A brief paean to the non-Spyder Boxster S
07-29-2016, 09:04 AM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
A brief paean to the non-Spyder Boxster S
A brief paean to the non-Spyder Boxster S, which applies equally to the non-S or even Spyder version...
I've not driven my Boxster for a couple of weeks due to a back injury and gawd-awful weather here in the too-sunny Southeastern United States of America. Today the wifey wanted to drive my BMW, so I took the Boxster to work.
Just merging onto the highway, a light toe into the throttle brought forth the wondrous sounds of the flat six. My poor little car, purchased used, does not have the PSE but yet still sounds wonderful, worlds better dare I add, than the 997 and 991 that preceded it.
The direct shifter and that wonderful clutch combined into a harmonious marriage that allowed perfectly smooth upshifts, and with the ideally placed pedals permitted flawless rev-matched downshifts. Who needs sport chrono? Bah.
For me, this is not a daily driver. It's too small, too loud, too uncomfortable for my daily commute and running of errands, trips to the gym and grocery although with both a trunk and a frunk I've never been short of storage space. I like a bigger car in the bumper-to-bumper traffic of full size pickup trucks, SUVs piloted by distracted parents and cheap little Korean kars driven by clueless drones who consider a car to be nothing more than an appliance.
But all of those admittedly small shortcomings fade away when a sweeping turn fills the windshield and that wonderful connection between the driver and a car are fully realized as only a Porsche can do. And none more so than the Boxster.
I can't wait until the workday ends, and I get to do it all over again.
I've not driven my Boxster for a couple of weeks due to a back injury and gawd-awful weather here in the too-sunny Southeastern United States of America. Today the wifey wanted to drive my BMW, so I took the Boxster to work.
Just merging onto the highway, a light toe into the throttle brought forth the wondrous sounds of the flat six. My poor little car, purchased used, does not have the PSE but yet still sounds wonderful, worlds better dare I add, than the 997 and 991 that preceded it.
The direct shifter and that wonderful clutch combined into a harmonious marriage that allowed perfectly smooth upshifts, and with the ideally placed pedals permitted flawless rev-matched downshifts. Who needs sport chrono? Bah.
For me, this is not a daily driver. It's too small, too loud, too uncomfortable for my daily commute and running of errands, trips to the gym and grocery although with both a trunk and a frunk I've never been short of storage space. I like a bigger car in the bumper-to-bumper traffic of full size pickup trucks, SUVs piloted by distracted parents and cheap little Korean kars driven by clueless drones who consider a car to be nothing more than an appliance.
But all of those admittedly small shortcomings fade away when a sweeping turn fills the windshield and that wonderful connection between the driver and a car are fully realized as only a Porsche can do. And none more so than the Boxster.
I can't wait until the workday ends, and I get to do it all over again.
07-29-2016, 02:43 PM
#2
Three Wheelin'
Driving a roadster, any roadster, top down is a therapy session! After a hard day at work, driving in an open-top (or, riding a motorcycle) is a welcome refreshment. If the roadster in question adds some drama of visceral experience, it gets better! Have more of those....!
07-29-2016, 03:10 PM
#3
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Well said, MJ. A "base" Boxster is still head and shoulders above other comparable offerings from other manufacturers in the handling department, a point sometimes overlooked on RL where we often tend to focus on the top-end versions of various P-cars. The fun-per-dollar quotient on an "entry level" (can it really even be called that?) Boxster is off the charts. Continue to savor those moments you expressed so well 
07-31-2016, 07:27 AM
#4
Race Car
Driving a roadster, any roadster, top down is a therapy session! After a hard day at work, driving in an open-top (or, riding a motorcycle) is a welcome refreshment. If the roadster in question adds some drama of visceral experience, it gets better! Have more of those....!
07-31-2016, 10:01 AM
#5
I have the PSE (standard in GTS), but I turn it off in regular neighborhoods. It's too loud and obnoxious for my tastes.
I am, however, smitten with the 18 ways (also standard on GTS) and find the ride very comfortable, even with the sport suspension.
My "regular" DD is a MB S550 - it's a little like piloting a massage chair. But it is easier to get in and out of. I'll be getting something else before the warranty is up. No plans to sell the Boxster.
I am, however, smitten with the 18 ways (also standard on GTS) and find the ride very comfortable, even with the sport suspension.
My "regular" DD is a MB S550 - it's a little like piloting a massage chair. But it is easier to get in and out of. I'll be getting something else before the warranty is up. No plans to sell the Boxster.
07-31-2016, 11:54 PM
#6
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Great Thread! My philosophy, why waste time driving something that isn't fun. And nothing on four wheels satisfies like a Boxster. I currently run a 986.1 and a 987.2 Spyder. Either one will do. On track, or as a DD either one is way more comfortable than my Ducati.