Boxster vs 951

[86951]

I am trying to gather some information from current Boxster owners on how they like their car. I ended up having to drive a 2001 boxster for 2 weeks while the dealer had my 951 in the shop and I decided that I loved the car. (I am sure that was the dealers plan the whole time)
What are some of the pitfalls that the boxster has (things like you can never machine the rotors). Does the car seem slow after you have been driving it for awhile?

[Wayne 962]

There aren't too many downsides to the Boxster except that it's a bit slower than your 951, and also a lot more expensive. The car is 15 years newer, so there are a lot more advancements that you will not find when driving the 951. Just the feel of the car is more solid, and you don't have to tune it up until it reaches 100K.

The maintenance costs will be much lower than for your 951, but the parts will probably cost more when you need to replace them.

Boxsters (in theirshort life) have earned a rep for being refined, well-handling cars that are mostly trouble-free. Check some of the other posts in this Tech Board for more information on problem areas (like the pinhole case leaks of 1997).

In general, they seem to be very good cars...

-Wayne

[86951]

Thanks for the reply Wayne. You offer a great asset to the Porsche community with this board.
With the money that I have spent over the past 5 years I think that it is time to move to a newer car, I have spent around 2500-3000 on average each year, and I bought a 40k mile garage queen.
What are the standard bench mark times for the different boxsters?

[Wayne 962]

Yikes, I don't have that info. I do know that the 'S' model is pretty good, and that people seem to think that that the standard model is somewhat anemic, compared to the 911.

Still, the killer thing to do is to put a 996 engine in a Boxster. My prediction is that we will see a whole lot more of these as the years progress (just like the 914-6 conversions). The fit is natural, so it's really a no brainer. We just have to wait so the parts become affordable to us 'regular guys.'

-Wayne

[Hi_Fi_Guy]

If memory serves.....

6.6 for the Boxster

5.8 for the 'S'

Just took the new 2.7 to the police station... no not a ticket, my credit card was stolen and I needed a police report. Bastards that stole my card made it all the way to Vegas and blew well over 10k of hard earned cash.

Luckily the police, secret service, visa people, etc. have been great to work with...

The good thing is I put the top down and went to lunch after the police station and forgot all about those nasy thieves for a few minutes. Thank you Boxster!

Also, I am not sure what gets more looks from the ladies... the new Boxster or the BMW R1200-C... hmm.

[Wayne 962]

You're only liable for a maximum of $50 right? What the heck did they buy for $10K?

-Wayne

[Hi_Fi_Guy]

They road tripped from Phoenix to Vegas buying gass, food and lodging along the way. Once in vegas they got $3500 cash advances from 3 different casinos, shopped at the Bellagio, etc. etc.

[rob911]

Originally posted by 86951

What are the standard bench mark times for the different boxsters?

I used to know these figures without looking them up.
Before Porsche I had the Fiat Coupe 20 valve turbo, that thing could suprise anything this side of a 911, 5cyl Turbo but Front wheel drive

30-70 is speed through the gears
50-70 is in top gear


--------------------max---(0-60)---(0-100)---(30-70)---(50-70)---(60-0)---BHP

boxster 2.5--------139----6.5----18.0-----6.6-----10.7-----2.6----204

boxster 2.5 Tip----136----7.3----19.1----6.6----3.9----2.6----204

boxster S-----------161----6.0----14.2----5.5----10.6----2.4----252

boxster 2.7---------149----6.4----15.5----5.8----9.1----2.5----220

Coupe 20vt---------149----6.0----14.5----5.4----6.2----2.9----220

[Hi_Fi_Guy]

I had two FIAT 124 Sport Spyders a 1975 & a 1976... really great cars, fast, and regardless of what you may hear, well maintained FIATs are very reliable.

It is always fun to play, "Spot the FIAT switchgear" when looking at 1970s Ferrarri's.

[rob911]

I wanted a 951 as our daily driver, my wife wants something newer.

Guess what, she is test driving a 1999 Fiat Coupe 20 valve Turbo right now.

I agree Fiat's can be great cars, just pick a good one. This car is the successor to the "Cosworth" saloons that UK car nuts revere. Never really caught on properly so enthusiasts like me get to enjoy them for very little outlay.

[rob911]

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
Still, the killer thing to do is to put a 996 engine in a Boxster. My prediction is that we will see a whole lot more of these as the years progress (just like the 914-6 conversions). The fit is natural, so it's really a no brainer. We just have to wait so the parts become affordable to us 'regular guys.'

-Wayne

Wayne

Seem to recall an article detailing a 3.4l 996 conversion and it wasn't so straightforward.
Threre was chassis/subframe mods to do.
Don't you need to turn the engine around to suit the mid-engine configuration??

[rob911]

This was the one.

Alois the genius

A lot of work, but worth it.

extract

"The conversion work to accept the 911 engine is fairly comprehensive. Even though the Boxster and 911 share the same basic floorpan and front suspension, everything aft of the seats is totally different. The 911 engine sits behind the rear wheels with the gearbox ahead of it while the Boxster is a mid-engined car with a rear-mounted transaxle. Thus, the gearbox used is the Boxster S six-speed unit or the five-speed Tiptronic"

"The 996 motor is slightly taller than the Boxster’s, but it weighs about the same – perhaps a couple of pounds more. To make the engine fit in the Boxster, RUF fabricates special engine mounts that allow the motor to sit a bit lower in the rear subframe. In effect, the motor is dropped down to retain the same overall center-of-gravity as with the Boxster engine. The anti-vibration parts of these new mounts are stock Porsche. Extra cooling for the engine comes in the form of the 911 GT3’s center radiator, which neatly fills the space behind the 911 GT3 front bumper/spoiler.
"