Vette vs Boxster
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 638
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From: The South
Vette vs Boxster
Okay I know this question has probably been hased over dozens of times but since I am new to the forum could I get some observations:
I have a 07 Honda S2000 and it's fun to drive but a bit small for long trips>
I am looking at a "vette" or boxster: what are the pros and cons of each? Since this is a "vette" forum I assume everone on here would reccomend the "vette" but I would like some practical observations from experienced "vette" owners>
I am looking mainly for a little fun, looks, reliability and comfort: I am not a hot rodder just a crusier who likes to punch it every once in a while.
Thanks
I have a 07 Honda S2000 and it's fun to drive but a bit small for long trips>
I am looking at a "vette" or boxster: what are the pros and cons of each? Since this is a "vette" forum I assume everone on here would reccomend the "vette" but I would like some practical observations from experienced "vette" owners>
I am looking mainly for a little fun, looks, reliability and comfort: I am not a hot rodder just a crusier who likes to punch it every once in a while.
Thanks
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 372
Likes: 1
From: HI
Vette, no question.
Be ye VERY careful with the Boxsters made between 1997-2002 or so. They have SEVERE engine problems, bad design causes some intermediate shaft in the engine to crack the crank case.
Porsche customer service makes Chevy's look like .....BMW's; it's bad, really bad. Do a google search on Boxster engine problems and govern yourself accordingly.
Now for the obviously biased portion of my rant:
So far as a car to car comparison goes, the Vette looks MUCH better ( not a chick car, IMHO), is bigger, faster, and an icon to boot. Gas mileage is about the same, from what I've seen.
You may wanna also check out the BMW Z4 series........
Enjoy your purchase, whatever the final decision.
Be ye VERY careful with the Boxsters made between 1997-2002 or so. They have SEVERE engine problems, bad design causes some intermediate shaft in the engine to crack the crank case.
Porsche customer service makes Chevy's look like .....BMW's; it's bad, really bad. Do a google search on Boxster engine problems and govern yourself accordingly.
Now for the obviously biased portion of my rant:
So far as a car to car comparison goes, the Vette looks MUCH better ( not a chick car, IMHO), is bigger, faster, and an icon to boot. Gas mileage is about the same, from what I've seen.
You may wanna also check out the BMW Z4 series........
Enjoy your purchase, whatever the final decision.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,939
Likes: 448
From: CHOCOWINITY NC
Small but with (2) trunks so the loading capacity oughta at least equal a Vette coupe. They are 2 very different cars though. I just sold a Boxster to get a Vette (not here yet). I'd drive them both. As a Touring car, I think the Vette will excell. If you're a corner carver, then the boxster. Both will feel more substantial than your S2000
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,324
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From: MN
I own/have owned both cars you are considering. My thoughts:
1. The Boxster is a fine car. It is quite small, though, and doesn't really have a lot of "oomph" to it. Meant as a decent handling, touring car. A Boxter S is better suited to your tastes, but late models of this are still quite expensive. Early production did have serious engine issues, along with other issues that every car goes through. Porsche has fixed it, but the problem I have with Porsche is that everything "has to come from Germany." It seems like getting a light bulb is a 3 week production with them. Plus, parts are sky high. Everyone talks about the "Vette tax" in here, causing parts to be really expensive. Try buying Porsche parts, and you'll see that it isn't so bad.
2. The Vette - a fantastic car. Parts are readily available, but dealer support is hit-and-miss to say the least. A couple of known issues - the roof recall, DBS, the rear gear chatter issue, and some other smaller stuff. Gobs of power and quite comfortable for the long haul. A base car could certainly fill your requirements, and they are quite reasonable these days - look for an 05 that has all the work done on it.
1. The Boxster is a fine car. It is quite small, though, and doesn't really have a lot of "oomph" to it. Meant as a decent handling, touring car. A Boxter S is better suited to your tastes, but late models of this are still quite expensive. Early production did have serious engine issues, along with other issues that every car goes through. Porsche has fixed it, but the problem I have with Porsche is that everything "has to come from Germany." It seems like getting a light bulb is a 3 week production with them. Plus, parts are sky high. Everyone talks about the "Vette tax" in here, causing parts to be really expensive. Try buying Porsche parts, and you'll see that it isn't so bad.
2. The Vette - a fantastic car. Parts are readily available, but dealer support is hit-and-miss to say the least. A couple of known issues - the roof recall, DBS, the rear gear chatter issue, and some other smaller stuff. Gobs of power and quite comfortable for the long haul. A base car could certainly fill your requirements, and they are quite reasonable these days - look for an 05 that has all the work done on it.
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 247
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From: LongBeach NewYork
heres all i can say , maybe it will help a little. If you get the boxster your gonna regret it and want your s2000 back . I owned an s2000 and had a friend who owned a boxster . The s2000 handles better and is a little quicker and def. a cheaper car to maintane. I am currently trying to buy a corvette so i cant really give you a compareson on that note but im sure its a whole different world. good luck with your dessicion.
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I finally got around to watching an episode of The Soprannos on Saturday. They had a segment that included an amusing line:
"A Boxter is a Porsche with panties on."
I've never driven a Boxter, so I don't know anything about their handling characteristics, but my impression is that they do not perform favorably when compared to a Corvette.
But then, they were not designed to compete with a Corvette. I've heard that they were designed to compete with a Miata.
Bottom line: You should get the car that puts a smile on your face.
"A Boxter is a Porsche with panties on."
I've never driven a Boxter, so I don't know anything about their handling characteristics, but my impression is that they do not perform favorably when compared to a Corvette.
But then, they were not designed to compete with a Corvette. I've heard that they were designed to compete with a Miata.
Bottom line: You should get the car that puts a smile on your face.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 638
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From: The South
Thanks for the great observations:
The reviews all talk about how great the Boxster is and they talk about the Z06 but only mention the regular C6. I don't won't to pay 70sk for a weekend car but the 40s-50s is in my budget.
My 07 Honda S is manual and it's alot of fun, but has no storage room at all. Not even room for owners manual. But it runs like a go-cart and handels extremely well. I have had no problems with it at all-in my 5 months of ownership, so reliability is a big deal for me. I can't work on squat!
The "vette" just always catches my eye and there is something to be said about the 'all american sports car."
Looking at a new Victory Red-07 3LT manual.
What are the major differences in the 1LT, 2LT and 3LT?
The reviews all talk about how great the Boxster is and they talk about the Z06 but only mention the regular C6. I don't won't to pay 70sk for a weekend car but the 40s-50s is in my budget.
My 07 Honda S is manual and it's alot of fun, but has no storage room at all. Not even room for owners manual. But it runs like a go-cart and handels extremely well. I have had no problems with it at all-in my 5 months of ownership, so reliability is a big deal for me. I can't work on squat!
The "vette" just always catches my eye and there is something to be said about the 'all american sports car."
Looking at a new Victory Red-07 3LT manual.
What are the major differences in the 1LT, 2LT and 3LT?
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From: Virginia Bch VA
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St. Jude Donor '06
Vette is bigger on the inside
More cargo room in the coupe - 2x that of the Porche
26-29 MPG on trips vice 22 with the P
6 way adj seats w/adjustable lumbar & side bolsters
More cargo room in the coupe - 2x that of the Porche
26-29 MPG on trips vice 22 with the P
6 way adj seats w/adjustable lumbar & side bolsters
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,786
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From: Pleasanton California
Going from a S2000, you will not need Z06 power to feel satisfied I think...the regular coupe or convertable has exhilarating power.
You are looking for handling, so I would reccomend a Corvette that has the Z-51 suspension option. Even with that, it is going to feel like a bigger car than what your used to, especially when you are not pushing it through the turns. The Corvette has a variable steering setup that stiffens up at higher speeds, and feels more loose at slower speeds.
You are looking for handling, so I would reccomend a Corvette that has the Z-51 suspension option. Even with that, it is going to feel like a bigger car than what your used to, especially when you are not pushing it through the turns. The Corvette has a variable steering setup that stiffens up at higher speeds, and feels more loose at slower speeds.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,753
Likes: 210
From: North Western Connecticut
I've put a fair amount of miles on my BIL's Boxster and there is NO WAY I'd trade it for my vette. Doesn't have enough power and it's too small. If it was strictly an around town car it might not be a bad choice but it really doesn't compare favorably to a C6 in almost any category! Drive them both back to back and then tell us what you think.... 
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 247
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From: LongBeach NewYork
I went from the S2000 to a bmw 745 and it feels like i am driving a boat , literally , its bad . Hey have you ever found the secret compartment in the s2000 yet . its in the center compartment theres a hidden button and then the whole thing opens, you can fit about 3 cans of soda in it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 832
Likes: 30
From: Georgia
I have taken the vette on some long trips with my wife and have no complaints. Drove to DC, Naples, Charleston, and am going to Naples again. I get ~30mpg, my wife can pack heavy, and I still have the ability to drop it into third and put a smile on my face.
Have you driven a vette? If not, you should, but bring your checkbook.
Have you driven a vette? If not, you should, but bring your checkbook.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,526
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From: Toronto Canada
There are many Porsche fans that praise the Boxster beyond the car's real qualities. They say it is a real performer on road race track.
I say it is just hype. The current Boxster S was proven slower than the C6 Corvette by SportAuto on the Hockenheim track:
Corvette 1m14.8s
Boxster S 1m15.6s
Considering that the Boxster S is more expensive and slower I let the decision to you
I say it is just hype. The current Boxster S was proven slower than the C6 Corvette by SportAuto on the Hockenheim track:
Corvette 1m14.8s
Boxster S 1m15.6s
Considering that the Boxster S is more expensive and slower I let the decision to you
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,888
Likes: 4,342
From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
There are many Porsche fans that praise the Boxster beyond the car's real qualities. They say it is a real performer on road race track.
I say it is just hype. The current Boxster S was proven slower than the C6 Corvette by SportAuto on the Hockenheim track:
Corvette 1m14.8s
Boxster S 1m15.6s
Considering that the Boxster S is more expensive and slower I let the decision to you
I say it is just hype. The current Boxster S was proven slower than the C6 Corvette by SportAuto on the Hockenheim track:
Corvette 1m14.8s
Boxster S 1m15.6s
Considering that the Boxster S is more expensive and slower I let the decision to you
Never seen a Boxter or Cayman in GT2
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,566
Likes: 6
From: Land of 10,000 taxes
getting a Boxter is like getting a Harley Sportster, other owners of the marque will look at you like you couldn't afford one of the more desireable models 
plus you'll get your butt waxed by Vette owners and be mistaken for a Toyota MR2
plus you'll get your butt waxed by Vette owners and be mistaken for a Toyota MR2