[glenncal1]

Went and test drove a few cars Saturday, a 1994 968 cab with tiptronic, a 2000 Boxster S and a 2000 Boxster standard. Was also hoping to drive a 2.5 Boxster but it had sold.



I was impressed by the tip in the 968, seems like a very good compromise to the manual vs automatic decision. Even in full automatic mode it allowed the car to deliver good performace. If you want more juice off the line you can put the tranny in 3 and it will start in first gear without having to floor the throttle. The tranny is light years ahead of the automatic in my 928. This was the cab I have driven in the 944/968 line and you can tell the chassis is not as rigid as the coupe. If I go with a 968 I will go with a coupe.



These were my first drives in a Boxster either as driver or passenger, what nice cars. Handle great, solid feeling and even the 2.7 was very lively. The only downside for me with one of these is the fact that they are only 2 seaters and dont have a ton of storage room even though there are 2 trunks. The 968 cab is a little more flexible with the space behind the seats compared to the Boxsters.



I have to say from a pure driving perspective you can really tell that the Boxsters are a newer generation car. I can see why they have been such a good seller for Porsche. They just have a much more firmly planted feel than the 944/968 or 928 yet they are more nimble feeling as well.



Flame retardent underwear on.

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[flash]

the storage issue was the primary reason i chose a 968 over the boxster - i insisted on being able to carry 2 full sets of golf clubs AND a case of wine, without sacrificing the passenger seat



the exclusivity of the 968 was just an attractive bonus

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[RPM]

It is unfortunate that the Boxster has gained sort of a 'girlie car' reputation. It is undeserved. The biggest problem seems to have been the seemingly overnight proliferation of Boxsters on every street corner in affluent suburbia. Off-lease 986s flood the sports car market today. But the fact that they may seem a dime a dozen does not take away from what is a nice car. The several that I have driven were solid and enjoyable sports cars. A stock Boxster will out-corner a stock 968 every time. A Boxster S is a hoot to drive.



The early (98-2001) Boxsters did suffer from 'cheap-itiss' in their interiors. If I were looking at one I would specifically look for a car with lots of options - particularly full leather - to overcome this problem.

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[flash]

agreed on all



i still have a problem with the interior of the boxster though the materials are getting better, as are the features - it feels much smaller than the 968, and actually a bit cramped (and i'm not that big) - the center tunnel makes me want to twist to the left - i also seem to sit comparitively high off the ground - never checked before, but i wonder what the top of roof and top of door heights are?

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[968Syncro]

I bought my 968 (coupe/tip) almost a year ago after looking at Boxsters and 911 SC & Carrera.



I agree on all said, but I felt the price / performance ratio is better for the 968. Assuming "performance" includes not just power-to-weight , but feel of the car (i.e. it is fast enough, and handles well enough), interior room, back seats (I stuff a a teen back there on occasion), exclusivity (my life is enriched by the comments I get from people), this forum, etc. All the time acknowledging that this broader definition of 'performance' is an individual choice. Low priced early Boxsters were in the price range for the best 968s, and thus Boxsters were way too risky for me. 968 prices might hold steady soon if they are cared for, Boxsters should continue to come down significantly. Some will feel that the 968 is too risky or prefer the Boxster for its more current styling or neutral handling.

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[Chris Vais]

I have driven both the 986 Boxster and Boxster S, but the 987 Boxster is the one that I prefer as it is just a bit roomier. I am 6.0 feet tall and I couldn't get a comfortable seating position in the 986 because my lets are long. The 987 is better and offers more shoulder room. The 987S @295 hp is a kick to drive, but I have to say that my favorite is the Kamen. I found it to be comfortable enough that I could make a long drive in it as I have done so many times with my 968. Cargo space is much less, no question. I also think that that interior materials are a better grade than on the first generation Boxsters.



As much as I love my 968, I will take a good hard look at the Kamen, probably wait for lease returns to show up on the market as the "S" version is quite expensive if you option it for max performance. The power and handling are intoxicating, well worth checking out.

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[glenncal1]

I may buy a 968 for many of the same reasons. My biggest decision on the 968 vs. 986 choice will be whether I can live with a pure 2 seater. You can also get a nice 968 for less $$ than certainly a nice 2000 or newer Boxster, There are a lot of Boxsters for sale out there also, in the Denver front range area there are probably 20+ for sale right now and this is not a huge Porsche market.



P.S. Can someone explain why you would have a black car with a tan interior <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wacko.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> I just dont get that combo.





[quote name='968Syncro' post='34236' date='Apr 16 2007, 02:42 PM']I bought my 968 (coupe/tip) almost a year ago after looking at Boxsters and 911 SC & Carrera.



