C6 coupe (non-ZO6) vs Boxster S - opinions
 

Hi all,

I know this is a corvette forum but I would appreciate everyone's opinion. Let me start by saying I already have a deposit on a C6 and am awaiting delivery at some later date. I wasn't going to consider Porsche but a friend insisted. I did and now I'm torn. I've never spent this much on a vehicle and probably never will again so I want to make sure this is the right choice. The car will be a garage queen and I intend to keep the car as long as possible.

I test drove both a Boxster S and a Cayman (non-S) and I've got to say, both are very impressive.

The Cayman is very nice but underpowered. It's a well balanced vehicle and can be tossed around like no other. A Cayman S would be my choice (I know this without even a test drive) but unfortunately that is definitely out of my price range and when you add options...yeeesh!!! Way out there.

So now I'm struggling between the Boxster S and the Corvette. I can get a relatively stripped down Boxster for $5k more than a fully equipped vette (ie Z51, 3lt, transparent roof, chrome etc).

I love the Boxster's handling and "small" car feel. The power is good. Styling is getting a little dated. (nothing personal but Porsche hasn't changed the styling for a number of years). Essentially, I like the way the car feels from the inside and how it handles.

The vette, on the other hand, comes fully loaded. Feels bigger compared with the Boxster which translates to more room but suffers a little in the flickability department. The look is fresh but I'm sure, like the Porsche or any other car, it will look outdated soon enough. Nothing like a V-8 engine to start the morning BUT there is something to be said about the Boxster engine. The big thing is the reliability of the 'vette. It is questionable but there is a 5 yr/100,000 mile powertrain warranty. Bottom line, for the $$$, you get more "stuff" and the car looks so d@mn sexy.

What's everyone's take? I'm sure others have done the same comparison. Am I missing anything?

The other "bad" thing about Porsche is that the stealer made it sound hard to change the oil. Hard enough where, I should bring it in versus doing it myself. How hard could it be?

So now I'm not as sure as I was before the test drive. I'm sure it will come down to personal preference but opinions would still be appreciated.

Thanks!

Get the Z51 equipped MN6 Corvette.

It will outperform the Boxster S and looks better. As far as reliability, as with any car, its luck of the draw.

This is a Vette Forum and I'm sure that most of the guys here are going to point you toward the Vette. I know that there are members of this forum that have owned both Porche and Vette. I am not one, but if I were you, I would listen to those who have owned both.

A Vette of course. ;)

You would definately have to go with the "S" version to get any good performance. I test drove some Porsches myself and actually didn't like the cramped compartment, which is funny because if you put the Corvette next to a Boxster, you would be suprised about how close in size they are. As far as the oil change, with the Boxster and the Cayman (Hardtop Boxster), the engine is completely hidden. You would have to put the car on a rack and take off the bottom sheet metal to get to it. Remember the Boxster format has the engine compartment directly behind the seats for the 50-50 weight ratio that the Porsche is famous for. I don't know about the rest of the country but when I asked the Porsche dealer in Nashville, they said it is around $500.00 just to start to work on a Porsche.

I've had multiple older 911s. 911 was a great road car, no comparison to C3 when owned both. But with the C5 and C6, the Vette is now a world class car, too.

Vette doesn't have quite as sharp a "feel" driving on the road, but in every other respect I'll take it over Cayman S that I was considering. But I'll still wave if you buy the Boxter.

Ask forum member DANNOV; he has both and has tracked both and can give you an educated opinion.:cheers:

I have had the good fortune to have owned both. Let me give you the plus side of the Boxster S. Flat out the best handling car I have ever owned. The weight distribution and suspension make the car a dream in an autocross or track event. The larger brakes and HP of the S makes a comparision between it and a regular Boxster impossible. Totally different driving experience. Now that Porsche no longer offers free oil changes and the like, most shops work on them at very reasonable rates. You might have to buy oil filters on line and take them with you but, other than that, no big deal. Another plus is the amount of storage space in the car. You can get two full size airline roller bags in the front trunk and a ton more stuff in the rear trunk (1 set of golf clubs and more). Very well designed storage space. And, there is always the Cache'. A Porsche is still a Porsche.

