Discussion
I posted this on a 911 forum as I felt it worthy of some debate. I'm interested as to what PH thinks:
I've had 3 Boxsters in total. Sold my last one, a 987S, in 2005 when it was about 6 months old. The 986 I had prior to that was bought in Luxembourg, pre the euro, when there was still serious money to be saved by buying a C16 car abroad.
I lost less than £1k on that 986 over 2 years and 10k miles. I thought the 987 would possess equally powerful residuals and command a waiting list. Alas, it didn't and when I sold the 987 I was lucky to escape with a £4K loss in less than a year.
Anyway, I've always liked Boxsters. I've had a nice 993 for 6 years now with no real plans to sell it. It's not particularly fast, the handling isn't the best and it is thirstier than a footballer in a nightclub. However, to my eyes it's a fantastic looking car, it sounds great and on the rare occasions I'm alone in it on the right road, it's pretty nice to drive to boot.
Last year it was having some work done at the OPC and they loaned me a 981S. I found it a fantastic thing. Unapologetically fast and the PSE combined with pdk were addictive and compelling.
Im currently borrowing a 981 black edition. On paper this is broadly the same bhp as my 993. It has PDK, BOSE, nav, heated seats, extended leather and nice looking 20" alloys. It feels similar performance wise to my 993. Not markedly faster like the S did. I've done about 300 miles in it now. I'm massively impressed. It's amazing how a car with frankly enormous wheels, liquorice profile tyres and a relatively short wheel base can ride so well. As with the S I drove this car has PSE. Why you would order any Boxster without this option is a mystery, it sounds fantastic and the best of it is, you can mute it if you want to.
I'm a big fan of a manual gearbox but the PDK is now so good it really does beggar the question why would you spec manual over this ?
You can engage neutral whilst on the move, you can change down as quick as you like and when you're in traffic, you have all the benefits of a conventional automatic without feeling like you're constantly giving your left leg workout you didn't want to do.
The Bose stereo seems far too bass heavy on factory settings, more so than it ever was in a 986 or 987. I'm sure the heated seats in the earlier cars got up to a toastier level as well. Other than that I'm struggling to find any criticism at all. I'm impressed with the economy as well.
As with most new cars, the more options you can have seems to factor significantly into how nice they are to own. Personally I'd want an S. I'd spec PDK, those heated seats, PSE ,20 inch wheels and bucket seats (if you can get them with heating) I've tried those seats in a 991 GTS and they feel special.
Anyway other than to to tell you lucky 981 owners just how great your cars are it struck me that the 993 is now sought after as numbers are limited and it's seen as a classic. In time the same is going to be said for the 981 Boxster. It's the last of the line, just as the 993 Was for air cooled and direct lineage to the early 911's. The new 718 cars will be fantastic to drive I'm sure. However they are losing the six cylinder engine and with it a little history and so
me soul.
i can see the 981 being more highly prized in years to come over the 718. It's happened before with Porsche cars. I'm as impressed with this base Boxster as I was with a 991 GTS, albeit for different reasons. Exposure has really had me questioning why I'm not cashing out of the 993 and into a more modern car.
Whilst the 993 retains a sense of occasion it's more one dimensional than a modern product in many ways. You have the weight of the controls, the steering and the sound. These are compelling factors. The modern Boxster counters with superior economy, a smoother ride and the ability to bimble along in traffic quietly, easily and comfortably. When opportunity presents you can drop the roof in seconds, change the map and change gear effectively with the paddles. You get two big useful boots, though the 993 counters by offering kid seating.
Lots said on here about pdk. As it is outselling manuals by a huge margin I think manuals may be more desirable in future. Doesn't diminish the achievement made with this box though.
The only other factor putting me off a 981 is the depreciation still to come. I'm not willing to suffer £4K a year as a loss which I think a 2014 981 S will be carrying. Great cars though. I know the Cayman gets more love but I've always preferred a convertible thus the Boxster would be my choice. Anyone else owning a classic tempted by the new stuff??
I've had 3 Boxsters in total. Sold my last one, a 987S, in 2005 when it was about 6 months old. The 986 I had prior to that was bought in Luxembourg, pre the euro, when there was still serious money to be saved by buying a C16 car abroad.
I lost less than £1k on that 986 over 2 years and 10k miles. I thought the 987 would possess equally powerful residuals and command a waiting list. Alas, it didn't and when I sold the 987 I was lucky to escape with a £4K loss in less than a year.
Anyway, I've always liked Boxsters. I've had a nice 993 for 6 years now with no real plans to sell it. It's not particularly fast, the handling isn't the best and it is thirstier than a footballer in a nightclub. However, to my eyes it's a fantastic looking car, it sounds great and on the rare occasions I'm alone in it on the right road, it's pretty nice to drive to boot.
