Just drove a Boxter............

poorb0yw · 10-18-2002, 07:04 AM

Hey guys,
Well I just took my 993 into the dealership to have a ding fixed and crack in the windshield filled. As my rental they pulled out a nice silver Boxter. Having never driven one and always reading the good reviews I was kinda hyped to finally check out what it was like.

However when I got inside I was horrified at what I saw. I didn't know a german car from such a prestigous manufacturer could look so much like a bottom end American car in terms of fit and finish.

Furthermore, the instant you start to drive the thing you notice a lack of any feel in the pedals. The nonexistent sound of the engine didn't help much either.

Just wanted to share this experience and see if any others have felt the same. Needless to say, I was extremely dissapointed. I can't wait to slip back into the 911 this afternoon.

Princeton

s_wilwerding · s_wilwerding's Garage

A lot of people who switch from 911s to Boxsters complain that the engine doesn't make enough noise. My friend had sport exhausts installed, but even they don't make much noise.

I don't know what my opinion is of this - I like listening to the engine of my 911, but for road trips and such, it would be nice to have a quieter car.

kristian85 · kristian85's Garage

Interesting that you note that. A good friend was evaluating a 996 as a better all-round alternative to his '94 Lotus Esprit, and drove one. We were both thoroughly dismayed over the low standard interior quality--the cheap painted plastics, etc. And, to get it to where a $85K car should be by upgrading interior surfaces with leather via the extensive Porsche add-on catalog, it was another $10K. I also have this dsicussion with one of my best friends who owns an '01 Boxster S. Porsche should check out how Maserati does it in the new Coupe.

boyo · 10-18-2002, 01:43 PM

When ordering, you can replace any trim with carbon fiber, wood, or paint-to-match samples...

That's what you get for skimping on ordering!

-Boyo

Jim T · 10-18-2002, 01:52 PM

I was at the Porsche dealership today (a very rare occurance for me - I haven't gone to the dealer for years), cashing in my PCA $100 parts coupon.

Looked at the new Boxsters and Carreras. I've driven the Boxster before - I agree on the sound and the poor interior. I think is a nice car, but not for what they are charging for them. The bottom line sticker prices on all the new Porsches are a lot higher than I thought - most of the Carrera coupes on the lot carried stickers of $80K plus. One of the Cabs with a bunch of factory options and $4,000 aftermarket wheels stickered at just over $100,000.

The Carrera must suffer some steep depreciation, since I see '99s and 2000s in the $40s all the time - sometimes the very low $40s.

One thing I was surprised at was how much lower the dealer charges for parts! 10 years ago, it was common to get parts mail order for 50% less than the dealer - they seem to have lowered their prices substantially, plus a 10% PCA discount. I guess that was part of the reason for the $100 off, to get people to check it out.

Zeke · 10-18-2002, 02:40 PM

My Boxster doesn't sit as well or drive as well as my '77 Targa did. But it is a good daily driver and the maintenance is negligible. That's more than I can say for the 911 which, over each years' time, was averaging $500 per month averaging in the engine rebuild. I was racing karts throughout most of the time that I owned the 911 and the amount of time required to wrench on the karts left little time for autos. So, I let the shop do it. Same deal now, the race car takes all my spare time. It's nice to know the Box is always ready.

Oh and the sound? There's always a thread around here about sound. Yes, the 911 with a ten year plus old blown out muffler is one of the best sounds ever. I can't even imagine getting a thrill in the Box while driving thru a tunnel like the 911. Sometimes I'd turn around and go back thru just to hear it again. Sweet.

boyo · 10-18-2002, 04:18 PM

Discount? The dealer near me (Sacramento) charges a 100% premium for parts!

My coolant tank cracked, $80 through my local (non-dealer) repair shop. My friend's did the same, $160 through the dealer plus labor charges.

So maybe the local repair shop gets a discount, but boy howdy! That's really sticking it to ya...

