It sounds like this is the better car but I like the looks of the older car better. That's of course not saying this car isn't great looking.

 

 

Have you driven one? Doesn't sound like it

 

idk man...it just kinda says to me "I'm too cheap to buy a 911."

 

Too much time listening to Hammond, Brett - maybe it was true in 2003 when he said it, but it's come a long way... the car in the OP is definitely a Porsche.

 

I guess you're too cheap to buy an NSX, so you drive an S2000, huh?

The Boxster is a great car. Having driven both, I personally can't see why I'd buy a 911 over a Boxster, but I also don't care if people think I'm cheap.

 

Gotta drive them both (911 and Cayman/Boxster).

Despite everything I've read I just find 911s more fun to drive than their mid-engined siblings. Mid-engine cars often don't feel that different than front-engine cars until you get fairly close to the limit. Whereas you always feel the "rear-engine-ness" of the 911, and it's always weird. . . and intriguing. Along with the overall superb driving dynamics it just makes for compelling driving. You have to really think about the weight back there and how it's going to react to transitions, etc. Also the light front end makes the steering sooo light and tactile.

I think I like the rear-engine feel for the same reason I like manual transmissions, which are also basically unnecessary and even counterproductive. They should not exist, but for the fun and character they add to the driving experience.

 

More than a few people feel that the Boxster/Cayman is better than the 911. It may not be as fast but they feel it's the more satisfying car to drive. Then again, I prefer a car that feels good to one that's faster on the road (where speed limits and reality set in far sooner than the limits of power and traction) or the track (where the average Formula Ford will kick a 911 GT3 butt).

 

Contrary to my expectations going in to a Porsche World Roadshow event a while back, I got more enjoyment out of driving a 911 Carrera 4S on the road course than I did driving a Boxster Spyder on an autocross course. I liked it more enough that if I had enough budget for the Boxster Spyder ($61,800 MSRP) I might just save up more for a C4S ($98,300 MSRP) instead. The C4S felt faster and more confident inspiring. I even liked it more than the 2wd Carrera S, surprisingly. The launch a C4S can get coming out of a corner is amazing.

Some caveats - used market prices can vary, and autocross and road courses are very different experiences. If I were actually thinking about buying a new Porsche, I'd have to do more extensive test drives of a 991 Carrera S, 991 C4S (once released), and 981 S.

 

Mark, I hope you get a chance to test drive with similar conditions... you know I always enjoyed the road course and never really liked autocross so I am biased.

I think the new Boxster looks like a terrific offering and really trust your opinion. I would like to replace the S2000 (owned since 10/99) in the next few years so I have been paying attention to roadsters I might be able to afford.