boxsey911

Boxster: easy to drive fast but snaps quickly on the limit
964: harder to drive fast but more rewarding

Boxster: depreciates regardless of mileage
964: no depreciation to speak of

Boxster: brilliant brakes
964: brakes are even better

Boxster: almost as quick as 964 to 60 mph
964: pulls away from boxster when speeds get serious

Boxster: nice modern driving experience with working aircon
964: raw driving experience with aircon that usually doesn't work

Boxster: Big luggage space
964 : Big engine

Boxster: Nice engine note above 5,000 rpm
964: Glorious engine note throughout the range

Boxster: 6 year old car about £2,000 a year in maintenance
964: about the same but adding mods will cost extra

Boxster: Owners ignore each other
964: Owners act like school kids and furiously wave at each other

Boxster: Inconspicuous
964: Turns heads (and ears) where ever it goes.

Boxster: Works well on track
964: Loves to go on track (as if it was made for them)

Boxster: An excellent daily driver
964: A treat for high days, weekends and holidays

Boxster: Rennlist boxster section is rarely awake
964: Rennlist 964 section is busy, friendly, helpful and informative.

lunchboxbill

What's a boxster?

jneteler

If you are tall, over 6ft, the Boxster may not fit you.

I tried one on for size and the top of the windscreen was at eye level, with the seats at the lowest position. Raising the seat to the highest levels allowed me to see over the windscreen.

There are some threads on the Boxster forum about using GT3 or Recaro seats to alleviate this problem.

The only reasons I would consider the Boxster are:
1.) The wind noise with the top down would keep me somewhat slower so less chance of losing the license in one go.
2.) The handling of the mid engine configuration.

JNeteler

Andy Roe

When I drove a Boxster it was raining and it felt very small inside with the top up which put me off, along with that it just didn't feel as solid as my 964. The Boxster is, in my mind just another car, but the 964 is a classic car and something that everyone should experience owning!

Kahdmus

If you are not affected emotionally by either car then maybe I'd take time to test and really think about the decision. I wanted my first 911 since before I was old enough to pronounce it; its shape, sound and smell all elicit strong emotions from me making it a heart felt decision to purchase one.

The boxster is a lovely car (only 2-seats remember), well-balanced, that is very modern and will give you lots of fun. The 964 is a quirky car based on a 50 year old platform that will take a while to fully understand and learn to drive well. However, when you do I doubt there will be any going back...

nidon

Having had a couple of boxsters in the past, the boxster is a great car to drive but it just seems like another car (albeit a very good one).
To me the 964 captures the essence of the Porsche marque, smile factor an pleasure of ownership is far higher.
Be careful with the mod bug, when it hits just keeps on going

cobalt

Well said.

McJohn

There is of course one P car which arguably contains the best of both.

(See avatar for hint)

cobalt

Everything but the 964 experience which is unique to itself. Although there is no comparison between a Cayman and a Boxster. The cayman wins hands down over a Boxster every time.

941MXVET

We own both a '98 Box, and a '91 964. The Box is a blast to drive, a REAL roadster, not as fast, but handles great, top down, summer nights, large frunk, IMO a direct decendant of the beautiful 550.

OTOH, the 964 is a classic sports car, lots of driver input, rewards aggressive driving, a blast on track days.

In the end there is only one way to solve your delima, buy both!

boxsey911

At the moment we're leading by 25 replies to 3

Same question on boxster forum

elbeee964

Those Boxster Forum denizens (from their answers) seem pretty uniform as vocally fashion-conscious, and highly prizing of their (top-opening) one-touch push button.
(...that button is something referred to again, and again, there. I've gotta see that button sometime -- the way they mention it, it sounds like a beaut!)

BlueHeeler

They are so very different and each iconic, it seems like most people in 964/993s or Boxsters would not even consider the other as an alternative.

jim_l

cant even see or hear the engine in a boxster

wellcraft290

I can't believe this is even a topic. Around here we call the boxster a poor man's porsche!