Could the Porsche Boxster GTS be Better than the 911?

[keemapoot]

This whole idea is complete heresy to me, a long-time Porsche nut and former owner of 3 911s over the years. Times change and technology changes, but this is the upset of a long time tradition if true, and to old skool Porsche guys like me, it seems to take away a lot of the cache of the brand. But, there is a lot to be said for mid-engine fun, and I guess this new Boxter is a riot to drive.

The Bangkok Post did a preview of the new GTS Boxter and Cayman on Monday this week, and said even the Cayenne will get the GTS treatment.

Say what you will about cars like the Panamera and Cayenne, but Porsche is a brand that is deeply in tune with its past, and knows its bread and butter. Ask any enthusiast to name five epic sports cars, and Porsche 911 is sure to be right there on the short list. But is the Boxster about to become better than the 911?

I’ve driven both the current 911 and the current Boxster, as well as their respective predecessors. The 991 generation of the Porsche 911 was certainly a better car than the 987 generation Boxster– and that was by design. But then when the current 981 Boxster came out, something happened. Porsche took the gloves off the Boxster and said it did not have to be capped by the 911. The result was the Boxster S being one of the best cars I’ve ever driven– and neck-and-neck with the current 991 generation of the 911.

http://news.boldride.com/2014/03/could-the-porsche-boxster-gts-be-better-than-the-911/45972/

[IMHO]

The Boxster and Coxster Cayman could have been better than the 911 at any time if Porsche wanted them to be - but Porsche are way too smart to cannibalise sales of their halo model, so there will always be a faster 911

No matter how good they are (and they are), you still look like a school boy driving one in a Porsche club day

The Cayenne went GTS in 2013 - I'm guessing you meant to say Cayman?

*Coxster and schoolboy puns directed at my brother who drives one

Edited March 28, 2014 by IMHO

[bkkjames]

The 911 will always be the 911...the rest will be what they are.

[IMHO]

The 911 will always be the 911...the rest will be what they are.

Sure thing, but there's one thing the 991 911's are that previous generations aren't....... drivable in rain

[SDM0712]

The 911 will always be the 911...the rest will be what they are.

Sure thing, but there's one thing the 991 911's are that previous generations aren't....... drivable in rain

I normally keep my cars for three years and have had a 964 C2 tip, 993 C4 man, 996 C2 tip, and then threw the towel, wanted a bit of comfort and got a Cayenne. Whilst these were being serviced I was lent either a Boxter S or Boxter 2.7.

In my opinion the Boxter S had everything, speed and the most incredible road holding. But, and possibly only Porsche drivers will appreciate this, the 911s have a certain something, an X factor that nothing else in the range can match. A Boxter will take care of you, even if you overstep your driving skill it will say " there there, never mind, no harm done". A 911 will say " think you can control me ? We'll see about that "!!

In terms of road holding although admittedly the 964 was on a daily mission to try and kill me, the 993 and 996 were much better behaved as long as the "PSM" stays on !

The Cayenne was a weird one, at three tonnes it handled like a sports car, burnt petrol at a rate that made me feel the 911s were economical, but driving it I felt completely indestructible. Still, a very ugly beast.

SDM

Edited March 29, 2014 by SDM0712

[VocalNeal]

The 911 will always be the 911...the rest will be what they are.

Sure thing, but there's one thing the 991 911's are that previous generations aren't....... drivable in rain

Dumbed it down and took all the skill out of owning one? Make something idiot proof and only idiot will use it.

[SDM0712]

The Boxster and Coxster Cayman could have been better than the 911 at any time if Porsche wanted them to be................

P[/size]

Better is subjective and a matter of opinion, but faster definitely. But in this age of easy modifications anything can be made faster. I remember being flashed out of the way by an oik on the M4 in an Impreza. I booted my 996 thinking he would disappear over the horizon in my back window. But in reality he over took me in the next lane and I couldn't even match it's acceleration let alone catch it! If it's just about speed there is always faster.

SDM

[IMHO]

The 911 will always be the 911...the rest will be what they are.

Sure thing, but there's one thing the 991 911's are that previous generations aren't....... drivable in rain

Dumbed it down and took all the skill out of owning one? Make something idiot proof and only idiot will use it.

I'm guessing you've never driven a 911 in a downpour?

In the wet, the 997 Turbo will spin 180 degrees in about 2 milliseconds, totally random, and without any warning... you don't even need to be going fast for it to change ends in the wet.

But it was still better than the 996 Turbo - with them, if you're driving in the wet and you hear the turbo spooling you've probably already had an accident

Both are great on the track where you have some freedom to slide and correct, and even spin off.. but if you're in traffic where just 1M sideways = crash, they're just plain dangerous.

The difference with the 991 is they balanced the car better - it's still a 911, but one that knows where the front and back should be

Disclaimer: I've never driven a non-Turbo 911, less HP could be more manageable....

Edited March 29, 2014 by IMHO

[IMHO]

The 911 will always be the 911...the rest will be what they are.

Sure thing, but there's one thing the 991 911's are that previous generations aren't....... drivable in rain

I normally keep my cars for three years and have had a 964 C2 tip, 993 C4 man, 996 C2 tip, and then threw the towel, wanted a bit of comfort and got a Cayenne. Whilst these were being serviced I was lent either a Boxter S or Boxter 2.7.

