I have had my 996 cab. for over 6 months now and I am starting to feel that the boxster handling is better as I own both cars. I am still not sure how well my 996 is set up , it's going in for a full alignment in the spring . My boxster S has the ROW M030 set up in it and in many back to back drives the boxster seems to be much better balanced and even more fun . Is it me or my 996 or is the mid engined car better in the handling department ? I would like to hear some thoughts on this ? Most on the boxster forum believe the boxster is better but i always chalked that up to 911 envy .

 

In general mid engine cars handle better because of the weight distribution. There are a lot of things you can do to improve the handling on a 996. Lowering the car will help as will adjustable swaybars.

 

The 996 has a PSS9 set up with gt3 bars and tarrett drop links . I do not think the current set up in tuned correctly . It seems like the rear weight tranfers to abruptly. I even installed new motor mounts and no change . the car just seems loose over all .

 

My car is lowerd with H&R springs, ca 30 mm. Does not feel loose at all, rather the opposite.

 

That's a 911! Try having the suspension tuned at an indy that races, tell them you want a more neutral handling.

 

I took a good look at the sway bars today . the front bar is set at the softest setting and the rear bar is one setting in from the softest position. I am thinking that this is might be the problem . i have played with the pss9 settings many times and it does not seem to make a drastic change . i also think i am looking for it to feel like a boxster and that it will never be.

 

Yes, you will never get them to feel the same because of weight distribution. Best thing to do IMO is play with the suspension until you get it the way you like it and feels good and have fun.

 

This is my assessment after driving many of these cars back to back. 1st thing you should do is take your 996 to the best shop to corner balance & set the ride height of you suspension, then reevaluate your next step.

 

I'm having the same thought/reservations and, like you say, I'm chalking it up to 911 envy. You may have seen my posts on the 986 forum, but after 6 weeks with my 996 I am going to sell.

At the end of the day, the 2 seat roadster is more my style. I've always felt this, but thought I was missing out on not having a 911. I still have the Boxster, so I drive the cars back to back and the Boxster leaves the bigger smile on my face. It's basic physics that the Boxster will be the better handling car, especially without all the computer controlled do-dads, PSM, TC, etc....

To each is own, and many will have their opinions, but I prefer the Boxster. It was interesting when I was on a 911 p-car ride in the mountains that I could hang with the group in the twists and turns....even though it's just a 2.5. Of course come into a straight away and the guys would blow past me, but that's takes no skill as a driver.

I feel I'm being fair in my comparison as the Boxster is a 1999 base and the Carrera is a 1999 with TC and limited slip diff. Yes, there are better 911's that would give me more thrill and performance (a la 996TT, etc..) but those cars are well over 2-3 times the cost.

 

The boxster really does have something that the 911 can not deliver . The 911 just feels odd after driving a boxster. the boxsters biggest problem is the lack of power . I have an 03 S and it feels way down on power compare to my 01 996 . I still really like the 911 though, it's a better cruiser and more comfortable. I was thinking when the time comes i with sell both and get a 987 S DI car .

 

This, is of course, the reason they make different models! And if the Boxter brings a smile to your face that the 911 does not, keep the Boxter and have fun!

 

My 02 996 was much better after I had my indy set it up. I have driven Cayman S, Boxter S and preferred the 911 over both. But that is just my opinion. All are nice cars and you can't really go wrong with any of them.

 

So back to the OP question, yes I feel the Boxster to be a bit better balanced and handles better. Of course this is comparing 2 stock vehicle, both of which I currently own. Does the 996 C4S or TT handle better than my base Boxster.....probably.

As for a mid engine car being an inherently better handling vehicle, I'd have to say yes. With price being no object, I'd say the Carrera GT probably handles better than the 991. I've yet to drive either one, so this is my educated guess.

 

The 986s is more fun in the corners, but as others have said there's no power. There are things that i enjoy with both cars. I would imagine in a few years i might go with a newer boxster s which has much more power.