Asked this on the Boxster forum and got zero replies...wonder why.

So I am keeping my eyes open for mint 987's out there and there seems to be a lot of them, which is good for me Why? Are a lot of the 911 guys buying them for a year and then moving up to the 997's?

 

You have a pm.

 

Had a 987S for a year and a half. Loved it. In Dec 06, the dealer had a couple of 06 997S Cabs marked down a bit. On a lark, I drove one. Couldn't believe the torque as compared to that of the 987S. The grip is phenomenal, too. Always wanted a 911. Bought one that night. Haven't regretted it.

 

I had a 986 for 2 1/2 years and wanted the extra power of the 997S, I on warm days I do miss the convertible, but love the extra rigidness of the coupe. I have never regretted the upgrade as the 997 is such a great car.

 

I've got an '01 986. My wife drives an '05 997, but when we go anywhere in her car I drive. They are totally different cars, so it all depends on what your definition of "upgrade" is. Despite less power, I find the Boxster much more enjoyable and satisfying to drive. A friend had Ruf put a Carrera S engine with powerkit in his new at the time '06 Boxster S. Not sure how you would rate that in terms of "upgrade" status, but when I was driving it, it seemed like 80% of a Carrera GT at 20% of the price. GT3s usually can't keep up with him. However, to anyone looking at it, for the most part it just looked like a Boxster.

The more you drive a Boxster and a Carrera, the more you realize they are completely different cars in terms of driving experience. Porsche's marketing machine seems intent on making Boxster drivers think they need to step up to a 911 at some point.

 

02 Boxster S to 05 Carrera to 08 Carrera C4S.

Good luck with your decision!

 

currently have one love it but its time to move up..for sale

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...d.php?t=118803

 

Like Geoff, I have a 2001 986 and my wife has a 2005 997S. I find the boxster to be easier to drive than the 997. It feels (and is) considerably lighter and seems to handle better than the 997. Around town, where I do 80% of my driving, I prefer the boxster, but on the highway, the 997 is quieter and more comfortable by far. Of course, there is no comparison as far as power or torque are concerned. My wife wanted a coupe and the price of a used 2005 997S was not that much more than a new base Cayman or a used Cayman S, so we went with the 997. John

 

- Quality fit/finish - Both the 987 and the 997 are excellent on this, some complain about the cheap materials but I tend to disagree, these cars are meant to be driven - drive em. I like the 997 dash a little better but either is fine. The interior of the 997 feels more spacious I really like that. I do simple DIYs on my cars and the 987 is put together really well, I have not done anything to the 997 yet but it looks the same from a “put together” point of view. Really not much to choose here.

- Fun to drive – Either is a blast! I really feel that the 997 is a bit more edgy, and for a pure toy that is a bit more fun for me. From a pure balance point of view the 987 wins, but you have to push real hard in either car to find the limits, this is a matter of taste. The power and torque of the 911 is amazing and definitely quite noticeable, on paper the cars don’t look much different but they drive quite differently – you have to drive each one to figure it out. Porsche has tweaked the chassis and suspension on the 997 to produce under steer if you push it a little too far, I spun my 987 when I AutoXed it and I expect to do the same in the 997. The sport setting on the PASM with the remapped throttle changes the character of the car if you buy a 997S get one with Sport Chrono Plus. I have not pushed the 997 real hard yet (still in the break in period) but the little “Sport” button is fun in the twisties (even keeping the revs bellow 4200).

- Practicality – Neither car is practical LOL! The 997 is a bit simpler to go shopping with since you can throw things in the back without opening the trunk or trunks. The back seats in the 997 are a joke but they can be used on short drives if needed – not recommended for long drives. The interior of the 997 is quieter with the top up (I have a 997S Cab) so long drives will be a little less tiresome – not really an issue for me but it helps on the days I have a copilot! The BOSE in the 997 is a bit better with woofer in the passenger footwell. I like to blast my music from time to time and I did not like the BOSE bass unit right behind me in the 987S. The radio works better in the 997 (more antennas!). You can pack a lot of stuff in the two trunks of the 987 and still keep the interior tidy – yes I am an engineer and I like to keep the interior tidy.

- Other? The 987 looks better with the top down, the 997 looks better with the top up – you pick. I bought the 997 on emotion, my son tried to persuade me to buy an R8 but I wanted a classic, I really debated buying a used F360 but the P Car is so bullet proof (and has a nice warrantee) I could not part with my $ on the F Car. If I had F430 money I would buy one, but there are limits! The 911 is an icon and that is part of the reason I bought it. I looked at some really nice used 996s when I bought the Boxster but I did not think they were quite as classic, the 997 is much closer to the original 911 gene pool and for me that was a significant factor in my purchase.

 

Went from an 03 Boxster to a 08 C2S. The Boxster was fine and everything, but the annoying squeaks, moans and groans of the convertible top became a PITA. My C2S just feels "solid" compared to the 986.

 

Went from old '76 911S Targa, to 2004 Boxster SE, to Cayman S and now 997 GT3. All progressions due to track addiction. We have a 987 Boxster Tip as cruiser/fun-in-the-sun machine. Everyone of them a joy to drive and own, just different.

 

05 987S to 07 997S cab
I feel more confident on the 987S in the corner, the 997S, I am not used to it yet to push too close to the limit. But I can see on the speed odometer, I already passed the speed the 987S can do.
And the P-Zero tires, it always give me a high pitch sound during corners....scared me a bit

 

Probably didn't see it because those of us who switched don't read the Boxster forum! I had a Boxster S and modded it, then traded it to my wife and got a 996 Cab. I regret it in that the handling is much better in the Boxster- you just point it at the curve and hit the gas! But the 996 is bigger and a bit more of a luxury sport car, and i can get my kids in the back seat for a short ride. I honestly like the Box styling better, and the performance is only better in the 996 on the straights. I raced her home the other night, and she beat me from a rolling start and in the tight twisties. I only got in front of her when we had a long straightaway. OH sure, she could be a better driver, but i won't admit that.

 

I had a 986 Boxster and it was a pleasure to drive. I feel that the boxster is a better, more confident handler but the interior size and power of the 997 is much more comfortable.