Boxster S / Not quite so...
Thursday 7th November 2002
Porsche Boxster S
Robert Farago tries the updated Boxster S
Discussion
Well, driving a Boxster S for over a year by now I can't quite agree with some things the autor mentioned about the interior and exterior design.
The Boxster can be configured to your liking.
If you buy the basic car with no options you will get what you pay for: a basic driving machine with no options.
Don't like the interior design?
Get extra leather and carbon or alu trimmings, choose your colors.
Don't like the standard stereo?
Get the Bose-Upgrade, there will be more then enough power with that.
Don't like the standard seats? Get the optional sports seats or even the racing seats for track-day work.
Exhaust sound feels too tame? Get the Porsche sports exhaust system and fit a K&N Filter for truly exciting induction and exhaust noises.
Concerning the exterior styling: That's up to everyones taste - I think its great, a truly modern interpretation of the 550 Spyder (yes, there is a tradition...) and much more cohesive then a 911 Cabrio. By the way, if you opt for the lower sports suspension and 18 inch weels it looks even more serious and nobody will mistake it for a 'hairdryers car'.
I can agree with the rest though, it's truly a fantastic drive and great on tracks. How did Evo put it? "Inspires maximum attack confidence..."
Regards
Hans
>>> Edited by speedsix on Thursday 21st November 18:18
The Boxster can be configured to your liking.
If you buy the basic car with no options you will get what you pay for: a basic driving machine with no options.
Don't like the interior design?
Get extra leather and carbon or alu trimmings, choose your colors.
Don't like the standard stereo?
Get the Bose-Upgrade, there will be more then enough power with that.
Don't like the standard seats? Get the optional sports seats or even the racing seats for track-day work.
Exhaust sound feels too tame? Get the Porsche sports exhaust system and fit a K&N Filter for truly exciting induction and exhaust noises.
Concerning the exterior styling: That's up to everyones taste - I think its great, a truly modern interpretation of the 550 Spyder (yes, there is a tradition...) and much more cohesive then a 911 Cabrio. By the way, if you opt for the lower sports suspension and 18 inch weels it looks even more serious and nobody will mistake it for a 'hairdryers car'.
I can agree with the rest though, it's truly a fantastic drive and great on tracks. How did Evo put it? "Inspires maximum attack confidence..."
Regards
Hans
>>> Edited by speedsix on Thursday 21st November 18:18
I like the open-air feeling...that's why I prefer the Boxster S to the 911 Coupé (I don't like the looks of the 911 Cabrio).
But make no mistake, a standard 911 Carrera 2 Coupé is still substantially more expensive than a Boxster S with all the options I mentioned (at least here in Switzerland). And it doesn't come close to the price of a Carrera 2/4 Cabrio by a long way.
And then you start putting options in the basic Carrera...
But make no mistake, a standard 911 Carrera 2 Coupé is still substantially more expensive than a Boxster S with all the options I mentioned (at least here in Switzerland). And it doesn't come close to the price of a Carrera 2/4 Cabrio by a long way.
And then you start putting options in the basic Carrera...
Know what you mean about the 996 Cabrio. I can't do without the convertible hood myself...and the 996 Cabrio just doesn't do it for me looks wise. I'd have the 996 Coupe on that basis...but then I wouldn't have the joys of roof down motoring...
So what we need is a Boxster S with a 996 engine in it.
>> Edited by Don on Thursday 21st November 17:02
So what we need is a Boxster S with a 996 engine in it.
>> Edited by Don on Thursday 21st November 17:02
That's right, Don. But it seems that the guys in Stuttgart are not yet ready to do the job...
However, if you want to go that way, some German tuners are well able to help you out and shove a 3.4 or even 3.6 liter engine in.
Two examples:
www.roock.de
(had a good chat with the guys, they do the job for considerably less money then e.g. Ruf, and they offer you an almost realistic trade-in for your 3.2 Engine)
www.ruf-porsche.de
(the "original", hefty price however...)
But I will keep my good old 3.2 engine and get all the fun it offers, that is quite a lot anyway.
However, if you want to go that way, some German tuners are well able to help you out and shove a 3.4 or even 3.6 liter engine in.
Two examples:
www.roock.de
(had a good chat with the guys, they do the job for considerably less money then e.g. Ruf, and they offer you an almost realistic trade-in for your 3.2 Engine)
www.ruf-porsche.de
(the "original", hefty price however...)
But I will keep my good old 3.2 engine and get all the fun it offers, that is quite a lot anyway.
Don said: Know what you mean about the 996 Cabrio. I can't do without the convertible hood myself...and the 996 Cabrio just doesn't do it for me looks wise. I'd have the 996 Coupe on that basis...but then I wouldn't have the joys of roof down motoring...
So what we need is a Boxster S with a 996 engine in it.
>> Edited by Don on Thursday 21st November 17:02
Time to speak to those awfully nice people at Gemballa! 550 bhp in yer Boxster? Suit you, Sir?
derestrictor said: Time to speak to those awfully nice people at Gemballa! 550 bhp in yer Boxster? Suit you, Sir?
Ah yes. Numbers like that sound good. But, by repute, afterwards the car is no longer quite the same day to day proposition as the longevity of the engine suffers and everything else will wear more quickly too.
Quite prepared to be corrected as to the above...but this is what I've heard.
Actually, I'm with speedsix in the the 260bhp in my current '03 S is enough for now.
But...
When Stuttgart finally shoehorn in a 996's engine .. as standard .. and uprate everything else that may be affected down the line from there ... then I'll seriously have to get my chequebook out!
Don said:
When Stuttgart finally shoehorn in a 996's engine .. as standard .. and uprate everything else that may be affected down the line from there ... then I'll seriously have to get my chequebook out!
Are they going to do this? I imagine it will steal a proportion of sales from the [I expect much more profitable] 911.
No Keith. As far as I'm aware they're not planning on putting a 996 engine in it. But there could very well be an uprated engine - at least NicD (PCGB Boxster Register Sec.) seems to think so...and there was some scuttlebutt in Autocar too.
Most likely it'll be a derivation of the current engine..perhaps with a turbocharger.
One can hope! BTW: Still haven't taken you out for a demo drive. Some weekend soon?
Most likely it'll be a derivation of the current engine..perhaps with a turbocharger.
One can hope! BTW: Still haven't taken you out for a demo drive. Some weekend soon?
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