Newish Boxster S or older 996 Cabrio? - Page 1 - Porsche General - PistonHeads UK

I'd definately spent the extra on a 996, older admitedly but IMHO much more car for your money.

I actually think the BoxterS is the better cab., it's a great car, what it lacks with slightly less grunt it makes up for in handling, feel, sound & two boots, you only want so much wind in your hair !! If you are going tin top then that's a different matter.Anyway try them both out at the limit & see what you like best.

This really does depend on what you want. The Boxster S is a fine handling, mid-engined, RWD sports car. Sure Porsche keep its power output down to avoid competition with the 996 but even without that its a fantastic package. The 996 Cabrio is something of a compromise I feel. I have seriously considered one myself. Upsides are 1) Extra power over the Boxster S 2) Two "occasional" rear seats which can fold down to make a luggage area. The latter can be very, very useful when that mate turns up who you would like to transport to the pub along with the Mrs. Downsides are (IMO): 1) It has an UGLY Butt. There I've said it. 2) The power roof takes a lot longer to do its stuff. 3) Usable luggage space is reduced because with the roof down the rear seat luggage area (seats fold down to produce a platform for bags) is open to anyone and with the roof up is still on full view. 4) The handling is different. You might like it more - you might like it less. On top of this if you are looking at a similar budget the car you will be able to obtain will be older and therefore require (some) more maintenance. Maintenance on 996s is more than on a Boxster - simply because OPCs can charge more so they will - using an independent may mitigate against this. Having said all that I might go 996 next time myself - for a change - we'll see.

I've had both, actually still have the C4C now. The roof operation does not take longer (not if you release the button before the windows are going up again) Luggage space is hugely better on the 996 (trust me, I've tried, I travel a lot!) If you want to hide it from pedestrians sights, just put on the windshot. Talking about buffeting, you are much better protected in the 996, downside is that it doens't look as well integrated than the Boxster. The noise is better but you'll need the sport exhaust, the switch button thingy is great! in terms of handling, 2 different cars, the 986 is more nimble whereas in the 996, you feel the extra power, plus mine's a 4, so it's really a lot of fun to floor the throttle through bends and feel the car on rails! Looks: Objective, yes the 996 has a fat arse (reminds me of 964 speedster though) and yes the 986'back looks like the front. Top up, the 996 looks much better, instantly recognisable with the falling 911 line. The 2 extra seats? I didn't care either when changed but they have been very handy, ideal to drop friends at their place, etc... (no more then 30 minutes though) Also if you're image concerned, the 996 has better credentials. hope this helped, Fanch.

I was going by the Porsche specs... Interesting to hear your views...are you *really* better off for luggage space?? (I've looked at it and I'm not convinced.) Nice to hear the 4WD is good though....hmmmn. Maybe one day...there again I may finally have had enough of wind in the hair motoring eventually and get a 996 coupe...

996 I'm going to look at is a C4 Cabrio, with GT3 wheels and spoiler (not bothered by the latter, but if it's there already...), and a sports exhaust - so it should sound at least as good as a Boxster! Don- great summary, thanks. Still a difficult call. Fanch - I think you've come close to selling the concept: 'so it's really a lot of fun to floor the throttle through bends and feel the car on rails!'- just got to drive it now! Maintenance cost isn't a problem, my Spider's cost me enough over 14 months! And they nearly charged me £3K for a new roof when it was 18mnths old! Plus I would assume that as a 3 year old car, it will depreciate more slowly than the boxster s? Thanks for your help guys, as soon as I buy either car I'll let you know!

Don, This will give you an idea. Luggage space is very important for me as I love travelling. Spent more than two weeks last summer with the miss and believe me, she NEEDS the luggage space! A packed to the top Freightliner Max suitcase from Patagonia (check their website if you want, it's a BIG bag!!!) fitted perfectly on the folded rear seats, and I still had a bit of room under the folded rear seats (that's more for bottles of water, handbags and stuff like that) and I still had space above the bag to see through the rear screen. Why is that important with the Boxster comparaison? Because the Freightliner Max's capacity is 135L and it doesn't even fit in the Boxster's trunks So there you go... Plus if you don't mind to sacrifice your rear view, then you can REALLY stack up all the way to the roof! These are details but they are important if you want to travel in Europe for a long time IMO. As for the roof operation, yes you're right Porsche claims respectively 12 and 20 seconds I think, but from my own experience, I you don't wait for the 911's windows to go up and if you add the few secs if take to unlock the Boxster's roof, it's roughly the same. BTW, for 996 cab owners, you problably already know that, but there's a trick to raise the back windows when the roof is down (the buffeting protection is then optimum and it looks better too IMO) You press on the little button on the windscreen in the middle and at the same time, put the back windows up. Voila!!! Finally about the C4 comment, that's really up to the driver. But talking about luggage space, you lose 30L in the front trunk. And even more if you store the Windshot. On travel, I store it folded behind my seat, fits perfectly too

Thanks for that, fanch. I guess another point I was making is that when touring I often park with the roof down. I would be very hesitant to do that with a big suitcase on show...that someone could just lean in and pick up! Having said that its interesting to note that you can carry a larger case than would fit in a Boxster...hmmmn. I presume the 30L loss in the front luggage compartment. That's already pretty darn small in a Boxster...so if you lose too much to the 4WD you've really got to start cutting down on what you take! Perhaps not a C4 then..... Samro: Enjoy your car whichever you buy - its a Porsche - and Porsche don't make a bad car.

Don, just been to look at one, didn't have time to test drive, but can confirm that the front boot in a C4 is very small! But hey, as long as I can get my bass guitar on the 'back seats'... Anyone know how you get an inspection by an OPC, and also if they'll issue a warranty after inspection? How much should this cost? Thanks again!

No problem. I can get my Strat and even my Charvel into the rear boot of my Boxster S - but the hard case simply doesn't fit - have to use soft cases. Jam sometime?

I'm a marmalade man myself Don thanks We've had no problem with luggage in the Boxster - and christ, Emma can pack for England. It all boils down to what bags you've got - we've got a nice overnighter that slips quite nicely into the front boot with room on top for a suit carrier or something. Leaves the rear free then for er, more bags I guess! Shame that Porsche don't do bespoke luggage for the Box in the same way they do for every other model. That said, it'll probably be made of titanium and cost an arm and a leg. Nice choice to have though.

Actually Greg they do. The price - a snip at only a forearm and a foot actually. The Mrs took one look and said - "ooh isn't it nice" - and I went "oohh- my wallet". We went out and bought three squishy bags that fit perfectly. Sounds like we wouldn't get them in a C4 though!

They do? Sorry mate. I'm sure I've seen them - aluminised look or something? I think it all went faint then, and I came to with a cup of strong coffee in my hand.....

Yep - and my reaction entirely. Every part of my genome that is Welsh reacted violently when they mentioned a price that I've, thankfully, pushed from my mind la la la. etc.

Hi people, Still trying to replace my Alfa Spider with a Porsche... Having been looking at year to 18mnth old Boxster Ss for a while, I was almost 100% convinced. Until that is I found out that if I spend about £5K more (approx £40K), I can get a 'pre-owned' 996 C4 or C2 Cabrio, 1999 with 30-40K miles. Is this a good idea? Or am I better off sticking with a newer S? No real need for the extra seats, and would compromise on spec for a 996. Advice appreciated, I think I've just about got the cash together now, so hopefully I'll be joining you all soon! Thanks, Sam