Boxster = 911 in Porsche driving experience!!

I totally agree with this article!!! GOTTA give it up for little brother!!! Porsche Boxster S: entry level fun Porsche Boxster S This little beauty provides the real Porsche experience. Other Latest Road tests and Car reviews * Ford Fiesta XR4: fresh new look * Renault Megane: diesel dazzler * Peugeot 207 CC: style and grunt * Fiat Ducato: balancing the load 16 August 2007 Drew Gibson With its beefed up engine, the way it looks and feels on the road, the Boxster S successfully matches up with the 911. You see Porsches on the road every day. But it's not until you sit behind the wheel of one for a while that you realise just why serious drivers around the world adore them. When CARSguide took delivery of the recently upgraded Boxster S last week, we received a near-perfect driving experience. The Boxster has its critics, usually more seasoned Porsche purists who see the 911 as the ultimate, and only, serious Porsche. Perhaps it's because they haven't driven the perfectly balanced, highly potent and gloriously fun Boxster S. If they had, not only would they be surprised, they might even consider putting one in their garage. Maybe it's the fact that, for at least $100,000 less than a 911, you can get a true Porsche driving experience. The Boxster is the entry level Porsche (sports car, that is, not the distressingly popular 4WD Cayenne). It starts from $109,300. The Boxster S is the beefed-up version of the base model. Rather than a 2.7-litre engine, it has a 3.4- litre variant, giving it 217kW and a 0-100 km/h sprint of 5.4 seconds, compared with 180kW and a 0-100 km/h time of 6.1 seconds. The S also has 340Nm, nearly 70Nm more than the base model. All of which costs about $25,000 extra. It's a mid-engined affair, with a sublime chassis, stunning gearbox, love-it or hate-it looks with a canvas roof that, with the touch of a button, transforms the car into an open top roadster (even when the car is travelling as fast as 50km/h). Like most Porsches, it's a package that is worth a lot more than the sum of all of its parts. The legendary Stuttgart carmaker performed a bit of mid-life surgery on the Boxster earlier this year. You wouldn't know to look at it, as most of the tinkering was done on the chassis and under the bonnet. In the case of the S variant, the results are stunning. The steering, while not overly heavy, provides just about the perfect amount of feedback to allow the driver to feel the road. It's also extremely sharp and highly responsive, requiring only small amounts of input from the driver. The Boxster's optimum balance inspires confidence, perhaps even over-confidence, making it a very difficult car in which to get out of shape in, even though it tempts you to try at every winding curve. With the optional Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system, a click of the button tightens up the springs for a more lively drive. And it works a treat. In normal mode, the drive is firm but not uncomfortable. Firm enough for you to avoid potholes, but not enough to shake loose your fillings. In fact, not only does the Boxster perform under pressure as well as anything you care to name, it's also easy to drive around town. The excellent torque is available down low, so you needn't constantly work the gear lever all of the time to find power. And, with a relatively heavy clutch, this is a good thing when driving in traffic. The main problem is finding the will power to resist dropping a cog or two to tap what's waiting among the higher revs, that blurt above 4500 revs that brings not only a short, sharp bust of speed, but an uncontrollable smile. On a more lazy drive, accelerating in the fifth or sixth gear at most speeds is not a problem at all, with ample pulling power at anything above about 1500 revs. Like most convertibles, the Boxster is fairly noisy with the roof down, a combination of wind, tyres on the road and peripheral noises can drown out the wonderful exhaust. Perhaps because of the positioning of the (mid) engine, the car actually sounds best when the roof is up, trapping the engine note in the cabin. Vision is improved greatly with the roof down. Aside from the canvas top, the only real giveaway inside that you're driving a convertible is the odd creak and rattle. Other than that, though, the chassis is tight as tight. Fuel consumption is relatively high, we averaged a touch above 16.5 litres per 100km in a mix of peak-hour traffic and the odd bit of spirited driving. It's unlikely any buyer would be bothered. A switchable stability control is non-intrusive enough to leave on most of the time. The brakes take quite a kick to bite hard, but have a wonderful amount of feel to them, stopping the Boxster hard, fast and straight. Inside, the cabin is a bit sparse for a $135,000 car, no steering wheel controls, no sat-nav etc but the Boxster is made to drive, not to lounge about in. Surprisingly, the stereo system was also a little below average. But, again, the engine sound track and pure driving fun makes this a near-redundant criticism. A nifty little spoiler on the back of the car pops up once you exceed the speed limit, at 120km/h, but you can also drive with a 'legal' spoiler by pressing the manual over-ride and raising it yourself. Why you would need it at slow speeds, other than to look good, is anybody's guess. For a two-seater, storage space is ample, with surprising amount of room in both the back and the front of the car. The front storage area, which is under the front bonnet where the engine normally sits in most cars, is deep and holds more luggage than you might expect, certainly enough to put in a trolley full of groceries. The back boot, although not as deep, also offers generous space. Being a true two-seater, however, there are obviously no back seats and no chance of getting more than two people in the cabin. It's a selfish car, on more than one level. But cabin goodies and luggage space are not what the Boxster is about. It's about the driving experience and, for any money, the Boxster is up there with the absolute best of them. Even though it's not a fabled 911, the way the Boxster looks, feels, handles and sounds is unmistakably Porsche. Snapshot Porsche Boxster S Price: $134,600 Engine: 3.4L/6-cyl, 217kW/340Nm Transmission: 6-speed manual 0-100kmh: 5.4 secs The rivals BMW Z4 M Roadster Price: $130,800 Engine: 3.2L/6-cyl, 252kW/365Nm Transmission: 6-speed manual 0-100kmh: 5.0 secs Mercedes-Benz SLK 350 Price: $115,474 Engine: 3.5L V6, 200kW/350Nm Transmission: 7-speed auto 0-100kmh: 6.0 sec (approx) Alfa Romeo Spider JTS V6 Price: $94,990 Engine: 3.2L V6, 191kW/322Nm Transmission: 6-speed manual 0-100kmh: 7.0 secs (approx) The Sunday Telegraph http://carsguide.news.com.au/story/0...003140,00.html

