DreamCarrera

What was the Boxster's time? The video cuts off on me before the Boxster completes the hot lap.

Although, I don't think it matters too much as is does not appear that the women is pushing the cars anywhere near 10/10ths.

Hurdigurdiman

The carrera wins by a nose or three tenths of a second....yipeeeeeeeee

Cornbread

A Boxster? Seriously? After a 911 there is no going back. you might as well get a Mustang.

DaveSpeed

MY friend has a boxster S and it is a great car, I love how it handles.

Thank being said there is more room in the 996 and I have 3 kids so I need the space.

As great as a boxster is it is NOT a 911!

Thundertub

'97 996 coupe 44.9 secs
'07 986 RS60 45.2 secs

Would have been interesting to hear any comments she made about them after the track test.

My choice is squarely on the '99 996 coupe (because I already voted with my wallet... 4 times...)

But I, too, HAVE been jonesing a bit for a Boxster for three specific situations:
1: Next best thing to an open wheel racer for DE's. I would go out with the top down, even if it meant putting one of those stupidly ugly roll bar extenders on it. I'm not the one who has to look at it when I'm out on the track. LOL!
2. Tail-of-the-Dragon. I'd get the PDK/Sport PASM/Sport Chrono Plus version for that. Then go topless through the trees and twisties, up and down the curvacious mountainsides, and along the tree-shrouded brooks.
3. South Ponte Vedra Beach Blvd (US A1A) between Jacksonville and St. Augustine, Fl., followed by SR 13 along the St. Johns River south of Jacksonville. Sunrise for the beach, sunset for the river. Top down.

Other than that, I find the Boxster stiflingly claustrophobic and cramped in all other situations.

I have absolutely no respect for the Boxster, and that is exactly what makes it the perfect FUN car. However, for long road trips for two, they totally suck in my personal opinion. Been there - done that.

countrysquire

Sounds like I need to spend some time in a Boxster and see if I would be happy with it as a daily driver, which is what the 996 is. It will have to be something to justify the difference in price.

RF5BPilot

Spending some time in a Boxster is important. The ride is very different from a 996, so it's important to see if you like it for more than a few minutes on smooth roads.

I was always disappointed that the quality of ride in the earlier Porsches (I had both a 356SC & a '69 911S back in the days when you could afford them)...was much better than the late models. I could drive 9 hours on fairly rough roads in the earlier cars and get out refreshed. Not so much in the late models.

The Boxters I drove had an even tighter suspension than the 996. Great if you have smooth roads or short drives. But my routes seem to include a lot of poor roads which just beat you up in tight suspension.

AndyK

I think any relatively new Boxster will drive better than our old 911's - maybe not faster on the track, but more tight, less rattles, quieter, less wind noise, etc, etc.

I need the back seat and a hard top and "made in Germany", so I will not be going Boxster anytime soon.

Hurdigurdiman

So where is the boxters made if not in Germany? I assumed it was made in Stuttgart as the 996 was but obviously I am wrong..

countrysquire

Finland.

wwest

"top-up" Cabs are just simply BUTT UGLY, not much better top down.

Wait for it....

Rumour has it that the traditional Targa is coming back.

good hands

I sold my 996 with the intention of buying a 997 but ended up with a Boxster Spyder. Night and day. The Spyder is all sports car the 996 was a GT car. Not sure how a regular Boxster S compares but I am very happy with my car. Have you driven one yet ? Boxsters and 996's drive completely different.

Barn996

I'm amazed at how many 911 owners feel that Caymans and Boxsters are somehow inferior as a Porsche driving experience. I do get the lack of rear seats(space) being an issue to some, but I've enjoyed every ride and drive in other Porsche examples other than 911s.

countrysquire

I've been for short drives in both Boxsters and Caymans, but not enough to make a decision. The back seat space is a non-issue for me and I actually like the tight confines. Also, not a huge fan of the looks of a 996 cab, but don't hate them either. I need to go do some drivin'...

Exotic_Car_Guy

As a 996 C4 Cab owner, I would definitely recommend you get your top down joy with a 996 Cab. I just had Darin at FD Motorsports install his modified mufflers on my car, and the powerful sound of my 996 with the top down is SWEEEET!!!

Gil