Boxter or 911?

[///S320]

Hi people,
i am new to your forum. Recently i have started thinking about selling my 96 mercedes S320 and buy a porsche. Now i know that perhaps this topic is maybe discussed million times already.

But here are my questions:

What is the primary difference between a boxster and 911? i know the price difference is huge. But is there a performance issue as well? Should i stay away from any perticular years? Is boxster not a "Real Porsche" in any sense? (no offense, i just saw sopranos episide in which the guy talks about boxster).

Many thanks

[jmorgan456]

There are many issues to be covered in your post.

But first, Please check your spelling. It is BoxSter not boxter. It is more insulting to many when you spell it wrong than when you say it is not a real porsche. In my view, suggesting it is not a real Porsche says more about the speaker than the car.

That being said: The cars are very different and very similar. For instance:

The front end from the door mounts fwd is almost identical.

The Boxster is mid-engined two seater, 911 is rear engined 2+2.
In effect, you get two rear seats for infants or adults with no legs in the 911. If you want to put a baby seat in your car the 911 might be the better choice. But both are basically two seaters.

The boxster has two trunks front and back. 911 has only the front + plus rear seat storage. Golf clubs can't be hidden in the 911, they fit fine in the boxster rear trunk.

The 911 has 300+ hp, the boxster low to mid 200's depending upon model.

The mid engine design gives substantial handling benefits over the rear engined 911. Boxster is lighter and more tossable. Certain racer types prefer the rear engine for certain manoevers.

The boxster is a Standard Convertibile the 911 is converted from the coupe model.

The 911 offers 4 wd the Boxster does not. The 911 offers turbo, the Boxster does not. All 911 choices add major dollars.

In my view, most af the differences are subjective rather than objective. It depends upon what you want or need. The exception is HP. The 911, in any trim, has more and potentially way more.

From the world at large, I have never heard anything about this "real porsche" thing. Only from a 911 owner. any way you slice it, most people cannot have what you are looking to own. So the response has uniformly been positive. Besides, who really cares what anyone else thinks. Get what you want because you want it.

Think about what you want it for and what you are going to do with it. My advice would be very different if you intended to race the car vs. concours/garage queen it.

[///S320]

Thanks jmorgan456.

I feel bad that i spelled the name incorrect. However, i made the change in the orginal post. Yes, i agree that one should not care what others say. Besides a Porsche is a Porsche.

I will go on a test drive soon and i will post back again.

One quicky: Is there any specific model that i should stay away from?

[Glass Man]

S320, I have a 98 Boxster I had a 72 911. Each in it's own right are good cars. I will admitt though that the Boxster is alot more fun to drive and will hold it's own with a few mods. I find the trunk space a big plus and I love the way the mid eng. handles. If you want a good dailey driver buy a Boxster.If you need 400 hp buy a turbo, If the ooooohhh factor is what you want get any porsche.

[jmorgan456]

"what to avoid"

All of the models have plusses and minuses. You will have to really research the web for quirks on whatever model you buy.
ALways try to get the newest you can reasonably afford.

That being said, I would limit my search on the Boxster to 2000 and newer.

That year introduced the 2.7 liter engine for the base and the 3.2 liter S model. There was also electronic throttle, improvements to the top, and interior. In addition, some major problems with certain oil seals were addressed, although with uncertain results.

On older cars there were complaints about huge engine problems (castings, sleeves). Many people suggest extended warranties to protect against problems. This might be overkill or piece of mind depending upon you point of view. The trades seem to feel the Boxster is very reliable and durable.


All of the above is just my opinion, based upon reading the mags and lurking the boards. I do not pretend to be an expert. Definitely get the car checked out at a reputable dealer before purchase.

On 911, I have no real insight, I am not a good person to ask.

[DANNOV]

I just purchased a new Boxster S after owning a 1985 911 Carrera for 16 years. I loved the 911 but now that I have the Boxster the old 911 seems quite primitive. The Boxster handles much better than any car I have ever driven ( incl 993 and 996) and it does not have the unique handling quirks of the older 911. The S has about as much power as you will ever need, and I find the car comfortable to drive with a relatively huge amount of trunk space. You may be considering a later 911, perhaps a 993 or 996. But, for the price of a new Boxster you would have to go the used car route. I was considering a used 996 but I wanted no problems, and the cars I looked at had at least 40K miles. The used cars were Porsche certified which seems to add to the price, but I'm not interested in sorting out used car problems even if there is a warranty. I just got back from a 1200 mile test drive around Lake Michigan and the Boxster was a delight on the highway and the back roads. This is really a great car!

[Vanessa]

After looking long and hard at 911's & 986 i have to say (briefly) that the Boxster is alot more;
1/ Fun
2/ Cheaper
3/ And I just look so darn cute in it compared to the 911

Both great cars but if you don't need a 2 seater I'd go with the 986.

Vanessa

[mkmurph]

Well here's by 2 cents:

I had a 911 many years ago and loved it with a passion.

After the real kids grew up and went I just had to have another go and get another Porsche, so I got a 2001 Boxster S this past May.

Essentially, what turned me on to the BoxS was the handling.