Now, all that said, I wouldn't trade my C6 for one even up. Why? Well maybe it's because I've already had one, maybe it's because you just can't beat the raw power of a big V-8, maybe it's because the car is so comfortable, maybe it's because it just sounds like a sports car (with Corsa's) or, maybe it's because it's just so damn beautiful. With the 3LT I got every goodie I could possibly want (hell, just the HUD alone does it for me), sometime you just have to see Monty Red in the sunlight. There is so much metal flake in the paint that it just glows. The fit and finish of the car rivals any MB or Porsche (I've had three) that I have ever had. The best testimonial I can give you was when I told my wife I was buying a Vette she told me she would only keep the "dick" jokes up for 1 month. After driving in the car only twice she said "wow, this is much nicer and more fun than the Porsche, I'm really surprised."

So, they are both great cars that do what they were designed to do very well. Buy the one that makes your heart throb.

Good Luck,

You will get mostly crapped on here about the Boxter unfortunately. :smash: Buy the one that give's you the biggest woody. End of story. :cool:

Both cars have different appeals, the C6 is a great car for the dollar & way improved over the C5. It's fast, torquey and I love the lines. Other then a Turbo or GT3 it's more powerful too.

The Porsche has a nice feel about it when you are behind the wheel, the space inside...way better finish. Maybe a little more exclusive, dependimg where you live.

Don't let anyone else make your decision, it's your money. The dealership can sway you too...typically GM dealers are a joke. :willy:

Which one do you lose sleep over?

Good luck, enjoy your choice. :cheers:

Was in the same situation before I bought mine and could not decide which way to go. However, after driving some of the other choices, the power of the C6 won me over and I have never looked back....this is a great car. I see way more Boxsters, G35, 350Z, GTO's etc. on the road than I do C6's and that is another reason I am glad I went with the Vette. They are way to proud of the Cayman and the performance does not justify the asking price IMO.

Oh ya...and everyone will base their decision on performance #'s...there is more to a car then that...

The Boxster is a fine vehicle, but I have never thought it was much of a masculine car, and it is darn expensive. Here are ten reasons to buy a Corvette over the Boxster:

1. The Boxster exhaust doesn’t have a V8 rumble
2. I don’t know any songs written about a Boxster
3. I have never seen a Boxster with Craiger SS wheels
4. No nervous father has ever forbid his daughter to date someone because he drove a Boxster
5. I have never seen a poster of a Boxster in a garage next to a poster of Miss November
6. Metallica and Guns N Roses does not belong blaring out of Boxster speakers
7. My son has never drawn a picture of a Boxster complete with a flame paint job in elementary school
8. The police aren’t unreasonably suspicious of a Boxster
9. A Boxster does not run 170 MPH or turn 12’s in the quarter
10. A Boxster just doesn’t turn my head, warm my heart, or stir my soul

Your Call
 

As stated, the choice will likely come down to what you want rather than an objective comparison of the two cars.

As far as the reliability of the Vette, I haven't heard of many problems that the new 5 year powertrain warranty will cover.

Since it will be a garage queen, you should make a completely unabashed emotional choice IMHO.

At least if you pick the Vette you will get to see lots of beer mugs and dancing smilies with balloons from all of us. :crazy:

Have fun.

C6 vs Porsche
 

I looked at the Boxter S and Cayman too. Having had Porsches for 30 years you would think Porsche would be my new car buying decision.
Nope, chose the C6. Much more bang for the buck!.
Both the Porsche and Corvette are full of potential failure points due to all the modern complexities. At least Corvette is more maintainable and less expensive for most components.
Porsche in recent years has taken a "owner, hands off!" approach. They have made it difficult for us do it yourself folk. Also, the Boxter, and Cayman are subject to chronic cooling leaks and the dreaded rear main seal leak which Porsche will only fix under warranty but is a recurring problem.

Honestly, the Corvette C6 is a world class sports car. It handles much like the Porsche 928 series and 944 Turbo series. Not surprising since they, like the C6 and C5, have front engine, a torque tube and rear tranny.

