I'm just not a convertible guy. Here in Texas, it would seem like the perfect place for one, but in reality it's so hot during the summer that the truly enjoyable window for topdown driving is really only a few months.
Between the coupes, I have come to prefer the 911's vestigial rear seats and general "airiness" of cabin over the Cayman.
If I was looking for a 'vert, I think it would be the Boxster. I had a new 981 as a loaner once and it was extremely fun to drive. The only negative was it seemed pretty claustrophobic with the top up, I suspect the 911 cab's not as bad.

 

Porsche is 911 and 911 is the Porsche. The rest of models come and go. 911 will always look cool and classic and this this what you pay premium for.

 

Over time, I gravitated to the 991. I think the place where 991 stickers gets away is when people start adding tens of thousands of dollars of options. Yes, if you want a leather covered fire extinguisher with deviated stitching and carbon fiber ashtrays, it can get away from you. ;-) But for me, a somewhat base 991 was a better choice than a more optioned out Cayman S.

I undersatand that you are using hyperbole to make your point, but it isn't that difficult to add $15K in options to a base 991. So $100K+ base 991s are the norm and not the exception.

 

+1
If you have always wanted a Porsche, get the 911.

 

Boxster S is a nice car, but I am coming from a 996 Turbo Cab and just about to buy a '12 991 Cab. Still nothing like a 911.

 

Short story - I didn't fit in the Boxster.. any seat config put all the way down.. seat back varying angle.. my hair was brushing the roof liner.

Longer story - Found a CPO 2013 Boxster S with sport chassis, PSE, and took the most amazing test drive of my life. BUT when the roof was up... I simply didn't fit. We walked over to the 2012 991 cabriolet S... seat in any position had PLENTY of headroom. While the 911 isn't a Boxster... it hit many of the same marks and offers more comfort & space that I required.

I'm 6'1"... but I must have a long torso? Anyhow.. there is something very special about the 911.. it really is an honor to own such a fine precision driving instrument. I'm happy.

 

They're the norm on dealer lots, but you can order a very nice, very well equipped base Carerra for under 90K sticker unless you load it up with suspension, PTV and 20"ers. In which case get a stripped S and be done with it.

I'm not knocking anyone who loves the plethora of very expensive options, but I put many of them in the same category as solid gold toilets. If that's what you want, more power to you. But most of the dealer options are fluff you simply won't miss.

 

If you look at the history of the Boxster/911 since the 986/996 series this has applied right from the beginning. Porsche has intentionally shared a large percentage of parts between the cars (engine, transmissions, interiors, body panels, lights etc) to reduce cost. As many know, Porsche's mistake was making the front end of the original Boxster identical in appearance to the 996 for series 1 cars and you couldn't differentiate a cab/boxster coming down the road until it passed. Lots of unhappy 911 owners. They fixed that with the 987/997 exteriors. But the 997 styling stole the show and maintained the 911 popularity. Now Porsche has spent some serious attention on the appearance of the 981 and buyers are seriously considering both. Those looking for a drivers car and are not locked into a 911 for its history are cross shopping the 981.

So rear seats and instrument gauges aside, it comes down to what you prefer when you drive the car and how well you fit in the 981. I would drive both and then decide.

 

The 911 was originally designed as a coupe. The Boxster was originally designed as a ragtop. And so they were both created. Don't mess with mother nature.

 

Im in a boxster s loaner right now . This little car is awesome. The stiffness of the chassis is amazing. Its stiffer than a 991 cab. If you dont have a heavy foot this car is right.

 

wow such positive responses on the boxster . on the 991 forum no less.

 

Ask yourself what you will be happier with in 10 years. Boxsters are really nice to drive, no contest, but they don't age well. The original Boxster looks very dated now, the 911 is timeless. The 991 is far more practical, while still being a better sports car.

 

It's so easy to be negative and just plain mean on largely anonymous internet forums. The Boxster is a cute little car but I've never stopped in my tracks seeing one. My 911 stops me in my tracks walking away almost every day.

 

Hello amdave,

Ask yourself if years down the road you will regret buying a boxster over a 911?
You don't buy these sport cars based on logic but you buy them on emotion.
Just a female prospective

Take care, have a nice day.
BeeBalm

 

It depends what the purpuse of the car will be....

The Boxster S is a great car. I bought it originally as an interim car, while waiting to order a 991, but it kept me from buying a 991 so far. After I got over the idea that I "needed" a 911, I realized that the 991 doesn't offer anything more than a 981, except some more power. 991 cab does have a better wind management, but I don't like the looks of the 991 cab (very subjective of course).

Sometimes I wish I had a bit more low end power in the Boxster (espevpcially when driving in town), but OTOH, for the way I use the car (weekend car for some spirited trips in the Alps here), it's good enough.
A 991 doesn't feel any more special than a Boxster inside, unless you spend 25k extra on LTS. For more power, the 991 TTS is very addictive, but for that money ($300k+) I can drive a V12 Ferrari FF or for a bit more even an F12 here and that's in a completely different league than any 911. (I know it's a different story in the US)

However... If the car had to be my daily driver, I would've certainly gone for a 991. It's a more mature car, where the Boxster is more playful. The 991 is easier to live with every day and also is more spacious inside and if you need the backseats, then there's no question. Go for the 991.

Bottom line, you can't really go wrong with either one. Both are truly great sportscars. There's no better or worse. They're just different.

Suzy (via iOS app)