Strangely enough, R&T Mag specs says that the Boxster S (MY05) is better handling than the CS (MY06).

Spec BS CS
Braking 60-0 107ft 116
Slalom 1g (!) .95
Skidpad 73.9mph 69.9 mph
0-60 5.0 5.3
1/4mi 13.4@105 13.9@100mph
HP 280 295

Unless the CS had a bad day or was a dud, those specs say Boxster S baby. And, it's roof can disappear!!!

 

There's no way in hell that a BS will outhandle a similarly equipped CS. Did it ever occur to you that these specs weren't obtained back to back, and many other variables (surface grip, weather, driver experience, etc.) could influence the results? Those CS acceleration times are totally out of whack, 0-60 s/b under 5 secs. done right.

CS has better aerodynamics, stiffer chassis, stiffer suspension, & lighter weight...none of which would do anything but improve handling.

 

Guys, I think we're getting away from what's really important. The OP probably wants to experience the fun of owning another great car. Let's face it, we can argue which car is stiffer, faster or whatever till we're all blue in the face, but the fact is... the Boxter S is still a very good car.

I salute the OP for at least picking a very good sports car, not a wannabe sports car like the Scion tC or something.

 

There's a big difference between .95 and 1g, more than a "different day" can explain methinks. As I suggested, maybe the CS was a dud, maybe they have the specs backwards, or maybe there IS a way in hell the BS can outperform the CS. Maybe R&T are just plane dumb.

Just trying to help the guy enjoy the BS without thinking it as a "lesser" machine to the CS. Sometimes less is more. Like the S2K.

 

What years did you look at?

Boxter-S
Audi TT
Z4M

 

You want an open top, yet your S2000 has a hard top? Just making an observation.

Boxster/S are nice, Cayman even more so.

 

It's obvious, you didn't do enough research.

 

Nobody said it's a lesser machine. The BS has somewhat worse handling than one of the world's best handling cars, but w/ the advantage of a convertible top. Pick your priorities, handling/styling/luggage space/security/safety vs. top-down motoring/cost. You can't make a wrong choice out of these two, and I'd love to park a BS alongside my CS if I could swing it.

 

While I prefer the Boxster S to the Cayman S, you have to understand that .05 G on the skidpad is irrelevant and worthless when it comes to one single test.

Skidpad numbers are very highly dependant on TIRES and surface grip.

Is the BS had brand new tires and the CS had used up average tires than it can make all the difference in the world.

I remember reading a Road and Track article about the 2006 civic SI having faster slalom speed than a Dodge Viper in one test; does that mean that the Civic is a better handling car than the Viper?

Slap some sticky tires on ANY sporty car and its skidpad numbers will go WAY up.

Take the WRX vs STI: If the STI had the same crappy tires as the WRX there is no way in hell it would pull off .92G; and if the WRX had RE070 instead of RE92 tires it would get close to .9G of lateral acceleration than the .83G it gets with its shitty tires.

 

The hard top came with the car! I hate it when I put it on, but damn the S2000 does look good with it!

In fact I will never get a HT again.