996 Cab vs 987 Boxster S

Hey guys, I was wondering if I could get an honest and unbiased opinion from here. I've been wanting to get into a Porsche cabriolet for a while now. My dream car would be a 997 C2S cabriolet but those are out of my price range for now. I've been shopping around and I've noticed that the 02/03 996 cabs are about the same price as the 05/06 Boxster S. I definitely don't mind the look of the redesigned Boxster; it's a big improvement over the original. What do you guys think? Any suggestions would be great.

well you know what the answer will be in this forum....

From Jeremy Clarkson's review of the new Boxster: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/dri...cle1078508.ece "Something, however, is not quite right. It’s hard to put your finger on it but there’s something missing, and I think I know what it is. When you drive a Boxster, you do not savour the mid-engined balance or the hand-crafted soundtrack. Because this car doesn’t remind you what it is. It reminds you, all the time, of what it’s not. And what it’s not is a 911. So you arrive at journey’s end thinking: “If only life had dealt me a better hand. If only I’d sold one more photocopier and married a supermodel. Then I could have had a real Porsche.” The Boxster, I’m afraid, is a constant reminder that the grass really is greener somewhere else. A 911 feels like an analogue car. It feels real, rather than a facsimile. Whereas the Boxster feels like a downloaded digital rendition of the original. A collection, if you like, of ones and noughts. So, like a CD, it’s crisp and easy to handle but the 911 — that’s like watching the band perform live. "

We have had a Boxster for about 8 years now and a 996 Cab for nearly 7, so I'll give you my impressions. The Boxster is a fun car, my wife refers to it as a womens car. I would be happy with one, if there was no way to get a Carrera. The Boxsters A pillers are about 3" shorter, shorter windshield, side windows and lower top. The seat doesn't slide back as far or recline back as far either. For my 6' 190# frame the Boxster is a bit cramped. The Carrera is very roomy by comparison. The Carrera has the rear weight bias true to 911 which we have all come to love. This is a huge plus for me as I'm a 911 guy first, and a Porsche guy second. This is absent in the Boxster. The Boxster is a terrific handler, but I perfer the 911s as I'm a long time motorcycle rider and racer and I find the handling simular. Neither of these cars are about speed in my opinion. There are much faster cars out there. These are about the driving experience. To me the 996 wins here. I actually perfer the early 996 to the 997 in the looks department, same with the Boxsters, earliest are the best looking. The later Boxsters look like they have Toyota MR2 side air intakes, not cool. The Boxster is a pain to travel in, no interior room for your wife's purse, a camera or a bottle of water. I think the Boxster was made for an entry level car and a stepping stone to enter Porshe ownership. It's real and legit, but still an introduction to bigger and better things. With a 911 (996, 997) there are no appoligies or excuses, they are the real deal.

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The new Boxster S is not an entry level car; it's the mid-engine car Porsche should have been building all along. The only reason it's even perceived as entry level is because of the artificial price points Porsche set. Regarding what you said that I quoted; it was true of early 986s (and 996s!), but they fixed it in later 986s and 996s; they have cupholders and glove compartments now. The rear trunk is large enough for two bags of golf clubs, wheras the 996 has no rear trunk at all- if you want to talk about practicality as a DD or on long trips, the Boxster's ample trunk space makes a BIG difference. I can go camping for a weekend in my Boxster, and have- room for 13x10' tent, queen size air mattress, two sleeping bags, two folding chairs and two coats - and that's just the rear trunk. Still room for a full sized cooler and two backpacks full of gear in the front. 996 has a back seat, but it's a nearly useless back seat. And you don't really want to keep much there in a cab. Really, it's about trade-offs. Which boil down to: Back seat vs trunk. Mid-engine vs slightly more power. There are two places it's not a tradeoff, though, and that's interior and age. The 987 has a better interior than the 996. And is a younger car, which is going to manifest itself, statistically, in fewer problems. Faced with this choice myself two years ago, I went with the Boxster S. I could buy a 997 or a 987.2 as my next car, and you know what? I'm going to buy a 987.

Nick49 said it all. I was first going to purchase a white boxster, paper works where moving and I kept glancing at the 996 while at the dealer. I ended up getting the 996 after I test drove it. The boxster is a great car, but the 996/911 is the real deal.