Last year it was having some work done at the OPC and they loaned me a 981S. I found it a fantastic thing. Unapologetically fast and the PSE combined with pdk were addictive and compelling.
Im currently borrowing a 981 black edition. On paper this is broadly the same bhp as my 993. It has PDK, BOSE, nav, heated seats, extended leather and nice looking 20" alloys. It feels similar performance wise to my 993. Not markedly faster like the S did. I've done about 300 miles in it now. I'm massively impressed. It's amazing how a car with frankly enormous wheels, liquorice profile tyres and a relatively short wheel base can ride so well. As with the S I drove this car has PSE. Why you would order any Boxster without this option is a mystery, it sounds fantastic and the best of it is, you can mute it if you want to.
I'm a big fan of a manual gearbox but the PDK is now so good it really does beggar the question why would you spec manual over this ?
You can engage neutral whilst on the move, you can change down as quick as you like and when you're in traffic, you have all the benefits of a conventional automatic without feeling like you're constantly giving your left leg workout you didn't want to do.
The Bose stereo seems far too bass heavy on factory settings, more so than it ever was in a 986 or 987. I'm sure the heated seats in the earlier cars got up to a toastier level as well. Other than that I'm struggling to find any criticism at all. I'm impressed with the economy as well.
As with most new cars, the more options you can have seems to factor significantly into how nice they are to own. Personally I'd want an S. I'd spec PDK, those heated seats, PSE ,20 inch wheels and bucket seats (if you can get them with heating) I've tried those seats in a 991 GTS and they feel special.
Anyway other than to to tell you lucky 981 owners just how great your cars are it struck me that the 993 is now sought after as numbers are limited and it's seen as a classic. In time the same is going to be said for the 981 Boxster. It's the last of the line, just as the 993 Was for air cooled and direct lineage to the early 911's. The new 718 cars will be fantastic to drive I'm sure. However they are losing the six cylinder engine and with it a little history and so
me soul.
i can see the 981 being more highly prized in years to come over the 718. It's happened before with Porsche cars. I'm as impressed with this base Boxster as I was with a 991 GTS, albeit for different reasons. Exposure has really had me questioning why I'm not cashing out of the 993 and into a more modern car.
Whilst the 993 retains a sense of occasion it's more one dimensional than a modern product in many ways. You have the weight of the controls, the steering and the sound. These are compelling factors. The modern Boxster counters with superior economy, a smoother ride and the ability to bimble along in traffic quietly, easily and comfortably. When opportunity presents you can drop the roof in seconds, change the map and change gear effectively with the paddles. You get two big useful boots, though the 993 counters by offering kid seating.
Lots said on here about pdk. As it is outselling manuals by a huge margin I think manuals may be more desirable in future. Doesn't diminish the achievement made with this box though.
The only other factor putting me off a 981 is the depreciation still to come. I'm not willing to suffer £4K a year as a loss which I think a 2014 981 S will be carrying. Great cars though. I know the Cayman gets more love but I've always preferred a convertible thus the Boxster would be my choice. Anyone else owning a classic tempted by the new stuff??
I enjoyed your posts as Mr D and remember you from the in house lotus forum where Nick Adams used to answer questions. I'm curious as to how you conclude pdk is "dull" the paddles feel good to the touch. You can change gear at speed without losing momentum and the action is quite satisfying. It's not a slow witted auto box. The PSE sounds good. It's a real noise it's not piped in via the speakers. How do you conclude its fake?
I'm not proclaiming it's the finest thing on 4 wheels but I found it enjoyable with a duality of nature that some other cars don't have. Pressing on, as I was this morning, it's fun yet it's still easy like a good daily should be, for mundane purposes..
I've had a bunch of Lotus cars over the years but they aren't a pleasant cat to use in the rain on a motorway. The Boxster can do the boring stuff like any other modern car but it can still offer entertainment when required. That's why I find most impressive.
I'm not proclaiming it's the finest thing on 4 wheels but I found it enjoyable with a duality of nature that some other cars don't have. Pressing on, as I was this morning, it's fun yet it's still easy like a good daily should be, for mundane purposes..
I've had a bunch of Lotus cars over the years but they aren't a pleasant cat to use in the rain on a motorway. The Boxster can do the boring stuff like any other modern car but it can still offer entertainment when required. That's why I find most impressive.
I couldn't justify £40k plus on another toy car. If I changed the fun car the 993 would have to go.'ive thought
I was ready for that several times over the past 6'years but, like an ill treated spouse, I'm not ready to make a permanent move. A nice chap at the gym was sounding me out for a swap for his 991s. Sorely tempting but the garage w
e has a hold on me!
I was ready for that several times over the past 6'years but, like an ill treated spouse, I'm not ready to make a permanent move. A nice chap at the gym was sounding me out for a swap for his 991s. Sorely tempting but the garage w
e has a hold on me!Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff