For the record

Boxster S
Length: 172.1 in.
Height: 50.9 in.
Width: 70.9 in.

Vette Grand Sport
Length: 175.6 in.
Height: 48.7 in.
Width: 75.9 in.


It's not like the Vette GS is that much bigger than the Boxster S...

Maybe the Vette just looks bigger because it is such a better design

 

If I was buying, and both were manual transmission, the C6 for sure. If the BS was optioned with PDK, I'd give it some serious consideration since it would be a little more flexible. Still, at the end of the day, I do totally dig on Corvettes.

The Grand Sport is an outstanding package: the big brakes, wheels/tires, fenders of the Z06, a NICE 436HP 6.2L motor that's just a cam and bolt-ons away from 500+ HP, bullet-proof drivetrain. Honestly, if I was going to buy another convertible without any consideration for seating, tranny, etc., it would be hard not to go with a C6.

A loaner for a day? Probably the BS.

 

Ah! That actually saves me the trouble of posting a new topic that I was thinking about. Several people talk about how lazy or uninspired Porsche's designers are. So my questions is whether that's true. I'm presuming that Porsche management tell their designers NOT to mess with the overall 911 design, both the engine configuration and the basic body shape. So I wonder: which is easier, coming up with new designs from time to time, or having to make the same design look interesting or slightly fresh, time after time? I'm not arguing one way or the other. I'm not a design expert. But I do wonder if it might be harder than we think to do the refreshes.

 

Someone once told me:

If you want a car for looks, buy a Ferrari.
If you want a car for sounds, buy a Lamborghini.
If you want a car for driving, buy a Porsche.

Tongue in cheek, but you get the idea.

 

I have spent my entire life in the graphic arts, I see design, details and creativity unlike most people
I'm not saying the Porsche designers have it easy, I'm just saying to me the 911 and most of their stuff is boring, well except the Panamerica, that's just downright fugly, for the most part with Porsche design I have see it before, over and over and over
Do they make a solid performing car capable of mind boggling performance? Sure they do!
Is mind boggling performance enough for me? No way in hell!
I admire how the Vette has grown and evolved in both performance AND looks since the original version

 

Don't forget, Porsche really wanted the 928 to replace the 911 as their flagship, but Porsche purists wouldn't let it happen. Also, look at the results of Porsche veering too far away from history w/ the 996 - it didn't go so well.

While some think of their design dept. as lazy, I think they adopt the "don't mess w/ a good thing" mindset. Porsche tends to relentlessly refine and improve their products year after year, favoring evolution over revolution. The upside is that if you want to hang on to your car a long time, it won't look dated as quickly. Would you rather have a '73 Vette or a '73 911? '85 Vette or '85 911?

 

I have had a 73 Vette and an 85 Vette. I would take the 73 Vette over the 73 911 but would take the 85 911 over the 85 Vette.

 

Dammit, CG, don't confuse the issue even more!

 

I'd easily pick the latest Boxster S over the C6 GS Convertible. Porsche offers better steering feedback, much more supportive seats and available dual clutch transmission (PDK). Equipped with PDK, the Boxster S is a nicely quick car even in a straight line - Road & Track managed 12.6 @ 110. It would be a harder decision if you threw in GS Coupe, but I don't dig the GS Convertible so much. It is the heaviest of all C6 variants.

 

Well put. While the 911 silhouette looks much the same today as it did back in 1964, it has constantly evolved under the skin and remains a technical tour de force.