I have never understood why they refer to the roadster of the Porsche brand as "entry level". So you can't afford a 911 coupe so you therefore decide to buy a two seater rag top?? That makes about as much sense as saying "I can't afford an X5 so I'm going to buy BMW motorcycle". Baffling.... I suppose you could make the argument that the Cayman is the entry level Porsche coupe but I can't think of single person who bought a Cayman because they couldn't pony up the extra $15K for a standard Carrera. Cayman buyers I know of tend to much more sports car purists than the average sports car buyer I know. Who else would pay that much moolah for a 3.4L engine other than a purist? And the type of person that drops $50-60K on a sub 400HP roadster is usually the type of person with a six figure or more salary who can also afford a Carrera. Caymans and Boxsters are very very expensive for the alternatives that area available at those price points and performance marks from other makes. And fixing a Cayman or Boxster is just as expensive as it is to fix a Carrera, same trumped up hourly labor rate and same over priced parts. In my opine "Entry Level" is baloney that Porsche want the not too well informed sports car person to buy into so that they end up buying more than one car from Porsche. Their "starter" and then flag ship coupe they "step up" to. What amazes me is that so many journos regurgitate this shrewd marketing ploy when discussing the Cayman and Boxster. I love when people peddling expensive goods try to mind control you into spending more money because they have brilliantly convinced you didn't spend enough the first time around--when you paid too much to begin with! P.S. check out my $100 cheeseburger web site, you haven't lived until you tasted caviar and truffled fed beef.

As far as I understand it, "entry level" is a term used for any model that is the least expensive in a manufacturer's range of available models. It doesn't matter what model anyone can or cannot afford to buy, So, for example, a filthy-rich person could own a Ferrari, a top-of-the-line Lexus, and an entry level Porsche, which is the Boxster.

Leaving the semantics aside, the Boxter/Cayman twins are great cars. When my 996 gets too many miles for daily driving, I think I may "downgrade" to a Cayman S.

"Maybe it's the fact that, for at least $100,000 less than a 911, you can get a true Porsche driving experience. The Boxster is the entry level Porsche (sports car, that is, not the distressingly popular 4WD Cayenne). It starts from $109,300." So a 911 is $209,300? Is that a 4S Cabrio with Kimodo dragon seat covers?

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I ordered mine with all baby seal leather interior with Ocelot gut stitching and filled with baby snow goose down. I drive it to PETA meetings all the time. I know it's politically incorrect, but I go to the meetings to support the animals.

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Ha!! Arctic, w/ baby seal grey leather, and don't forget the shark fin steering wheel inlay!!!

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Hah, that's tacky.

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Boxster is a great car, used to have one....there are plusses and minuses to it vs. a 911...but it is a fun car to drive and very easy to drive fast in it....very forgiving.

