I am currently in the process of looking for a replacement for my car and was wondering if any of you had experience with both the boxster S and the carrera and could maybe compare the driving experience maybe pros/cons or why I would want a boxster versus a carrera and vice versa.

obvious differences:

Boxster S
mid - engine design
smaller engine
only convertible available at the moment

911
more expensive
rear-engine design
rear and four wheel drive available

also, how worth it do you guys think it is to wait and compare the next generation Boxster to the 997?

Thanks
Mike

 

Mike,

Contact Arling at Lucent Motors, I am sure that Arling could provide some good data and personal opinions on both cars.

Hope that helps, and welcome to the Board...

Rich,

 

Rich,
thanks for the kind word.

Mike,
looks like u do have a Boxster S currently, so u should know better what the car can do. even though i don't own a Boxster but got few chances to drive it hard during the PDE as well as dealer's loaner car :P. all i can say is i'm really impressed with the handling compare to C2/C4S even Turbo due to the mid engine design. however, Carrera(s) sure feel more solid (coupe) & more pratical at least u have rear seats & more room. no need to mention the hp difference, the Carrera just feel a lot faster than Boxster. not knowing which model exactly u're looking at is really tough to compare since the price could be more than 30k in difference. ur budget is more important i guess.

as for 997, i like the style but i'd stay away to the first production year car since a lot of bugs need to be work out later. also the price will be higher because i don't think dealer is willing to give discount on them that fast. IMO now is good time to get a new 996 if u don't really care the 997 style. u'll get huge discount on it & it's a rock solid car.

let us know what u decide!

 

I have a C4 and have driven many Boxsters.

I really like the ads that position it side by side with the 356 convertible and the extra power in the S is very noticeable. Style wise they (996/986) are different cars and both fantastic.

I 'believe' that people choose the 996 over the 986 for the 'two Ps' (Prestige and Power) 1) Presitige (it is more $$ and there are fewer) and 2) extra Power.

My $.02

 

well actually 3 boxsters and an 02 996 and am a 997 waiter....so my two cents.....

The performance of the 996 + the 2 extra seats are Great....A sports car and the worlds best at it..if you can live with less accelaeration and the extra 2 seats the Boxster is a great car with loads of fun factor at a much lower price. The Mid Engine is great.....

In the end both are great cars.....

 

I bought a 2001 Boxster S for my wife and I sold my 99 996 for a 01 996TT. They are all great cars and perform very well. I have taken all these to the track and they performed extremely well. My only two complains about the Boxsters are no back seat and limited leg room.

Good luck shopping.

*****