911 cabrio vs Boxster - seriously - more than just price?

I suppose I'm opening myself up for abuse here but let's try and avoid that if possible. Is there any reason one would buy a Boxster S over a 996 cabrio? I mean in terms of handling etc? I *know* most people's gut reaction will be a mixture of "The Boxster isn't a real Porsche" and "if you've got the money, it's a no-brainer, go for the 996 cabrio" but I don't think it's that simple. having test driven a 996 cabrio, I wasn't that impressed - it's a competent car, yes, and the handling seems pretty good - but it's certainly not stunning. The gear lever and clutch also felt a bit rubbery for my taste. I haven't driven a Boxster S yet, but is it possible that it handles better, being mid-engined, lighter, lower COG etc etc? Or might it just be more fun? Presumably there are performance upgrades for the Boxster S that would give it more punch, if that's why people go for the 996 instead... So if rear seats aren't needed, and it isn't going to be a daily driver, and money isn't an issue, is it possible that a Boxster S would be a better choice than the 996?

If back seats are not an issue, I think that a Boxster S is a better deal... I even considered that for a while myself. I have a 2 year old that loves his dad's yellow car and therefore it wasn't an option for us.... JM

I have a '98 Boxster with 62k mi and have driven my partner's '01 Boxster S. It's a great car...both are great cars. The handling is great as it's mid engined. If you're questioning the 996 vs 986 S, then simply get the Boxster S and save yourself a lot of dinero. Additionally, the Boxster has two trunks and the engine is right behind your head and sounds terrific. I desire a 996 because I don't want a cabrio any more and I could occasionally use the two mini rear seats. And the extra power is nice too. It will be hard to let my Boxster go: it is my first really nice car and even to this day, I think it's gorgeous.

My .02 cents worth, coming from a coupe owner. If I had to choose a cabrio, between a Boxster S and 996 Cab, I'd choose the Boxster S. Despite the price, I think it is a prettier/sexier convertible, excellent performer, younger appeal. I think it is a personal choice, and one shouldn't get the 996 just because one can, or prove one can, afford it. Late last year, when I was looking for "my" Porsche, I was already heavily leaning towards the Boxster S. But, I just simply fell in love with the C4S, and now she's mine. If I could, I would rather have the Boxster S as a mistress rather than the 996 Cab.

Greg, Which 996 did you test? The new 02 looks much better than the prev 996s (obviously no offence to other 996 owners). Im sure that it must have been upgraded in many other ways too?

I tested a 2001 car, but I was told that the 2002 models have the same interior.

I tested the boxster s last summer and a 911 puts a smile on my face that the boxster just couldnt. BUT I have to admit that I didnt really give the boxster a good workout. Maybe you could give the 2002 a try and see how you feel.

Greg, If money really isn't an issue, wait for the Carrera GT :-). Seriously, I put a lot of time in to my decision and went with the 911 Cabrio. As others have already said, it's a personal thing. I definitely like the looks and cargo space of the Boxster S. It handles and sound great. I tested a 2002 with 18" wheels. For me, however, I like the looks of the 911 better and, quite simply, it's more car. Whether it's worth the additional money is a question that I'll leave for you to answer for yourself. I was able to get a 1999 911 Cabrio with very low miles for less than the Boxster S was going to cost me "out-the-door." In addition to the juiced up HP (320 vs. my '99's 300), the 2002 911 Cabriolets come with a glass window. I know it adds some weight, but I say it's about time. I want to be able to see the dropped jaws as I fly passed them.

Why don't I wait for the Carrera GT? 1. I'm not good at waiting 2. It won't fit in my garage 3. It might just be a teeny weeny bit outside my budget Thanks for all the opinions so far, everyone. I guess another factor will be my 965 Turbo. If I keep it as well, then the Boxster S is the only way to go. If I decide to sell the 965 then I'd have enough money for an older 996 cabrio, and then it would make more sense to go for a more complete car - ie the 996 cabrio... I was just really unimpressed with the one I test drove. Maybe I should try test driving another 996 cabrio.. although I still doubt it will give quite the same sort of experience as the Boxster S..