That said, if you really like the unique feel of the mid or rear engine placement. Then, as the slogan says "Porsche, there is no substitute"
They still do make a great sports car, though, my personal opinion is that for the high price they no longer offer commensurate value.

I love mid engine placements...but never had much desire for the boxster...

I guess it's the looks...to me (no offense to any owners), it's a very feminine car that just doesn't do it for me...if I were a chick or gay, I might be more interested.

That said, it's not going to have the power of a C6. I've been driving powerful V8's for the last 1/2 dozen years and couldn't go back to something as slow as the boxster...

[QUOTE=MotoFanatic]The big thing is the reliability of the 'vette. It is questionable but there is a 5 yr/100,000 mile powertrain warranty./QUOTE]

It's only a big deal if you're used to Toyotas. The majority of corvette owners have very minor problems, or none (such is my case - on number three)

Looking to the future...

If you plan on keeping this car for as long as possible, you're going to be paying for repairs and maintainence out of warranty on either vehicle. In 15 years which car do you think is going to be more expensive to keep running?

Old Corvettes - always worth a double take :cool: . Old Porsches that aren't 911s - not hardly. When was the last time you were in awe of a 944 or 928 putting down the road?

Do you want an American icon with a deep rooted history or an entry level Porsche?

I also test drove the boxster at the time I test drove the vette - my impressions - I don't like the Boxster's look with the top up - I do like the lines and the look of the Cayman. I thought both their cockpits were cramped. I thought both had the best steering feel and handling of any car I drove to include the vette. I thought the V6 sounded weak compared to the V8 in the vette and while the boxster and the cayman were powerful it didn't have the same acceleration as the C6. Now the interiors on these cars are nicer than the C6, but I did not think that they were light years ahead of the C6. I also didn't like the fact that I would have to pay a bit more for the options that come on the vette.

To have to decide between these three wonderful cars is a problem most would like to have - I say go with the one you like the best - I think any would make you happy - for me, it was the vette (but I have always wanted one and I think if I had gone with a boxster or cayman I would wonder every time I saw a vette). Good luck!

C6 over boxter
 

I looked at the Cayman S and researched the car quite a bit and I can tell you that it is meant to handle and out power the Boxter S. With that said to get close to the same options as the Vette you need to spend at least $70,000 on the Cayman. Notice I did not mention the Boxter because it is not in the same class as the Vette and Cayman s. The C6 will make mince meat out of the Cayman s if equiped with the Z51 handling package. The Boxter cannot compete with the C6 in styling either. The Cayman is understated but looks good. The C6 is a knockout and it's America's sports car. If I gave up my C6 it would only be for the Cayman S and not the Boxter. That's not going to happen anytime soon.:smash:

Buy the one that makes you smile the biggest as you think of driving it.

Another downside to Porsches, besides their distinctly feminine nature, is that they depreciate horrendously. If cost is a major concern, then buy a year-old Porsche with low miles and save a solid 1/3 of the cost over a new one. :thumbs:

I have driven both and the feel of the Porsche, at least to me, was dissapointment. I expected it to be much quicker. It handles great but can't touch the torque of the Vette that you feel off the line or when you stomp on it.

The key concern is which one will leave the most room for your lawnmower in the garage.

What did the Porsche forum tell you????????:)

Bang for the Buck the C6 wins hands down.

I looked at the Cayman before I bought the C6, at the time I still had my 2005 350Z, and I could not see spending $60,000+ for basically the same power and performance as a 350Z I had just bought 3 months earlier for $27000.

While I was there I saw the Boxter S.
Too me, the looks of the Boxter don't stir up the same passion as the looks of the C6.

What will really sell you on the C6 is back to back drives in each car, once I went from the GREAT 350Z 6 cylinder to the EFFORTLESS ACCELERATION and Push in the back torque of the C6's V8, I was sold.

I say go C6, even better go C6 Z06 if you can swing it!:thumbs:

Good luck with your choice,

Howard

Park the two cars side by side and look at them. See which makes your heart flutter. It will be obvious.

