Ghost Rider

It seems to me that a couple of people have overreacted with their slamming of the Boxster and seem to think that I don't like other Porsche models. To be CRYSTAL CLEAR, I thought that I'd put some thoughts down about each Porsche model so that if someone thinks I don't like their car they can come to this thread and see just exactly what I think of their car.

356 - Although I very much like the looks of these cars, I don't think I'd ever get one for two primary reasons. 1) I just wouldn't have the heart to make it my daily driver, and 2) I'd need something a little bigger. If I had room for an extra collector car, I'd seriously consider one of these.

550 - This would probably be my first choice in additional collectors car to own, again not a daily driver, certainly not if it were a REAL 550. A Beck 550 would be a nice weekend car, but again not a daily driver. I was comparing the prototype Boxster to the 550 the other day and I noticed a couple of lines from the prototype that echo the 550 didn't get carried through to the final production which is a shame because I think it would have made the Boxster even better.

914 - My sister had one of these, orange and black, and I used to drive it some in college. She was always having mechanical problems with it and eventually sold it when the motor blew, but when it was running it was like having your own street legal go-kart. The most comparable new car would be the Toyota MR2 Spyder, although the 914 has more flare than that. This car would again have to be a weekend car for me, and I think I'd put others ahead of it on the list of my personal tastes, however, if I was going to autocross, this would be a serious contender for what to choose.

911 - This spans so many cars. My sister's husband has a 1973 that is a blast to drive and with some modifications he has made pretty quick. The car never sees bad weather though since he has concerns about it starting and running when things aren't so good outside. Moving to newer versions, the turbos always graced posters in my college dorm room in the early 80's and with scantilly clad women on the hood just oozed sex appeal. Only problem, I don't think my student loaned covered P-cars at the time! At one point I thought I might buy a 911 of the mid 80's era, but I think I've since ruled that out in favor of other options. Moving up to 993's and 996's I like both of them a lot, especially the wide butt versions of the 993, talk about sex appeal and great lines, the wide body 993's are tops in my book. The 996 has improved almost every year since introduction, and I couldn't take my eyes off of a new GT2 I saw at the factory this past summer. If I had to replace my car with another every day driver, it would probably be a 996 for warranty and reliability reasons and probably a C4S so I'd get the wider rear end without the cost of the turbo! The 996 Turbo is, however, the smoothest driving turbo I've ever driven. Excellent balance.

924/944 - An old girlfriend of mine in college had a 924 (her parents spoiled her), and we had a lot of fun in that car. However, in cold weather the thing never wanted to start if left outside. Probably just her car, but didn't leave a good impression in my mind. I know 924's take a bad rap at times and I'm sure it isn't deserved, but her mechanical problems have always steered me away from the 924. The 944, however, is a different story. I had the poster with the red 944 on it in college. I used to discuss this car as a "dream" car while in college and now they are quite affordable. In fact, if I were going to build up an extra car for the track I'd probably start with a 944 Turbo since they are so easy to modify. I've been in them at the track with some instructors that own them and they are fun cars. They also have a lot of space in the rear hatch! Alas, however, no convertibles until you move to the 968 and for some reason the 968 convertible just doesn't do it for me the way the Boxster does in the looks department. I'm not saying it looks bad, I like them, just not enough to buy one.

928 - I liked these cars when they first came out, but for some reason people bashed on them back then. I don't remember why really, but it seems people said things like that they weren't true Porsches, they were overpriced for what you got, unreliable, etc. That wouldn't deter me from owning one, in fact if I had to choose between either a 911 or a 928 from the 80's I'd probably go with the 928. I'd probably also end up slapping a supercharger on it, but that's another story. I also think the 928 has some great artistic lines, if you check out my website I have some artistic shots from last May's Cinco de Mayo event and I'm very pleased with the pics I took of a 928 in that way.

Cayenne - I've only seen pictures and the engine in person. Engine looked nice and the pictures have ranged from butt ugly to interesting, especially the interior. I'm reserving judgement until I see the car first hand, but I'm not one of these people who thinks Porsche should never make an SUV. In fact when my wife looks for a new SUV in a few years, the Cayenne will probably be one that we consider along with the BMW X5 and a few others.

