Topic: Test Drive: 2017 Porsche 718 Boxster

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[Sir Osis of Liver]

Corvette. Next.

[Fobroader]

Corvette. Next.

$81k for a a 4 banger hahahhaa. Yeah, Corvette, not a second though.

[OliverD]

Corvette. Next.

Corvette. Next.

$81k for a a 4 banger hahahhaa. Yeah, Corvette, not a second though.

Meh. They serve two different purposes IMO.

[Fobroader]

Huh  Both sporty convertibles, just with one you get a metric a$$load more power and capability.

[OliverD]

Well first of all, Corvette convertibles look like crap. I'd drive a coupe but the convertibles have been ugly since they stopped building the C2.

The Boxster is a lot more compact and weighs 400 pounds less, plus its mid engined. Some people will take that over a bunch more power.

[Hannibalsmith]

Corvette. Next.

Corvette. Next.

$81k for a a 4 banger hahahhaa. Yeah, Corvette, not a second though.

Meh. They serve two different purposes IMO.

I'd have to agree. I like both, but they are serve different purposes, though both sports cars.

Like comparing a Jeep Rubicon and a Power Wagon, both off road right, so pick the cheapest (I'm using Fobroader language to illustrate)

[Fobroader]

Corvette. Next.

Corvette. Next.

$81k for a a 4 banger hahahhaa. Yeah, Corvette, not a second though.

Meh. They serve two different purposes IMO.

I'd have to agree. I like both, but they are serve different purposes, though both sports cars.

Like comparing a Jeep Rubicon and a Power Wagon, both off road right, so pick the cheapest (I'm using Fobroader language to illustrate)

But this isn't the case, this is like comparing the base model Wrangler to a Rubicon but the Rubicon being cheaper than the base model.

[OliverD]

Corvette. Next.

Corvette. Next.

$81k for a a 4 banger hahahhaa. Yeah, Corvette, not a second though.

Meh. They serve two different purposes IMO.

I'd have to agree. I like both, but they are serve different purposes, though both sports cars.

Like comparing a Jeep Rubicon and a Power Wagon, both off road right, so pick the cheapest (I'm using Fobroader language to illustrate)

But this isn't the case, this is like comparing the base model Wrangler to a Rubicon but the Rubicon being cheaper than the base model.

Not really. These are fundamentally very different cars, unlike a base Wrangler vs. a Wrangler Rubicon.

[dirtyjeffer]

The Boxster is a lot more compact and weighs 400 pounds less, plus its mid engined. Some people will take that over a bunch more power.

true, but the new Corvettes are no slouch in the handling and performance department...in fact, they might actually be better.

but i do agree that buyers of either are unlikely to shop these two against each other...i don't see Boxter buyers being interested in a Vette and i don't see Vette buyers being interested in the Boxster.

[Noto]

Yeah, I'd also take this over a Corvette any day.  I'm not tracking any car I buy, so it's sort of a useless consideration as to which one has more power or handles better - on the road, a 4.7s drop-top is hella fun.

I'd still take a previous gen Z4 over either of them any day of the week at only $51,500 base.  No question.

Sure, it’s still the most affordable Porsche car

I thought the Macan was cheaper in base trim

[Fobroader]

The Boxster is a lot more compact and weighs 400 pounds less, plus its mid engined. Some people will take that over a bunch more power.

true, but the new Corvettes are no slouch in the handling and performance department...in fact, they might actually be better.

but i do agree that buyers of either are unlikely to shop these two against each other...i don't see Boxter buyers being interested in a Vette and i don't see Vette buyers being interested in the Boxster.

I don't think that's true at at. I think any reasonable enthusiast would cross shop them for sure. I would. That being said I'm sure there are people that just want a Porsche and I'm sure there are people like Fob who would just take the Vette. Me, I'd cross shop every sports car in the price range and cross it with what I was looking for. I'd probably shop, the GT350, ZL1, Stingray, Grandsport, etc.

I would take a used GT-R, used 911, Z28, ZL1 1LE, Vette (any and all trim levels) and Hellcat out for a spin if I was looking at something at that price range.

[Wildsau]

Yup, I certainly wouldn't fault the man who goes for the Boxster (or Cayman). It offers a certain appeal for sure.