-Boyo

Mike Feinstein · Mike Feinstein's Garage

I had a different experience. I suspect you were disappointed in the Boxster because you drive a 993. I have a colleague that recently bought a 97 Boxster for $25k. I took it for an aggressive drive and was quite impressed. The power comes on at a lower RPM than my 3.2 Carrera but flattens out above 6k (unlike my Carrera) The car had a very solid and reassuring feel...the acceleration was very useable and satisfying. I didn't pay much attention to fit and finish as this has never been Porsche's strength in any vintage, in my opinion. The car handled very well...cornering was crisp and clean with nice feedback through the steering wheel, although the power assisted steering took a bit of getting used to. For power steering, it had a good feel.

Regarding sound...with the top down, I found that the car offers a very satisfying "wail" at about 5500 rpm. Sounded a little like my old 964 with an MAF and K&N cone.

Overall, I was impressed with the performance of the car...and this is the earliest iteration (2.5L with 201 hp). I stepped out of the car wondering what a new Boxster S would be like with 252 hp and improved suspension. For $55k, I doubt there will be one in my garage soon, but I could see getting a used one in about 5 years for a daily driver.

Just my .986 cents.

pwd72s · 10-18-2002, 05:18 PM

Hasn't Brian owned both? Maybe we should ask him. All I know is that my '72S is capable of blowing the doors off the first Boxter ever owned in Oregon.

Brian993 · Brian993's Garage

While I can easily realize you will not get good response on this 911 technical forum, I have to say I enjoyed my short lived experience with the boxster.

Porsche will always turn out a decent product in a relative way, I think. However, when folks are used to driving a companies top product it is easy to discard other offerings.

I have friends who own Ferrari's who like to think Porsche is an inferior automobile, I stand firm. If you like the Boxster than I suggest you do the same, just dont test drive a 993. Kinda a tough one to beat for the same money!

Bobboloo · Bobboloo's Garage

Alot of people dog the 986 and 996 looks. I think they look great but I agree with you on the interior 100%. It looks like a Pontiac Grand Am or something. I saw a 70's Maserati Mexico at Pomona last week. What a gorgeous interior.
From a market standpoint the Boxter has proven itself many times over. It's what most people want in a modern sports car. More power to them. Would I like one sure. But not if I had to give up the 911.

Bobby

Lucky · 10-19-2002, 06:15 AM

Not sure why air-cooled 911 owners dislike Boxsters so much... they are damn good Porsches! There, I've said it, they are Porsches just like our beloved 911s.

I've driven three Boxsters. My brother-in-law's '97 when they first came out (I was very impressed at the time), and then two newer ones when I was shopping for a Porsche but couldn't decide between a Boxster and an older 911. Obviously I chose the latter.

One of the newer ones I drove was a '00 with the 2.7 liter and many nice interior options (painted gages, aluminum trim on doors, shifter, and handbrake). It also had the "sport classic" wheels in 18" size. Very, very nice car. But at $40.5k (which was a very fair price at the time) it was a bit too much. I'm glad I chose the 911 for financial reasons, as that Boxster would now be worth $30k to $34k. My 911 has hardly lost value, but then again I've put $1k+ in parts and $800 in mechanic's time into the 911 over the last 2 years plus basic maintenance.

However, even though I love the 911, I see a Boxster in my stable at some point in the future. I just hope it will be parked alongside the 911, not in its place!

If it were to replace the 911, it would a Boxster S that would turn into a serious project car... I'd swap in a 300+ hp 996 motor and blow all your old air-coolers away!! MuuuHaaaHaaHa. The BWDP begins!

Doug E · 10-19-2002, 01:24 PM

Uggggggh! While I am sure there are some redeeming qualities about them, I just can't seem to get excited about those cars.

Only way I'll ever have a boxster in my garage is if they are giving them away with a happy meal

BTW, it seems like every boxster I see on the road nowadays is driven by a female with the top up and windows closed.

wdarner · wdarner's Garage

I am a "911 guy" who also owns a Boxster. 1987 911 (red), 2001 Boxster (blue).Up until the time I drove a Boxster, I could not imagine owning one - HEY IT AIN'T NO 911! When I drove one I realised just what a car it was. I bought one shortly thereafter. Reminds me of the Lotus Europa I once owned. Absolutlely neutral in the corners. The PORSCHE BOXSTER, drive one and you will learn something. Only problem is the new PORSCHES are not like the good old PORSCHES. Better to lease than buy because with all the computerised stuff you can no longer work on them yourself, unless you have thousands to spend on computer diagnostic equipment.