I agree on all said, but I felt the price / performance ratio is better for the 968. Assuming "performance" includes not just power-to-weight , but feel of the car (i.e. it is fast enough, and handles well enough), interior room, back seats (I stuff a a teen back there on occasion), exclusivity (my life is enriched by the comments I get from people), this forum, etc. All the time acknowledging that this broader definition of 'performance' is an individual choice. Low priced early Boxsters were in the price range for the best 968s, and thus Boxsters were way too risky for me. 968 prices might hold steady soon if they are cared for, Boxsters should continue to come down significantly. Some will feel that the 968 is too risky or prefer the Boxster for its more current styling or neutral handling.[/quote]

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[SDDave]

Why is everyone overlooking the obvious here!? YOU BUY BOTH!



My current stable includes a 968 and an 01 Boxster S...



MY difficult question is trying to decide which to drive on a given day!!! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/laugh.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



I have to admit, though- that it is a welcome dilema <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/tongue.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />





Dave

San Diego

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[VGM911]

The Boxster impresses with its chassis/suspension development, engine placement, and power. As a result, handling is exemplary and, as RPM says, the Boxster will out-corner a 968. It does almost everything better than a 968, in my experience.



Where the 968 (and the 911, too) has an advantage over the Boxster/Cayman is in useful storage space. I've always liked throwing things behind the seats. And the 968 always seemed roomier inside, perhaps because of the space behind the seats(?).

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[Chris Vais]

I just reread this string and realized that I used the name Kamen when I meant Caymen. As Yogi Berra is fond of saying "it is dejavu all over again". Kamen was the manufacturer of the HH-43B Huskie helicopter that had a unique intermingled twin rotor system that gave it unusual stability. As such, it was much prized as Air Force crash crews for it's ability to use rotor wash to beat back flames and permit aircrew rescue. I was reminiscing with Service buddy of mine who was rescued from just such a crash, just before I wrote that the comment on Boxzters and Caymen's. Must be loosing my mind. Time to go for a fast drive and clear my head.

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[Anchorman]

Is it possible that you would have a black car with a tan interior because it looks nice? I know that's why I have a black car with a tan interior. I like it much more than the previous 968 I owned which was black with a black interior.

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[sasilverbullet]

My turn - having owned an 02 Boxster and my current 968...



Boxster - handled well, didn't like the fact that the rear end wouldn't creep out first. It tends to let go all at once and that's scary when you're on a mountain road inches from a guard rail. Was very worried about catastrophic engine failure at any given second for any one of 15 different reasons. I thought the cargo capacity was nice. I didn't like only having two seats.



968 - I think it handles better and is more of a "road car" than the Boxster was, even though it's older technology. And only having to keep an eye on the timing belt, variocam and #2 rod bearing is a whole lot more comforting than the Boxster...

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[VGM911]

[quote name='sasilverbullet' post='34278' date='Apr 17 2007, 12:32 PM']It tends to let go all at once and that's scary when you're on a mountain road inches from a guard rail.[/quote]



Yikes....if I'm on a mountain road inches from a guardrail, I'm backing off the throttle regardless of what car I'm driving! You've either got guts (or "cajones") or you're more of a daredevil than I am!!!

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[Ryan]

Anybody tried to get to the engine and do any work on a boxter? The 968 is very easy to work on compared to the mid engined car.

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[Bart]

I was talking to my wrench recently about the boxsters and he commented that he is seeing alot of engine smoking issues with the boxsters. I didn't ask what the problems are. I have noticed alot more boxsters around his shop lately. He did say he would hang onto the 968 if it were his instead of picking up a boxster.

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[glenncal1]

I will probably go with the 968, even though I have another vehicle (Mits Montero) I also have a 16 y/o daughter who drives that and another daughter who will be driving in about a year. So it is nice to have the 2+2 capability like I have in the shark. Next decision is whether to go tip or 6 speed. Right now leaning toward tip. Most of my driving is around town in traffic and I will be moving to the Chicago area in a year or so with even more traffic <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/sad.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[968rz]

[quote name='Jim' post='34295' date='Apr 17 2007, 06:32 PM']Next decision is whether to go tip or 6 speed. Right now leaning toward tip. Most of my driving is around town in traffic and I will be moving to the Chicago area in a year or so with even more traffic <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/sad.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />[/quote]

I've driven Chicago with a stick, the loop at rush hour(s) is murder on the left leg.

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[mrorange49]

I just bought a 968 cab a few months back and have been considering replacing it with a boxster. Not that the 968 is bad or anything (I love it), and actually I'm almost certain it belonged to another member here. I had a 944 Turbo before the 968 an loved it as well and this 968 is great. i just think I'm itching for something a little "newer" in the engineering dept.

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