996 Cab vs 987 Boxster S
05-27-2010, 11:11 AM
#16
Ironman 140.6
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I'll give a counterpoint.
I own both a 986 and a 996 and unless you need the back seat if you are buying a cab I'd choose the Boxster.
Here's why;
Looks - I've never been a fan of 911 cabs. Chopping the top off a 911 is not easy on the eyes while the Boxster was designed from the ground up as a cab and it looks the part IMHO
Straight line - A 996 cab vs a 987 will be very similar in straight line performance. Maybe a slight edge to the 996, but very slight.
Handling - Not what many here want to hear, but the Boxster is hands down better. Mid-engine placement, longer wheelbase, yadda yadda all yield real world benefits on the road and track. I'm not saying the 911 is bad,it's just that the Boxster is really that good.
Status - if this is important to you (it's not to me) the 911 is perceived as the higher status car. That being said for real Porsche track guys that have experience in many different Porsches, the Boxster does get a healthy amount of respect. It's a natural handler that is quite capable of upstaging it's more powerful bigger brother on the right circuit.
In summary, I love my 996 dearly but in many ways the Boxster is more fun. I drive the 996 more because of the back seat (I have a young daughter who rides in a child seat), but if you don't need that the 987 is a damn fine sports car.
Good luck.....
I own both a 986 and a 996 and unless you need the back seat if you are buying a cab I'd choose the Boxster.
Here's why;
Looks - I've never been a fan of 911 cabs. Chopping the top off a 911 is not easy on the eyes while the Boxster was designed from the ground up as a cab and it looks the part IMHO
Straight line - A 996 cab vs a 987 will be very similar in straight line performance. Maybe a slight edge to the 996, but very slight.
Handling - Not what many here want to hear, but the Boxster is hands down better. Mid-engine placement, longer wheelbase, yadda yadda all yield real world benefits on the road and track. I'm not saying the 911 is bad,it's just that the Boxster is really that good.
Status - if this is important to you (it's not to me) the 911 is perceived as the higher status car. That being said for real Porsche track guys that have experience in many different Porsches, the Boxster does get a healthy amount of respect. It's a natural handler that is quite capable of upstaging it's more powerful bigger brother on the right circuit.
In summary, I love my 996 dearly but in many ways the Boxster is more fun. I drive the 996 more because of the back seat (I have a young daughter who rides in a child seat), but if you don't need that the 987 is a damn fine sports car.
Good luck.....
05-27-2010, 11:14 AM
#17
Race Director
Nice attempt at an explanation but wrong. They are just different platforms.
I have both and drive both VERY HARD on the racetrack in DE and Racing.
The boxster is a great neutral handling platform and has it's plusses in certain places on the track and in others, the 911 shines. Personally, I absolutely love what the 911 can do on corner exit that a Boxster cannot, but I really like what a Boxster can do on mid corner that a 911 can't. If I had to choose though, I would probably choose the 911 on track, but it would be a close....not 50-50 but more like 63-37
I have both and drive both VERY HARD on the racetrack in DE and Racing.
The boxster is a great neutral handling platform and has it's plusses in certain places on the track and in others, the 911 shines. Personally, I absolutely love what the 911 can do on corner exit that a Boxster cannot, but I really like what a Boxster can do on mid corner that a 911 can't. If I had to choose though, I would probably choose the 911 on track, but it would be a close....not 50-50 but more like 63-37
It doesn't take much searching to find that every supercar level vehicle has a mid engine (with a few ferraris being the exception).
Ford GT
Koenigsegg
Zonda
every lambo
430 Scud
F40
F50
Enzo
carrera GT
etc etc.
I could go on all day. the boxster is a better platform.
A boxster with a GT3 motor would be one the greatest cars every built in my opinion.
05-27-2010, 11:18 AM
#18
Nordschleife Master
It also doesn't take much searching to understand why the rear engine design works as well as it does.
Remember, they are different (not flawed or superior). Engine location dictates what you will be able to maximize more than other locations and what you will be at a deficit with to others. That's all.
Not sure why you don't understand that.
Remember, they are different (not flawed or superior). Engine location dictates what you will be able to maximize more than other locations and what you will be at a deficit with to others. That's all.
Not sure why you don't understand that.
05-27-2010, 11:22 AM
#19
Race Director
It also doesn't take much searching to understand why the rear engine design works as well as it does.
Remember, they are different (not flawed or superior). Let investigate others then......So then why does the M3 do so well with the front engine design? Shouldn't that be flawed as well? That's another great platform. Engine location dictates what you will be able to maximize more than other locations and what you will be at a deficit with to others. That's all.
Not sure why you don't understand that.
Remember, they are different (not flawed or superior). Let investigate others then......So then why does the M3 do so well with the front engine design? Shouldn't that be flawed as well? That's another great platform. Engine location dictates what you will be able to maximize more than other locations and what you will be at a deficit with to others. That's all.
Not sure why you don't understand that.
The M3 does well. Would it do better as a mid engined car? Absolutely.
Cars without mid engines are that way due to packaging constraints (i.e. sedan, rear seats, etc.). True, ground up, performance cars (i.e. not hotted up versions of regular cars) are mid engined. It is simply the best platform.
05-27-2010, 11:29 AM
#22
Nordschleife Master
So are you offering your argument based on theory or personal experience. By the way, sweet ride 
Which is better, the 996 Turbo or the 993 Turbo?