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Entry level because there are the least expensive car in the lineup and they cars that perform better higher up in the lineup. Period. I think what Porsche will eventually do is eliminate the Boxster name, give it the exact same styling cues as the Cayman and call it a Cayman Cabriolet...then lower the cost of the Cayman coupe and you have the Cayman as the entry level car, the Carrera as the mid level and the Panamera as the high end....

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Yup. Price point based entirely.

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It kills me when people say why is the Boxster entry level and argue against that....look, its a WONDERFUL car....but its the entry level sports car in Porsche's lineup. Every manufacturer does this, not just Porsche....

You can also argue that the Carrera 2 coupe is the "entry level" 911.

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Actually you CAN'T argue, cause it's a fact that it is.

Entry Level isn't code for "sucks" it's just the entry point at which you can get into a vehicle.

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That 'entry level' marketing ploy makes no sense to me in the realm of Sports cars. I think a well informed sports car buyer understands that there are roadsters, coupes, convertibles, GTs and Super Cars. If I were shopping Ferrari I would want a F430 I would never have a desire for 599 or a Scag. And because a car is more expensive and has more power doesn't necessarily mean its a better performer on the track. The lower powered and less expensive F430 is the racer's choice in FIA sports car racing and not the signifcantly more expensive and more powerful 599. and of course we've seen the cheaper less powerful CaymanS go quicker than standard 997's more than once. I suppose the 'entry level' marketing term could apply to the luxury car indurstry where you have C, E, and S class Mercs or 3,5 and 7 series bimmers, ditto for Jag, Aston Martin, etc. All those cars serve the same purpose, transporting people in comfort. As a buyer in this segment you have a basic driving experience in mind and C an 3 series get you into that experience at the lowest possible price. The Sports Car segment has different categories that have very different purposes in mind. The experience of driving a nimble, light two seat roadster is very different than driving a plush, heavy but powerful, GT. You can't susbstitute a Porsche roadster or a Porsche convertible for a Porsche GT as an 'entry level' option. The driver's needs will not be met for the type of driving that is intended.

Too much thought into the symantics, buy what you like/can afford and be happy. F everyone else that would care.

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True that, and there are 3 entry levels in my wife, it depends on what mood she's in.....

Why did this turn into entry-level v. whatever. This is SUPPOSED to be about how great of a car the NEW Boxster is... EVEN compared to our revered 911. C'mon yawll, lets get BACK ON-TOPIC!

Well, I did enjoy the read, and admired what the Boxster was capable of pulling, but I guess your Big "Entry Level" headline hurt some Boxster owner's feelings...

The 987 Boxster is without question the best value that Porsche offers. It has taken some hits because it is perceived as a Porsche wannabe or a girl's car, but those criticisms worked to my advantage since my local Dealer was willing to discount my car heavily. As someone who has been addicted to HP for the last decade, I was really surprised at how much the 987 appealed to me. Because of family and work demands, I just don't have the time to track my cars any longer, and even though I live and work in the country, I rarely have the opportunity of driving my car fast on public roads. So it finally dawned on me that my 400HP+ cars had become little more than conversation pieces, since I rarely had the opportunity of pushing them to anywhere near their capabilities. After analyzing my driving patterns, it became evident that the 987 was a great fit for me. It has a great looking interior and exterior, has world class handling and brakes, and after discounts it cost about the same as an Audi TT.

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Ouch! The Boxster and the Cayman are great mid-engine cars. There is NOTHING wrong with them, I just needed a back seat, and like to look at my engine from time to time - hence why I ended up with the used 996 vs. 987.

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<== one for each "entry level!"

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Ok, fine..I'll bite - I didn't write the article, just copied/pasted. it shows how "certain" Boxster owners are petty. I mean, cmon, we all know what entry-level means. Don't try to make it some "politically incorrect" statement about the most inexpensive model in the lineup. It has NO negative connotation. If you don't want the entry level Porsche, buy something else. It IS, in-fact the entry level Porsche, plain and simple!! No way around it. Every brand has an entry-level model. So leave it alone and read the damn article!!! Also, this is about a 987, NOT a 986!! Two TOTALLY different cars!

Puts a new spin on this lil guy!!

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At least you have 3 options, assuming she doesn't have an eye missing.

To add fuel, I think the Boxster is arguably better than the 911 series. More neutral handling. More fun in a tight autocross. Better value for what you get. The "entry level" label is just marketing. When I decided to get another Porsche, I went to the dealer to test drive a Boxster to simply confirm my assessment that it was a better car. Sure, Porsche artificially limits the hp available in Boxsters, but that can be solved. What I was not prepared for was that I could never 'make friends' with the firmer ride on the rougher roads in our area. No doubt, partly due to my age. So, I ended up with another 911 as it had greater interior space, handling that I knew and a more compliant ride over rougher roads. If I lived in an area with better roads, I'd almost surely be driving a Boxster.

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Not sure about the boxster being lighter on suspension, then again, Turbos/C4S's and especially GT2/3's are VERY firm. I agree, I like the extra room in the 911. Probably my favorite feature OTHER than all the Torq/HP in my Turbo and interior treatment (compared to older Boxt). Otherwise, the Boxster is EQUAL to the 996 and gives EVERY bit of the Porsche driving experience (IMO)!!

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I guess you missed the whole point....C'est la vie. and to the thread author, I hardly think voicing a gripe is being "petty". And I understand most Pcar owners KNOW what 'entry level' means. Neither do I think it's a NON-PC term, I have no problem with buying a 3 series BMW and C class Merc and having it called 'entry level' because that's exactly what they are, the lowest priced option for four or two door luxury car. RF5BPilot, I don't think the Boxster series is better than the Carrera sereis because they are apples and oranges, even as sports cars. For instance I don't think the Ferrari 599 is a better sports car than the less espensive and less powerful Ferrari F430. ONe is a heavy but powerful GT and one is much more agile and nimble neutral handling FIA sports car racer. Any journalist that would call the F430 the 'entry level' Ferrari doesn't understand the sports car segment.

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NO, it was YOU who missed the "whole point" from the very beginning!! Here was a perfect opportunity to brag about how great the Boxster is, compared to the 911 ON the 911 forum, coming from a guy with a TT....and you wanna bitch about some semantic BS that was in the title of the article that simply stated a fact. Petty my friend, NOTHING BUT PETTY!! Get over yourself!

Why would I or anyone else need to brag about the Boxster? And why would you see bragging to a 996/Turbo community as an "oppourtunity?" Your car and the other 996 coupes are not in my sports car segment. I'm missing something there.... This journalist is reiterating what we all have known for a long time. The roadster of the Porsche brand is the benchmark in its category and on paper it does as well as many sports coupes with bigger engines. ..News flash! We've all seen the N-Ring times of 987S vs. 997 at this point. With all due respect there is no new information there... But I guess that was fairly evident right away as the article was geared toward a general audience and not something you would read in Sports Car Magazine or EVO Magazine. I should not have bothered pointing out that Mr. Gibson was using teminology that doesn't apply to this particular car segment. Terminology that most Cayman and Boxster owners are tired of hearing particularly given the high sums of money they are spending given the other alternatives from other brands. As a journalist I would never call a man's F430 an entry level Ferrari, as a Ferrari salesman looking to upsell sell a 599 to a DEEP pocketed buyer that just walked into my Ferrari showroom *maybe* I might use that terminology. I am critiquing the journalism not the marketing or the forum.... Get it?

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Hmm, bragging about our cars? Nah, we'd never do that. and yes, a guy that owns a Turbo or ANY 911 "bragging" about how much he loves Boxsters is a good thing for the image of it. Just my honest opinion which IM SURE most agree with. The NEWER 997 Boxster is HEADS and SHOULDERS above the older one, ESPECIALLY the Cayman. THAT'S the car the guy is talking about. Im simply saying Entry-level is what it is, so GET OVER IT ALREADY!!!

ok now your back pedaling on the bragging thing. I'm still waiting to hear why this was an "oppourtunity". The only people that think roadsters need "image improvement" are people who don't know sports cars, most know that there are roadsters, coupes, convertibles, GT, and super cars. Frankly, Arrogant, If I did own a 987S I would be more interested in hearing the compliments/feedback of a Lotus Elise (sorta a two seat roadster) driver vs. the compliments/feedback of 2+2 Turbo Coupe owner. Those are two different driving experiences. Btw, I have driven all the Boxsters and a non-S 987 is not heads and shoulders better than my 986S, less torque, kinda crucial on RWD roadster ditto for the stanard 245hp Cayman. The 3.4 987 BoxsterS and CaymanS different story entirely. p.s. I get the gist of the article, you don't need to put in all caps... and nothing earth shattering most sports car people were expecting these type comparisons would come once the mid engined porsches received at least 3.4 engines.

