herman maire

I am just getting near completing my street/track 928 ( still have not even driving it ) and my eye is already starting to wander . Would like to hear from those that have driving these 2 cars ( boxster and 928 ) and what would be a more fun street/track car.

I have only driven a early boxster around the block, it was a 2.5L ..... the chassis felt great but engine power was not impressive. potential engine problems with boxster seem more expensive then a 928 ( not including GT models).

Prices for early boxsters with high miles are very affordable.

I see the boxster spec cars are quite popular lately.

Anybody have any experience with these 2 cars.

Again, just wondering

Mongo

The early cars had issues with porous blocks (early 1997s) and engines throwing sleeves (mostly 1999). Newer cars (2002-2004) had issues with the intermediate shaft failing. This IMS issue was addressed with the installation of a better bearing. I would recommend viewing the Boxster board for more details on these.

As far as the car goes, there are a lot of owners out there that praise these cars. The problems do not affect 100% of the cars out there, just like thrust bearing failures on the 928. However, it is very important that you are aware of the issues and keep an eye out. Changing the oil every 3,000-5,000 miles actually helps prevent IMS failures from what I have heard in addition to driving the car over 2,500-3,000 RPM as it spins the shaft faster.


The 928 is a very unique car to track. In addition to the V8, it is a very well balanced chassis and is quite different to drive than a mid-engined car. If your 928 has a stripped interior, the dramatic weight loss will definitely show in terms of handling and acceleration. If I were to buy/build a track car, I would do a 928 over a Boxster. They may be a little big, but they are pretty fast around the track.

James Bailey

One of the reasons why the spec racer Boxsters are so popular is that the engines are relatively inexpensive.....a NEW crate engine from Porsche was about $7,500. It is the same chassis as used on the Cayman S which benefits from the higher HP engine. I have instructed several students with Boxsters and tried to chase spec racers around the track in the old very brown 1980 not saying I can catch one Problem is they just do not sound that good.

Mongo

Yea they really don't sound good, especially with straight pipes on too. The sound of a Boxster relates to a Singer sewing machine and a John Deere lawnmower fornicating.

RKD in OKC

Had 01 Boxster S and really liked it...



My current 928 GTS



With both cars I typically set FTD at local autocross. Both cars got lots of comments. The 928 gets a few more, almost everywhere I stop someone comments on the 928. I always felt the Boxster needed just a bit more power and a better sound. I get lots of comments on how good the 928 sounds.

One of the best comparisons I can make is the Boxster feels like you are driving from a task or desk chair and the 928 feels like you are driving from your lazy boy or comfy recliner.

In the Boxster I enjoyed cruising around with the top down, it adds the sense of smell to driving. In the 928 I enjoy the exhaust note.

The 928 is much better for highway cruising, at higher speeds the Boxster gets light and twitchy.

Some say the Boxster is more nimble, but that just means it is much easier to spin out or off track, not necessarily lower lap times.

Was glad I bought the Boxster S new, Porsche put a new motor in after spun a bearing. (no fault of mine).

You are seeing more Boxsters on the track because they are getting cheaper and get around corners well if you keep the power on.

If you are going to track a Boxster make sure you are short enough that your helmet does not stick up above the line from the top of the windscreen to the top of the roll bars.

Imo000

I've driven a Boxter S last summer and it is an impressive car. Very good torque, excellent handling and the brakng is vey good too. Felt like it would give a 32V 928 a run for its money........and maybe even win. If you want a =oxter, don't settle for anything less than an S.

Dharn55

A Boxster engine used to be $7,500, close to twice that now.

RKD in OKC

The torque curve of the boxster S makes it feel a bit faster than a 928 because the 928 torque curve is so flat. The 0-60 times are pretty close. The Boxster really feels doggy accelerating above 60mph where the 928 seems to grow legs.

curt_928

I use my 02' as a daily driver. It's been reliable and hasn't gvien me many problems in the 3 going on 4 years that I've had it.. it's at 52 k miles and I bought it with 20k. Just put in a water pump.