Just messin' with ya
Which is better, the 996 Turbo or the 993 Turbo?
Just messin' with ya
05-27-2010, 11:31 AM
#23
Parts Specialist
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
there is a Boxster that was in the shop with a Cayman motor in it... that thing looks and sounds wicked fast...he is a track junkie too so its set up nice....
still for me
still for me
05-27-2010, 11:33 AM
#24
Rocky Mountain High
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Get whichever one you like better... that's it. They are both excellent cars.
I'd also think about how you are going to use it... is this a daily driver, or a track car? Weigh the relative merits of each and make the call. I think you'll be happy with either one.
I drive a 996 every day, but I considered a 987 when I bought the 996. The 987 was very nice, and I was comfortable in it (during the test drive anyway) at 6'4". I am happy with my choice, but I am sure I would have been happy with a 987 also.
I'd also think about how you are going to use it... is this a daily driver, or a track car? Weigh the relative merits of each and make the call. I think you'll be happy with either one.
I drive a 996 every day, but I considered a 987 when I bought the 996. The 987 was very nice, and I was comfortable in it (during the test drive anyway) at 6'4". I am happy with my choice, but I am sure I would have been happy with a 987 also.
05-27-2010, 11:35 AM
#25
Nordschleife Master
What Dennis says is what it should ALWAYS come down to. Drive ALL the options you are considering and then one WILL speak to you.
The one thing about the 986 that I am guessing was addressed in the 987 was space. I didn't fit very well in the 986 (6'1" and long legs) so we chose the 996CAB.
The one thing about the 986 that I am guessing was addressed in the 987 was space. I didn't fit very well in the 986 (6'1" and long legs) so we chose the 996CAB.
05-27-2010, 11:36 AM
#26
Race Director
I'm not in love with the 911 handling characteristics. My car has a modified suspension and its improved, but the boxster is better out of the box.
I like the look of my ancient beetle than the boxster, plus I needed the additional speed. I'd have a tough time choosing between an N/A 996 and a 987 boxster.
Thank you for the compliment.
05-27-2010, 11:39 AM
#27
Nordschleife Master
The 911 handling is like fine wine.....it gets better as you age with it. Once you really understand what its' strengths and weaknesses are and the suspension is dialed in properly, you really enjoy the platform. I agree though, the balance of a boxster is phenomenal. If I didn't need the back seats, I'd probably go for the 987 over the 996. But it would have to be the S model. Need every bit of power I can grab
05-27-2010, 11:56 AM
#28
Drifting
The new Boxster S is not an entry level car; it's the mid-engine car Porsche should have been building all along. The only reason it's even perceived as entry level is because of the artificial price points Porsche set. Regarding what you said that I quoted; it was true of early 986s (and 996s!), but they fixed it in later 986s and 996s; they have cupholders and glove compartments now. The rear trunk is large enough for two bags of golf clubs, wheras the 996 has no rear trunk at all- if you want to talk about practicality as a DD or on long trips, the Boxster's ample trunk space makes a BIG difference. I can go camping for a weekend in my Boxster, and have- room for 13x10' tent, queen size air mattress, two sleeping bags, two folding chairs and two coats - and that's just the rear trunk. Still room for a full sized cooler and two backpacks full of gear in the front. 996 has a back seat, but it's a nearly useless back seat. And you don't really want to keep much there in a cab.
Really, it's about trade-offs. Which boil down to: Back seat vs trunk. Mid-engine vs slightly more power. There are two places it's not a tradeoff, though, and that's interior and age. The 987 has a better interior than the 996. And is a younger car, which is going to manifest itself, statistically, in fewer problems.
Faced with this choice myself two years ago, I went with the Boxster S. I could buy a 997 or a 987.2 as my next car, and you know what? I'm going to buy a 987.
Really, it's about trade-offs. Which boil down to: Back seat vs trunk. Mid-engine vs slightly more power. There are two places it's not a tradeoff, though, and that's interior and age. The 987 has a better interior than the 996. And is a younger car, which is going to manifest itself, statistically, in fewer problems.
Faced with this choice myself two years ago, I went with the Boxster S. I could buy a 997 or a 987.2 as my next car, and you know what? I'm going to buy a 987.
05-27-2010, 12:06 PM
#29
Three Wheelin'
During a conversation about building a dedicated track car, someone with relatively infinite wisdom on the topic once told me "The boxster is great. Anyone coming from a miata can jump in a boxster and be fast right out of the gate. Most circuits, the 911 is faster, but first you have to learn how to drive 911s fast."
I think thats the secret handshake that a lot of 911 guys love. Look at Rohrl. I'm sure other people are faster in a GT-R or an Enzo, but he is just so fast in the 911 compared to most.
I've driven 986, 986 S and 987S. The 987S in particular is so balanced that it nearly lacks character. it might be perfect for some tastes and I don't doubt that with equivalent power and gearing it would be neck and neck as the 5th gear folks showed.
I think thats the secret handshake that a lot of 911 guys love. Look at Rohrl. I'm sure other people are faster in a GT-R or an Enzo, but he is just so fast in the 911 compared to most.
I've driven 986, 986 S and 987S. The 987S in particular is so balanced that it nearly lacks character. it might be perfect for some tastes and I don't doubt that with equivalent power and gearing it would be neck and neck as the 5th gear folks showed.