Truth be told: apart from, maybe, a handful of exotics the Boxster S will outhandle any car on the road, and outhanldle them by a wide and utterly breathtaking margin (911 owners, and other doubters check out the skid pad results in Car and Driver, and unless my tired old eyes missed somethng in the small type the BoxeyS beat every one of the other cars tested).

My personal feeling is that in 1996 the Boxster was Porsche's way of introduing us to the future of the marque top end car, and I think its the latest GT supercar's design --- whose shape is far more derivative of the Boxster design than the 911's --- its the proof in the pudding.

Lastly, at 250+ horsepower in such a relatively light car, the SBox will still give 0-60 performance in considerably less than 6 seconds, and it'll do that while accellerating out of a 1g turn and without even beginning to lose rubber or road position.

Now, I am toying with the idea of betting the waranty and having a TPC supercharger installed. That should push the horsepower well in to the 300's, but if I do that it will be solely to safisy my admittedly outsided ego.

Mike Murphy

[aircool]

I currently own a 90 911 and have enjoyed the power and extra interior space. But I am seriously considering purschasiing a 1997 Boxster. My limitations are money and money. So I ahve been looking at 97 models. I have been told that there were serious engine problems with the 97 model year. the car i am looking at has 28K miles. Have any of you heard about the 97 model engines. Something about the engine factory burning down and limiting the quality of production?? Thanks Bob

[jmorgan456]

On 1997 engines:

The story, as I understand it (derived from lurking on the boards) is that in the early years there were two major problems:

1) Some of the engine blocks were porous because of an experimental casting method. Rather than junk the blocks Porsche installed a sleeve in the block. Over time, some of these sleeves slipped out of the cylinders. Blown engine.

2) Early on there was one machine in the factory which was creating parts out of spec. As a result, some engines with parts from that machine have failed. I believe that the vin#'s affected are available somewhere. I do not specifically recall though.

There has been a lot of talk about these subjects on the net. However, the trade mags still rave about the Boxster reliability. One wonders who is right.

[JSG1901]

If you're looking for a back-to-back comparison of contemporary 911s and Boxsters, read on.

In May of this year I bought a 2000 996 C4 Cabriolet. Over the years I've had a number of Porsches (914, 914-6, 924 Turbo, 911S, 911 RS replica) and this was BY FAR the nicest, best built, most comfortable, most like-a-real-car Porsche I've ever had.

It was great around town and on the highway. It was reasonably fast but not spectacularly so. The handling was excellent except the front end was heavy by comparison to earlier Porsches (due, I'm sure, to the 175-200 lbs needed by the 4WD) and it tended to push a bit.

I added Eibach springs to tighten it up a bit and I was VERY happy with the car. The springs, as an aside, made no change in the ride (that I could tell) but made the car look SO much better I can't believe everyone doesn't do it. But I digress.

My wife and daughters (10 and 3) LOVED the car. Although the back seats are very small, the kids loved riding in the 911. There was enough room for them to ride comfortably. The 10-year-old even insisted we use the 911 to take her to camp, requiring a 4-hour ride in the back (without complaint).

July 31, on a trip to New England, the 911 was rear-ended by a an inattentive idiot in a Honda Pilot, pushing the motor into the back seat and totalling the car. After a lot of searching and fretting, I've replaced the 911 with a 2000 Boxster S. Here are the differences:

1. To this car, I've added H&R springs which lower the car more than the Eibachs did the 911, and which are noticeably stiffer. The stock springs actually were probably a better ride compromise, but the car looks so good at the slightly lower ride height that I won't go back to them.

2. From the driver's seat, they are the same car, or nearly so.

3. The Boxster is as fast as the C4 (it would be slower than a C2) but handles much better. It is lighter on its feet and much more willing to turn. This is particularly noticeable in esses, where the transient response is excellent. "Brilliant" might be a better word. It reminds me more of the Lotus Europa I once had than any other car I've ever driven when it comes to transients.

4. I miss having the back seat, and so do my kids.

5. The 911 had a lot of squeaks in the roof when the top was up (mostly at the point where the roof connected to the windshield). The Boxster has none.

6. The Boxster is somewhat noisier than the 911 (with the top up and windows closed) although a great deal of this may be due to the surprisingly noisy Yokohamas currently on it.

7. Although the 911 was a tight, solid car, the Boxster is tighter over bumps, in terms of body rigidity. Less cowl shake. Of course, if you're buying a coupe, it would be tighter than the Boxster.

8. To my eye, they're both pretty cars with the tops down, but the 911 is hands down the winner with them up. Also, rear 3/4 vision in the Boxster is bad because the top starts just off your shoulder. The 911 was an excellent ride with very little buffeting when I drove it top-up/windows-down. The opening rear windows made that a very pleasant way to drive.

9. I read a post here saying you can "easily" get your clubs in the rear trunk of the Boxster. I considered trying to get mine into the trunk a couple of weeks ago and after looking at the clubs and at the trunk, gave up and put them in the passenger seat. MAYBE they will fit, but I'd be surprised (I'm going to try again, though, having read someone else found a way).