I personally think a Boxster over a Corvette Convertible is a more compelling argument than a Cayman over a Corvette coupe. FWIW

I think Vmango's last line sums up my own thoughts exactly when it comes to comparing the 718 and the Corvette. I knew I'd hit a nerve when I wrote that and that's to be expected. Please note that I'm a huge Corvette fan and think the world of its abilities. My own money would be spent on the 718 if I could justify a 2-seater in my life right now. I personally would not cross-shop it with the Corvette convertible, although I'm sure there are a few that might.

And I agree with No-san's sentiments when it comes to my own personal needs and wants - I don't track my own vehicles and even if I would, a mid-engine car's capabilities are more to my driving preference. It's a nice problem to have - to be able to choose between the two, and other amazing sports cars that are right in the same neighbourhood in terms of performance.

I didn't mention this in my review but I recently drove the 718 and then right afterwards the S. I felt, after that, that I would absolutely require the S trim to be happy as the extra power is noticeable EVERYwhere. However, after spending extended time in the 718, I never found myself needing more and I realized that I would be very happy with the base 718.

[Wildsau]

Yeah, I'd also take this over a Corvette any day.  I'm not tracking any car I buy, so it's sort of a useless consideration as to which one has more power or handles better - on the road, a 4.7s drop-top is hella fun.

I'd still take a previous gen Z4 over either of them any day of the week at only $51,500 base.  No question.

Sure, it’s still the most affordable Porsche car

I thought the Macan was cheaper in base trim

It is - but I consider it a crossover, not a car. I could probably have been more clear about that distinction though. Sorry! 

[OliverD]

Yeah, I'd also take this over a Corvette any day.  I'm not tracking any car I buy, so it's sort of a useless consideration as to which one has more power or handles better - on the road, a 4.7s drop-top is hella fun.

I'd still take a previous gen Z4 over either of them any day of the week at only $51,500 base.  No question.

Sure, it’s still the most affordable Porsche car

I thought the Macan was cheaper in base trim

It is - but I consider it a crossover, not a car. I could probably have been more clear about that distinction though. Sorry!

The Cayman is actually cheaper than the Boxster now.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Meh. They serve two different purposes IMO.

Properly fast sportscar vs slower sportscar with BADGE. OMG THE BADGE. LOOK AT ME PEOPLE I HAVE A PORSCHE!

Ok I'm done now. 

[lebowski]

Both cars make a ton of sense for enthusiasts; it's just a matter of what kind of driving experience you want: N/A V8 F/R GT or M/R turbo roadster. Never been in a Corvette, would love to try a C6 or C7, especially one with the trick Mag Ride suspension.

Meanwhile is is it me or is the whole "snob appeal" of the Boxster overblown? If you're trying to impress someone with your Porsche, wouldn't they actually see your Boxster less as "ooh, he's got a Porsche" and more "Ooh he couldn't afford a 911"?

[OliverD]

Both cars make a ton of sense for enthusiasts; it's just a matter of what kind of driving experience you want: N/A V8 F/R GT or M/R turbo roadster. Never been in a Corvette, would love to try a C6 or C7, especially one with the trick Mag Ride suspension.

Meanwhile is is it me or is the whole "snob appeal" of the Boxster overblown? If you're trying to impress someone with your Porsche, wouldn't they actually see your Boxster less as "ooh, he's got a Porsche" and more "Ooh he couldn't afford a 911."

My wife doesn't like Boxsters because they are too "attainable". 

[lebowski]

Both cars make a ton of sense for enthusiasts; it's just a matter of what kind of driving experience you want: N/A V8 F/R GT or M/R turbo roadster. Never been in a Corvette, would love to try a C6 or C7, especially one with the trick Mag Ride suspension.

Meanwhile is is it me or is the whole "snob appeal" of the Boxster overblown? If you're trying to impress someone with your Porsche, wouldn't they actually see your Boxster less as "ooh, he's got a Porsche" and more "Ooh he couldn't afford a 911."

My wife doesn't like Boxsters because they are too "attainable". 

  - actually wait, I'm not sure if you were kidding - seriously?

[OliverD]

Well she doesn't like convertibles in general but she basically doesn't think that the Boxster is special enough and the attainability is a factor in that thinking... I think.