My Sc weighs around 2550 with 180 HP. That's a little over 14 lbs. per hp.
If I can strip a boxster down to that weight, even the first year base model would have a ratio of around 12. A later model with more HP would be even better. Add that to a mid engined chassis with a little suspension tweeking and I will be spending lots of time screaming past 911s (some, not all), but they will look still cooler than me (in their minds).
The only thing wrong with a boxster is that Porsche didn't go crazy racing them. If the Boxster had the same identification to racing as the 911 has everyone would think they are the best thing since sliced bread.

How many of the people who put them down have ever even driven one?

The 356 owners are still saying it...;)

Hmm...that does not calculate.

97/98 Boxster 2822lbs/201hp = 14.039

1980 911SC 2550lbs/180hp = 14.166

And just for kicks...

1998 Z3 2.8L 2844lbs/189hp = 15.047

1999 Miata 2299/140hp = 16.421

Soooo nevertheless.......the 97/98 Boxster still comes out 'pretty good'.

1972 911S coupe:
Curb weight 2440
ponies 190
12.84 pounds per pony.
Now I know why I smoked that Boxster...:D

I like anything that's mid engined and stripped naked....

Since we are on this path...

Anyone know how much a 1986 Carrera coupe weighs?

2700 and change I think...

I leased a Boxster S for 2 years -- it was my technology bubble car. It was fabulous and I'd love to have another one (with about 500 lbs. less wt. and a 300 hp 996 engine).

I ripped thru the rear tires in just about 15,00 miles tho -- that tells something about how much fun it was to corner.

Don't knock it if you hven't driven it.

I think the vote is still out on the boxter.

They seemed to be "totaled" very quickly with out too much damage by the insureance adjusters.

I kind of like the idea to get one and make auto-xer out of it.

I believe that its sort of a reincarnated 914-6. I don't remember those cars being very popular when they first came out. I drove one in Germany in 1970. It was a dog next to the 4dr alfa.

I've tried to watch every race I can when one is entered. The car seems to be overclassed. (whats new?) This seems to be leading to undervelopment of handling packages, etc. By now, if they were competitive, we would be seeing a lot more advertisements for race stuff.

I do however believe that they have all of the natural ingredients to really be road rockets.

David Duffield

You smoked the Boxster because you were a better driver.

My modified SC weighs 2573 lbs, 241hp at the crank, for 10.7 lb/hp.

Road and Track published the lb/hp ratio for my Boxster S as 12.08.

If they are both on street tires, I am faster in the Boxster S despite the fact that I have more seat time in the 911. Don't knock it 'til you drive it.

Couple of years back I went to a PCA sanctioned DE....John Dunkle of Rennlist fame was there.

Anyhow....they had a 986 that was stripped, tubbed and raced very well. Me thinks that a stripped 986 with some power upgrades and a driver that is NOT named Biff will do quite well.

I kind of think the "Boxster Image" thing is an association with the initial bunch of owners... the cars as jewelry crowd. By the time I would consider buying one of these things it will evolve into a fun midengine roadster. Don't like the lamps? Buy a body kit. There will be a million of them.

The jewelry crowd will all be driving hydrogen bubble gizmos by then.

Roadsters and convertables are not looked upon kindly by the tech inspectors unless there is a full cage in there. So, it boils down to all out race car or a little DE on SOME, but not all tracks. This is not a first choice, dual purpose car. It's a road going sports car for chrissake. But the way many have talked about it around here, to own one is to have leprosy.

As others have pointed out here, it has it's redemption. Why can't it be just left alone and not the target of constant disparagement?

BTW, mine doesn't have a cupholder and has no place to put one. So put that between your knees. ;)

It's an excellent car. Heck Bruce Anderson owns one. Folks buy cars for different reasons. One of them is to impress others, but that could be said of the 911's (encompassing all models to present), or any car for that matter. It always irked me that VW convertibles (either) the new Beetle, or even some pickup trucks are labeled "chick" cars or trucks. What silliness. You know the power stats, and the handling reviews are excellent. It's a Porsche through and through based in part on one of the early classic Porsches (550). I prefer the nine eleven series myself, but I'd never be ashamed to drive a Boxster, or a new Beetle for that matter. I'm not all that fond of convertibles, but a Boxster can eat crackers in my garage anytime. Some folks will take it on a pony ride, but it will run like a thoroughbred if you so desire. Of course the new Carrera GT would be my first choice.

I like Boxsters.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/dom.gif

S2000....

Hey what's with all the "Bob" bashing at the start of the thread :(

Anyway...life's too short to dis someone about their choice of Porsches....
Yes they did save Porsche,
Yes some people just use they for transportation,
Yes some people even race them,
Yes some people have them just to say they own a Porsche,
Yes they are fine cars

Yes they are Porsches

Would you be happier if I used the psuedonym of Bruce?

Then I would get all the Bruce's on my butt......%^B

Difference is . . . the 356 owners were wrong.

I agree with Vanessa.

The Boxter is a much sharper looking car than the current 996 (Evil Japanese Headlight) "911"...

But no way does a Boxter look better than a 993, 911 Carerra, SC, 930 etc.

Cant wait for the 997 to come out.