Boxster S to 996?
03-30-2006, 12:24 AM
#16
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I didn't post on this thread at first, since I have a 987S and a 996 C4S, so I didn"t know if my input would help. I decided to post anyway 
.
Each car has it's own niche in the Porsche line-up. It's definitely not an apples to apples comparison. Here are the things I like about the Boxster that you may miss when you go to the 996 coupe. Definitely you'll miss the open top drivng of a 2 seat convertible. Not even the 996 cab can beat the ambiance of the Boxster in open air driving. It is also lighweight and nimble, a true fun car. I prefer the 987S for the drive around no where to go joyride on the streets in good weather. Caveat is that these likes are based on a 987S.
Here are the things that I like about the 996 that you may like. You already mentioned the rear seats. I can drive 3 of my 4 kids when I feel like it. You can definitely appreciate the power of the 911 over the 987. The cabin is more quiet when cruising, even with PSE. There is definitely less engine and drivetrain noise, less of the Porsche patented "sewing machine" sound. Feels more solid. Maybe it's the weight or the rear bias, but the car has more heft to it. Not as nimble, the driving ambiance is more of a serious sports car than a fun car. I prefer the 996 for serious fast drivng, like on the track. Again, realize that this is based on a 996 C4S.
To sum it up, the Boxster is like a young nymph, the 996 a voluptuous woman. Hope this helps.
.Each car has it's own niche in the Porsche line-up. It's definitely not an apples to apples comparison. Here are the things I like about the Boxster that you may miss when you go to the 996 coupe. Definitely you'll miss the open top drivng of a 2 seat convertible. Not even the 996 cab can beat the ambiance of the Boxster in open air driving. It is also lighweight and nimble, a true fun car. I prefer the 987S for the drive around no where to go joyride on the streets in good weather. Caveat is that these likes are based on a 987S.
Here are the things that I like about the 996 that you may like. You already mentioned the rear seats. I can drive 3 of my 4 kids when I feel like it. You can definitely appreciate the power of the 911 over the 987. The cabin is more quiet when cruising, even with PSE. There is definitely less engine and drivetrain noise, less of the Porsche patented "sewing machine" sound. Feels more solid. Maybe it's the weight or the rear bias, but the car has more heft to it. Not as nimble, the driving ambiance is more of a serious sports car than a fun car. I prefer the 996 for serious fast drivng, like on the track. Again, realize that this is based on a 996 C4S.
To sum it up, the Boxster is like a young nymph, the 996 a voluptuous woman
. Hope this helps.
03-30-2006, 01:07 AM
#17
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Originally Posted by Palting
To sum it up, the Boxster is like a young nymph, the 996 a voluptuous woman . Hope this helps.
. Hope this helps.
03-30-2006, 07:27 AM
#18
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Originally Posted by Palting
I...
To sum it up, the Boxster is like a young nymph, the 996 a voluptuous woman. Hope this helps.
To sum it up, the Boxster is like a young nymph, the 996 a voluptuous woman
. Hope this helps.
03-30-2006, 06:25 PM
#19
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PPI passed with flying colors. Forgot to write down the option codes, but the one I did notice was 220 Also found out the color is Meridian Metallic.
Stay tuned....
Also found out the color is Meridian Metallic.Stay tuned....
Last edited by JES1680; 03-30-2006 at 06:55 PM.
03-30-2006, 09:21 PM
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I recently went from a 2000 Boxster S to a 2001 996 cab. While I really enjoyed the Boxster S at autocross and cruising, especially the sound of the engine at high rpm, I think the 996 is more fun. I think the difference is the extra power. Very noticeable difference to me. The other is the driving dynamics are different, including balance, turn in, and weight transfer. For whatever reason, I prefer the feel of the 996.
03-30-2006, 10:46 PM
#21
I'd definitely go with a 996 to get more time with family and car if your kids are ready for booster seats. If they are under 3 and still in car seats, 996 isn't going to offer much room for mom in front once the car seat is in back. So, the move may not be great. In that case, get a M3 instead.
Meredian Silver is a rare color. Not my fav but not exactly gold either. A mix of silver and gold. If you are not happy with the color, keep looking. The price you got is pretty good. If you are willing to spend more ~40k, I think you'll find more selection.
Meredian Silver is a rare color. Not my fav but not exactly gold either. A mix of silver and gold. If you are not happy with the color, keep looking. The price you got is pretty good. If you are willing to spend more ~40k, I think you'll find more selection.
03-31-2006, 12:13 AM
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My son will be 3 in July, he's just about ready for the booster seat. As far as weight goes he is ready, just not sure he's tall enough for the seat. Either way he will be soon.
The Meredian has really grown on me. Looks gold under flourecents, silver under halogens. Haven't seen it in the sun yet this time of year its usually grey and raining in MN.
I'd love another M3, but would much rather have a 996. Gota make sure my wife doesn't see this, she's already begging to get out of her Lexus and back into another BMW. She gave up her 540 6spd for the ES becuase of her 3 hour commute. Once junior is out of daycare she's back to the Bimmer.
The Meredian has really grown on me. Looks gold under flourecents, silver under halogens. Haven't seen it in the sun yet this time of year its usually grey and raining in MN.
I'd love another M3, but would much rather have a 996. Gota make sure my wife doesn't see this, she's already begging to get out of her Lexus and back into another BMW. She gave up her 540 6spd for the ES becuase of her 3 hour commute. Once junior is out of daycare she's back to the Bimmer.
03-31-2006, 11:57 AM
#23
I've driven many 996's and 993's and had never driven a BoxsterS. I always thought: If I going to buy a Porsche its going to be a Coupe, no ifs ands or butts about it.
