Originally Posted by packwest

Speed21, you realize that Porsche is the MOST profitable car company in the world don't you? The inflated prices of the 911 and its variants are contributing factors.

Originally Posted by clutchplate

I've owned ten Porsches with five of them being 911's and none being Boxsters. Not sure if that qualifies me as a "Porsche person", but from someone who should lean towards the 911 based on my history, I am more drawn to the new Boxster. Maybe the recession has changed my perspective on things, but I see the 981 as a potentially great car and a great value. While the 911 is certainly a greater car, it strikes me as being an average to below average value. The local dealer told me price has been the most frequent deal killer for the 991 and loyal 911 owners are searching for alternatives. I think the 981 is going to be one hell of an alternative for those who must have their Porsche fix but don't want to lay out $130K.

Originally Posted by speed21

Yes. However, the most profitable car company in the world can easily lose that position. Annual sales and growth figures would determine what they can get away with so let's see what happens with their pricing regime over the next 12 months. Who knows, selling less for more$ may be acceptable. But one simply can't ignore buyer sentiment where the prices appear to have now moved to a tipping point that may effect many usual buyers. Discounts are generally a good indicator of how they are really going and we all know this is a company that likes to keep the truth very close to their chest. Comparing US car prices to Aus, just one sale here would represent two or more sales in US. As an example: Boxster S 150K Carrera S Cab 300. So at at only 30k more, you guys really don't have a lot to complain about. You've got quite some way to go before you catch us up...so don't deny or punish yourselves too much for the sake of a paltry 30K to step up to the real deal ok. Lifes too short .

Originally Posted by cmb13

The truth is the 991 is quite expensive; that's what keeps me from pulling the trigger. I make a fairly good income, and can afford a $100k car, but I'm not mega rich and the truth is it is a heck of a lot of money. It certainly takes a little away from my college fund for the kids or from my retirement fund.

The other issue, as alluded to, is the 911 is getting into the exotic car price point.

Originally Posted by Alan Smithee

I agree - with Maserati and Aston Martin holding the line on coupes with more power from V8s in the same price range as a 991S PDK with options - not to mention 500hp+ MB AMG and BMW M offerings for less - Porsche is being cheeky with the price increases. That the Boxster S and base 991 have the same 3.4 engine only makes it more so.

Originally Posted by Alan Smithee

Most people shop the badge (and the spec sheet). As cmb13 picked up, I was pointing out that Carreras are now in the exotic car price range. All mentioned provide far more performance than can be used safely on the street. You may not be more impressed by a Maserati or Aston Martin, but I guarantee your neighbors would be...

Originally Posted by fanny bay r1

BTW I take that back some people need to play as I'll want a 981 in three years (silver over red leather pls and keep the mileage low if you don't mind!!)!!

Originally Posted by skinzy

All my comments are predicated on having enough cash to buy what you want without putting critical purchases in jeopardy. I'm an old guy who has saved and lived below my means for 61 years and now have the extra cash to buy toys. After all these cars are toys. To buy under any other condition is insanity IMO.

Originally Posted by fanny bay r1

IMO to buy new is insanity as these cars are generally very well maintained and hardly ever driven (coddled is the more correct term). Used Porsche's are a great bargain at 50% of their purchase cost after 3-4 years, you get 99% of the car and 50% of the price. New Porsche's' are simply a mugs game - don't play - BTW I take that back some people need to play as I'll want a 981 in three years (silver over red leather pls and keep the mileage low if you don't mind!!)!!

Originally Posted by clutchplate

That's the dilemma... pay a premium and drive today, or wait a couple of years for the latest models to show up used. Life is short so every now and then I pop for a new one, but only if it's a must have model like the 993, the 997 and for me, the 981.

Originally Posted by skinzy

All my comments are predicated on having enough cash to buy what you want without putting critical purchases in jeopardy. I'm an old guy who has saved and lived below my means for 61 years and now have the extra cash to buy toys. After all these cars are toys. To buy under any other condition is insanity IMO.

Originally Posted by Targa Tim

When you become old and can't drive, you will not look back and regret not owning a Boxster, but you will very much regret not owning a 911.

Originally Posted by 10 GT3

Personally, if I were looking for a Porsche convertible I would go for a Boxster S over a 911 cab. I am not a fan of soft top 911s. The 911 has always been designed as a coupe, so turning it into a convertible has always been a compromise. The chassis has to be reinforced and even with this, 911 convertibles never have the structural rigidy of the coupe it was born from. They are 160 to 250 lbs heavier (depending on model) than the similar coupe model. More weight and a weaker chassis = less performance. This means that a 911 cab is ALWAYS a compromise.

The Boxster on the other hand was designed to be a convertible from the start. The entire chassis was designed to retain weight from the lower subframe instead of being reinforced as with the 911. When Porsche made the Cayman (aka Coxster = Coupe-Boxster) they added a solid roof structure yet it neither gained a real improvement in structural rigidy or reduction in weight. In fact, if you saw any of the Boxster Spyder vs. Cayman R tests, the Boxster Spyder outperformed the Cayman R in every one.

Finally, have you seen the New Boxster? It simply looks fantastic. It is a lot better looking than the new 911 from any angle that you look at it. The front end has a lot of Carrera GT in it and looks far better integrated than the 991 front end. I am very turned off by the back end of the 991 where the tail lights and bumper lines looking awkward while the new Boxster is incredibly sharp. The integrated spoiler with the rear tailights is very sharp. The side profile with the scoops that run along the doors is so sharp that it makes the Boxster look like a much more expensive car. The Boxster actually gets a nicer styled dash than the new 911. Finally, now that Porsche reduced the displacement of the base Carrera to the same 3.4l as the Boxster S, it really makes it hard to justify the price difference even with the 35 hp rating difference; most of which can be made up with just an upgraded exhaust. Due to the lighter weight of the Boxster S, you should not see a performance compromise versus the base Carrera Cab.