Boxster vs. 2002 911 C2 Cab

I have been looking and researching cars for the last two months and am ready to buy. But I am stumped! I know this question has been raised here before but I would really like your opinions. Not sure whether to buy a new Boxster S or a nicely equipment mint 911 Cabriolet. The 911 is from a non-Porsche dealer and only has balance of warranty left. It has 7k miles and is outfitted as follows with an asking price of $68K Exterior Color: black met. grey soft top Interior Color: light grey Options: dual heated & power seats, Bose premium sound system with CD exchanger, full leather, wind deflector, 2 tops, 5 spoke 18" wheels. Here is a link to the car I am considering: http://www.motorsportsofscottsdale.c....asp?carId=350 What would you do? Brand new Boxster or used 911 Cab ??All opinions please!

I just read this review of the 2005 Boxter S and it really had me wanting to drive one.. Looks to be an incredible handling car. Check it out: http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/rev...he/1109280654/

Nothing compares to a 911; nothing. That will be the sentiment among the hardcore. The Boxster cannot touch 1/2-century of racing history and enthusiast loyalty. Just read GT Magazine's review of the almost 900HP 9ff supercar. At 246MPH it may have beat the McLaren F1's world record. 911 back on top. Nothing else even comes close.

Yes...no doubt the 911 is a better car. The question is: Is a USED 2002 911 better than a BRAND NEW 2005 Boxster S?

Back in 1999 I test drove the Boxster and the Carrera. At the time, I drove a Miata MX-5 with a few performance mods. The Boxster was plusher than the Miata, but for the money I didn't feel it was a huge step up in performance and handling (I hope I'm not offending too many Boxster owners, but this is the 996 forum after all). Then I test drove the Carrera. Now that was a step up! Needless to say, I purchased the 996 (C2 with 6-speed, limited slip, traction control) and drove it for 3 blissful years. I test drove the Boxster a few more times, including the "S", but again the Boxster didn't give me the grunt I wanted. And I still had the Miata for top down fun and occasional autocrossing. I traded the 996 for a BMW 740i Sport - what a mistake. The "German Impala" (what I call the 740i) handles and accelerates very well for a 4000+ pound car, and it even drifts pretty well - but at 4000 pounds "sport" is a misnomer. But I can carry lots of stuff and people, and that's what need. But its time to get a 996 back into my life. The 996 is really a race bread machine, and drives and handles like one. Bottom line - if you can get yourself into a 996, I say "do it". You won't regret it.

The minute you drive it off the lot it is no longer used, and the regret will set in. If you are on this forum you are already hooked. Why fight?

Well, I hope I don't get kicked off Rennlist for this! I just became a member but I surf the 911 and Boxster boards pretty heavily, and so I think my view is not too far off. I'm a Boxster S owner (so there's my bias), and I have a tweaked Boxster. I can honestly say that with it's mid-engine design, I don't think there are really many cars that can touch it handling-wise. The new Boxster S is approaching Carerra GT handling, and I really don't think any amount of (wonderful) engineering can overcome the laws of physics with a rear-engined 911. At perhaps the other end of the spectrum, I once read a magazine describe the 996TT as a soul-less acceleration appliance. Yes (P-envy), I sure wish my Boxster had more power, but there are those who drop 911 motors into their Boxsters, too (not for the faint of heart). In the end, most seem to agree that they (especially the 987) are both excellent cars, but just with different personalities. If it were me (again my bias), I would get the 987S do a few tweaks over time including some nice R-compounds (hey, I live in California) and have something that literally lets you laugh at anything else on the road short of a dedicated track car. Of course, the 911 is a fabulous looking car and more prestigious, but I drive my car more for me. Good luck, and please try to keep the flame height low...

Having had both, I would agree with arenared about the handling of the two cars. However, for about $2.5K you can significantly improve the handling of the 911 to Boxster S levels. The basic issue is that the 911 sits up too high in the US due to DOT bumper height mandates. But by lowering the car with an improved suspension, you get the best of both worlds. Improved handling and more power.

I must give you my opinion...since you're looking for them. First of all, are you planning to track the car? If yes, either will require an appropriate roll bar/roll cage. Yes, I know they both have such OEM bars, but give this some long serious thought. After a two 911's, I instructed Boxsters and fell in love with them...so I bought one. I had a BoxsterS for 3 years and loved it. The car is virtually on rails around a track; kind of a "point and shoot" camera. I would wait for the BoxsterS coupe, but for me, the BoxsterS is an excellent track car. The only disappointment I had with the BoxsterS was the huge devaluation of the car over a short period of time; a stubborn "sticky" clutch; and my plastic rear window. As far as the value decline, we'd have to wait and see; as far as the clutch, I'm told it was an abberation of 2001 models and, of course, they are now fitted with glass windows. If "tracking" is not in your future with either, then drive them both and decide...the new 911S is totally the neatest Carrera I've ever seen. Can wait to instruct a student with one. In any case, good luck.

I must give you my opinion...since you're looking for them. First of all, are you planning to track the car? If yes, either will require an appropriate roll bar/roll cage. Yes, I know they both have such OEM bars, but give this some long serious thought. After a two 911's, I instructed Boxsters and fell in love with them...so I bought one. I had a BoxsterS for 3 years and loved it. The car is virtually on rails around a track; kind of a "point and shoot" camera. I would wait for the BoxsterS coupe, but for me, the BoxsterS is an excellent track car. The only disappointment I had with the BoxsterS was the huge devaluation of the car over a short period of time; a stubborn "sticky" clutch; and my plastic rear window. As far as the value decline, we'd have to wait and see; as far as the clutch, I'm told it was an abberation of 2001 models and, of course, they are now fitted with glass windows. If "tracking" is not in your future with either, then drive them both and decide...the new 911S is totally the neatest Carrera I've ever seen. Can't wait to instruct a student with one. In any case, good luck.

while the new boxster is indeed one nice looking machine.. i couldn't help but feel it felt like i was stepping into 1/2 of a 911.. it's like the whole rear end is missing... of course the reality is.. this shouldn't matter with the fact that the new boxster s is an amazing vehicle.. but going from a 911 to a boxster, it just doesn't feel like the entire porsche experience.. i think most people would tend to agree, for the most part, the only reason you would buy a boxster, is because you don't want to spend the money on a 911... while appearing ignorant on the surface, i think most porsche and non-porsche owners would feel this way.. the only true porsche is the 911 in all it's variations.. all others simply aspire to have just enough to almost be one.. but will never be... and porsche the company has made it clear it wants to keep it it that way by tuning down the boxster to make sure it doesn't compete with the 911.. it simply comes down to money.. if money is a large concern, go for the boxster, if money doesn't matter that much, 911 all the way.. and then of course is the thought of pulling up at a red light in your boxster and a brand new 911 pulls up right next to you... think about that one and how that would make you feel before you take the plunge into a boxster..

I have a Boxster and a ttX50. I did not think the C2cab was worth the price difference over the Boxster. From the dash forward, they are nearly the same car. The mid engine is a better handling configuration than rear, though Porsche has done amazing things to negate the inherant disadvantage of the rear engine 996. In terms of actual dollars, the Boxster depreciates less. The per cent depreciation may be higher, but the total cost is much lower. Unless you need the rear seat for legless children, or need the adulation of valet parkers, take the Boxster S, or stretch for a turbo. Sorry if this offends C2 cab owners. AS