In my opinion the Boxter S had everything, speed and the most incredible road holding. But, and possibly only Porsche drivers will appreciate this, the 911s have a certain something, an X factor that nothing else in the range can match. A Boxter will take care of you, even if you overstep your driving skill it will say " there there, never mind, no harm done". A 911 will say " think you can control me ? We'll see about that "!!

In terms of road holding although admittedly the 964 was on a daily mission to try and kill me, the 993 and 996 were much better behaved as long as the "PSM" stays on !

The Cayenne was a weird one, at three tonnes it handled like a sports car, burnt petrol at a rate that made me feel the 911s were economical, but driving it I felt completely indestructible. Still, a very ugly beast.

SDM

The only Boxster I've driven was a 986 with only 201 HP - so it never felt particularly fast or dangerous, or anything really ... With that model it was hard to imagine what potential the chassis actually had.

My brother has a Coxster S (I so hope he reads this thread) and the balance of that car is simply incredible - anyone can drive that and feel like a superstar - even my brother. So long as you keep the front wheels pointing roughly where you want to go, it will take care of the rest..

The 911 on the other hand, requires constant commitment and concentration - everything it does is amplified beyond belief - and the harder you push it, the more it gives, and gives, and gives... I've only had maybe a week each behind the wheel of a 996, 997 and 991 turbo, so nowhere near enough time to fully learn their full 'personality', but maybe enough to get it to 8-9/10ths... Definitely enough that simply recalling driving one brings a smile to your face

I'm no racecar driver though, and I'm sure there are other who will claim to master it in a weekend

[keemapoot]

If you want to talk about extreme handling, the 930 turbo (classic 911 late eighties), learning to drive that car was an arduous but wonderful process. 4 speed tranny, that was so high geared it barely got off the line, combined with a clutch so stiff it made a hole in your shoe soles, made the only in-town driving I did was to the night club and back. Turbo lag was like the DeLorean in "Back to the future," but my god was that thrilling when it got wound up.

All we Porsche guys used to talk about learning to drive those classic 911s as a right of passage. More experienced guys would mentor the younger ones. The 911 driving experience is truly unique.

[Ace of Pop]

I drove a new Banana Yellow Boxter S from BKK to Krabi for my chums spoilt 25 Y.O. Daughter. Felt a bit of a Chump in it at my age. Nice, but nothing i can comment on or rave about,a 911, is a classic, cant compare the 2 fairly...Only owned a 911 Sportmatic, again im just not a V.W. Fan. .

[kimbathewhitelion]

Of course not, don't even have to read any of the other posts. Boxsters are like small superficial toasters, they trade power & precision for for a pretty face.

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[Ace of Pop]

And How Many have You Driven.?. Are You not the Poster with a scooter, and doesn't have an idea how to buy a Car without a Woman holding yer Tinney ..Very Un Ozzz imho.. Crocodile Dundee, we got a Bogan.5555.

[WhiteCadillac]

I actually prefer a tuned up Boxster instead of a 911. The mid engine is just more fun, handles better, faster corners etc.

[kimbathewhitelion]

And How Many have You Driven.?. Are You not the Poster with a scooter, and doesn't have an idea how to buy a Car without a Woman holding yer Tinney ..Very Un Ozzz imho.. Crocodile Dundee, we got a Bogan.5555.

In Thailand yes. In Los Angeles, no. Actually in America, I miss working with old muscle cars...not as a job but hobby. However with every hobby, it's not real until you literally bleed by action.

Dropped my first transmission when I was 17. Micky-moused a foot throttle into a hand string a year latter. Imagine driving a 71 split bumper RS Camaro 4 sp manual with your head out the drivers window, left hand on the accelerator cable & your buddy working the steering window & in all driving your friends to "In & Out" for late night munchies from the dorms.

50s Fords, 67 to 71 Chevys. Used to really like the old 90s Porsche 911s or Carreras. I still can't get used to the 2000 aero dynamic body style regardless how I look at it. Loved Porsches all my life & the Audi, but now back to old American muscle.

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[Ace of Pop]

After U.K. , America and Ozz living here is an Automotive Dessert , unless ones an Underpowered Car n Truck Fan....Happy im Old on that score.

[kimbathewhitelion]

After U.K. , America and Ozz living here is an Automotive Dessert , unless ones an Underpowered Car n Truck Fan....Happy im Old on that score.

How indirect of you....an old Chevy or Ford will both take off the line & in the corners of your comparative Porsche given that I could put 3/4 of the cost of your car into mine. Though a truck would be too hard. Easily, late sixties, Camaro, Barracuda or 69-70 AMC. Have no idea why that Fast & Furious movie used a Dodge Charger, way to big of a rear end to handle turns, but can win still with true American or also available & always superior in handling, power & sleek.....Japanese.

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[kimbathewhitelion]

Got me thinking....

Very affordable....

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=98+911+turbo&source=images&cd=&docid=0RAraEqvRfv0LM&tbnid=nQWE0YqwYMHypM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fperryandcoblog.com%2F2009%2F07%2F20%2Ftips-for-new-owners-of-1995-98-993-porsche-carrera-911s%2F&ei=Rpo3U6nVFpGkiQelhYCACg&psig=AFQjCNHc58an_XlDTxh4_UOyKs5NSxAYDQ&ust=1396239288473193

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[sam sen]

boxster; car of choice for hairdressers in the UK

[kimbathewhitelion]

I think whats more disturbing here...either the Andoid or the IOS software. Sorry OT, had a 63'ferrari, but outside it was a relic 9oooiooooooomnbzccgvhbnn

Hate theze pho.ez. ipho.e

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[A1Str8]

Yes.

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