The NEWER 997 Boxster is HEADS and SHOULDERS above the older one, I agree. My first test dive of the 986 left me questioning the interior quality of the car. It was really spartan for a $50K+ car, but the 987 corrected that problem.

see I think spartan interiors should be the norm in sports cars, particularly in the roadster tradition. As for quality I guess it depends on your overpriced options. I have virtually the same interior as the most expensive 996's. It was a great concept for an interior in 1993 Boxster Prototype and I still get compliments for it in 2007. If there were 987 RS without that 987 Cayenne interior I'd check that box on the build sheet in a heart beat. Somewhere Porsches became heavy/plush...big mistake. There needs to be a 987/997 interior that has been on diet as an option.

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God dude, you make NO sense. Backpedaling? U said, and I QUOTE "Why would I or anyone else need to brag about the Boxster?" Not sure what you mean. Bragging about your car is something you should be proud to do, and when others do it for you, which is what I WAS DOING, you should say THANKS MAN!" As far as the rest of what you said, it really isn't worth my time to answer, as it is NONSENSE, IMO!

quick question....are you capable of expressing opinions without eclamations and all caps? I see you are an exciteable guy. That's ok everyone is different that's what makes the Pcar ranks interesting. But you shouldn't be so surprised when another Rennlister calls you out on calling another Rennlister "petty". Particularly when I'm expressing a view point that more than a few Cayman/S and Boxster/S owners have expressed. One that you're obviously unaware of. In the future you should make an effort to respect other peoples opinions and if you disagree with them make your points without reducing the discourse to insults. I commend your ability to recognize the strengths of other cars, contrary to the perceived "Elitist Porsche Owner" image that so many non-Porsche owners accuse us of having. I have been put off by more than a few obnoxious opinions on Rennlist denigrating other car makes and their owners, making it clear to me that they bought a Pcar to impress others, aka posers. Your bizzare sense that I should thank you, a coupe owner, for expressing an almost universally held opinion on the 987S roadster is intriguiging to say the least.

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Once again dude, it is an entry level Porsche. Once you get over it, you may be able to express an opinions that matters, so NO I do NOT respect your opinion, just your right to express it, stupid as it is. As far as my myspace page, there is not ONE picture of my car, nor is there ANYWHERE on the whole page that says I have one. Not my style. Oh, just to prove it, i changed my privacy settings temporarily. You can view my page if you wish!!

I guess you can't go without the all caps...makes sense since you actually have a myspace page and admit to owning a Del Sol. Someone telling me or a Cayman owner that we have entry "level" Porsches is a red flag that I'm dealing with someone who rarely if ever participates in autocross, DE,etc. and reads too many articles by novice car journalists. A serious sports car DRIVER would never repeat marketing terms devised to attract an uniformed buyer. Do you think that a CaymanS is a stepping stone to a Carrera?? I didn't buy an "Entry level" Porsche I bought a car that was designed to be a roadster from inception. I don't believe in hacking off the rooves of Sports Coupes, like when I test drove an M3 Cab and immediatley drove it right back to the dealer lot. As it happens Porsche only offers one car designed like that, unlike say BMW which offer a Z3 and a Z4. My second Pcar will be a 4 wheel driver but it will not be replacement of my roadster. One can't wear the shoes of the other. That's what makes the 'entry level' term in sports car discourse (like your article) is illogical. Much like when someone sells a "2 door Carrera Coupe" on Ebay or Autotrader, they are writing to the uniformed. Grassroots Motorspots

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Suck it up! Entry level is what you drive!! I owned 'em too, back when I was an entry level guy. But now, im a big man, with a big-time car. Think I'll go put pics up and brag to everyone about it. All seriousness - I never made fun of you, or what kind of car/s you drive or may have driven (back in 1992). ....just shows me what kind of character I'm dealing with. Enjoy your entry level Porsche, they are great cars....

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It sets the bar in it class. That's why I bought it. p.s. there were great cars available in 1992 for the price of that Del Sol, not an inexpensive car for that time frame. But I guess none of us were born with the sports car knowledge that would have prevented us from making such a purchase. Glad to see you are growing wiser in your older age.

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Hehe, right on bro! Best car in its class!!! ....and the Dell Sol was CERTAINLY a HUGE mistake. One that I caught A LOT of gay jokes for and still do (by the friends I still have from then). Takes a big-man to admit those mistakes AND post that I owned em, eh?

wow..wow..i actually just finished reading this entire thread...i enjoyed my root canal more...blah,blah...