Moving from 944 to Boxster: Do I want an "S"?
04-06-2003, 12:44 AM
#17
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Mike,
The turbo and the S are totally different animals. The turbo has little low end power and torque, but when it's on boost (from about 3K rpms up) it pulls with a sense of urgency that the S just can't match. The S has a lot more low end power, is quicker off the line, revs higher, and is a much more comfortable car to ride in and drive (convertible is a big bonus in South Texas - we get plenty of weather to use it). If I'm just driving around or going on a trip I prefer the Boxster. If I'm in the mood to tackle some twisty roads or high speed runs I'll take the turbo. The turbo is a lot cheaper than an S and has the capability to reliably generate 350+ rwhp (with some additional mods). I guess I really see them as two cars with two very different personalities that I use for two very different purposes. The wife is trying to get me to sell one though...
The turbo and the S are totally different animals. The turbo has little low end power and torque, but when it's on boost (from about 3K rpms up) it pulls with a sense of urgency that the S just can't match. The S has a lot more low end power, is quicker off the line, revs higher, and is a much more comfortable car to ride in and drive (convertible is a big bonus in South Texas - we get plenty of weather to use it). If I'm just driving around or going on a trip I prefer the Boxster. If I'm in the mood to tackle some twisty roads or high speed runs I'll take the turbo. The turbo is a lot cheaper than an S and has the capability to reliably generate 350+ rwhp (with some additional mods). I guess I really see them as two cars with two very different personalities that I use for two very different purposes. The wife is trying to get me to sell one though...
04-08-2003, 01:22 PM
#19
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Buy a nice 944 turbo S, increase the turbo size and do some mods. The end result, you'll have 300+ HP and an additional $30,000 to put in the bank. On the street, no Boxster or Boxster S will hang with a well modified 944 turbo.
04-08-2003, 05:53 PM
#20
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Since the wife wants a boxster. Get the normal boxster and keep the 944 and with the money saved vs the "S" build the 944 in to an autocross/track/Race car and you will have the best of both worlds.
04-08-2003, 09:25 PM
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</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by John:
<strong> On the street, no Boxster or Boxster S will hang with a well modified 944 turbo.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">LOL!
You pick the course, I'll pick the distance. Any day, any time. After not too long, you'll be picking fried turbo bits off the ground and I'll still be going, and going, and going....gone!
Obviously spoken by someone who has never driven an "Sssssss!"
<strong> On the street, no Boxster or Boxster S will hang with a well modified 944 turbo.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">LOL!
You pick the course, I'll pick the distance. Any day, any time. After not too long, you'll be picking fried turbo bits off the ground and I'll still be going, and going, and going....gone!
Obviously spoken by someone who has never driven an "Sssssss!"
04-08-2003, 11:33 PM
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Craigg, are Boxsters really that much more reliable? I have had an early Boxster, have a 951, and borrowed an S for a weekend. Absolutely loved the S, great car, especially loved the handling, but would agree with Dwayne. I peruse this board occasionally as I would love to have an S, but with more power. At the moment the best solution seems to be a bigger motor. This is a big difference to a set of chips & shims giving 50hp extra for $300. Is your comment directed towards the turbo on the 951 or meaning the handling of the Boxster makes it less tiring to drive over a longer distance?
04-08-2003, 11:35 PM
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No need for a "modified" anything on the S, AutobahnNY. First hard right, I'll go right...hard. That'll pretty much do it, I suspect, what with the bone crushing G forces and all!
Or we can pick a long distance course - say 200+ miles non-stop at 120+ mph. Could be fun!
The best part is...I'm still under warranty.
Or we can pick a long distance course - say 200+ miles non-stop at 120+ mph. Could be fun!
The best part is...I'm still under warranty.
04-08-2003, 11:55 PM
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glen2002,intake,headers and ECU makes 285 dyno proven HP,which keeps u inline with a 996 in straight line acceleration.If u want faster you can do a 3.4L conversion
04-09-2003, 08:46 AM
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Glen2002,
I have about 42,000 miles (64,000 km) on my S so far (over 2 years as of yesterday!) and it has been bulletproof.
Under a certain set of circumstances a little over 2 years ago, I was able to run my 911 for over 300 miles at 100+mph continuously and found the car could take it but I couldn't - too much work. The Boxster - although I have not gone the same full distance at that speed, yet, is MUCH easier on the driver and the car is more than capable. So my answer to your question is a bit of both.
Listen, there is no doubt in my mind that a 944 Turbo will give you great value for money - and compared to the Boxster S in terms of acquisition cost, it is a better deal. But the remark I was responding to implied a substantial performance gap and that is simply not true. A turbo will outpull an S in a certain power range but in terms of general acceleration, top speed, reliable high speed running over long distances and, of course the Boxster's forte, cornering, this would not be of any issue.
If it comes down to pure acceleration for the money, buy a Mustang v8 not a Porsche Turbo. But remember, "There is no substitute." Owning a Porsche - any Porsche - is not for the fainthearted. Whether it is the initial cost or the longer term maintenance costs, these cars are special and can be expensive.
When these discussion arise, there seems to be a lot of opinions expressed by non-Boxster owners about their performance and I wonder about their motives, let alone their credibility. My suggestion is drive an S - hard enough to see what it can do - and then tell us your views!
I have about 42,000 miles (64,000 km) on my S so far (over 2 years as of yesterday!) and it has been bulletproof.
Under a certain set of circumstances a little over 2 years ago, I was able to run my 911 for over 300 miles at 100+mph continuously and found the car could take it but I couldn't - too much work. The Boxster - although I have not gone the same full distance at that speed, yet, is MUCH easier on the driver and the car is more than capable. So my answer to your question is a bit of both.
Listen, there is no doubt in my mind that a 944 Turbo will give you great value for money - and compared to the Boxster S in terms of acquisition cost, it is a better deal. But the remark I was responding to implied a substantial performance gap and that is simply not true. A turbo will outpull an S in a certain power range but in terms of general acceleration, top speed, reliable high speed running over long distances and, of course the Boxster's forte, cornering, this would not be of any issue.
If it comes down to pure acceleration for the money, buy a Mustang v8 not a Porsche Turbo. But remember, "There is no substitute."
Owning a Porsche - any Porsche - is not for the fainthearted. Whether it is the initial cost or the longer term maintenance costs, these cars are special and can be expensive. When these discussion arise, there seems to be a lot of opinions expressed by non-Boxster owners about their performance and I wonder about their motives, let alone their credibility. My suggestion is drive an S - hard enough to see what it can do - and then tell us your views!
04-09-2003, 04:55 PM
#30
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Craigg,your post are always truthful and i totally agree.The Boxster(S)isnt about raw power,its a balanced performer with more than enough power.The handling of the Boxster is unbelievable at times. I do wonder about the motives of non-Boxster owners,from some of their statements, it leads me to believe they havent driven an "S".It has similar performance numbers as pre-996 Carreras.The Boxster is a blast to drive as it is,but theres nothing wrong with more power.Glen2002,I dont have the exact figures on the upgrades(intake,headers,ECU),but TTP is the way to go for headers,ECU and EVO for the intake.EVO also has headers and ECU upgrades,but not as good as TTP.As far as the 3.4L conversion,RUF,Roock,FVD and few other companies do the conversion,but it is $$$