Lotus Elise Vs Boxster S
Discussion
Hey all,
I'm having some thoughts about maybe changing my current car, Lotus Elise S2. Now, I have to admit, I love that car and my gut reaction is that I want to get straight into another Lotus, Possibly an Exige S. However, I can't help but noticing the number of people, journos mainly, raving about the boxster S. Without meaning to sound derrogatory, I always assumed the Boxster to be a little bit, well, tame, possibly even a wee bit of a badge rather than the highly focused driving tool you could argue that the Exige is. But how can I Ignore the number of drivers that swear by it?
Ignoring the fact that it happens to be a Porsche, in terms of driving, how do you think the Boxster S would stack up to the Elise or Exige? I know the Lotus' are Quicker, Lighter, noisier and more "raw" and the Porker is better built but would you say the Boxster is on par with them dynamically?
I'm having some thoughts about maybe changing my current car, Lotus Elise S2. Now, I have to admit, I love that car and my gut reaction is that I want to get straight into another Lotus, Possibly an Exige S. However, I can't help but noticing the number of people, journos mainly, raving about the boxster S. Without meaning to sound derrogatory, I always assumed the Boxster to be a little bit, well, tame, possibly even a wee bit of a badge rather than the highly focused driving tool you could argue that the Exige is. But how can I Ignore the number of drivers that swear by it?
Ignoring the fact that it happens to be a Porsche, in terms of driving, how do you think the Boxster S would stack up to the Elise or Exige? I know the Lotus' are Quicker, Lighter, noisier and more "raw" and the Porker is better built but would you say the Boxster is on par with them dynamically?
I bought an Elise when they were first launched, as a track day car. It was fun, but the novelty wore off so I switched to a Caterham, which I use for road and track and it's much more involving and considerably quicker.
However, I have a Boxster 'S' as a road car and I find it provides a fanstastic blend of performance, handling, practicality, comfort, safety, quality, etc, etc. May be not as 'raw' as an Elise or a TVR, but superbly engineered and supremely efficient.
However, I have a Boxster 'S' as a road car and I find it provides a fanstastic blend of performance, handling, practicality, comfort, safety, quality, etc, etc. May be not as 'raw' as an Elise or a TVR, but superbly engineered and supremely efficient.
Andy,
I used to drive an S1 111s with usual elise upgrades ( nitrons, exhaust, ITG induction, 160 TB etc etc ). I test drove an S2 Exige and really liked it but couldn't justify the upgrade for what I perceived as not that greater difference and besides I'd always wanted a Porsche ! I've now got my Porsche ( 993 RS ) which is a very different kettle of fish from a Boxster - my point is that I think you will have to go a long way to find anything that is as much fun on the road as an Elise or an Elise derivative. For a good blast down twisting country roads the Elise ( and other members of th family ) are just awesome. I love my RS, the way it handles, looks, sounds and the excitement of starting it up etc etc but it is an RS and not a Boxster with all the plushness and comfort that comes with it.
Hiring a boxster s for a weeks holiday in the States beginning of May as I want to see what all the fuss is about - will be interesting !
Jimmy
I used to drive an S1 111s with usual elise upgrades ( nitrons, exhaust, ITG induction, 160 TB etc etc ). I test drove an S2 Exige and really liked it but couldn't justify the upgrade for what I perceived as not that greater difference and besides I'd always wanted a Porsche ! I've now got my Porsche ( 993 RS ) which is a very different kettle of fish from a Boxster - my point is that I think you will have to go a long way to find anything that is as much fun on the road as an Elise or an Elise derivative. For a good blast down twisting country roads the Elise ( and other members of th family ) are just awesome. I love my RS, the way it handles, looks, sounds and the excitement of starting it up etc etc but it is an RS and not a Boxster with all the plushness and comfort that comes with it.
Hiring a boxster s for a weeks holiday in the States beginning of May as I want to see what all the fuss is about - will be interesting !
Jimmy
the best part about driving a boxster is how easily it can go from a tame plush cruiser to a pure bred sportscar.
If you love the way the Elise puts a smile on your face everytime you get in to it you might be a little dissapointed with the boxster. it only has that sense of occasion when you are giving it some nuts and at other times when going from point a to b you may hardly even notice you are driving it.
in the end, its an excellent machine.