I had all three on my short list, leaning towards a 911 first, however. Then price entered into it. 911 out. Cayman S is a great car, but you're looking at $60k+. Not a big fan ever of verts, so Boxster S gets pushed down the list--forget the Boxster. Performance-wise--having a 2000 WS6 Trans Am, the Cayman S was the only one that I couldn't dust in most races. Then there is the C6. Fastest, best looking, easiest to maintain and cheapest by far! $43.6 plus tax. Needed immediate improvements: Bullets and Aircharger, another $1150. $15,000 in my pocket and a car I've wanted for a long time. Easy decision. Not knocking Porsches as I have liked them for years--928 was my all time favorite car. But the Vette just wins in any comparison, period. The car mags even picked it over the 911S and that goes for 95 large! End of the day, gut level decision. As I said, mine was easy and I am very happy with it! :cheers:

As lager99 pointed out, there is a lot more to the car experience than raw performance. Having said that, it's hard to imagine any sports car, or any car at all, that would be more comfortable for road trips than our C6. Lots of luggage room in the Coupe version.

When i was doing track weekends in our previous C5 (Z51 but automatic trans) a Boxster was just a speed bump. The Boxster S would take a little longer before I passed him but it always happened sooner rather than later. This is with drivers that seemed to be of equal skill.

I got a big kick out of some of the comments in this thread. First of all, I got out of my three year lease early and dumped my 2004 Boxster. I replaced it with a C6. The Boxster doesn't have 50/50 weight distribution as someone said. It's more like 46/54. The low polar moment of inertia achieved with a mid-engine layout is why the handling is second to none. It is much better mannered on bumpy roads, especially on bumpy curved roads, than the C6. In fact, I'd say it was the best handling car I've ever driven. The brakes were superb too. Now for the bad news. When the car was 18 months old, Porsche replaced the whole engine. The car was back to the dealer for a power steering leak within weeks. A month later, it went back to the dealer for an engine oil leak. Less than a month later, back again for another power steering leak. The radio was replaced once and the top was replaced twice. The thrill was gone. My neighbor has a 2003 911 and Porsche replaced his engine a year or so ago too. The dealer told me that engine failures are running about 5% to 7% of production. Turbo's and GT-3's have a completely different engine and far fewer problems. The first service at the Porsche dealer was $650 and the second one was $850. Most of the comments about the things that happen to a Corvette but don't happen to a Porsche, like flames and Guns and Roses songs, don't happen to Ferrari's or Lamborghini's either.
I test drove a C6 and had a woody for a week so in my garage it sits. My base Boxster was exactly the same price as my C6 with 2LT, Z51 and polished wheels. It's got almost double the horsepower of the Boxster with cheaper insurance and better gas mileage. Biggest no brainer in the history of Earth.

I'm a 1997 Boxster to C6 convert. I'm planning to put a comparison between the two on my blog in the near future, after I've taken the C6 to the track.

IMO, the Boxster still does a few things better, as from my first autocross. At half the power of the C6, it probably could have gone just as fast around that autocross course. And it's a more enjoyable car to drive on the back roads thanks to the superior steering feel, sharper turn in. There's a greater sense of immediacy in the Porsche from its more compact dimensions, snugger fitting cockpit, and snugger seats.

http://wheeltalk.fancal.net/?p=671

And the 993 review I have highlights what I think to be the best about Porsche, that it captures the essense of the sports car so well, in an efficient, and practical package.

http://wheeltalk.fancal.net/?p=730

OTOH, I love the C6 as well. It's hard to argue against the power. It is a very capable and good handling car in its own right when put on more wide open roads, or wide open autocross courses. It's clearly superior as a grand tourer. The attributes that make the Porsche great for back road driving - firm seats, tight interior, become a greater liability for long distance cruising.

And for me, Corvettes are rarer in my neck of the woods, whereas Porsches are a dime a dozen. So that factors as well. That and the fact that I have my 3LT coupe with nav for probably the
discounted price I can get for a basic Boxster S.

