how does the 993 stack up against the boxter
 

with all the talk about the boxter and the 911s, how does the 993 compare to the boxter? I am looking to add a C4S to keep my lazy 930 company.

Boxster is a fun car, great Air conditioning, comfortable daily drive....but it's certainly no 993. Although I'm not a fan of the C4s. I'd rather have the 2 wheel drive version. Too much front push for my tast on tight canyon drives.

Yeah, I am not a big fan of all wheel drive. I had a Mist. VR4 twin turbo, it corners funny, just doesnt feel right. I don't know about the C4S as I have never driven one. Man, I'll tell you the price is right. The AC should be all right in the 993?

Jeff

Hmm... the pinnacle of air-cooled technology vs. a water cooled "me too" car.   The Boxter is a nice car, but it is the choice you would make over a Miata, or a Z3, but not a 993.

As long as the 993 doesn't have an R-12 unit, which I believe it does not, you should be OK on the air-conditioning.

You know what I would pick, even if I had to roll the windows down.

:cool:

I wouldn't look twice at a Boxster. If I had the pick, it'd be the 993 without a doubt. Boxster's just don't "do it" for me, the way 911's do.

The turbo body 993's are just awesome looking cars :eek: I prefer the C2S though :cool:

Oh no, just on look itself or anything for that matter, I would choose the 993 over the Boxter. I am not looking to buy a boxter. I just have work out this 993 deal. The seller isn't always in town. But, i'm in no hurry. What I am asking is that how does it compare in performance. Similar weight, and Hp between the two. It is a 98 and it does have R134.

Roll down the windows? You must be talking about my Miata? Hey don't knock it, that's one hell of a little car. I ran with those Orange county Ortega Hwy guys once, and had to work hard, but i keep up ok. coming out of the turns, forget it. They were gonnnne.

My 97 C4S is extremely sure footed and highly confidence inspiring.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1156471677.jpg

Mark that a beautiful car. I didn't think I would ever say this, I like that fat a$$ on her.

If this deal falls through, I am not getting a Boxter. Even they may be faster. I'll just stick with my 930. I am sure they are great cars, but I think it kinda funky looking. Its growing on me. When I see em' on the road, I do look at them.

Straight line performance the 993 should have the edge, but in the twisties the boxster/S is very formidable. as an example, here are two comparable drivers times at a local track.. Thunderhill.

Boxster.. (2:12.2) 200hp
993 c2 (2:11.7) 272-285hp aprox. iirc

Not much difference

Man, how much heavier is that 993? 70+hp different and it is that close.

SpecificationsProduction: 1995-1998 993
Weight: 3065 lb

Boxster
Production: 1997-1999
Weight: 2756 lb

2-300lbs makes that much difference? Wow.

"me too" car. [compares it to] Miata, or a Z3
___________________________________________

This statement ignores the most fundamental nature of any car -- the position of the engine, and its consequent effects on dynamic behavior.

A Boxster is a me too car only if your comparisons include race cars and the very few high-priced exotics with mid-engines. The Boxster brings all of this to you at a fraction of the price.

There have been other attempts at even lower price points - 914, X1-9, Toyota MR2 Spyder. But none of these has had a lot of staying power in the market. The Boxster is a true phenomenon and and remarkable vehicle. It's only real fault is that it could benefit from, and the chassis cold easily handle, 400-500 hp. Then you could kill Gallardos and Fcars.

I agree Randy & TC-sacto... On the track, even a 97 Boxster can be very close in performance to a 993. I have been there.

I like both of them and if its a street only car, the Boxster also has the ability to lose the roof & better comforts. The 993 on the only hand is the most developed air-cooled cars - its close to giving you the rawness of the early cars but still lots of comfort features.

Really depends what you want/like.

I think eventually it will be the Cayman that will take that queue.

Sure, but the Cayman is just a hard top Boxster; or the Boxster is just a Cayman conv.

In an ideal world, you would add a ruf'd up one to your 993RS and RS2.7...

To decide among them and have just one car is much too subjective -- you just have to drive them each for an extended time. The opinions of others can give you clues as to what to appreciate or watch out for, but can't make the decision for you.

Yes, but isn't the Cayman heavier than the Boxster? If that's the case, then I would expect the Boxster to run as close to the Cayman as it did the 993. And if it were a Boxster S, to even beat both the Cayman and the 993.