10. It may be due to the 2WD in the Boxster vs 4WD in the 911, but the Boxster is a lot easier to throw around, and very comfortable to slide the rear end in. It's really a lot of fun to drive.

11. For long drives, the 911 was more comfortable. This may be due to the fact my 911 had the power seats, power lumbar, etc., and the Boxster doesn't, or it may be a factor of the higher noise level in the Boxster. I don't know other than to say after four or 5 hours of highway in the Boxster I'm ready to get out for a little while. Following a 16-hour drive from Columbus, OH to Boston in the 911, I was still comfortable and happy (though not like if I'd taken a Lexus). If it'd been windy roads, though, the story might be different. I think the "problem" is the manual seats (and am considering Recaros).

Bottom line: I paid $62,000 for the 911 C4 Cab and $35,000 for the Boxster S. I like this car better except I wish it had back seats. The Boxster is WITHOUT QUESTION more fun to drive (though I'd like to try a C2 911). On the other hand, the 911 is prettier, to my eye, and will impress your friends a lot more.

The extra money I didn't spend on the Boxster is jingling around in my pocket as I think about fun things I might do to the car (short shifter--not that it needs it--headers, seats, or something).

Both are great rides. Either will make you happy.

[jmorgan456]

JSG --

I have a relatively large old country club style golf bag and a full complement of clubs.

No problems:

To get it in --

Zip/close all pockets

pick up bag so it is horizontal across your chest with the club heads facing the passenger side of the trunk.

slowly angle the bag into the passenger side well, heads first, while holding clubs so they don't slide.

put the bottom of the bag in.

If that doesn't work, take the woods out and insert as descibed, then follow with the bag. (I have never had to do this but some taller people have done it. )

slowly

[JSG1901]

I have a pretty reasonably-sized bag...not one of the big ones. I can't believe it will fit (but I'm glad to hear it). Can't wait to give it a try.

Thanks for the tip!

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

We've got an older ('83) heavily modified (280 hp at the flywheel) 911 and a new Boxster, and I like them both. I think the Boxster is one of the best-handling cars Porsche has ever made--maybe THE best, and as a car writer, I've driven every model from the Carrera GT, Turbo and GT3 on down.

One interesting thing about the Boxster and the 911, if it matters to you: Porsche makes the vast majority of its profit on 911s (apart from stuff like engineering services, parts, etc.) and way less per car on the Boxster. Which says to me--depending on how you look at it--that either the Boxster is a bargain even at $42,000+ or the 911 is enormously overpriced. They both take almost exactly the same amount of time to make (60 hours per car).

Stephan

[jaxon]

I owned a 99 Boxster that blew it's engine at 2500 miles. I was doing 5mph at the time. Pourous engine block problem. No warning of any kind. Porsche was great about it. New rebuilt engine, great extended warranty. New engine ran better than the original. Problems were with some of the '97, '98 and early 99's.

Hope that helps.

I agree with the comment, "go with the 2000 and up if you can afford it."

[scottmandue]

///S320
No, no, no... the car I drive is "not a real Porsche" but lets not get into that right now.
My 944 has bit me with the Porsche bug and as you can see by my sig I am starting to toy with the idea of upgrading to a faster car.
I have been a subscriber to Excellence magazine for a few years now and the write-ups I see of the Boxster has me thinking that maybe I should be looking to a new model.

Anyway I will be lurking about here and start taking notes...
Hmmm... 2000 or after you say...

[moazam]

Originally posted by jmorgan456
From the world at large, I have never heard anything about this "real porsche" thing. Only from a 911 owner.

As a 911 owner, I think the Boxster is definitely "real porsche".

Then again, I own a 1986 911...who knows, maybe 2003 911 owners think my car is not a "real porsche" either.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

It really comes down to how "special" people think their freakin' car makes them. Some people need that and can't bear the fact that there are other people who don't give a damn. Driving my '83 SC the other day, I waved at a Cayenne. (Can't flash the lights, since the car is in track trim and has headlight covers...) Hey, it's a Porsche.

Stephan

[charnock]

Are you looking for a "new" Boxster or 911 of used? You might want to post this same thread in the 996 section to compare the results. I think that you might find each group will be bias to the group, remember the 911 is in its 40th year.

That said, I bought a new 1983 SC when I was to young to appreciate it, kept it about 5 years. It has been 15 years since my last Porsche so I told my wife to look out. I went shopping for a Boxster (money), as I added up the options I wanted it was getting up there. We do have four kids (18, 15, 12, 9) and I ended up with a 2003 Targa for the interior room. It is not a daily driver but I do drive it (not a show car). We have enjoyed the extra interior room for our family, the kids love to ride in the back.

It really gets down to what YOU want and HOW you are going to use it - both are PORSCHE cars.

Just do us a favor - buy a PORSCHE and enjoy it!!!

[TargaRob]

Choosing between a Boxster and a 911 depends on what you are looking for.

If you go with the 911, you have to decide what year you are looking for. Also, the comparsions would have a dramtic change from a 1973 911 to a 2003 996, when compared to a Boxster.

A Boxster is a real Porsche!