But for those arguments about Porsche reliability, my 1997 Boxster had been more reliable than both my 2002 Subaru and 1996 BMW. It had been quite bullet proof. Porsches are expensive to maintain but are very well made.

Velocity Steve is right on.
 

:iagree:
As his post says, Porsche has many quality control problems these days. Friends of mine with 996 and Boxter models have had similiar experiences with coolant leaks, oil leaks, and P steering leaks. Trouble is, after the warranty you are on your own. That is one big reason depreciation has been so steep with their water cooled cars.

"If it doesn't leak it isn't a Porsche" is a well worn phrase in the Porsche community. I for one, lament they gave up dry sump and went with the "cheap" motors for production cars. Used to be every 911 had the heart of a race motor. GT2, GT3 and Turbo still do, but at a big cost. Attention Porsche! See dry sump Corvette ZO6

Weight distribution is an interesting topic. The 911 has a huge rear weight bias. Boxter and Cayman are better but still far short of the Corvette C6 at near 50/50. The difference is in lightness of the front end which translates to nimbleness. Arguably, that lightness equates to a go-cart like feel. However, physics will tell the truth every time.
A Porsche 944 turbo (near 50/50) or a C6 will out corner the mid/rear engined Porsche in steady state cornering- Until power is applied. Then, the rear weight bias design will put power down a little more effectively. Overall, the 50/50 design will corner faster, assuming braking equality. (another whole issue)
Personally, I always felt insecure driving the 911 and 914/6 on track because of the oversteer feel. A 944 Turbo inspires great confidence because of the better weight distribution.
The C6 is that much better yet!! The Corvette design team did a great job!!

#'s 1-10 (all of the above) are what led Tony Soprano's cousin Ralph Cipparetto to declare... "The Boxter is a Porsche with panties.". :lol:

Man, 99% of Boxturds are drive by WOMEN,.................... or men that want to be women!!! :willy: :willy: :willy:

i have owened both brands and loved them both. the vette has much more power and torque. great handling but not as sharp as porsche. style is clear winner for vette. interior fit and finish goes to porsche.

regular maintenance on porsche is much more expensive that vette--everything--oil changes, air filters, tune ups, breaks.

this is a matter of taste--you will be happy with either one. however, nothing like being pinned in your seat with 400 pounds of torque.

The C6 is world class. Buy America's sports car...The Corvette! :flag:

:iagree: :flag: :party:
http://jimbillups.com/vette_1.jpg

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: I was just waiting for the girlie car comment, but the second part this is a good laugh as well.

That only leaves 1% for the Euro Snobs? You're gonna hurt their feelings...

Porsche does not do it for me, nice car but I would take a '73 Camaro over the Porsche.

I will take any Vette. You now know where the passion lies...:D

Corvettes are rarer in my neck of the woods, whereas Porsches are a dime a dozen. So that factors as well.

:iagree: Porsches are still very good cars, but where I live I see so many old men smoking cigars in them on way to Starbucks it's sort of laughable. I have had many people in 911s, 6 series verts, MB SL 500s and others stop me to talk about my car. A vette is still special.

I HAD THE SAME CHOICE OF CARS AND THESE WERE ALL THE REASONS I WENT FOR THE VETTE. BESIDES THE ONE THING THAT BOTHERED ME MOST WAS TOO MANY CHICKS DRIVE BOXSTERS AND EVEN PORSCHE LOVERS KINDA LOOK DOWN ON THE BOXSTER AS A SUBPAR SUBSTITUTE. PERSONALLY I LIKE THE CAYMAN, BUT LIKE YOU SAID YOU GOTTA GET THE "S" TO FEEL THE PERFORMANCE. GL :thumbs:

I owned 2 Boxsters including the S and when they became so common and most were driven by women I got rid of it and bought the Vette. I would have had to buy the 911 to get away from that "chick car" thing which for some reason just bugged me even though it is a terrific car. By the way I did all my own oil changes on the Porsche; it's not hard when you figure out the system. The Vette drives nicer on the freeway and sounds better and obviously has more power. I wasn't overwhelmed by the build quality of the Porsche; I remember all the Boxster owners complaining about the crappy upgraded radio-sound familiar! I drove used 911's prior to buying my new Vette and even the used ones were about $10 to 20,000 more than the Vette. I just couldn't justify it and I didn't think it performed any better on back-to- back test drives. If I could have afforded a used 911 turbo in good shape I would have bought that.

Why I bought a Boxster
 

I own an '06 Boxster and I love it. Before I go further, let me tell you that I think the C6 Corvette is an amazing piece of work and for the money practically supernatural. In the image department, the Vette is an edgy, masculine car; the Boxster, like all Porsches since 1948, has rounded, feminine lines. The Vette makes powerful American hot rod sounds; the Porsche has more of a wail. Floor it and the Vette will pin you to your seat; the Boxster absolutely will not (although it's no slug). The Vette will never be called "cute." My car gets called "cute" all the time. What's interesting is that I don't care. This car is nothing but fun.

I'm a grown man married to the same girl for 31 years; I'm neither a chick nor gay. James Dean and Steve McQueen were both Porsche pilots, and they weren't chicks or gay, either.

But I didn't buy it for what others think of it or me. I bought it because I like driving it. What I like most about it -- and this may sound funny -- is that you don't have to be going fast to have fun. It's a pleasure at every speed, from crawling at 6 mph through side streets in seaside towns to screaming along at 130. Vettes put up fantastic numbers in road tests and on race tracks. But the average, everyday, real-world speed that you and I actually drive is about 28 mph. The occasional stomp on the on-ramp is about the only rush we can reasonably get on the street, and in the Vette, the fun's over in about three seconds. (Great three seconds, but really brief.)

The Boxster, on the other hand, is fun on the complete drive. It handles like a fish darting through water. It changes direction better than any car on the planet except another Porsche. It is incredibly balanced, has super-communicative steering, a buttery clutch and shifter, and simply the world's best brakes. With the top down (the only way to drive), it offers huge visibility in every direction. Although it has nearly the same physical dimensions as the Vette, the sensation is very different; those feminine "hips" slope out of your line of sight, where the Vette's remain visible and make the car feel bigger and more "present." The Boxster tends to disappear beneath you.

Thing is, the Boxster's qualities are not speed dependent; they are in play and enjoyable on literally every drive. The Boxster's skid-pad numbers are above 1.0 -- even better than the Corvette's -- but like all the other numbers, this is academic; on the street, neither you nor I will ever see those numbers. And that 180-mph top speed is academic, too, as is the Boxster's 160-mph ceiling. We just never go there.

So I like the Boxster because it's so much fun where we actually live and drive -- on real streets at real speeds with as many romps around mountain roads as we can fit in.

So that's why I bought the Boxster.

And PS: If you're Porsche shopping, skip the options list. I bought my car brand-new off the lot for $45,365. No HUD, no bi-xenon lights, just a simple, classic sports car. And did I mention that it's fun?

One other car to drive
 

Interesting that we all have cars that make our heart throb.
I too have looked at both cars and both are different. Another car I considered was the BMW ZM. With 330 hp. it has more of a V-8 push when you get on it. The four years of free maintence with the purchase is something I considered strongly. It is a car you have to drive agressively to get the performance equal to or above the Cayman S but it is very fun to do so.
For me it was the Z4M or the C-6. Both pull strong and can more then hold their own. Both are different and again it is which on makes your heart throb.

A friend has a 1984 Porsche - 944 turbo - anyway he bought it to keep it 'forever'. Well, he had some suspension issues (expected for a 20 year old car). It cost him 12,000 to replace it. The bills on this thing are super high. He is selling it now, and swore off Porsche. For the amount of money he is spending to maintain it, he said he could have a Ferrari.

A poor man Posche, but not cheap, more $$$ than a Vette. Niether ride is cheap! Just the Posche come's off that way...

The M Coupe (or Roadster) have 6 cylinder engines, same as the '06 M3. Great engine, but not a V8.

haha yeah! I always say that since that episode. :iagree: