RyeHigh

Hello everyone, I posted yesterday that I am looking to purchase my first Porsche. Im looking at 2 different 911's 1- 2000 and the other 2001. Now my wife wants to look at a Boxster S, 2003 or 04. Has anyone purcahsed the Boxster S then regretted that move and purchased a 911....Any feed back would be welcomed.

Ray S

I have both (although my Boxster is not an S I have driven a lot of 986 and 987 "S's").

Here are my thoughts.

996
- Way more power. Even the later 280 hp Boxsters (I have not driven a 295 version) feel down on power compared to a 996. I have driven a Cayman S and that also felt down on power.
- Back seat is useful in a pinch.
- 996 exhaust note sounds better, especially with PSE

986
- Hands down better handling
- Lighter and feels it.
- rear trunk is not as big as a back seat but is easier to access for transporting stuff.
- Looks much better as a convertable than the 996 (this is just my opinion).

I love both cars and they are both remarkably different and similar at the same time. I don't buy into the whole 911 is the ultimate Porsche thing and I wouldn't buy the 911 just because it's a 911.

My advice. Go for as many test drives as you can and buy the car that "moves" your heart most.

Or............just buy both.....

10 GT3

If you were looking at a 987 I might say to consider it, but not a 986. The engine noise intrudes uncomforatably so. The handling is good, but not fantastic and certainly below an M030 996. I've never been in one that did not have a major rattle. You have to choose between legroom and backrest recline. There were a lot of major improvements in the 987. The handling balance is far improved. The chassis is significantly stiffer. The engine noise no longer intrudes into the passenger compartment. The stock exhaust now sounds like a sport exhaust and you can hear it very clearly. There is far more legroom/backrest room. If I were to make a choice between between a base 987 Boxster and a 986 Boxster S, I would easily take the 987. There also isn't much of a performance difference between the 2: 258 hp vs. 240hp, but the base 987 is lighter and handles better.

You probably put yourself on a capped budget of $35-40K. I would definitely go for the 996 based on your choices. If you are set on a convertible, I am not a fan of 996 cabs due to the weaker chassis and the 200 lb weight penalty. I would then recommend to get a 987 Boxster, which an 05' is now going in the mid-$30's; which should be in your range.

TAILWAG

go and drive both and tell us about it...

michael.s.under

buy a 996......

RyeHigh

Thanks again for all the advice. Budget is not a real issue. I m looking at something in the $50-55K range, thats in Canadian dollars...This will be a second fun car for the two of us....
I like the back seat option as somewhere to throw my golf clubs etc.......and I like the power that the 911 brings to the table......I will have to take both models out for a test drive...but if the Boxster doesn't come through with flying colors then the wife will have to accept the 911.

Maybe I could trade her in and upgrade to a GT....hahaha

pl

check out some canadian rennlist's posts regarding buying a used car in US and ship to CA. i believe you can save a bit if everything works out

Porsche_Smile

911......... i was debating this as well when i was shopping around... but i was looking at the 01 911 and the 05 boxster........i love the 911...it just looks nicer..... in my opinion

RyeHigh

Thanks pl, not sure where to look on rennlist for that info..thought about that, but in the end I would only save about 4-5k and alot of paper work..Has anyone here in the Great White North (Toronto) area done this....if you can offer some advice that would be great..Thanks again everyone...

fast1

I concur with the assessments regarding both the 986 and 987 Boxsters. I test drove a Cayman S and almost bought one, but I live and work in the country and having a car without at least a sun roof would not make me happy in the long run. So I test drove a 987 Boxster S, and almost on a lark, I decided to test drive a Boxster. I thought that there was no way that I could ever like a car that had less HP than even a Toyota Camry, but was I surprised.

The Boxster is a ball to drive, and you can actually enjoy driving the car without flouting speed limits. I almost made the error of paying $5K more for an Audi TT, Porsche was discounting and Audi wasn't, but am I happy I decided to test drive the Boxster. It's a better car than a TT in every way ,and you can buy one for less than a TT.

As far as chosing between a 987 Boxster and 996, I agree with others who suggest that you test drive both cars. Both are outstanding cars and it comes down to individual preferances.

Duffs4

My first porsche was a 986 S and it was really nice. However, it took 4 months until it turned into a 996. The main reason was the size of the boxster S. We took a weekend fall trip and it was really tight in the cabin, I had to stuff my jacket between the seat and the door, it was too much. The size coupled with the fact that my friends immediately called me 'the hairdresser' when they saw the car gave it make a quick exit. Performance wise the 's' handled a little better and the 911 had a bit more power.

Another quick note: my wife fought me to keep the boxster but, when she went for her first ride in the 911 the boxter became a distant memory.

RyeHigh

WOW Thank you for all the advice..this is great....I will post pics of the car when I get it....hopefully nextweek...CHEERS!!!!

JBRipps

GO FOR THE 9 9 6! Here's why....you won't hear many people saying....."geez...why on earth did I buy this 911 when I could have grabbed a Boxter instead?"

Now, the opposite has been said many many times. Not ragging on the Boxter, but I'm just saying.....

J

Ray S

You can't even spell it.....

Sounds like you have a ton of experience with the car...

Not ragging on you by any means, it's certainly your prerogative to buy a car based on its name.

I've always preferred to make my purchase decisions based on how they drive.

fast1

The size coupled with the fact that my friends immediately called me 'the hairdresser' when they saw the car gave it make a quick exit.

No offense, but it seems to me that you may be a little insecure. I never let the opinions of others influence my car buying decision. If my friends like my car that's great, and if they don't TS.

I remember meeting a very attractive girl at a bar several years ago, and one of the very first questions that she asked me was what car did I drive. I was driving a 993 at the time, but for the hell of it I told her that I was driving a Lexus. She smiled and said that's great because she doesn't date guys who drive sports cars because she believes that most of them are insecure and need a car to bolster their self image. I don't believe that her observation is true, but sometimes I'll read a comment that suggests that maybe she had an insight.