after driving a Boxster
I understand why everyone was raving about them now and plan to have one soon.
I rate it as one of the very best cars I have ever driven


Cam

 

When they first came out in the 90's my friend from the Porker club got one and although it felt a little under powered the handling was simply incredible! It was also great to pose in LOL!
There are few Cayman's round here now - they look superb!

 

I drove a pals 3.2S and it was nigh on perfect. Not the fastest thing in a straight line but point to point an extremely accomplished car with incredible poise.
The pal whose Boxster it was has just taken delivery of a Carrera GT and I have been offered a spin in that next time I'm visiting him in Florida so I plan to take up that offer this summer.

 

I went to a trackday event last week for uni and got to drive a 911 carrera 4 S and boxster S...carrera turbo aswell but thats on another planet

handling wise i'm amazed to say i think the boxster was a little sharper, felt more in control. But have to say the stigma sticks after driving both, boxster is just a poor mans 911 (not in porkies case i dont think ). I just can't see myself buying a boxster if i had the choice, i can't.

I've driven a fair few fast cars in the past and porsches are a cut above, build quality, power delivery, the feel you get is just different level.

 

Fast cars ain't all about BHP

 

 

nuff said

 

I have been lucky enough to have driven quite a few Porsches recently [993 turbo / 996 turbo / GT3 clubsport and RS / GT2 currently getting modded by Weltmeister after being embarrased by a certain Datsun...hehe / 700HP RUF monster] and they have all impressed but I rate the Boxster 3.2S over all of them for pure driving enjoyment. The poor mans Porker tag will probably be ever present when folk who have not driven one refer to the Boxster [and Cayman] and I was guilty of the same......THEN I drove one and I'm well and truely hooked. Good time to buy at the moment with the poxy weather

 

Sometimes driving a car is better than reading the figures, I love my car even though it would be beaten in a straight line by an RST with the same money spent on mods as I spent on the car. The whole package springs to mind

 

This "poor man's 911" thing really irritates me.

It's just another Clarksonism that people who haven't driven a Boxster, or have so little appreciation of what actually constitutes a great handling car/great chassis, spout in order to appear mildly controversial.

Also shows a real lack of knowledge about cars in general.

For a start, the Boxster is mid-engined where the 911 is not. It's a pretty big fuckin difference that changes the whole characteristic of a vehicle.

Second, so what if it's cheaper than a 911. Are Porsche not allowed to introduce models into their range that are priced lower than a basic 911? Forgive me if I'm being obtuse, but I always though POrsche were in the business of making money, and from my last look out on the roads, they seem to have sold quite a lot of Boxsters. Maybe we should all write to comlpain that they're earning too much money at the expense of 911 brand image and customer financial perception.

Thirdly, so what? I would love to own a Boxster this time next year, and hopefully I will. If someone stops me and says "Ooh, I see you bought a Boxster because you couldn't afford a 911", my answer will be, "Yes. That's EXACTLY why I bought one you cretin. I actually can't afford a 911, but Porsche currently make a superb car that I can afford - should I deny myself one, and buy a Mk3 Toyota MR2 instead so that it doesn't interfere with your misguided perception of vehicle ownership?"



............. aaaaaaaaah, that's better

 

Good to see people actually driving cars before offering an opinion as opposed to the usual bollocks

I truly feel sorry for you if you really believe that and are not taking the piss

So what is an RS Turbo then - a "poor man's Saff?"

Honestly, some people

 

Than's what I was going to say RichardPON but you put it far better than I could be bothered typing

 

me 2 about 40k new arent far from poor to buy one

my neighbour has a Boxster S newish and it looks really smart

 

I very nearly bought this instead of my cos! 3.2S, i'm pretty tall though and felt cramped in it?!...



Its still for sale if anyone's interested? 2 owners, 36k, FPSH

 

This would be a nice engine swap:

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index...showtopic=4798

3.4 litre engine from a 996. Gives 320 - 340 hp at the flywheel

 

I liked the one i drove, came in as a part ex at VW - everyone wanted a go!!

Porkies looked mean on them wheels at Bedford

 

Cam, once you put an proper induction kit and an exhaust on one they are MUCH MUCH better as well as they sound amazing inside the car! The engine so close to the back of your heard and sucking and grunting and howling it makes it feel much faster than it really is.

You summed up the handling though with the word 'poise'

It enables you to drive it hard and really enjoy the car in all the gears without breaking the speed limit 9 times over like you do in most fast cars

oh and they take a REAL pounding! my has 40,000 miles on it and it gets HAMMERED.