If you love the way the Elise puts a smile on your face everytime you get in to it you might be a little dissapointed with the boxster. it only has that sense of occasion when you are giving it some nuts and at other times when going from point a to b you may hardly even notice you are driving it.
in the end, its an excellent machine.
Andy T said:
Would you say that your Boxster is as much fun on the road as your Elise was?
There are times when the Elise would feel much more special than the Boxster. However, there are many times when the Elise will be tedious and infuriating. Boxster (particularly the 'S') is far better balanced.
To give the Boxster that extra edge you may want a Sports Exhaust and Sports Suspension, but go easy on big wheels.
I often describe the Boxster S (and I've had two) as a cross between a Lotus Elise and Jaguar Executive saloon (take your pick).
Leather, climate, all the creature comforts coupled to mid-engined handling, almost endless grip and wind in the air enjoyment.
Do not confuse comfort with tameness.
Brilliant car.
Leather, climate, all the creature comforts coupled to mid-engined handling, almost endless grip and wind in the air enjoyment.
Do not confuse comfort with tameness.
Brilliant car.
Ive had more than 4 different flavour Elise and 2 Boxster S. The Boxster has proper grown up acceleration over 70mph. The Elise really struggles to hack it with rep mobiiles at those speeds. The Elise feels like more fun on a back road largely (IMHO) because of the steering. A Boxster S is still crushingly capable on those same roads although I found I had to be going quicker in the Porsche to get the same buzz that the Elise delivers at a more sedate pace.
Elise owners do get on a high horse about how good the car is on "the twisties" but I maintain it "feels" faster than it actually is. THere is no doubt because of the cars light weight, balance and steering its a lot of fun-I wouldn't mind a 111R, but dont dismiss an S.
The Porsche doesnt need to rely on a boomy exhaust to sound great ei
Elise owners do get on a high horse about how good the car is on "the twisties" but I maintain it "feels" faster than it actually is. THere is no doubt because of the cars light weight, balance and steering its a lot of fun-I wouldn't mind a 111R, but dont dismiss an S.
The Porsche doesnt need to rely on a boomy exhaust to sound great ei
I've just changed an S2 Exige for a Boxster S.
Straight-line speed? Exige is (much) quicker off the line, but the S starts to eat up ground... quickly!
Handling? No contest! The Exige destroys the S in every aspect, the most important area being confidence (you KNOW the Exige is going to make it round the corner).
Better car? Chalk and cheese! Personally, I would take the Porsche - It's fast enough, comfy, superbly put together and handles well.
But on the right road, in perfect weather, when you're in the mood - hand me the keys to the Exige!
Straight-line speed? Exige is (much) quicker off the line, but the S starts to eat up ground... quickly!
Handling? No contest! The Exige destroys the S in every aspect, the most important area being confidence (you KNOW the Exige is going to make it round the corner).
Better car? Chalk and cheese! Personally, I would take the Porsche - It's fast enough, comfy, superbly put together and handles well.
But on the right road, in perfect weather, when you're in the mood - hand me the keys to the Exige!
Edited by MunkeeMan on Sunday 16th July 11:33
MunkeeMan said:
I've just swapped an S2 Exige for a Boxster S.
Straight-line speed? Exige is (much) quicker off the line, but the S starts to eat up ground... quickly!
Handling? No contest! The Exige destroys the S in every aspect, the most important area being confidence (you KNOW the Exige is going to make it round the corner).
Better car? Chalk and cheese! Personally, I would take the Porsche - It's fast enough, comfy, superbly put together and handles well.
But on the right road, in perfect weather, when you're in the mood - hand me the keys to the Exige!
Think I'd agree with you on this, though the 987S has masses more grip than the 986S, even on 18"s and some reckon it's 3secs a lap faster on a short circuit. Probably grips as well as an Exige S2 on A048s.
abarber said:
the 987S has masses more grip than the 986S, even on 18"s and some reckon it's 3secs a lap faster on a short circuit.
Do they now! Got a URL to point to a comparative article? I'd be very interested. I've had two 986Ss and have, of course, considered the upgrade. I test drove one and, frankly, could equate the cost of change to any percieved improvement - the 987 is a simply brilliant car but it built on the previous version which was, errr, simply brilliant!