Nice, fun car in the corners.. MUCh more "tossable" around town. It just pivots in the corners effortlessly. Only complaint is that it is a tad underpowered. It's OK for a daily driver but is not a world class car like the 928 IMHO.

__________
79 928 5sp silver/blk
02 Boxster 5sp blk/blk/blk

ducbil

I have been driving my '99 Box every day for almost 8 years and 85k miles with no problems. Just hit 107k yesterday. Maybe just lucky, but no issues to speak of. Is is a lot better on gas for every day, that's for sure. I am in no rush to part with it, although 987 S models are getting really reasonable. There is a nice red 06 S (with new Bilstein setup) for sale in the member for sale listings for around $27 right now. Very tempting.

RKD in OKC

My 01 Boxster S spun a rod bearing AFTER almost a year of having the wrong MAF installed by the dealer and exactly 2 weeks after the dealer did some sort of solvent cleaning of the heads and valves without changing the oil afterwards. I originally took it in because it took turning the key twice to start. That's when they replaced the MAF with the wrong one and didn't realize it until a year, 2 catalytic converters and 3 mufflers later. The wrong MAF was causing it to run rich enough that on deceleration it was backfiring explosively enough to burst the mufflers and cats.

Every time I took the car in with deceleration backfiring, exhaust leak I told them that the problem started with the new MAF. They even replaced the new one once, but replaced it with the same wrong MAF. Finally the factory engineer the problem had escalated to was on vacation when the dealer mechanic called and the new to the problem engineer asked the mechanic to check the part number on the MAF. Turned out there were two different MAFs for that particular year model, mine had the wrong one for it's ECU.

Also there is a problem with some of the S models with the clear coat flaking off the red brake calipers in big chunks. The factory rep tried to blame it on my autocrossing getting the brakes too hot. I pointed out that racing would make the front brakes much hotter than the rears and the flaking was equal on both front and rear. He immediately okayed the $7500 under warrantee caliper replacement. Dealer mechanic said he wasn't even allowed to crack the case before sending the motor back to Porsche.

Oh yeah, when it spun a bearing it was at an autocross when it happened. Pressed the accelerator to exit a corner and it went blam and engine quit. Started it up and it knocked like a spun rod bearing. Immediately shut it off, pushed to the paddock and called 1-800-Porsche. The first thing they did was check the ECU black box memory to make sure I didn't cause the spun bearing. Then they drained the oil, when it had shiney bits it was new motor time.

pcar928fan

Drove and early 2.5 Tip on track back in 2000 or 2001 I think it was. When the track got bumpy in a high speed turn area the car felt very twitchy and a bit scary actually. Smooth fast corners are VERY NICE to take in a Boxster. WAY to little power in a 2.5 Tip, but fun to drive and toss around. That said, if you put a stiffer sway bar on the BACK of a 928 and get the front tires nearly (or exactly) as wide as the rear tires then guess what...the 928 will go around corners and feel VERY MUCH like the Boxster but with WAY more power! The current S models will probably beat most stock 928's all the way around (except accelerating above 80 mph I would guess anyway) but we are probably talking about the 1st Gen Boxsters I am guessing in which case a nice S4 with rear sway bar steroid links and W-I-D-E front tires will whip it EVERY DAY and on more open tracks, by MILES!

RKD in OKC

As far as fast goes, there will alway be someone that will spend more money and make their car faster than yours. Thankfully they typically aren't regulars at events,

pcar928fan

^^^^^
True that!

fraggle

The boxter is a newer, lighter fun entry level porsche designed when porsche was almost bankrupt.

The 928 is a top of the order, heavy, V8 supercar... that's 20+ years old and mainly designed in the 70s.

Choice? Nah. Both are cool for different reasons. And I have the boxter's grandaddy, too - a 914. I should have bought a new boxter motor when they were $7500, I'd probably be ahead of the game, because my 914 is still unfinished!