Then I test drove the BoxsterS (after watching TopGear name it the best sportscar in the world).
A week later I owned a BoxsterS.
My next Porsche will be a Cayman.
The cult of mid engine dynamics is a strong and evil one.
Btw, a 996 TT will be my daily driver at some point! so stop putting miles on them!! please??
Then I test drove the BoxsterS (after watching TopGear name it the best sportscar in the world).
A week later I owned a BoxsterS.
My next Porsche will be a Cayman.
The cult of mid engine dynamics is a strong and evil one.
Btw, a 996 TT will be my daily driver at some point! so stop putting miles on them!! please??
03-31-2006, 07:58 PM
#24
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Before I bought the 996, I was trying out several Boxster S's (986). I had driven a few regular Boxsters (non-S) before that too. Some differences I felt ...
Boxster S vs Boxster (986, no surprises here...)
1. The Boxster S "felt" what the original Boxster should have been.
2. The Boxster S seems to have more of a "claw" and "thrust" on the road when shooting off or stepping on it exiting a corner.
In the end, if you can afford it, simply go for the BoxsterS instead of the Boxster - its a big difference in my opinion for a small price. I'd vote for the S anyday here.
Boxster S vs 996
1. The BoxsterS is more agile around corners
2. The BoxsterS feels lighter while driving in general.
3. The BoxsterS DOES feels underpowered on straights (you'll feel this only if you try them back to back as I did). eg. Your body and head won't kick back as much as they will in the 996
4. When exiting turns, the BoxsterS seems more stable when hitting the accelerator HARD. On the 996 I felt an definitive oversteer if you push hard. The 996 will still comes out faster off the corner but its with additional and focused effort. Note : I didn't clock the "coming out of corners faster" bit but am fairly certain that will be faster if clocked.
5. The clutch of the 996 is more tricky than the 986 S. I overrevved the 996 the first time and then stalled it 3 times. The 986 S was more gentle and easy. It must be because I was going back and forth on the cars... Of course with practice this will become 2nd nature.
In the end, the 986 S is quite fast and fun. But the 996 is a much more performing car, on every facet. To reach 90% of the 996's potential you have to work 2x/3x harder than when reaching 90% of the 986 S's performance. The 996 is more technical than 986 - but not so much that you can't make it your daily driver (its mine!).
To me the level of involvement while driving the 996 "enthusiastically" is at the 'right' level - its a LOT of fun without getting overworked in the process. The 986 S felt more "sterile" in terms of driver involvement (ONLY when compared to the 996 - its miles ahead other anyway). I chose 996 and haven't regretted it even once - in spite of the porsche cost of ownership.
Note: I'm not very $$$ so I did think about the cost difference between 996 and 986S before choosing 996.
Drive both and you'll know where you'd like to be. Its more like fun and easy (986S) vs technical and fun (996).
Finally, if you STILL can't decide what you want remember this
1. The 996 is more exclusive than a Boxster (if that's what you want)
2. A good used Boxster S will be almost $14K cheaper than a good used 996 (if that's what you want)
Boxster S vs Boxster (986, no surprises here...)
1. The Boxster S "felt" what the original Boxster should have been.
2. The Boxster S seems to have more of a "claw" and "thrust" on the road when shooting off or stepping on it exiting a corner.
In the end, if you can afford it, simply go for the BoxsterS instead of the Boxster - its a big difference in my opinion for a small price. I'd vote for the S anyday here.
Boxster S vs 996
1. The BoxsterS is more agile around corners
2. The BoxsterS feels lighter while driving in general.
3. The BoxsterS DOES feels underpowered on straights (you'll feel this only if you try them back to back as I did). eg. Your body and head won't kick back as much as they will in the 996
4. When exiting turns, the BoxsterS seems more stable when hitting the accelerator HARD. On the 996 I felt an definitive oversteer if you push hard. The 996 will still comes out faster off the corner but its with additional and focused effort. Note : I didn't clock the "coming out of corners faster" bit but am fairly certain that will be faster if clocked.
5. The clutch of the 996 is more tricky than the 986 S. I overrevved the 996 the first time and then stalled it 3 times. The 986 S was more gentle and easy. It must be because I was going back and forth on the cars... Of course with practice this will become 2nd nature.
In the end, the 986 S is quite fast and fun. But the 996 is a much more performing car, on every facet. To reach 90% of the 996's potential you have to work 2x/3x harder than when reaching 90% of the 986 S's performance. The 996 is more technical than 986 - but not so much that you can't make it your daily driver (its mine!).
To me the level of involvement while driving the 996 "enthusiastically" is at the 'right' level - its a LOT of fun without getting overworked in the process. The 986 S felt more "sterile" in terms of driver involvement (ONLY when compared to the 996 - its miles ahead other anyway). I chose 996 and haven't regretted it even once - in spite of the porsche cost of ownership.
Note: I'm not very $$$ so I did think about the cost difference between 996 and 986S before choosing 996.
Drive both and you'll know where you'd like to be. Its more like fun and easy (986S) vs technical and fun (996).
Finally, if you STILL can't decide what you want remember this
1. The 996 is more exclusive than a Boxster (if that's what you want)
2. A good used Boxster S will be almost $14K cheaper than a good used 996 (if that's what you want)
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04-01-2006, 05:41 AM
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Originally Posted by JES1680
Made my decision today. NO REGRETS!
The mods start tomorrow.
The mods start tomorrow.
Thorsten
04-01-2006, 09:37 AM
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Yes, smoked turn indicators are already in stock at my local P-car dealer. They go in today. Odd that the PO had smoked lights on all except the most inexpensive ones on the side.