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Thanks for clearing that up. So, then y'all got the best deal of them all? Listen....I own 3 different variants right now (and have owned several others in the past) and I can tell you it is NOT just perception but rather it is combination of the reality (not perception) that is IS entry level (both cost and place in the lineup) and targeted demographic. I like the Boxster platform (heck I have one as a race car) but it doesn't do what the 911 does best......STIR YOUR SOUL. So enjoy your car and quit trying to rationalize your purchase. When you get a sec, read up on the definition of entry level: Main Entry: en�try–lev�el Pronunciation: \ˈen-trē-ˌle-vəl\ Function: adjective : of or being at the lowest level of a hierarchy

I'd say you should buy the Porsche that makes you happy, but do yourself a favor and drive both so you can compare the two. It seems to me that there is no wrong answer here.

Get the 996 if you must have a 911, other than that the 987S wins

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Nick, Great response. Probably one of the few responses that entails personal experience with both cars.

Having owned both I think I would agree with most of what has been said. But make no mistake, a Boxster can be a VERY satisfying car to drive and I don't find it to be a "gender specific" car at all. While I enjoy Jeremy Clarkson's writing and and TV work I must say he's fulla crap in HIS snobby perception of a Boxster. Interestingly, I like the looks of the 986 Boxster better than the 987. The softer lines just look cooler to me. Anyways, best bet is to drive them both, from a functionality point of view the added interior space of the 996 is nice to have.

I waited too long to own a Porsche... sure as hell aint buying a 924/914 or a damn Boxster!! that said, they are great little cars - riden in a few and was very surprised how good they can be... Yea, WHATEVER - I only get one P-Car and if I have not already said it... its not going to be that one

Fifth gear once drove a 3.4L RS60 boxster (top spec) against a vanilla mk1 c2. The gap only widens to the mk2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Woq6FinIzlw Of course the real world is not always a race course. I have found the 911 very practical, I have found amazing use for the seats in a pinch, etc. But I wanted more of a GT than a roadster, and wasn't really looking at cabs, so I'm not the best advisor, however: For my vote it depends on how much you personally want a 911. If you always wanted one , there is still no substitute and you will regret the decision. If you always wanted a boxster, the same applies. Both cars will be very fast and fun to drive. Drive both, decide.

a 911 is an inherently flawed platform...the boxster is not. The boxster is a better handling car. I've found the only people who don't like them are those that haven't driven them or those that are so insecure that they worry about whether its a "girl car".

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Nice attempt at an explanation but wrong. They are just different platforms. I have both and drive both VERY HARD on the racetrack in DE and Racing. The boxster is a great neutral handling platform and has it's plusses in certain places on the track and in others, the 911 shines better. Personally, I absolutely love what the 911 can do on corner exit that a Boxster cannot, but I really like what a Boxster can do on mid corner that a 911 can't. If I had to choose though, I would probably choose the 911 on track, but it would be close....not 50-50 but more like 63-37

I'll give a counterpoint. I own both a 986 and a 996 and unless you need the back seat if you are buying a cab I'd choose the Boxster. Here's why; Looks - I've never been a fan of 911 cabs. Chopping the top off a 911 is not easy on the eyes while the Boxster was designed from the ground up as a cab and it looks the part IMHO Straight line - A 996 cab vs a 987 will be very similar in straight line performance. Maybe a slight edge to the 996, but very slight. Handling - Not what many here want to hear, but the Boxster is hands down better. Mid-engine placement, longer wheelbase, yadda yadda all yield real world benefits on the road and track. I'm not saying the 911 is bad,it's just that the Boxster is really that good. Status - if this is important to you (it's not to me) the 911 is perceived as the higher status car. That being said for real Porsche track guys that have experience in many different Porsches, the Boxster does get a healthy amount of respect. It's a natural handler that is quite capable of upstaging it's more powerful bigger brother on the right circuit. In summary, I love my 996 dearly but in many ways the Boxster is more fun. I drive the 996 more because of the back seat (I have a young daughter who rides in a child seat), but if you don't need that the 987 is a damn fine sports car. Good luck.....

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Its not wrong. There is a reason that porsche is the only manufacturer that tosses the engine behind the rear wheels. It doesn't take much searching to find that every supercar level vehicle has a mid engine (with a few ferraris being the exception). Ford GT Koenigsegg Zonda every lambo 430 Scud F40 F50 Enzo carrera GT etc etc. I could go on all day. the boxster is a better platform. A boxster with a GT3 motor would be one the greatest cars every built in my opinion.

It also doesn't take much searching to understand why the rear engine design works as well as it does. Remember, they are different (not flawed or superior). Engine location dictates what you will be able to maximize more than other locations and what you will be at a deficit with to others. That's all. Not sure why you don't understand that.