Greg, Still think u should test a 2002 cab. Go on. Do it today. Go on. Go on. Go on. (sorry UK joke) If youre not happy with that one then boxster s is way to go. Unless you were to add a few mods on the 996 cab. Stick on a sports exhaust, sports suspension, and aerokit. I dont think much can be done about the pedals. But then whats the point, if you dont enjoy it initially, anyway. If you werent happy with the looks, then Im sorry to say that I think the boxsters dont look any better. (eye of the beholder and all that) Regards.

Hi Bins. I was disappointed with the interior.. outside looks OK (but the C4S looks MUCH better!) but the driving experience wasn't fantastic. It just felt like a very competent, capable car... easy to drive fast.. I was hoping the 996 cabrio would blow me away, since on paper you could argue it's the ultimate car, but it didn't. I know the Boxster is similar in some of these respects, but it does feel sportier and nimbler somehow. I felt a lot more in touch with the road in the Boxster. At least if I get a Boxster and somehow manage to keep the 965 Turbo as well, I'll have every base covered. In terms of [raw] performance, noise and looks the 965 Turbo (with sports exhaust) is, I suspect, going to be impossible to beat.

When my 996 cab was in for some warranty work I had a Boxster for a couple of days as a courtesy car. I was actually very impressed with the 'fun' package that these deliver. I could very easily have settled for one of these instead of the 996. I personally prefer the extra power and performance that I now have with the 996, but I don't think that it's necessarily worth the extra over a Boxster if all you want is a fun run around sports car. I loved the induction roar at 4k in the Boxster too! I do think that the 996 looks better though.

Sounds like boxster s is the way to go then. On the other hand (Im a thinkin Im gonna get slaughtered for this), you might want to consdider the new MB SL500. (Looks stunning) Regards.

That is, if you want a 4,045 lb car...

[quote]Originally posted by Bins: <strong>Sounds like boxster s is the way to go then. On the other hand (Im a thinkin Im gonna get slaughtered for this), you might want to consdider the new MB SL500. (Looks stunning) Regards. </strong><hr></blockquote> Those only come in automatic. I won't touch a toy in automatic.

Umm, personally I think that Boxster owners and 996 owners are two different people. Around where I live, all kinds of losers and kids whose daddies have money are driving Boxsters. When I see a 911 Cabrio it brings a smile to my face and is a nice relief from the masses of Boxster owners who, unlike you that is looking at the performance aspects of both and making a decision, have just bought the car because it's a Porsche . On the other hand, you mentioned you have a 965......well if I saw a 965 while driving around here it would bring an even bigger smile to my face, it's really your car. But to give you my opinion about both, the Boxster feels and drives like a cheaper imitation to the 911 in my opinion......which is exactly what the car is geared to do as I understand it. Anyway, buy whatever you like more....it's your money after all. later, amir

There's never an emesis basin around when you need one.

[quote]Originally posted by Bins: <strong>Sounds like boxster s is the way to go then. On the other hand (Im a thinkin Im gonna get slaughtered for this), you might want to consdider the new MB SL500. (Looks stunning) Regards. </strong><hr></blockquote> You're right, Bins. You should be slaughtered. Aside from price, the MB and the P are miles apart. The MB SL 500 is a sporty luxury personal vehicle (meaning, it's for fat, old guys who need a cushy ride but want to look cool), while the Porsche is a luxurious racing personal vehicle (meaning it's for young, trim, handsome guys like you and me)

I think a decision like this is very personal and depends on your own perspective, budget, and goals for your new car. Budget is a huge factor, if that is not an issue, then my input is as follows... I own a 996 Cab and spend all of my free time at track days. Last track day, as an instructor, I drove a Boxster S with a participant. I was impressed with the car, nice pickup, great handling and turn in, overall, great car. While it may offer some handling benifit over a 996, I like the fact that when I step into my 911, I am stepping into the heratige of a 73 RS, and famous turbo, and all the 911s that came before. It is one of the few cars that has universal appeal to young and old alike. I like an old Porsche video that said the 911 is not something for everyone; it is everything to someone. If that heritage is important to you, as it is to me, then the 911 is the way to go. If it's not, the boxster is the better choice... Roy

if brainless teenagers in your neighborhood drive boxters you have my sympathy <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" /> sounds like a rough neighborhood. regarding the new sl you may want to revise your judgement when it comes to the sl 55 amg. the emails from germany suggest that 996 turbos are being regularly blown away on the autobahn <img src="graemlins/nono.gif" border="0" alt="[nono]" /> these beasts have over 470 hp and over 500 ft/lbs of torque the amg spedshoft is so quick that only an expert driver could beat it with a stick. the twisties, however are a different story <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />

Greg There was a great article in Panorama about the 986 S being a great sports car...handling, balance ,etc. I share that opinion and I owned a 986 S for a few months....bought it new and sold it after 961 miles...I also owned a 964 C2 at the same time and I made a mistake...I sold it...mint with only 29,000 miles The build quality of the 964 and 993 seems to be superior to the 996 and 986 lines....also performance wise the 986 S and the 964 seemed equal....the noise, the smells the raw power feeling was missing though... the creature comforts were much better with the Boxster... I have a '02 996 on order and in the interim I picked up a '00 Millennium C4...it is a great car but it reminds me of a 928 or a touring Porsche.... I'll keep one of the two but I am already looking for a 964 of some variety If you asked me for a recommendation, I would say keep the 965 Turbo and buy a used '00 or later Boxster.....Best of both worlds in my opinion! Berkley

Greg, I have an '01 Boxster S, and I love it. I also have a '02 996 coupe. If I could only have 1 Porsche, I think I would take the Boxster. Unless you like the snob appeal of the 911 more (I'll admit, sometimes I do). I think the Boxster S handles great (mid engined) and more of a "sports car" to my way of thinking. It sounds great too. However, I got mine with the interior upgrades. The basic Boxster S has kind of a cheap interior. I also have the sports seats in mine, which somehow felt better than the sports seats I tried in a '01 996. I only wish sometimes that the Boxster had a little more grunt. Oh, one other thing is the stereo (even the premium one) in the Boxster is not as good as the 996 (which isn't all that good either). I specifically did not want a 996 cab, because the rear seats are even smaller than the coupe's (i.e. almost useless anyway), and all you get is the front trunk for storage. Furthermore, I think the cab looks kind of funny with the top up, whereas the Boxster looks cool top up or down. -Ray

"Around where I live, all kinds of losers and kids whose daddies have money are driving Boxsters" Boxsters have become extremely common in the UK too. But I think Greg knows that, and is basing his decision on personal preference. At the end of the day , who cares what people who dont know you think. For those that do know Greg, will know what else he has in stock, and why he has the boxster. After all, its not that often that one buys a boxster over a 911 when money is NOT an issue. Regards

It looks like I should try and keep the 965 Turbo and buy a Boxster S. The only real problem I have with that scenario is lack of driveway space....! I suppose I should try and find somewhere not too far away to store the 965 when it's not being used. Alternatively... would the Boxster be happy stored outside under a car cover...? Or can I expect all sorts of horrible problems relating to dampness...?

I think you wont have difficulty in finding a place for either when youre not using it. Quite a few rennlisters wont mind. hint hint. <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />

GREG ID CHOOSE THE BOXSTER the back seat occupants that you think will fit in the 996 will grow up with out a chiropractors phone number locked in there brain, your spouse will be able to come with you on weekend drives , if she is like mine you should be able to fit your toothbrush and one change of clothes in the compartment behind the drivers headrests ,there is no way the kids can spoil the weekend away ,and in the words of Alios ruf August 2000 excellence " In absolute terms, the boxster is more pure as a sports carthan the 911 because it is a lighter two seat mid engined roadster" but again if you need somewhere to store it pick me honest ill ship it back from australia when ever you want it he he <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />

One other little thing that I will like about a 996 that isn't available in a Boxster. Sometimes I like to recline the seat a little bit when I'm driving, esp. long drives, and I can't do that in a Boxster. Don't get me wrong: I love my Boxster as I posted above. Anybody that says it's not a true sports car must have intrapersonal issues.

Of course another option would be to pick up a Boxster 2.5 - they're getting quite cheap now - and buy one of T-T-P's twin turbo performance upgrades. Takes the car to 330hp, for an additional cost of around �10,000. Still cheaper than buying a 1-year old used Boxster S... Or there's a 470hp twin turbo conversion for the 2.7 models... Hmmm...

Drive one of the 2.7 models....you'll be surprised

Buy whichever one looks better to you! It's a personal choice; you can't go wrong with either car.

Greg, You can leave the 965 in my driveway.