Was out all day on track at Bedford with 5 different drivers and was faultless. It was FAST as well when I finally got a go in it

I love mine so much! and Alan it will be getting a 996 engine when it finally kill mine... it won't die though

P.S have you got your old centre diff? I broke mine at Bedford on first session I know you use an R33 one now don't you? Can you ask around for me. Already spoke to Rod and Ron though

 

I thought they looked pony tbh...

Till I saw Porkies at Bedford... those wheels transform the car completely IMO

 

I would want a good long test drive as the extra oomph could potentially spoil the balance that makes the Boxster so special.

 

Cam, no they apparently even better. It does need a little more go I think

have you read this weeks Autocar?? the Caymen S wins a roadtest against M3, the Audi RS4, and the littel AMG merc. They said it could be the best car Porsche have ever made Personally I would stick with Boxster though as I always have roof down night or day

Alex, you should have asked for a drive! they go better than they look.

 

oops

 

The Cayman's and Boxter's look HORRID! ....but before I get shot down please understand that this is all about personal opinion. The car's look horrid....Why did Porsche bother with these two.....were the designers on crack?! I am far from being anti-porsche. The boxter looks like a MR2 hence why Pon loves it and the Cayman....well don't get me started on that one. Don't get me wrong, they don't drive too bad infact they handle well but whats the point in spunking out on something that drives OK but looks nothing like what Porsche normally build...ie quality good looking 911's.

Here is an email from a freelance journalist from Autocar to a Porsche Advance Driving Instructor (a good friend of mine who forwarded me the mail) describing what he thought of the Cayman S when he took it around Goodwood a little while back.

From: XXXXX
To: Bernard A
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 12:44 PM
Subject: Re:

Bernard,

I did make it. Lovely weather, great cars and three Spitfires in the sky above.

More importantly, I've just driven the Cayman S.

You'll love it. Superb balance. The car for those of us who miss the simplicity of earlier 911s.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
So it doesn't drive too bad however it's just a pity that it's looks don't live upto the usual Porsche standards.

Now the new 997 turbo...thats something else. Looks the bollox and goes like a rocket.....proper Porsche!

 

 

Eh? What are you waffling about now?

I don't think the Boxster is the prettiest convertible sportscar money can buy by a long way - S2000, S2 Elise etc etc but name me something with as good a badge, that ticks as many of the boxes for the money?

It doesn't always have to be about looks, otherwise 50% of people wouldn't have bought a saff!

.. and if you think a Boxster looks like an MR2, might I suggest a little trip to Mr Optician... or maybe you should stop smoking crack

 

Pon, I never seriously thought that you loved the Boxter that much.

Ofcourse it doesn't ALL have to be about the looks but for christs sake boy READ my post....I said in MY opinion if your going to spunk out on a Porsche it should look half decent aswell as go!

Porkie has done a good job and addressed this quite well by putting a good choice of rims on his car which makes it look MUCH diffierent to a standard Boxter.

Sit back and take a break man! You will get hi BP not BHP!

 

Love it but my fave is the Cayenne Turbo....



2 tonne bus that would wipe out most cossies up the M6....

 

That much is true though - totally transforms the looks, as the standard wheels are pretty poor.

 

Dan....here's something to wet your appitite.

This one has 750hp!







Appologies for going slightly off topic.

 

 

I had a drive of a Boxter S and thought that the front end was a bit "floaty". Mind you, this was on a very bumpy B-road at speeds that was causing the traction control light to flicker on every now and again.

Hence why I so wanted to try Lee's car on a smooth track, but he was too interested in going back to the hotel to watch the rugby .

 

Hairdressers Car!!!

But then i'm probably just jealous because I can't and probably will never be able to afford one

True story though.. one of my mates friends bought a boxter. He told me this I told him it's a hairdressers car and supposedly the poor mans 911 (yes jealousy again ) he told his mate this who then sold it and bought a 911 Too much money

 

Hardly a hairdressers car at Ł40k.....LOL

How many run of the mill hairdressers are on more than Ł5.50 p/h......LOL

 

Looks like one though

Totally in my opinion of course. And I am free to have one! I'd still own one though

 

 

dunno what to say...

Next time I might just do that

Alex

 

No.... what he means is that MR2's are hairdresser's cars and the Boxter's look a little like the MR2's!

I kind off see the resemblence now!

 

Haha, No I actually meant I think the boxter looks like a hairdressers car on it's own. But you can use me in your argument with RichardPon if you like

 

I am only messing with Pon. I hope he realises it. Besides it's the later shape MR2 that looks like a Boxter anyway not his car.

 

Sunny, its Boxster... you can't even spell it let alone appreciate the stunning lines

I would say something about your strange and misguided love of shonky looking 1952 UberBeatles, but I won't

Hows things mate? any news on the Fiesta?