ptee.

I'm looking into purchasing a 986 and one of the things I'm considering is whether to look for a '99 with the regular mechanical throttle or a 2000+ with "E Gas" and the other improvements.

I currently have a 2001 BMW Z3 Coupe that has drive by wire...and I hate it (the DBW, not the car). I have a friend that has an earlier Z3 with a mechanical throttle and (to me) it's night and day difference. Hell toe, blipping, etc are all much easier and more intuitive on my friend's Z3 than on mine.

So my question is...for the Boxsters, is there a similar amount of difference between the two systems? Or did Porsche get it right from the beginning, and driving an "E Gas" car is indistinguishable from a mechanical one?

Thanks!

Dave H.

i can't tell the difference.

grc0456

Ditto to Dave

Byprodriver

Cable throttle is prefered by all, probably not as big a difference as BMW. Everything else about 2000> Boxster's is better. Only way to get around that is to install a 99 3.4L engine in a 99 Box.

Macster

Been years since I drove a car with a mechanical throttle linkage. Both my Porsches have E-Gas. The GTO did to. The 2002 VW Golf TDi as well. Maybe my 2001 Camaro Z28? I can't remember and I only had it for 4 months. I am sure my '96 Mustang GT had a mechanical throttle linkage and no cruise control.

Frankly the E-Gas system has been superb. I've no complaints and can't imagine reverting to a mechanical linkage and then there's that old out of date ICV thing, too. No thanks.

ptee.

Thanks guys. I guess I't a bit scared of it, considering my experience with the BMWs.

I test drove an 01 non-S today and it felt pretty good. I had some perception of it, but overall the electronic throttle was miles better than my Z3 Coupe.

pcarfan944

Have a '99 and put about 100 miles on a '00 before purchase.

Don't recall a difference aside from the 2.7 being easier to pull away smoothly from stop. Don't know if that's due to the throttle or a better torque curve.

Macster

Never drove a 2.5l but my 2.7l Boxster's engine amazes me still with its tractability at low RPMs. I know some condemn the engine but to me it is an impressive bit of hardware.

GTgears

The guys who track their cars hard complain about the e-throttle. Otherwise I don't think it will matter.

ptee.

Thanks for the insights!

mikefocke

Owned a '99 and then a '01S. Never noticed a difference in throttle response but then I wasn't a track guy. Didn't mean I didn't lean into it when the engine was warm.