Trade up or down for a 2005 Boxster S?

Would you? Basically a 997 S is way out of my reach, however for what I paid for my 2001 C2 (which I love), I could get a brand new 2005 Boxster S, which frankly I also like a lot. I rented a Boxster S a few months ago in Switzerland, and liked it a lot. Been pondering this matter recently (especially as my car is at dealer workshop for rms leak number 2!), would like to know the thoughts of fellow Rennlisters. Maybe I'll change my mind when I get my car back, but the power output of the S is so close to my 911, that performance wise it might not be such a major sacrifice. Whaddya think?

If you have no need for the rear seats... the new Boxster S looks to be a very nice ride. You will loose some of the performance edge, last Boxster S I drove did not feel as fast as the 911. My opinion, the heck with other people opinions... get what you want and drive it hard!!

A Boxter, any Boxter is a step down from a 911.

I own both and the Boxster is more fun to drive, IMO. It is more nible and I just plain old enjoy a mid-engine roadster better. The 911 has more guts, but for me, that isn't everything. If it were, I would get a Vette! Say what you want about the Boxster being a "step down" but I don't much care for status. I bought my cars for the pure driving enjoyment. Whatever suits you, who cares what others think? The NEW Boxster S resale will definitely be higher than your C2 for the next year or two! If Porsche wasn't so hung up about producing a Boxster Turbo for 80-90k (for fear of 911 owners whining), I would be first in line for it! I think if it was a 80-90k car, 911 owners might stop calling it a "step down"

Negative - I own both a 996 with Mods and A Stock 986S And yes the 996 is a bit faster, but handling, I think not, interior is the same, shifting, sterring, braking. If I were to close my eyes and drive both cars (Without sound) I would be hard press to tell the difference. Now My Friend just picked up the new 986S and I must say, I was blown away by the power and response of the Boxter S - Really ! I would take that baby in a New York Minute - I love the look of the 996 better than the 986 and I need the use of the rear seats. To that end I must say, there are days when I sit in my garage and truly debate which one I want to drive today.

Hmmmm! I love the Boxster, it handles like a go kart, and having the engine right behind your back gives an awesome sound. But I just got my baby back from the workshop and I take it back, I'm sticking with my 911! For now. Thanks for the feedback

"If I were to close my eyes and drive both cars (Without sound) I would be hard press to tell the difference" With all due respect, the handling differences between a 996 and a 986 are like night and day, especially when pushed to the limit. The 40/60 f/r weight bias of the 996 really makes itselft known. Steering is light in front with huge amounts of grip in the rear. The rear simply loves continuous throttle input. The 996 is a wonderful platform to learn how to drive fast. Being closer to 50/50 f/r, the Boxster's balanced feel is very apparent. Turn in is really crisp IMHO, but the rear just doesn't feel as planted as in the 996. The Boxster has a longer wheelbase than the Carrera, but my impression of the rear may be related to differences in tire sizes. Relative to the 996, the 986 is underpowered. Let the revs fall and POOF! You're out of luck! Out at the track, of course, it's another ball game with the revs playing in the high range. I find the Carrera more exciting, but both cars have their merits. My question for Dubai911 is, "Do you want to drop the top?". If so, then the Boxster may be the ride for you. Personally, I would keep your C2 and make some modest investments in suspension upgrades. Enjoy.

I already have invested in the following mods: Porsche sports springs and sway bars 17mm wheel spacers rear, 5 mm front 4 new Pirelli PZero Rossos PSE Porsche Short shifter Litronics Weakest link in car now is the crappy stereo, it's the hi-fi option not Bose,it's got like 10 speakers and the 6 channel amp, but it sounds terrible!!!!!!

Wait for the coupe version of the Boxster S before making any decisions. That car should be a hoot to drive!

I missed the part about your mods, and it seems like you have a pretty tight setup. What draws you to the Boxster?

2 different cars and the Boxster is not inferior to the 11, just different. The 11 is an all-int-the-rear, the Boxster is a mid-engine design. Major diff. is the Boxster is a convertible and you drive a coupe. Do you want a convertible? I do not care for convertibles. There will be a Boxster coupe in 2005 and the latest rumor I read is that it will be cheaper ($5k or so) than the Boxster convertible.

I've had my Boxster S for almost five years now...and am still enjoying it. There's something timeless about the formula of a drop-top, mid-engined, roadster. I've driven a lot of Porsches, but haven't found a street variant that surpasses the Boxster in the subjective "fun" category. What I've seen of the 987 looks impressive. If you can handle the loss of a backseat (while gaining an extra trunk), then it makes sense. Ultimately, it all boils down to what YOU want in a Porsche. For more info, I'd recommend you check out PPBB.com--a pretty large Boxster community.

Had a Boxster as a loaner during service. Nice car, but I didn't like a huge blind spot (for me) caused by the C pillar with the top up. Couldn't recline the seatback enough to suit me (I'm 6'2"). The Boxster is a fine car, but the 911 is a 911.

Good call IMO, I'm sure you would have figured it out either way......

After a year+ of being Porsche-less, I got a new 01 Boxster S (somewhat because a 911 at the time was a little too much $$). It's a fun, quick, nimble car, and I enjoyed it. But as some said above, a 911 is a 911, and I was never really satisfied with the Boxster S. I would think about this long and hard before you make a change, and make sure its what you want. Again, the Boxster S is a great car for what it is, but its not a 911.

i will add, that of all the cars i've driven, the boxster S is always in my top 10.

Must be nice

What has been lost on this discussion is the original poster inquired about an 01 996 vs. an 05 Boxster S. Not an 02+ 996 with the outgoing Boxster S (in which case there is a rather large performance difference between the two in HP alone). On paper the 05 Boxster S looks to have closed the performance gap to the 99-01 996�s. With the upgraded interior this could be a very tough call. The jury will be out until people are allowed to test drive the new Boxster S and all this is purely speculation.