Notch

It doesn't take pushing a Boxster to the limit to enjoy the mid-engine experience. There is a big difference between the front engine arrangement and the mid-engine arrangement even at street legal speeds.

PeterK

I think one only needs to consider that MX5 is a copy of a vintage british sports car. Boxter is a modern german car.

Dave68

I didn't find that to be the case. The Boxster does have more amenities than my touring edition MX-5, but they do nothing to augment pure driving satisfaction. Remember, too that some people can differentiate a $5000 stereo system (auto) from a $2500 system. If I can't appreciate a significant difference, then the "high end" system wouldn't be worth the money to me. I guess that's why I'd rather buy a $1200 Windows ultrabook over a $2200 Apple equivalent.

Dave68

My former coworker had his Boxster's 100,000 mile clutch replaced, along with a few other"issues". The bill was $6000. My niece had her MX-5's clutch replaced at about the same mileage. Her bill was $600.

Mazda makes its cars simple so that even an average Joe can own one, long after the warranty has expired. For that, I admire this company. I can't say the same for Porsche.

Notch

Who said anything about amenities?? I am talking about the driving experience, not listening experience, or leather experience, or anything other than the man-machine driving interface experience.

Notch

Whether or not someone can afford to own a Boxster in no way impacts the outstanding mid-engine driving experience someone gets while driving the car.

tjZ06

I've said it before, I'll say it again: Dave86 is an idiot. I'm not sure why he's permanently attached himself to Mazda's *******, but he's far too busy with his face in their nether region to see that there are better cars. Come on, you're using a survey taken on a MX-5 owner's forum to prove that MX-5s are comfortable for bigger guys? Let the OP just go sit in one and figure it out.

I love driving a well setup NA Miata... for about an hour. Then I want some power if I'm on the track or some comfort if I'm not. NBs and NCs just got progressively softer, heavier and less rewarding to drive without too much in the way of comfort or power gains.

A nicely setup 986 will be rewarding to drive, but comfortable at the same time. It's also a unique driving experience that you can't really get without spending a ton more money (or living with a old-*** MR2). Miatas or Buttsters are going to get you flack for having a girl's car, so you might as well have the better one to drive...

-TJ

Dave68

I was comparing attributes and differences between the two cars, based upon my own driving experiences.


I brought up cost differences because of Peter's comment about British sports cars and German engineering. Mazda is somewhat like GM with the Corvette in that they produce more bang for the buck sports cars. Sales figure comparisons show that this is a good strategy with total sales of MX5 well over one million. (and we all know how impractical sports cars can be.....

PeterK

You must agree that the price of owning a used boxster compares favorably to the price of owning other used mid-engined cars that can be had in this price range e.g. F328, lotus elise, etc.

Dave68

Yes, I agree, but as we all should know, just because you can buy something, doesn't necessarily mean you can afford it. Certainly, though, you can keep expenses low by not piling on the miles. I noticed that there are far more high-mileage MX-5s of current generation than there are high-mileage Boxsters. Perhaps the fun per dollar ratio for MXs allows folks to drive more often.

JerriVette

I also noticed the excellent pricing on what seem like low mileage well cared for boaters but his story about high maintaince costs have kept me away.

Any aftermarket warranties that could be purchased to avoid horrid pitfalls? Ie complete engine failure?

PeterK

You certainly can.