Boxter v 3.2 Carrera experance?

[911st]

Anyone that has owned a 3.2 Carrera also, how would you compare the experience.

I use my Carrera mostly for DE's but am having the though that Boxter might be a good driver and still fun at the track.

There seems to be a lot of them at the DE's these days?

I just love the sounds, feel, and smells of the 911. Past 911's were 72 911T, 72 2.8 MFI/ twin plug , 72 911S converted to factory port purposes spec, 930 Turbo, C2 Turbo w mods. And now a 3.2/915 Carrera. Much prefer a NA motor over a turbo at this point.

Not sure how to describe or quantify. Are they nimble and do they have a level of mechanical engaging quality to them? Or are they pretty well evolved from the 911 experience and isolating? More Ferrari 355 or SL 500?

Open to a mild sport exhaust and sport suspension kit for more of that Porsche experience.

Just wondering.

Thx

[450knotOffice]

I have a 3.2 Carrera and a Cayman (which is basically a hard topped Boxster) and I can tell you that the Boxster/Cayman has incredible steering feel and precision - even though it has power steering - and the chassis is simply amazing. The car literally feels like it's directly wired to your brain. It seems to want to do ANYTHING you ask of it. This has been said by many and I agree: I think this is the best chassis Porsche makes. Period. If Porsche decided to make this chassis into their next GT3, it would be better than the 997 based GT3.

Drive one. I'm not kidding about the car. You'll see.

[911st]

Great info.

Wonder it this transfers to the earlier Boxter S's? The hard top on the Cayman may add some to stiffness. I guess if I think about it, the 3.2 is not really stiff compared to newer cars.

[450knotOffice]

I've driven a Boxster S and to be honest, I didn't notice any real difference in terms of handling. The Boxster is a tight car.

[racer]

I used to track a well set up 1978 Euro SC (3.2cis motor with 220hp, 2650lbs) . I sold it.. I eventually replaced it with a 2000 Non S boxster (217 hp, approx 2850lbs). Despite all the suspension upgrades (23/30 tb, 22mm sways, revalved bilsteins, corner balance ect), I would say that the Boxster, with only "R" comps was nearly as fast, right from the start. With a more aggressive suspension, the Boxster kicks arse!

The boxster has excellent manners, makes a great sound, revs to about 7K rpm. Steering is well balanced. Only in an AX situation would there be any "lag" noticed compared to that of a non-p/s equipped car (like a 914 or early 911). The brakes, with PF97s were very strong and fade resistant. I had to relearn to drive a bit. The 911 rewarded you with predictable rotation when you would lift off the gas.. the boxster would just slow down.. no drama. I had to learn to drive the boxster "from the middle" instead of learning to manage a car by controlling just one end (like the 911).

The bonus of Heat and A/C that work well were nice to have after 15+ years of Porsche ownership with never having AC

However. I only kept my Boxster for about 1 year. The car, overall, felt "fragile" compared to an Aircooled 911. While FAST, it wasn't particularly engaging (or challenging) like a 911 is, when driven well. To me, it was a fantastic car, but wasn't to me what a "Porsche" is all about.

[911st]

Well presented and appreciated Racer.

[JMatta]

I have owned numerous Carreras, a couple of turbos, an RSA and several 993s; many of these cars have been set-up for track use. I've instructed for Chicago PCA, LAPS, Inc. and Track Time for years, having driven many different cars. One day my student showed up with a new Boxster S. Being a "911" guy I was sceptical; however, that was changed almost immediately after driving a few laps. These cars are precise, well balanced and just a blast to drive. I'm still a 911 guy, but drive my Box S more often than not.

[Boxster44]

Had an '89 Carrera for about 4 years and now an '03 S since new. It took me a few years to stop driving the Boxster like a 911. I'm a full time AXer and only had the Boxster to the track once (my 911 experienced instructors drove it and both liked it alot).

At least with AX, the Boxster is better at trail braking and the 911 at 'coming out' with power. You can't 'plant' a Boxster and go like a 911, but other assets include superior transitional stability - slaloms. As previously mentioned, the rotation can be more centric as I've lost it a couple of times and it didn't give any warning (this was on streets during AX).

With comparably stiff suspension (the 911 was lowered with Bilsteins and the Boxster has PSS9s), they both have good 'feel'.... very responsive, point and shoot for the most part.

kj

[gerrygug]

There is nothing like the sound of an air cooled flat 6. That being said, the Boxster is a more modern, well balanced design. Having owned both, the Boxster is much more forgiving and easier to drive than the Carrera, but the Carrera has more soul.

[mistertate]

If you want to race a Carrera it's going to be a total pain to deal with those torsion bars, i.e. diameter limited spring rates.
Boxster rear suspension is so far superior to semi-trailing arms
Cost for new Boxster crate motor ~$7000. Cost for 911 rebuild parts, not including labor is a minumum of ~$7000
Street driving is more subjective but the Boxster rear suspension is going to give you a way better ride for the same roll stiffness.
The only thing missing from this is Boxster chassis stiffness per degree versus 911 Coupe. But it probably doesn't matter since the 911 is limited to ~375 lb. rear springs, whatever those Elephant 31mm ones equate to.

[JMatta]

Not a 3.2 Carrera, but I track my '73 "RS type" which I may compare to a Box S. My car has a 2.4 with Webers and headers, a coilover suspension and Charley bars. I run either Kumho or Yoko R compound for grip. My friend has a well set up Box S with MPS Cups...we run approximately the same lap times, but I guarantee, he's not working as hard as I am. Driving a Box S at speed is pretty effortless; the car just goes where you point it.

[mistertate]

We are talking about a 3.2 Carrera though and that is a significantly heavier car than a '73 hotrod.
Boxster has the engine in the right place and WAY better brakes.
Show me a used Carrera with the same mileage as a used Boxster that doesn't cost twice as much.

[Brown911Brian]

I currently own both a 1984 Carrera 3.2 and a 2002 Boxster S. I love the 911 for it's "direct-ness," the steering feel and the way you really feel like part of the car and you really have to drive it. The 911 sounds better, too.

On the other hand, the Boxster S does everything well, has extremely precise steering, a very neutral chassis and is just, well, more fun. It has real heat and A/C, but it doesn't feel like a heavy car (it's not).

The proof is in the pudding, so to speak, as I've decided to keep the Boxster S and sell the 911. For as much as I love the 911, nothing I've driven has come close to the Boxster S (except the new Cayman S, but I digress...)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks___1984-Carrera-3-2-Targa-Runs-Great-96K-project_W0QQitemZ170304884879QQddnZCarsQ20Q26Q20Tr ucksQQddiZ2282QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?ha sh=item170304884879&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A7|39%3A1|240%3A1308