So, when it comes down to it, much as the Boxster is a fantastic drive, if I had to choose between the two, it would be my good old 87 911. Took me months to find a good one (how can there be so many junk PORSCHES out there?). And a BIG point - the M96 engine is a major drawback. Rear main seals, intermediate shaft, et. all. Give me a proven air cooled motor. When the Boxster is paid off I plan to replace it with a pre 74 911. The 87 911 ? It's not going anywhere!

NYSCAR · 05:52 PM

I test drove a Boxster S not too long ago, impressive car, soaked up NYC bumps alot better than my 73S did, but was WAY too quiet...I couldn't tell if the car was running when I was at a stoplight. Couldn't put it through any handling paces either, but they're supposed to be phenomenal handlers. With regard to sound, the *can* sound incredible. Check this dyno video of a guy with an intake, headers, chip, and stock exhaust:

http://www.smiley.net/files/BoxsterDyno%20007.mpg

Sounds almost like an F355 at the top end

The suspension feels awfully soft for me, but H&R makes a nice coilover setup for the cars as well. It would take a little bit of work, but you could make one into a nice track screamer if you had a mind to....

Brad

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

I agree, the trim is somewhat substandard on the newer cars. on a side note, I have been impressed with what I have seen from BMW on the higher-end cars, in terms of fit and trim. I think that Porsche has relied a lot on their name and badge, whereas companies like BMW and Mercedes still have to compete with the high-end Lexuses, etc.

Just an opinion...

-Wayne

Jim T · 10-20-2002, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by boyo
Discount? The dealer near me (Sacramento) charges a 100% premium for parts!

My coolant tank cracked, $80 through my local (non-dealer) repair shop. My friend's did the same, $160 through the dealer plus labor charges.

So maybe the local repair shop gets a discount, but boy howdy! That's really sticking it to ya...

-Boyo

I bought 2 sunroof cables, $46.xx each, and 2 stock rubber/pvc door sill plates, $37.xx. To that, deduct the 10% PCA discount that a lot of dealers give.

poorb0yw · 10-20-2002, 08:38 PM

Interesting.

I do like the new styling of Porsches. Nothing against them in that sense.

To clarify, it was a 2000 model year Boxter in base trim level. Might explain the dissapointing intererior (not considering the fact that they are $40k cars), but it was really the lack of sound (nothing till 4500) and any feeling through the pedals that got to me.

I too see mostly women driving them. However I don't understand how they can see anything other than straight ahead with the top up.

On a different note. I logged 500 miles onto the 993 this weekend going to Austin and driving around. Loved every second of it. Only other Porsches I've been in are a 930 and an 82' Targa.

hobieboy · 10-21-2002, 08:15 AM

Here's my 2 cents worth...

Having owned an 97 Boxster up until last year, I definitely agree that its not a 911; especially compared with the older ones (pre-964), but did enjoy it immensely.

Handling & styling-wise, I think its up there with all the other Porsches. Sure, the car doesn't have a whole lot of power (get an 'S' for that), but on a tight track, very few cars can walk away from it.

Trim-wise, I think someone already mentioned. You have to get upgrades to get any decent look. Really don't know why Porsche even bother to let folks order a plain jane with no interior upgrade

BTW, from what I understand, the nice howling sound from 5500 rpm on was gone since they put in the 2.7l engine... sad

masraum · 10-21-2002, 04:10 PM

Just an interesting note. I read an article on the sport exhaust. It's designed to be quiet around town and not really make much noise until you really hit the throttle or get to a certain rpm. There are flapper valves or baffles or something inside that are actuated electronically to give more sound when you are really getting on it and close to be quiet the rest of the time.

Hmm, neat technology, but give me sound all of the time.