I would agree the Porsche significantly improved the interior - and that PASM is a fabulous system once you are on rough B-roads with bumpy surfaces (and does improve the stability on such surfaces) - but I didn't feel that the sheer mechanical grip of the car was substantially greater - of course, I didn't have the advantage of the journos in being able to take one on track and really find out.
I've not found that the 987S particularly outstrip me (in a 986S) whilst on track either - despite 20 extra bhp.
I went to the states last year and rented the current model Boxster S so I could chase my mate in his (tweaked) Elise. We did about 800 miles on mountain roads and freeways. We also spent a day at a track with the Golden Gate Lotus club during which I got to compare both cars throughout the day. My lap times were the same for both cars but always felt that a little more practise would see the Lotus post the fastest but........I would have the Porsche (don't currently own one) It was such a complete and sorted car. The Boxster has more of an image problem in the U.S. than here but after taking some of the locals for a drive they soon changed their minds!
Boxster S is a superb car – when I sell my 996TT I am actually going to buy another Boxster S they really are that good. Obviously less power but they are delicate and superbly balanced next to the 996TT which feels checkable and shore footed but never light and elegant.
In my opinion Boxster S is not as much “fun” as and Elise. But it’s a marginal difference that is outweighed by the boxsters other strengths. In current form 280 bhp is the same as the old 993 cab’ but on a car that is lighter. When compared with an Elise a Boxster S is comfortable, roomier, more secure, lighter, vastly better equipped, modern, safer, better and a joy + capable of biting back if you push on. It even sounds good too. Just a superb car and great value for money at £25 K for a good pre-2005 (257 Bhp) Boxster S.
Also unlike an Elise, it accelerates at over 80 mph !
In my opinion Boxster S is not as much “fun” as and Elise. But it’s a marginal difference that is outweighed by the boxsters other strengths. In current form 280 bhp is the same as the old 993 cab’ but on a car that is lighter. When compared with an Elise a Boxster S is comfortable, roomier, more secure, lighter, vastly better equipped, modern, safer, better and a joy + capable of biting back if you push on. It even sounds good too. Just a superb car and great value for money at £25 K for a good pre-2005 (257 Bhp) Boxster S.
Also unlike an Elise, it accelerates at over 80 mph !
Don said:
Average age of Boxster owner - 42.
Average age of Elise owner - ?? dunno but I'm guessing late 20s.
Well, there was a marked price difference. You really do need a good mid-life crisis to want to blow that much loot on a toy!
I'd have argued but I'm 40 (going on 41).
There may be more to this than meats the eye... Rob, aged forty one and a quarter 
DanH said:
Are we comparing like with like. An Exige has sports suspension and AO48s. Of course it will grip better than a Boxster on road suspension and tyres.
There is no doubt that track day tyres make a HUGE difference to grip. Boxsters so equipped are substantially faster than mine (always run on road tyres).
Don said:
the 987S has masses more grip than the 986S, even on 18"s and some reckon it's 3secs a lap faster on a short circuit.
Do they now! Got a URL to point to a comparative article? I'd be very interested. I've had two 986Ss and have, of course, considered the upgrade. I test drove one and, frankly, could equate the cost of change to any percieved improvement - the 987 is a simply brilliant car but it built on the previous version which was, errr, simply brilliant!
I would agree the Porsche significantly improved the interior - and that PASM is a fabulous system once you are on rough B-roads with bumpy surfaces (and does improve the stability on such surfaces) - but I didn't feel that the sheer mechanical grip of the car was substantially greater - of course, I didn't have the advantage of the journos in being able to take one on track and really find out.
I've not found that the 987S particularly outstrip me (in a 986S) whilst on track either - despite 20 extra bhp.
Sure, the German Mag auto sport is the only one that I'd trust for the truth on lap times, plus also real wet weights etc. See www.einszweidrei.de/porsche/boxs322002-1.htm and www.einszweidrei.de/porsche/boxsters2005-1.htm There's a couple of other tests from them on other 986S to compare to.
I'm be suprised if you had the change to push them both and didn't notice the difference in grip, particulary on 19"s. Both great cars though, as you say. 986S are terrific value at the moment.
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