Porsche...there is no substitute

recycled sixtie · recycled sixtie's Garage

How about replacing my 2001 Boxster base with some kind of 911?
I use the term 911 loosely as I am open to your opinions on what could be good for me in a couple of years from now. I am into the 2nd year of ownership of my Box and would like to hear particularly from 911 owners who were previous Box owners or who have both. To those who have sold their Box to buy a 911 do you still miss it?

I have tried a 2002 Tiptronic 911 but lacks soul and would have to have a manual transmission. I like aircooled 911 but it has got too pricey. Around the year 2001-2003 911 any suggestions? Failing that the 2009 Boxster(it has no ims) has some appeal in a few years when the price comes down. Please enlighten me!Must have good air cond. and heated seats hence water cooled 911.

ivangene · 06:57 AM

well I had a 99' 996

sold it for my 86'

you should post this Q on the 996 forum at rennlist - this is all (mostly) air cooled car guys and without much exception we all will tell you water cooled P-cars all have no soul

I dont miss my 996 very much, but there are days - but driving an 86' is such a very different experience - you owe it to yourself to go test drive a couple and see what YOU think

It's not for everyone - I know a lot of people who are NOT air cooled guys, and I know as many that are exactly the opposite - very personal thing

A 01' Boxster Tip is a great car, my sister has one (lol someone had to say it)

your last line eliminates every car I would be interested in
"Must have good air cond. and heated seats hence water cooled 911"

around here we dont call those 911's

Tippy · 12-16-2012, 06:54 AM

The only thing you could possibly miss in a Boxster is the mid-engine performance and the ability to get the air oil sperator easily when it fails.

That sounded a little harsh.

Danny_Ocean · 12-16-2012, 07:17 AM

My license plate frame reads: Water is for Douches...

993 is what you're looking for.

R K T · 12-16-2012, 07:44 AM

993.....and I know of an incredible one for sale!

chrisbruck · chrisbruck's Garage

If you are used to a water-pumper Boxster (and it's inherent issues) and the newer creature comforts.... I doubt you'd be happy stepping back to an air cooled 911. They are a different breed. 993 may work for you, but nothing older. I personally would never buy a 996. 997 maybe, but they got out of my price range.

ivangene · 12-16-2012, 08:22 AM

my good friend just stepped from a SC into a 997 C2 S - its a wonderful car ....

but NOT going to happen on a Base Boxster budget

if you read between the lines - Base Boxster, air cooled cars are pricey we are looking MKI 996 or maybe MKII with high miles

I think you could get a nice Cayman for the same price, newer and come out ahead with sort of the best of both the Boxster and a 996 in a new package

Rot 911 · 08:35 AM

Interesting that you are posting this thread as your posts in other forums helped me with my decision to add a Boxster to the fleet.

I think you need to answer the question of why you are thinking of trading off the Boxster. From your initial post it seems like your desire for creature comforts outweigh the need for a somewhat raw air cooled 911.

I bought my Boxster to be a daily driver. A daily driver that also makes me smile when I drive it. Very fun car to drive. Personally I don't care for the slab sided body on the 996, and it seems to me going from a Boxster to a 996 is not going to be a huge change. More horsepower and room behind the seats, but really, that is about it. And yes I have driven a 996.

You can get almost all, if not all, of what you want in a 993, and have the air cooled experience. If I was going with a daily driver, air cooled, 911, it would be the 993.

As for me, I'm also keeping my modified '86 Carrera. It is the exact opposite of the Boxster: loud, raw, unforgiving. Anyone that can drive a stick, can drive a Boxster. Until you really learn how, my 911 can make an experienced manual shift driver look foolish. The air conditioning sucked in it, so it was one of the first things to go to lighten the car up. Great car to drive September through May, but not so fun in the hot, humid Missouri summers. That's where the need for a second car comes in. Hence the Boxster.

Prices are going back up on the SC's and Carreras, and a nice 993 is going to cost you in the mid-30's. But a 996 will depreciate to zero as they eventually will end up in the hands of owners who can't afford the cost to repair them.

ivangene · 12-16-2012, 09:06 AM

good post Kurt

I like your description of shifting the 86'

Craig_D · Craig_D's Garage

I owned a '99 Boxster as my first Porsche and did DE's and autocrosses with it. Now, I'm not much for top down...I prefer a roof over my head...but the Boxster was an excellent, fun car. The shifting was a bit vague, but was very easy. Fast forward and now I have a '78 911 SC (it's my daily driver unless it snows) and I LOVE it. For me, the 911 is much more of an original classic and it has such a visceral appeal. It's much more fun to drive at all speeds...feels more thrilling and involved. It just feels, sounds, smells special...like you're in a club of true enthusiasts.

