Topic: Test Drive: 2013 Porsche Boxster S

[tpl]

It would be a tough choice.  The Corvette brings so much performance to the table.

Agree. Corvette has so much going for it. And it also has "substance" for lack of a better word. For that kind of money, the Boxster looks like an overpriced toy - a good toy no doubt - but still just a toy. Like a lean olympic swimmer vs a pro football player. Both are great for what they can do, but $90k gets me scratching my head.

If I was in the Porsche bracket I'd spend my $90k on a cpo 911  or an A6,535,E350 with all the goodies AND with 4 comfortable seats under a real steel roof.

[Northernridge]

It would be a tough choice.  The Corvette brings so much performance to the table.

Agree. Corvette has so much going for it. And it also has "substance" for lack of a better word. For that kind of money, the Boxster looks like an overpriced toy - a good toy no doubt - but still just a toy. Like a lean olympic swimmer vs a pro football player. Both are great for what they can do, but $90k gets me scratching my head.

If I was in the Porsche bracket I'd spend my $90k on a cpo 911  or an A6,535,E350 with all the goodies AND with 4 comfortable seats under a real steel roof.

Me too.

[Soram6275]

It would be a tough choice.  The Corvette brings so much performance to the table.

Agree. Corvette has so much going for it. And it also has "substance" for lack of a better word. For that kind of money, the Boxster looks like an overpriced toy - a good toy no doubt - but still just a toy. Like a lean olympic swimmer vs a pro football player. Both are great for what they can do, but $90k gets me scratching my head.

If I was in the Porsche bracket I'd spend my $90k on a cpo 911  or an A6,535,E350 with all the goodies AND with 4 comfortable seats under a real steel roof.

Me too.

Me too.  I love the Boxter but can't get over the $90K - and you DO need some options.  That's $100K after taxes, etc.  I'd rather have an M3 at that point (and cheaper) - but we're missing the point here - When you have $100K to spend on a car, you don't really concern yourself with "bargains" or best options.  I would get it too, if I could afford it at this point.

[Fobroader]

Im a huge 911 fan, but this really does push the right buttons for me:

[Fobroader]

there will be always people saying "my timex keeps just as good as time as that fancy patek".   99.9% of people walking into a porsche dealer looking for a boxster won't be mentioning a corvette as cars they cross shopped.

Oh come on, a Timex....a Vette is much higher than a Timex, a Boxster isnt as good as a Patek. At best, if the 911 is a real Patek, the Boxster would be a fake Rolex you bought from a guy on moped in Thailand.

[Fobroader]

the vette is a timex.   it's got the design quality of a timex too.  ok you got me on a stretch comparing a boxster to a patek.   how about omega or zenith?

Boxster to me is a knockoff, so a Nomega or a Penith 

[Snowman]

Just for fun, I optioned out a Boxster S the way I woud want one. $75k before taxes. Still a lot of coin, but better than $90,000. Just stay away from stuff like the PDK and ceramic brakes.


The regular Boxster is almost $15,000 less, if you can settle for a "mere" 265 horsepower.

For $75K.....I'd start looking at the new Corvette.  But that's me.

Not me. Mid engine is the way to go.

[Fobroader]

Just for fun, I optioned out a Boxster S the way I woud want one. $75k before taxes. Still a lot of coin, but better than $90,000. Just stay away from stuff like the PDK and ceramic brakes.


The regular Boxster is almost $15,000 less, if you can settle for a "mere" 265 horsepower.

For $75K.....I'd start looking at the new Corvette.  But that's me.

What's all this talk about $75k? )))

Let me guess, is that in the 3rd world nation of the USA??

[Snowman]

Just for fun, I optioned out a Boxster S the way I woud want one. $75k before taxes. Still a lot of coin, but better than $90,000. Just stay away from stuff like the PDK and ceramic brakes.


The regular Boxster is almost $15,000 less, if you can settle for a "mere" 265 horsepower.

For $75K.....I'd start looking at the new Corvette.  But that's me.

What's all this talk about $75k? )))

Let me guess, is that in the 3rd world nation of the USA??

 

[wing]

Lol OnStart?

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

[Julie]

i would think people looking at a boxster are not cross shopping a corvette.  they are completely different cars and clientele.  i've sat in the new boxster.  there is an incredible attention to detail outside and inside that the corvette simply can't match.   people looking at this car want this type of meticulous craftsmanship.

But you cant deny the bargain of the Vette, way more power, way better handling and on a track the Vette would make the Boxster look like a family sedan. Ive sat in Porsches, the interiors are allright, but I wouldnt put them up in the same level as an Audi, of course the vette interior sucks, but the Boxster isnt a world standard by any means.

Just curious, have you driven a late year Boxster or Cayman S? I haven't driven the Corvette, although I hope to eventually one day. I just would be surprised that the Corvette is "way better handling" than a Porsche and that a Boxster would dynamically feel like a family sedan next to the Vette.

The new Porsche interiors are much better than the old ones which were not great, agreed.

EDIT: I'm genuinely curious because, man, if so........ sign me up for the test drive!

[Julie]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk-6s-ZhlYs    here's a spot on review.

The sound is improved from the 2012 one I tried!

Steve Sutcliffe of autocar also thinks it's the greatest thing on earth. 40-something per cent stiffer chassis? Euh... wow.

Funny but you're all missing the fact that it's a sub 50k grandsport

I just watched a video review of a Grand Sport. Careener, you've rented those in Vegas, right? Hmm.... I'll be in California later this year...

[DriverJeff]

When Rrocket brought up the Vette, I believe he was referring to the new C7.  On paper, I'd agree with him -- if it lives up to all of Chevy's hype, it'll be sensational and could make me think twice versus a P-car.  But, it'll need to be a monumental shift beyond the C6.  I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent with a C6 427 last autumn, but if someone tossed me the keys for that car and even a base model Boxster, I'd toss the Vette keys back.  The Boxster is all the performance needed and it goes about everything it does so well (looks great, sounds great, feels great).  It truly is every bit as great as all the reviewers say it is.  The C6 feels like a big, heavy kit-car by comparison. 

[johngenx]

From what I've read so far, if the C6 is a sledge hammer, the C7 is a Samurai sword.  Lighter, much more precise, better ergos, and even better chassis balance.  Add race car levels of power, and it sounds like GM has really brought it.

Okay, it's not from Germany.  It still channels the brutal Vettes of the 60s.  But, no way I'd say it isn't a serious contender for the <$100K performance car crown.

[Patrick_D1]

I'm hopeful for the C7 - GM has some of the best chassis engineers in the world, and they do marvelous things when allowed to do no-compromise work.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Lots of people choose the Corvette. Maybe just not in the COTU.

[geoff_66]

In 2009 I cross shopped the Boxster against the Z4 and the Miata.  The Corvette was not even on my radar.  The new version looks vastly improved, but one of the advantages that the Porsche has over most other cars of this ilk is some level of practicality.  I can, believe it or not, take two sets of golf clubs and a couple of 'carry-on' type bags for an extended weekend trip to the country or the coast.  The top works very well in inclement weather and the car is reasonably fuel efficient.  My wife and I enjoy the car immensely.  Ok, my wife tolerates the car immensely.  Sort of the way she feels about me.
While other cars probably boast higher levels of performance the Boxster gives me all I need (or can use) while still giving a true open air sports car experience.   

[CanuckS2K]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk-6s-ZhlYs    here's a spot on review.

Great vid!  I would really love to own a new Boxster S some day!  Under $100k, it's probably my roadster of choice.  And as much as I love Vettes, I'd take a Boxster S over one any day!