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It doesn't work all that well. Horrid understeer on the way in, and snap oversteer on the way out. yes, with enough tweaking, it can become a fairly neutral car, but really its only benefit is allowing you to get on the gas a millisecond earlier on corner exit. It's impressive that the car has been successful as it is despite its engine layout, not because of it. The M3 does well. Would it do better as a mid engined car? Absolutely. Cars without mid engines are that way due to packaging constraints (i.e. sedan, rear seats, etc.). True, ground up, performance cars (i.e. not hotted up versions of regular cars) are mid engined. It is simply the best platform.

Which do you own Quad?

993TT

So are you offering your argument based on theory or personal experience. By the way, sweet ride Which is better, the 996 Turbo or the 993 Turbo? Just messin' with ya

there is a Boxster that was in the shop with a Cayman motor in it... that thing looks and sounds wicked fast...he is a track junkie too so its set up nice.... still for me

Get whichever one you like better... that's it. They are both excellent cars. I'd also think about how you are going to use it... is this a daily driver, or a track car? Weigh the relative merits of each and make the call. I think you'll be happy with either one. I drive a 996 every day, but I considered a 987 when I bought the 996. The 987 was very nice, and I was comfortable in it (during the test drive anyway) at 6'4". I am happy with my choice, but I am sure I would have been happy with a 987 also.

What Dennis says is what it should ALWAYS come down to. Drive ALL the options you are considering and then one WILL speak to you. The one thing about the 986 that I am guessing was addressed in the 987 was space. I didn't fit very well in the 986 (6'1" and long legs) so we chose the 996CAB.

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I've driven every modern porsche fairly hard, save from the RS and GT models. I'm not in love with the 911 handling characteristics. My car has a modified suspension and its improved, but the boxster is better out of the box. I like the look of my ancient beetle than the boxster, plus I needed the additional speed. I'd have a tough time choosing between an N/A 996 and a 987 boxster. Thank you for the compliment.

The 911 handling is like fine wine.....it gets better as you age with it. Once you really understand what its' strengths and weaknesses are and the suspension is dialed in properly, you really enjoy the platform. I agree though, the balance of a boxster is phenomenal. If I didn't need the back seats, I'd probably go for the 987 over the 996. But it would have to be the S model. Need every bit of power I can grab

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I know little if anything about the new Boxsters, and what I stated was my opinion only. Boxsters in general have always been an affordable way to break into the Porsche arena. I saw pre production pics and read an article in Playboy a couple of years before they were released, probably around '94-'95. I thought the design was awsome and the best thing was they were tens of thousands less than the Carrera. Unlike the 914, the Boxster had a Porsche motor.

During a conversation about building a dedicated track car, someone with relatively infinite wisdom on the topic once told me "The boxster is great. Anyone coming from a miata can jump in a boxster and be fast right out of the gate. Most circuits, the 911 is faster, but first you have to learn how to drive 911s fast." I think thats the secret handshake that a lot of 911 guys love. Look at Rohrl. I'm sure other people are faster in a GT-R or an Enzo, but he is just so fast in the 911 compared to most. I've driven 986, 986 S and 987S. The 987S in particular is so balanced that it nearly lacks character. it might be perfect for some tastes and I don't doubt that with equivalent power and gearing it would be neck and neck as the 5th gear folks showed.

The Boxster vs. Carrera argument is not much different than the Harley Sportster vs. Big Twin debate I've witnessed for decades,

I too considered the 986/7S, 996 coupe, 996 cab, and 997S cab. I miss my convertible from my miata and s2000 days. If you want a good handling porsche convertible, then its the 986/7 or 997 cab. If you want a porsche convertible and handling isn't important, and you want the 911 status, 996 cab is fine. The 996 cab isnt nearly as rigid as the 997 cab. I couldn't afford the 997 cab, I didn't want the entry boxster. I wanted the occasional back seat. So I got a 996 coupe. good luck.

As a former 911SC, and 993 (had two of them), and now a 996 Cabrio owner, I think your intended usage should weigh heavily on your choice. IF you intend to use the car as a touring car, meaning for occasional trips 2,3, 4 hrs. or more with a passenger, then the 996/997 series has clear advantages. On the other hand, if the car will strictly be a local usage or weekend fun car, then the argument favors the Boxster for its sublime handling. Any usage in between is a coin-flipper because they are both great cars. Final comment: pay the premium required to buy an extra nice, low mileage example.