The other thing that is important to me is the ability to tinker, modify and improve. The options on an older 911 are limitless...you can make an earlier air cooled 911 into any of many types of car; backdated long hood, lightweight track weapon, wide bodied hot rod, or in my case a semi-lightweight hot rod with some touring car luxuries.

If modifying isn't what you want, I can still say that I feel more involved in the driving/ownership experience than I ever felt with the Boxster. Could the Boxster do some things better than my 911? Yes...A/C, which I removed to reduce weight. De-misting was better. Braking was better (for now). Shifting was easier...not necessarily better, and certainly no where near as satisfying as double declutch heal/toe down shifting (with girlfriend saying "wow"

. And the handling is different than anything I've ever driven...you can simple do things with a 911 that aren't possible with mid or front engined cars.

In a way, the two aren't really comparable because of how different they are (sound, smell, feel, and ownership pride), but I can say that the 911 has me "all in", whereas the Boxster was just "nice".

Hope that helps. Good luck!

Cheers, - Craig_D

recycled sixtie · recycled sixtie's Garage

[QUOTE=Rot 911;7152997]Interesting that you are posting this thread as your posts in other forums helped me with my decision to add a Boxster to the fleet.

Well we have long winters here and I am daydreaming. Your request for info re Boxster vs Miata was liking comparing apples to oranges. Comparing a 911 to a Boxster is liking comparing apples to apples. I have not regretted the decision to go from a Miata to a Boxster. A watercooled 911 has the winter/summer needs of good heat and good air cond. An aircooled cannot provide that but would give a feeling of more soul.
So how do you like the Box vs. your 911? Well I will get back to my daydreaming and thinking about 2 years from now.....

Other suggestions above - Cayman sounds good as well.

BrianC9379 · 12-16-2012, 12:43 PM

I went from a 2003 Boxster S to a 1987 Targa. As others have said, they are very different cars that offer different experiences. I had no problems with the Boxster, but after 8 years of ownership, I was looking for a more "connected" feel with the car. The 1987 Targa has no power steering or power brakes so there is more driver involvement and the engine sound is part of the experience that is just different from the Boxster.

I might miss the quick drop-top of the Boxster at times as well as its modern air conditioning, but the trade off was worth it for me.

ScottT80 · 12-16-2012, 06:35 PM

So whats your thoughts on the Miata versus the Boxster? I have several first generation Miatas and love them. I've considered picking up a Z3 or Boxster. I've driven a couple of Boxsters and like them, but honestly am not impressed with the build quality.... of course I'm comparing it to an SC.

If you like modern conveniences... I'd stay away from the air cooled cars. I can say I find myself in the SC more often than a Miata these days but a Miata is easier to live with than an SC. I love the SC but it requires much more attention to drive. I agree fully about the shifting assessment above. Theres a big learning curve to shifting a 915.

michael lang · michael lang's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rot 911

a 996 will depreciate to zero as they eventually will end up in the hands of owners who can't afford the cost to repair them.

which is exactly why I plan on keeping mine forever.

recycled sixtie · recycled sixtie's Garage

So am I correct in saying that a 993(or any aircooled 911) did not have any effective air conditioning? How about heat in winter - sufficient? Probably you are thinking why r u wanting to drive an appreciating air cooled car in winter!

ivangene · 12-17-2012, 05:20 AM

best heater of any car I have ever owned - hot before I hit the end of my 100 foot driveway !

Rot 911 · 12-17-2012, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

So am I correct in saying that a 993(or any aircooled 911) did not have any effective air conditioning? How about heat in winter - sufficient? Probably you are thinking why r u wanting to drive an appreciating air cooled car in winter!

As stated above, the air cooled 911 heating system is excellent. You have almost instant heat in the winter. As for decent AC, some, who have spent a fair amount of money to make it so, will say the pre 964 cars have good AC. The majority of us will be honest and tell you it sucks. The 964's and 993's have very good AC.