I am trying to decide which to order. I realize that this is a 991 forum and many will be biased, but I often get great advice on these boards.

A little background - I currently have a 2011 BMW M3 with DCT and before that had a 2008 997S manual.

I loved the way my 997 drove and performed, but other aspects of it left me wanting. The car lacked basic creature comforts such as ipod compatibility and bluetooth for my phone that really bothered me and wasn't comfortable for my then 6"3', 302 pound fat *** (I have since undergone a total lifestyle change and have dropped to a very fit 210 pound gym rat). In 2.5 years, I put about 8,000 miles on the Porsche.

The M3 is everything that my 997 was not - roomy, comfortable, and loaded with every high-tech doodad and gizmo imaginable. As a die hard stick shift driver, I convinced myself that paddles were the future and ordered the M3 with DCT. It's a great automatic transmission but it has helped reinforce my cold feelings on autos. The M3 is a great touring car. It's very fast and and handles well when pushed but I don't feel the same visceral connection that I did with the 911 (and no, I don't mean from my stomach rubbing against the steering wheel). A party who assumed a previous BMW lease that I had will be assuming the M3 lease in July.

I have decided to move back to a Porsche. My self-imposed budget cap is $75k but I could comfortable go up to $90k. I was considering a pre-owned 997.2S but I am the type that needs to have the latest and greatest and the 997s feel very dated to me.

I am very close to placing an order on a nicely-equipped manual 2013 Boxster S - full leather, PCM, Bose, PASM, Sport Chrono, 20" wheels, sport seats and some other goodies. MSRP works out to just under $77k. I had the chance to check out the Boxster in person last week at the NY auto show and I think it looks great - a huge step up from the current car. Plus the car is getting rave reviews in the press. Obviously, I have not had the chance to drive the car and will have to order it sight unseen.

A $77k Boxster is almost into 991 territory and has me questioning whether I should go that route - I can spec out a lightly optioned manual base 991 for right around $90k but it would be missing certain features (full leather, 20s, PASM, sport chrono) that I can get in the Boxster. I've test driven only a 991S in both PDK and 7 speed and really like it. The base 991s are not readily available. A new 991S is too rich for my blood.

So which would you choose? I am leaning toward the Boxster with all the bells but first I need to get over the "not a real Porsche stigma."

 

I was debating between the CaymanS and the 911S. The Cayman would have been much cheaper. The Cayman feels even lower to the ground, and the ride feels a little rougher and go-kart like. The 911 is so smooth! The new 911 also has a larger interior than the previous 997. My 13 year old who is about 5'2" has plenty of leg room in front with the seat forward enough to give my 9 year old tons of leg room in the backseat. I decided I wanted that back seat so I could have both kids with me if necessary.
Tough choice. I ended up bighting the bullet and going up to an MSRP of $120K to get all the gadgets. If you don't have kids, the Boxster or Cayman may be the better way to go if you are a gadget lover and on a tighter budget.

 

Until we are able to drive the new boxster it's really a question that can't be needed at this time.

You cant go wrong with either and the reviews of the new boxster have been pretty good.

And the boxster is a real Porsche. I've tracked mine and I have been passed by enough of them on the track to know what they can do.

However if you were asking about the 997/987 platform, as an owner of each I would go for the 997.

Mine is pretty bare bones but the rear engine drive is special.

 

Get a stripped Base Carrera hands down!
It is one beautiful, comfortable and freakin fast animal in its most basic form.
Just get the 20's for looks.

The new Boxster is nice too, but is no 911. it will be a great chick car IMO.

 

Whoever I hear someone call a boxster a chick car it's obvious to me they have never driven one.

Nor do they know much about driving and driving dynamics....IMHO of course.

 

Buckwheat, please lighten up and refrain from the ad hominem attack. The guy simply gave his opinion about a car.

 

It's not an opinion about a car it's an opinion on the buyer of a car.

And a stereotype. One that many would have thought had been put to rest by now.

And as someone who owns a boxster I don't agree with his opinion and hence I posted my opinion on people who stereotype the boxster. It was not a personal attack by any means.

 

I've owned 14 (about to be 15) Porsches over the past 45 years and several times I tried something other a 911 including a 356 (way back), a 944 and a 928 as well as C5 and C6 Corvettes. I always returned to a 911. That's my experience so obviously I recommend the 991. For $90 you can get a base with PDK (with sport plus), 20" wheels, sunroof and a couple other options. If you don't want a PDK, you can save some money.

ChuckJ

 

I agree. If you can only own one Porsche the 911 is the one to own for most people.

The boxster is a great car for what it is. A perfectly balanced, high performance roadster which on many turn heavy tracks can hang with a 911.

But the 911 driving feel is special and can not be matched by the boxster.

 

here is a nice short review of the new Boxster and as much as i love the 911 i fully agree with the Journalist´s verdict:
the new Boxster is no longer a poor man´s Porsche and it´s finally a Boxster that looks manly.
it stands on its own and looks fabulous imho (and a bit like the epic Carrera GT).
The 911 is THE icon and more powerful, but the new Boxster/Cayman is even better dynamically and
a real bargain in comparison. the 911 diehard fans won`t care too much tho, cause to them the 911 is the holy grail,
even if the new Boxster/Cayman is the "better" Porsche.

 

The new Boxster seems very promising without a doubt, but even a stripper 991 is very far ahead of the old 997 and imo a Boxster. The timeless classic Carrera is roomier, grown up and most of all a stunning car even in its "base" form.

Ask yourself if you need e.g. leather in places you don´t necessarily touch while driving the car - and the other options you listed.

Just my .02

 

Well put. Couldn't agree more.

 

Thanks for the replies so far. I don't buy that the Boxster is a girl's car. I know plenty of men, including my father, who own Boxsters. To me, the 991 has gotten too expensive and it seems like I would need to pass on many options that I want to have one. Where the Boxster gives me 9/10s of the base 991's performance with all of the goodies that I want plus the added benefit of a folding roof and a more balanced chassis.

 

Your point of view is a good one. I don't have enough talent to get anywhere near the performance capabilities of either of my cars.

You can't go wrong with either and the top down on the boxster makes for some great driving.


Good luck.

 

i have been following many discussions on the internet since the reveal of the new Boxster and i can`t remember one single person calling the new one a chick car again. positive comments all around. if you pick the Boxster you won`t be disappointed one bit imho.