Boxster - Well my thoughts on my own car are well known and can be found at my website <a href="http://www.smiley.net/boxster/" target="_blank">http://www.smiley.net/boxster/</a> I like convertibles and the Boxster was designed to be a convertible, thus great lines, and unlike cars that are adapted to be convertibles, the Boxster is very solid/rigid and sound. The car can be and is an every day driver for me, reliable, dependable, and under warranty. I routinely get 27mpg on the highway, and with some small modifications the car is very competitive at the track and most of all FUN to drive.

For me, the Boxster fit the criteria I was looking for in a Porsche. That doesn't mean I don't like other Porsches, in fact as you can see from my ramblings above, I do, in fact I think I like them all. I hope I haven't given anyone the idea that I don't like their car or that I've "bashed" their car. If so, I apologize, and hope that I don't give you that impression in the future or that this message thread has cleared up my stance on Porsches.

With winter coming on, there is less time to enjoy our cars, so let's all grab our keys and get out there and drive and have some fun. That's what it is all about isn't it?

People are going to look back in a couple of hundred years and think "Man they had it great, individual automobiles, the open road, those were the days..."

Don't let these days pass you by....

Silverbullet951

Well, Ken, That was very well said. I agree with you on most things. First of all, you weren't the one that bothered me when it came down to the porsche bashing. You spoke your mind and you stuck by it, but you weren't really bashing anyone, you were just defending your Porsche. I appreciate that. NOw, there ARE some boxster owners who just don't get it. I won't name anyone, but I think they know who they are. All they did was bash other porsche owners if they just merely stated their opinion about the boxster. That is why this has gotten as far as it has. Ken, I hope you have great fun driving your porsche. See you at the track! (hopefully this summer )

Boxster 3.4

Ken,

Nice post. Your thoughts are great. Wish I knew whatever happened to all the Porsche cars my dad, grandpa and I have owned.

Now go drive before it snows in KC !!


Dave

Eurocarguy

Ken,

Just a slight correction. The 944 came in convertible form in 1990 and 1991. 2400 were imported to the US in the two years combined.

Harold

Ken,

thanks for stepping up to the plate...your email was truly one of the best I've seen on this board for a long time....

truly like the looks of your speed yellow boxster....would one day love to own one...but for me I'd take the white with boxter red interior...yum....

actually ran alongside a speed yellow Boxster a couple of days ago on the road...we had a hoot being a bit irresponsible on the streets...but at the end of the run we looked at each other, smiled and gave the thumbs up....

now if only some of the other lads on Rennlist could do this a bit more, there would be a lot less trash talk and a stronger Porsche community...

j959

well before i got to drive a boxster i looked down on them....

i thought it made porsche less exotic and exclusive....(even though in the back of my mind i always thought the boxster was a better design)

so it wasnt the car i had a problem with, it was the numbers that were produced....

i was thinking about image more than being a drivers car...


another point...i dont think a boxster is a poor mans 996, its just different....(more hot rod orientated)

but because its a porsche, cheap, but also a good drivers car and platform to mod,
you get 2 extremely dif types off people driving them...

the poser and the enthusiast....

but the car is good....slap on twin turbos (hopefully SPR kit coming out)

and bang <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" /> <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />

Ghost Rider

Didn't someone once say that "Image is everything?"

I think that is what is really hard for some people to overcome, image or "preconceptions" about a car or even about a manufacturer.

As an example, you had an image of Porsche being an exclusive car, yet hundreds of thousands of 911's, 944's, etc. have been made. I think Excellence had an article on the 924/944/951 line that showed the totals over 300,000. Boxsters haven't reached these numbers yet, although probably will at some point. Compare any of these numbers to what I call "true" exotics that are produced in the tens or dozens on an annual basis. Thus it really depends on how you define "exclusive".

The other problem with "image" is that images tend to stick over time, regardless of changes or improvements.

As an example, I was looking at a 1984 911 Targa yesterday, the first 3.2 Carrera. My Boxster S is a 2000, the first year for the 3.2 in the Boxster. The Boxster S is superior to the 84 911 Targa in performance in every way, straight line, cornering, braking, top speed, 1/4 mile, you name it, the Boxster S wins them all. (You could of course still argue that the 911 looks better, I'm not going down that road)

Does the 1984 911 Targa have the reputation of being "Underpowered", a "Girl's Car", or "A Porsche with Panties"?

