Is it just me, or does the Boxster Coupe look a lot like a 911?

I have been checking out the recent flurry of spy shots of the next generation Boxster (Coupe), and I have to say, I really like the look of it. When and if they release a club-sport version, I may have to make a switch....But then again, by then the 911 may be revamped in a positive way too.

I agree 100%, and I'm not happy about it! Why? Because I see the Boxter Coupe as a huge threat to the resale price of used 996 coupes like mine. If they look so similar, perform similar, and cost the same or less, why wouldn't someone just get the brand new Boxter Coupe over a used (or new for that matter) Carrera? I wish Porsche wouldn't make two cars that are so similar, at such drastically different prices.

thats a screw up Porsche can't afford to make

Pics of the Boxster coupe look mighty fine... 'cause it looks like a Carrera!

You got that right. But a 2 seater/front-engined one.

I think it will still be mid-engine.

I'd been very interested in a lightweight, midengined, affordable coupe from Porsche. I hope they make a stripped done version so I can pick one up for track use and still keep my 996 for daily driving. I don't think the Boxster coupe will compete with the 911. The buyer demographics of Boxster and 911 are very different.

I've seen pictures, can't remember where and the back was a hatch that could be opened up like the 944. So I was guessing that the boxster coupe was going to be front-engined.

where are all the spy shots of the boxster coupe?

i hope and pray to god that the artists' renderings of the boxster coupe aren't accurate because it looks almost exactly like a 911! i haven't seen any spy shots of it yet. why would anybody buy a 911 (except for prestige) if a boxster S coupe looks just like it and has almost the same performance numbers?!?!?!?!? you might as well eliminate the regular 911 and only keep the turbo, GT3, and GT2.

I found the pic here http://www.onlyporsche.net/uploads/BoxsterCoupe-2.jpg I really doubt the perf spec of Boxster Coupe is anywhere close to 996. I don't think the mgnt of Porsche are that stupid..

That's not a picture. It is some artist's guess of what the car might possibly look like. I used to draw pictures of cars on my notebooks in high school. If we had the internet back then I would have been posting "spy pictures" drawn in homeroom!!! Alan

looks like a cross-breed of a 911, Audi TT and Crossfire

The air intakes in front of the rear wheels look like mid engine requirement. Looks great, IMO My guess is when you put the 997 next to it you will see differences (like the fat butt & rear wheel opening articulation.)

Road and Track has that "picture" in it... but it looks like a drawing. I just don't see Porsche making the B-coupe look so similar to the Carrera.

From the pics i have seen so far the Boxster coupe looks damn sexy. If it does end up looking like that, we will still have to wait on the finished 997, i have a feeling that there is more to it then just how it looks in the spy pics. Porsche is smart, im sure they know what they are doing.

Artists' renditions never seem to make it all the way to production, and rarely even to prototype. I think we'll see a prototype of this Boxster Coupe sometime early next year. Here are some spy shots...

Here is one I found. This one is less 911'ish I would prefer this

I think that it needs to be pointed out that the Boxster is a better handling car than the 911 because of the mid engine layout. If there is somewhat significant increase in the next generation's hp, and a reduction in weight because it is a coupe, the current 996 is in for a world of hurt. Even now, the Boxster S can keep up with a Carerra. Porsche needs to be carefull with the 997 and increase the handling adn power dramatically. I am thinking that there will be a time where the rear engine layout will not be practical anymore and porsche will slowly make a mid engine 911. Especially if they are going to make an 8 cylinder 911. Just some random thoughts. Bobby

Well I guess if they make a 986 s-coupe they would pretty much already have a mid-engine replacement for the 911, just with no little seat in the back. Or am I missing something? Perhaps this was the plan all along. It wouldn't be the first time the rear-engine platform was threatened with extinction.

Maybe in your world. The Boxster needs the increased hp to keep up with every other thing out there. I don't know how much they are going to lighten the coupe but my guess is that it won't be much of a difference like .1 from the 0-60 time when compared to the cab. I am hoping the have 5.0 sec times for the new Boxster.

I read somewhere that they would eventually offer a club racing version of a Boxster Coupe a year or two after the release of the next generation Boxster. I would definitely be interested in that one.

Same here, the GT3 is a bit out of my price range for having fun car. I would definatly consider getting the boxster though. Just gota convince the wife why we need a 4th car.

Mississauga??? Wow! I keep seeing more and more guys on this site from Toronto! That's great! I am originally from Toronto myself. Do you get good service up there? Do you take your car to a Porsche dealer for service or an independent? Or do you have the time and space to do it yourself.....? I only ask since there may be a time when I move back.

Well I only have 13000 km so havn't went for service yet, though I had to have it flat bedded into Downtown Fine Cars (only because it was open during the week-end) because the Temp Gauge didn't work. They didn't want to take the chance and have me drive it in. Tires I do from a independant. My first service is very soon and planning to take it to Pfaff Porsche. I don't really have the neccessary tools and space to do it my self, though I could do it if I had to. Great thing about driving a Porsche here is that there are very few arround and I like driving something rare. I hate having a car that everybody else has or knows someone with one.

Yeah, Porsches aren't really unique or special down here. Dime a dozen. I heard that Pfaff is good, so you should have no problem with them. Enjoy!

Maybe your not keeping up with the current numbers? Although it might now be as fast, the Boxster S is about .3 seconds off a Carrera's 0-60 times if not less!!! The M3 as well as the new vette, viper and a number of other cars are a lot faster. Im sure that the new NSX and possible supra will be equally fast. All I am trying to say is that the new 911 may be killed off by the boxster because it offers a much better layout. Bob

I had to look at this to do a double check. Where are you getting your numbers from. I got these from Porsches website. Boxster S is 0-62 mph: 5.7 sec. While the Carrera is 0-62 mph: 5.0 sec.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...ndex4.htmlThis is a recent test of the Boxster S. I'd say that the Carrera 0-60 is 4.9 seconds if we want to be really picky. I doubt that Porsche would want the Boxster S's performance numbers to be as close as they are on the website so they dumbed down the figures a bit. I agree, the Carrera is a faster straightline car, but it has been well establised that the Boxster is a better handling car because of its layout. All I'm saying is that I don't know how many more tricks Porsche engineers have up their sleeve to improve upon the rear engine layout. This is especially true if we will be seeing an 8 cylinder 911. Bobby

That's quite the difference for being what 20 - 100 lbs lighter the a C2. My view changes quite a bit then more hp increase and a lighter boxster coupe would blow away the new 997 and older 911 coupes.

While the new Boxster Coupe does look great, Porsche has screwed the pooch yet again by making the Boxster look like a Carrera, this just recently after the 3.6 liter 911's facelift to further differentiate the two. Given the current Boxster S' power and handling capability, the certainty that the next generation will be even better (as with all new Porsches), and the Carrera's sucky resale value, I see no reason to replace my 911 with anything but a Boxster in the future. I just wish Porsche would drop the "flared-nostrils" corporate nose, but I knew that when it showed up on the Cayenne, we would be stuck with it for a long time. C'mon, Porsche, get off the bandwagon. Cheers, -DT

I think that porsche should go to a mid engine design for the 911.. Rear engine doesnt make sense anymore. I think that everyone will praise it with open arms and wallet books. And you cant be serious about those back seats that fit only a 5 year old. my 2 cents

A true 911 aficionado will never agree with you.