The hard top part you write is very interesting, as that is also one of the fundamental differences between a Miata and a Spec Miata.

Hmmm...I wonder if there is a spec Boxster series.

Show me any Boxter that looks or sounds as cool as my 993.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1156552952.jpg

Could be the driver, you know. I have a Boxster (please learn how to spell it), but I don't drive it much. It's really the wife's car. When I do take it out, I haven't really found its limits. Tracks like a roller coaster and I'm afraid I might find out in a hurry where it wants to give up and leave the road. This was never the case with my semi track prepared early 911, or, for sure, the '77 Targa we had for 15 years.

The Boxster is a great handling car. A completely different car with the same name on the hood. What I really need to do is get in the thing with a competent instructor. I could probably instruct in 911's, but this is a different feel. No need to even make comparisons, IMHO.

Had a Boxster and a 993 cab (still have the cab). The wife liked the Boxster better, but I liked the 993 better. The Boxster was nice, but just too civilized for me. Never liked the clutch in the Boxster The 993 just feels better going down the road. More of a beast thing with AC that works great. Though the 993 is super nice, my preference is the 82 SC with the 3.6. Not a fancy car, but it can really move out. Plus the SC can run on the track :D

Zeke - I hear it doesn't snap steer all that badly for a mid-engine car.

Yeah, it might be a good thing if we could spell it right as we spout our expert opinions. LOL :rolleyes:

Thanks Milt.

From a performace standpoint, I won't argue that the Boxster has different and even superior charateristics compared to the Miata and the Z3. What I am trying to say is that they are pretty common and not all that interesting mainly because they are under powered and over sold. One not versed in motorsport might consider any of the three when looking for a "sports car".

The 993 on the other hand, well I don't think I have to say much more.

The 993 is a 911 and air/oil cooled at that, the Boxster is neither. The pros and cons on an objective scale is a whole other matter. Driving them personally would be the only way to determine what one really prefer.

http://www.flat6.com/images/project34_011.jpg

Keep trying....

no need. although it's good to see what those cars look like from this view point. I usually only seem them in my rear view mirror. :D

That Boxster looks great in my opinion.

As much as I like 993s I actually prefer the look of this Studio Torino 987 R Spyder. It is stunning in my opinion. They fixed the two things I didn't like on the 986 version. The front bumper/headlights and the fender vents. The rest of the 986 has always looked great to me. http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads8/r1156661238.jpg

:eek: Wow! That really looks great. I agree, the stock vents on the Boxster are lame. The change in the nose changes the whole look of the car.

I've owned two of each.

Very different cars with different strengths. For pure driving enjoyment, you can'b eat a Boxster. For a car that gives you a thrill when you walk up to it, nothing I've owned can beat a wide body 993.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1156722893.jpg

Wow, a thread naming the boxster that has not degenerated to "girly car" comments (yet). Amazing !

I've had both, a 96 993 sandwiched between 2 boxsters (2001 986 and 2005 987).

The 993 is prettier from the outside, torquier, easier to work on, and did I mention prettier ?
The 993 also has the interior of a 1972, expensive engine issues bound to be out of warranty, crappy ballast resistors for A/C and oil cooler Fans, in stock form it is way too quiet to the point where you can't hear it rev (sorry rick, yours has to be modified), and while quick, it is so linear and quiet it is deceptively so... A bit too GT... But pretty!

The Boxster is modern, has ideal weight distribution and better handling, excellent driving position and adjustability of the controls, turns in like no car I've ever driven, sounds great past 5000 RPM out of the box (sorry Rick, still comparing stock cars here), and has a way more modern interior ! But it is also clautrophobic top up, has less power than the 993 unless you talk about a 987S, they are a dime a dozen on the road, and 911 zealots think it's a girly car ;-)

If I could have both, I would, still... I have to say that when it came time for another car, I got another boxster because a crate 993 motor is $30K while a crate 987 motor is <$10K and I liked the handling more... But F#$% me, the 993 is a gorgeous car to look at when you open your garage door... Not so nice inside, but sexy body for sure...

Do you want/need a warranty ? If you have a 993 itch, you have to scratch it... and a boxster, for all its qualities, will not do that !