they sold a 3.6ltr 320 bhp boxster for say £55k as a basic price. then we could make a true choice. Either pay a few £000's more for the back seats and get the GT experience or get the raw mid engined finely balanced open top sports car. We know it can be done - Ruf have!
Anyhow - i've had the 996 - cabrio and targa and hopefully my Boxster S is being made this week and if the ship can manage to avoid sinking in the channel i will be able to tell you if i made the right move 1st week in January.
Anyhow - i've had the 996 - cabrio and targa and hopefully my Boxster S is being made this week and if the ship can manage to avoid sinking in the channel i will be able to tell you if i made the right move 1st week in January.
mr_tony said: I'm currently deliberating a similar move, like the Boxster S very very much, but as Mr Plato said last night on Drivel,
"Everyone should own a 911 at least once"
... Sounds like good advice to me! ...
Does sound it, doesn't it. Unfortunately I HAVE had a 911 so that excuse won't work on the wife!
Seriously though. If I didn't need the roof off thing it would be a harder choice between fine mid-engined handling and a 996C4 Coupe's 4WD and stunning looks. I've made my choice (BoxS) and I'll happily stick with it for a while, I think.
mr_tony said: Saw your S on Sunday Don, very nice, wasn't sure about the guards red from photos of other cars, but up close and in the metal yours really is stunning!
Somehow missed you as I just popped by, but will make a point of saying hello next time.
Thank you very much and I'll look forward to it.
I am very pleased with the car. I think its the clear/white lenses that make the red work so well...with the amber lenses I had on my '01 Boxster S I think the darker colours worked better...but there you go.
And each to their own of course....
I happen to LOVE Guards Red.
..I have seen a nice 996c2 G3 look ......sorely tempted!Steve,,why not get the 996 & still have the option of the Boxster in 6 mths.If you want it & hopefully we get our 3 sunny days in July you can go with the Boxster.
One catch is the flatnose...
I planned to keep my Clubsport & 996 to see which one I kept...I sold the CS 1 week before my new arrival & feel it was the right thing to do.
It will take you a few months to appreciate the 996 (no joke).You may find the cars similar in layout with the 996 easier to use.At least with the Boxster & Flatnose you have close to the best of both worlds.
Get the 996 out of your system.
One catch is the flatnose...
I planned to keep my Clubsport & 996 to see which one I kept...I sold the CS 1 week before my new arrival & feel it was the right thing to do.
It will take you a few months to appreciate the 996 (no joke).You may find the cars similar in layout with the 996 easier to use.At least with the Boxster & Flatnose you have close to the best of both worlds.
Get the 996 out of your system.
Have fun...one thing,i had a test drive of a 996 & bought mine on what i thought was a deal...When I picked it up with 8 miles on the clock I really wondered what I had done for the first few hours after getting out of the '80s 911.
I really think the 996 grows on you after a few thousand miles,great thing is,if you like it on the test drive then you will surely like it more as time goes on.
I think it makes sense to get one with GT3 type intensions,as if you get in one specced up as a Merc coupe wannabe,you will find it a different car.
I hope the test drive goes well.
One last thing getting out of a torquey '80s car you will find the pre facelift 996 a bit sluggish at lower revs...as it will probably be a shortish test,remember to give it a bit more revs as it only gets on song above 4000rpm when the varioram opens up....
If you don't drive it this way you may totally miss the best part.
I really think the 996 grows on you after a few thousand miles,great thing is,if you like it on the test drive then you will surely like it more as time goes on.
I think it makes sense to get one with GT3 type intensions,as if you get in one specced up as a Merc coupe wannabe,you will find it a different car.
I hope the test drive goes well.
One last thing getting out of a torquey '80s car you will find the pre facelift 996 a bit sluggish at lower revs...as it will probably be a shortish test,remember to give it a bit more revs as it only gets on song above 4000rpm when the varioram opens up....
If you don't drive it this way you may totally miss the best part.
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff