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To me, these threads are always interesting reads, but in the end, the brand snobbishness is downright silly. As has been pointed out elsewhere, purists scoff at every new Porsche development, and every new Porsche model (including changes to the 911). Heck, 356 owners looked down at the bloated, heavy 911 when it came out; HECK, 356 owners looked down on the 356A as a perversion of the brand when it came out!
If the car is built by Porsche, it's a Porsche, and Porsche has very rarely made a "bad" car. The 912E had its flaws, as did the 924, but they couldn't be called "bad" cars. The 914 was sort of slow, the Panamera was sort of ugly, and the Boxster has a bit of a stigma attached to it, but those perceptions disappear when one actually drives the car. So, thinking back at the Porsches I've driven, the list is long and varied. I have owned a 83 944, 84 944, 86 951, and 07 Cayman S; I've also driven a 356 Speedster, 911 mid-year, 911SC, 944S2, 928S, 968, 993 C2, 986 Boxster S, 996 C2, Cayenne, Cayenne S, Panamera 4S, and Cayman GT4. My impression of each car has always sort of been "well, I don't know what I should expect here...", but then I'm always pleasantly surprised by how well the car drives. With the possible exception of the 944/968 and the 928, there is a similarity in how the car "feels" that is distinctly Porsche. I'm not saying anything negative about the front-engined cars, mind you; they just drove differently than the 911/Boxster/Cayman, which seem to have a shared experience. On the day that I drove the Cayman GT4 a few weeks ago, there was a 986 Boxster S for sale. My mother-in-law ended up buying it. It has aftermarket headers and exhaust, and an ECU tune. I took it for a spin along our twisty CT back roads, and I was absolutely floored by how fun it was. Although my 3.4 Cayman S is undoubtedly faster, there was a kind of unexpected rawness to the lightly-tuned Boxster S that was reminiscent of... and here we go... the air-cooled 911s that I'd driven. So yes: there is something magical about the air-cooled 911. I hope to own one some day. I'm not sure if I'd want to trade in my Cayman S for one -- they scratch slightly different itches. But driving the Boxster S and being reminded of the earlier 911s reminded me that even though the new cars are softer and more user-friendly to the car-buying masses, there is an essence of Porsche hiding at the core of every P-car; sometimes it just takes a little tuning, or weight-reduction, or a slightly sportier exhaust, to reveal it.
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Current Stable: Black 07 Porsche 987 Cayman S: Long-Tube Headers; FabSpeed Exhaust; VividRacing ECU Tune; IPD Plenum; 997GT3 Throttle Body. Blue 1983 Porsche 928S. 1985.5 Porsche 944 Rat Rod. 2011 Acura MDX. 2008 Mazda 3. Gone But Not Forgotten:Garnet Red 86 Porsche 951("The Purple Pig"). Alpine White 83 Porsche 944 ("Alpine Wolf"). Guards Red 84 Porsche 944. |
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05-31-2016, 05:18 AM
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FWIW: My mother-in-law's 986 Boxster S, my 987 Cayman S, and a friend's 981 Cayman GT4. I rather like how the early Boxster has aged...
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Current Stable: Black 07 Porsche 987 Cayman S: Long-Tube Headers; FabSpeed Exhaust; VividRacing ECU Tune; IPD Plenum; 997GT3 Throttle Body. Blue 1983 Porsche 928S. 1985.5 Porsche 944 Rat Rod. 2011 Acura MDX. 2008 Mazda 3. Gone But Not Forgotten:Garnet Red 86 Porsche 951("The Purple Pig"). Alpine White 83 Porsche 944 ("Alpine Wolf"). Guards Red 84 Porsche 944. |
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05-31-2016, 05:26 AM
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Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Vancouver,Wa.
Posts: 4,457
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The original concept was pictured as about the size of an updated 550 Spyrder. The actual production was an oversized pig.
I was hot for the concept.
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JPIII Early Boxster |
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05-31-2016, 05:52 AM
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I had a 1999 that I sold to a member here..... great car; just too small for an appropriate DD for my business needed to seat four..... |
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05-31-2016, 06:06 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Dahlonega , Georgia
Posts: 14,583
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2002 Boxster S . Arctic silver + black top/int. Jake Raby 3.6 SS engine " the beast ". GT3 front bumper, GT3 side skirts and GT3 TEK rear diffuser. 1999 996 C4 coupe black/grey with FSI 3.8 engine . Rear diffuser , front spoiler lip with ducktail spoiler . |
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05-31-2016, 09:00 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,612
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So I have a question for the Boxster/ Cayman guys. My left rear intake duct appears to be a dummy as it looks to be blocked from the inside. The airbox is just inside the dummy duct. Do you guys ever open that up, or would it mess up the cooling air flow coming in from the right side duct, which has a fan to force air into the engine compartment? Also, the center front duct is a dummy. I understand that there is an oil cooler option that can be installed there. Has anyone tried that? Is it necessary if you live in hot climates?
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05-31-2016, 10:28 AM
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I don't know what year yours is, but on my old 98 the left duct wasn't a dummy. There was a 'snorkel' of sorts in there whose purpose was to prevent water intrusion into the intake. Many would just pull that sucker out and free up the airway. I pulled mine and never had water intrusion, but then I never encountered water living in CA. Oh and no snorkel was good for +15 hp
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J Mac Current 0 Sold - 67 911T Coupe racecar, 87 911 Cabriolet, 85 911 Targa, 98 Boxster, 95 993 Coupe, 88 911 Cabriolet, 75 911 Carrera #144, modified |
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05-31-2016, 11:14 AM
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The driver's side duct is an intake, the passenger side is a cooling fan.
Many 987 owners remove the restrictive snorkel in order to allow more air into the engine, especially if they have also upgraded the intake (EVO, etc.) or throttle body/plenum. Apparently, the main reason for the snorkel was not to keep water out, but rather to safeguard against discarded cigarettes getting sucked into the intake. Seriously: in early Boxsters, there were a few cases of discarded cigarettes getting sucked into the intake and igniting the engine. In order to safeguard against this unlikely eventuality, many owners (myself included) install a layer of protective mesh or screen where the restrictive snorkel used to go.
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Current Stable: Black 07 Porsche 987 Cayman S: Long-Tube Headers; FabSpeed Exhaust; VividRacing ECU Tune; IPD Plenum; 997GT3 Throttle Body. Blue 1983 Porsche 928S. 1985.5 Porsche 944 Rat Rod. 2011 Acura MDX. 2008 Mazda 3. Gone But Not Forgotten:Garnet Red 86 Porsche 951("The Purple Pig"). Alpine White 83 Porsche 944 ("Alpine Wolf"). Guards Red 84 Porsche 944. |
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06-01-2016, 01:38 AM
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Back in the saddle again
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Central TX west of Houston
Posts: 55,872
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Steve '08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960 - never named a car before, but this is Charlotte. '88 targa  SOLD 2004 - gone but not forgotten
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06-01-2016, 03:10 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Linn County, Oregon
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"Now, to put a water-cooled engine in the rear and to have a radiator in the front, that's not very intelligent." -Ferry Porsche (PANO, Oct. '73) (I, Paul D. have loved this quote since 1973. It will remain as long as I post here.) |
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06-01-2016, 10:50 AM
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A Man of Wealth and Taste
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Out there somewhere beyond the doors of perception
Posts: 51,063
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Copyright "Some Observer" |
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06-01-2016, 10:55 AM
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Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 3,238
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 Blackout the windshield frame, add some 993 mirrors and bronze speedlines, squint a little and your close. |
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06-01-2016, 11:12 AM
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abides.
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Two friends of mine bought Boxsters in the last year or two... an '01 S and an '02 S (This car). Both came with the IMS bearings already replaced, and were by all appearances well maintained.
On the '01 the replacement IMS bearing failed. Owner still weighing options. On the '02 one of the heads cracked, sending oil into the coolant. Owner replaced engine with previously rebuilt engine, and just a few weeks later it's having cam timing issues (to be fair, probably a wiring problem and not rebuilder's fault.) Regardless, a nightmare. So I have trouble believing anyone that says these motors can be reliable for the long term.
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Graham 1984 Carrera Targa |
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06-01-2016, 04:21 PM
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Back in the saddle again
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Central TX west of Houston
Posts: 55,872
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The Boxster gets a warm reception for the same reason as the miata, the stigma. I'm not sure why either one has the stigma, maybe because they are "cute" so women think they are attractive (ie not macho enough looking). And for the Boxster, it's exacerbated by the fact that it's got a big brother that's the big guy on campus, so no matter how good the boxster is, it'll always be the 911s little brother.
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Steve '08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960 - never named a car before, but this is Charlotte. '88 targa SOLD 2004 - gone but not forgotten
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06-01-2016, 05:04 PM
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weekend wOrrier
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 6,214
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"If only that concept had a 3.6 air cooled engine. It would be the coolest thing ever" |
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06-01-2016, 05:09 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: I live on the road, I just stay here sometimes...
Posts: 7,104
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...and then there is the new GTS!
Last of the 6 cylinders. I played with one all weekend WOW!! Do not underestimate this car. 918 steering wheel was cool, in fact I;d say the entire car is a 918 influenced car. So much so that I would not call it a boxster at all. That name carries a different connotation than what this thing is. I finally get why they are starting to call them a 718! (Although the 718 name I think is just the new4 cylinder ones, not this beast) It is so seriously good with its Jekyl and Hyde magic button, that I could easily be persuaded to move on from my 73 RSR replica to one of these! 
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73 RSR replica (soon for sale) SOLD - 928 5 speed with phone dials and Pasha seats SOLD - 914 wide body hot rod My 73RSR build http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/893954-saving-73-crusher-again.html |
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06-01-2016, 05:11 PM
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Regenerated User
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Fuchs for one thing
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My uncle has a country place, that no one knows about. He said it used to be a farm, before the motor law. '72 911T 2,2S motor '76 BMW 2002 |
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06-01-2016, 05:52 PM
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Back in the saddle again
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Central TX west of Houston
Posts: 55,872
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Quote:
 
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Steve '08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960 - never named a car before, but this is Charlotte. '88 targa SOLD 2004 - gone but not forgotten
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06-01-2016, 06:43 PM
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Writer/Teacher
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Quote:
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Current Stable: Black 07 Porsche 987 Cayman S: Long-Tube Headers; FabSpeed Exhaust; VividRacing ECU Tune; IPD Plenum; 997GT3 Throttle Body. Blue 1983 Porsche 928S. 1985.5 Porsche 944 Rat Rod. 2011 Acura MDX. 2008 Mazda 3. Gone But Not Forgotten:Garnet Red 86 Porsche 951("The Purple Pig"). Alpine White 83 Porsche 944 ("Alpine Wolf"). Guards Red 84 Porsche 944. |
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06-02-2016, 01:45 AM
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Registered
Join Date: May 2005
Location: trumpistan
Posts: 9,876
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Quote:
My SC with 125K miles has a broken head stud. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Brandolini’s Law: It takes hours more time, research, and writing to debunk misinformation than it takes to spread it. |
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06-02-2016, 02:06 AM
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2007 Porsche Cayman S
The Viridian Falcon
SOLD! -- The Purple Pig
SOLD! -- Mighty Mouse
SOLD!! -- Alpine Wolf
1975 Porsche 911
1984 Porsche Carrera Targa
1972 Porsche 911 T/S 1971 2,2S
Gretta
Hansel
