Leland Pate

There's a Boxster forum?
Really...

TheOtherEric

If you plan on daily driving a lot, the Boxster will likely be more reliable. If you plan on tracking a lot, the 993 will probably be more reliable, and definitely faster too.

As an owner of both a '96 and '95, I think the "varioram or non-varioram" is a nonissue. The '96 is not a "more modern engine" as you say. There are more variations in power from car to car than what the book says a '96 gives you (i.e. 13 more hp & 10%-25% more torque). Don't base your decision on that. BTDT. My '95 is far more powerful than my '96 was, despite having twice the mileage.

trevor townsend

I can appreciate the dilemma. From a slightly different perspective - I had a 996 C4. Great but seemed to lack what I wanted. Sold after 42k kms -bought an 84 3.2 and felt it was the real thing for me. Spent a lot of great time and long trips with it. But I wanted the last a/cooled series. So much more useable yet still challenging/ involving when pushing it a bit.harder. Had a drive in my sons 2001 2.7 Boxster, very sweet neutral etc. but it will not keep the fascination alive over time IMHO.
Saw the 3.2 last Sunday - should have hung on to it.

slaaw

Interesting dilemma that I also faced. I solved it by owning both cars concurrently, although my Boxster is not an S. I will say that the Boxster is really fun to drive and has very neutral handling characteristics. I drive it about 80% of the time vs. the 993. However, when I drive the 993 after driving the Boxster, the 993 feels like it can do most everything a little better. I will likely sell the Boxster in the near future and hold on to the 993 indefinitely, unless I decide to step up to a 993/996 TT.

GrantG

I'll be happy to give you a ride in my 96 Coupe if you haven't had ample opportunity. I might even entertain the possibility of a partial trade.

dascar

Grant,
I am interested in your ride (and possible trade) offer. I live down south in Lone Tree. I'm asking $17k for the 84 by the way. I'm a little worried about your Flamenco Red interior but Polar Silver is my preferred exterior color. Are you going to Prestige's Oktoberfest?
Dave

Marv

I drove lots of cars before I settled on the 993. Actually, I went as far as putting a deposit on a brand new Boxster. Meanwhile I continued to drive my '90 C4.

After a while I decided that I liked the 911 better. So I turned down the Boxster.

When I sold the 911 I returned to test drive more Boxsters, 993s, and several 996s. Both Boxster and Boxster S were fun, but didn't give me the satisfaction or the impressions I was looking for compared to the 993.

It is a personal decision. I think the Boxster would be fun, but I would sorely miss the 911.


Just drive as many cars as you can and see what you feel is right for you.

ZombiePorsche44

Ditto the 993, I've driven both and still cannot get over my life long 911 love affair. Even though the boxter is a nice car, it still needs antifreeze

akolodesh

I am also in the 993 camp. I owned a '99 Boxster, a 2001 Boxster S and now my '97 993. I think the Boxster S is fun to drive but I honestly can't imagine switching my 993 for it. That's not to say the 993 will be faster at an autox or have some other quantitative measures of superiority, its just that I like it more... A lot more in fact.

Caveman

Via a couple of cars I went from a 3.2 Sport to a 993 C4. I thought about the boxster but everytime I started looking at the ads I couldn't quite bring myself to go and look as it wasn't a 911... I think this is a head over heart thing (or in our case heart over head!).

Good luck - it's a nice dilemma...

Cheers,

David

Darius

Boxter-Ladies only . 993-Men's car

911CabSteve

Another thing to consider... My '97 C4S has MUCH more room in the cockpit than a Boxter.. If you are a large person (I'm 6'4", 235 lbs) , I feel the 993 is much roomier and more comfortable inside.

H964

i think its a no brainer!! you cant just go from a classy 911 to a boxster !! iam pretty sure they are a lot of fun to drive, but they have no presence and they look like any other car in the streets. lets no even discuss the fact that you see one in every corner. any air cooled porsche is IT if you want to own a porsche, unless you are buying it for the wrong reasons.
i hope i wasnt 2 harsh but if i were you i would try to keep the 3.2, and find a way to get a 993, then you will have the best of 2 worlds. if i had some cash i would do that, but at this this time i settled for a 964 cause i think it shares the classiness of old school and the goodies of the last newer old school
good luck

David Schiff

My wife bought me a 97 C2 with 22k on it three yrs ago for my Bday. I bought her a Boxter S special ed. last year for hers. We drive up to Mendocino often from the Bay area. The boxter will take my 993 with ease, safety and aplomb and gets 27mpg in the process[tiptronic]. I love the 993, it requires more skill of the driver, but for blasting about and no worries, the boxter is superb, and has great soundover 5000rpm. DS

Sonic dB

After owning an 86 Carrera for 3 years...and having extensively test driven about a dozen or so 993s in my endless search... I do know one thing is true: The older 911s have a better build quality than the 993s. Sorry, but its true. The original 911s just had a more solid build and rugged feel... for example the doors on the 993 are like made of tin compared to the boulders on the 911.

That having been said, I still want a 993 very badly and will continue to look for one. I have just accepted the fact that Porsche made cuts on the build quality some time in the mid 90s. I will never sell the 86 though. Id never buy a Boxster obviously either. Just my 2 cents.