No, because its image was formed back in 1984 and has stuck with the car ever since. So despite the Boxster being "underpowered" when compared to a new 996 Twin Turbo, the car has plenty of power to hold its own against the majority of cars in the Porsche stable through the years.

I think people who don't realize that are probably just relying on image and not actually driving or owning the car.

I'm glad you made that realization.

I'm not sure if Boxster owners fall into the two categories of "Posers and Enthusiasts". In my opinion, and it is just my opinion. I'd say if you had to split Boxster owners into two categories there are certainly the enthusiasts, people who love Porsche or love cars in general and bought the Boxster for all of the reasons that make a Boxster a great car. Then there are those people who bought the Boxster just because they liked the car. They aren't attending Porsche driving events, they don't sleep with a Porsche teddy bear and they can't tell you who Ferry Porsche was, but they love their cars nonetheless. If you want to call these people "posers" you can, but I think that carries a negative connotation and in my opinon there isn't anything negative about this group of people. In fact, one could argue that because these people bought Boxsters just because they liked them, they poured money into the Porsche coffers that allows Porsche to do other things that will benefit those of us who are enthusiasts.

schlag

The Boxster is an awesome car. I am still sure to look, if one passes by.

My big problem is the price / performance ratio of the current line of Porsches. With price in mind, the Boxster (base!) should be well in excess of the 350Z and the 911 (base!) should be well in excess of the Z06.

We all know, this is not the case.

craigg

Everyone seems to want a more powerful Boxster.

Lets remember: 2 seats, mid engined...

<a href="http://www.sportscartesting.com/news/porsche/id503/pg2432#" target="_blank">The next "Boxster"</a>

Hmmm.

j959

[quote]Originally posted by craigg:
<strong>

<a href="http://www.sportscartesting.com/news/porsche/id503/pg2432#" target="_blank">The next "Boxster"</a>

Hmmm. </strong><hr></blockquote>


if so then they will be selling it for about the same price as a boxster costs now???

a jump to a v10, 500+hp....

all for 40K....

i wish

still the carrera GT is a step in the right direction

Sean

This is a nice post.

You know, sometimes it is a drag to log online and go to a Porsche enthusiast message board, only to discover so-called "enthusiasts" bashing each other's cars! Geez... If we did not love our cars then it's doubtful we would bother stopping by this place.

I've found something interesting and worthy in every car to bear the Porsche marque. Over time, I hope to drive (and possibly own) good examples of each. My next adventure will probably be a 951 or early 911.

Enjoy your Porsche, of whatever flavor.

<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Olav A.

[quote] I think people who don't realize that are probably just relying on image and not actually driving or owning the car. <hr></blockquote>

I guess that's the key. Especially driving the car.
Ever since I put a 3.2L motor in my 914-6 it's put a perma-smile on my face. A true motorsport experience.
The sound of the impeller whirring behind my head and the kick in the *** acceleration putting the 260 hp to work. And at only 2200 lbs. The handling characteristics are incredible steering the car with the throttle taking it o-so-close to the edge and knowing when to stop pushing it.
It's awesome.
The true first mid-engined Porsche for the masses.
I guess the Boxster is similar except much more refined than the ultra-spartan 914-6.

I guess one just has to experience the 914 in this most magnificent configureation.

Now that the new Boxster has a glass rear window and a great exhaust note I'm going to have a closer look at them.

craigg

The 914 certainly started something.

And I think mid-engined is clearly getting more and more popular - as evidenced by the configuration of the Carrera GT. The fact that cooling systems have been improved has had a lot to do with that (and excellent balance and handling!). Although there was some negativity about liquid cooling in Porsches for both the 996 and the 986 - and lord knows the 944 and 928 took a lot of abuse for this fact when they were around - Porsche realized that they could not extract the horsepower they needed from air-cooled anymore. Even the much vaunted 959 had liquid cooled heads.

I would be the first to acknowledge that there is NOTHING as sweet as the sound of an air-cooled flat 6 whirring and clattering BEHIND your head - especially at 4 or 5,000+ RPMs. However, the almost F1-like sound of a Boxster S 3.2 approaching 7,000+ with full-on Vario-cam is also pretty darn nice too. But air-cooled is pretty much gone forever, I believe.

The new S will be just another great Porsche in a long line...go check it out!

Ghost Rider

BTW, brought this thread to the top in case anyone was wondering my opinion of the 944/951 after that last post by Weissach in the other thread claiming that they were "crusty".