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C6 Corvette vs 987 Boxster
blacktalon
Member Posts: 203
Yeah, I know. Very different cars.
Still, since they're both purpose-built sports cars at a similar price point, I'm curious whether anyone has driven and/or cross-shopped both.
Of course, the Corvette is much, much faster and the Boxster is much more refined. I'm not asking about 0-60 times or the quality of interior materials, but more the subjective "fun-to-drive" factor.
Both cars are built to be fun and exciting. Which put more of a smile on your face?
Still, since they're both purpose-built sports cars at a similar price point, I'm curious whether anyone has driven and/or cross-shopped both.
Of course, the Corvette is much, much faster and the Boxster is much more refined. I'm not asking about 0-60 times or the quality of interior materials, but more the subjective "fun-to-drive" factor.
Both cars are built to be fun and exciting. Which put more of a smile on your face?
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My smile is pretty wide today, just into the 2:00.8 range at Sears Point main road course with a stock engine C5 coupe on street tires. I did have fun dicing with a track prep coil over Boxster S on race tires but after he let me by I was able to pull about a second per lap faster and we were both passing 911's by the boat load. He was surprised when we connected in the paddock that I was on 220 wear rating street tires but that should have been noticable since at that pace they scream a lot.
Randy
Actually, my one experience driving a Boxster was on a tight autocross track. Handling through the slalom was amazing -- but that's probably not representative of the daily driving experience...
You have no idea how much trouble it's gotten me into!
Enjoy the Boxster and if you are ever on track, enjoy the handling!
;-)
But, how long would it take to get there? That is the
part of the equation that many former Boxster owners
have come to realize. Having never exceeded 165 mph,
I can say it got there pretty quick, and it wasn't a
Boxster!
the boxter is most of all a roadster whci classes with the bmw roadster the miatta and such cars the vette is an american classic muscle car one gets two very different experices from these cars which is meant vette class in porsche models would be 928 gts or gt carrera now you are comparing apples to apples
82 928 5sp
99 carrera 5sp
96 vette auto :shades:
No such thing. 911 went to 6-speed transmission 4 years earlier in 1995. :shades:
Randy
Is there a similar club like PCA or BMWCCA for Vettes? I googled and found a Corvette Club of America that seems oriented to show cars rather than autocross/driver education events. Am I not looking in the right place?
events. The NCCC and WSCC, National and Western States
groups seem to focus on auto-x and drag events for
performance. Most track Vettes run with multi-marque clubs
of which there are many in all parts of the country. Then
there are SCCA and NASA track events as well but at least
for NASA usually more crowded. Check the schedule at what
is your local road course and you can usually get who is
renting the track and go from there.
Randy
Competing for a Darwin Award are you?
"30K cheaper..."
Before you depart, can you tell me the name of the dealer selling loaded Boxsters for $30,000.
"...a similiarly equipped conv corvette."
Oh, so you ordered the P3 option (Porsche Performance Package) that adds 200 HP. How much did that run you? :P
that you got a great deal. The $30k cheaper may be comparing your discount to
the sticker or markup at a local Corvette dealer but it isn't real world if you find that
Vettes are regularly $10k off and better can be had with some effort. Even Edmunds
has the real world difference at $7k. If you add options, which I'm betting are a bit
pricey on your P-car I bet the difference for an under powered little roadster
closer than that.
As to doing ramps at three times the posted safe limit, hope you enjoy until
something goes wrong. Personally I take it to the track, Sears Point (Infineon) or
Laguna Seca do nicely. And there, my underpowered C5 Corvette has no trouble
passing Boxsters, or even Box-S's when they are on street tires like I am. Now
a Cayman on DOT-R's is a potent weapon and when you are ready to get something
that is truly fast, I recommend them.
Randy
I never said I paid 30K. I said mine was 30K cheaper than a loaded conv vette.
Also, 75MPH on a free way exit ramp is nothing for this car and doesnt begin to push its limits.
Actually, I can read just fine. See below...
"I never said I paid 30K. I said mine was 30K cheaper than a loaded conv vette."
Actually, read your post again. You didn't write "loaded" conv Corvette. You wrote, "similarly equipped" conv Corvette.
A Corvette convertible with the "Preferred Equipment Group" (3LT) costs $60,000. That's a Corvette with 430hp, active suspension, stability control, remote anti-theft alarm, xenon HID headlights, electronic brakeforce distribution, fog/driving lights, 19" alloy wheels, heads-up display (readouts for street mode, track mode, G-meter, vehicle speed, engine RPM and gauges), Homelink transmitter, power telescoping steering column, 2-driver memory package (driver seat, outside mirrors, and telescoping steering column), power convertible top, multi-level heated seats, dual-zone auto climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass, auto-dimming heated exterior mirrors, remote keyless access w/push button start, perforated leather power seats, AM/FM radio with 6-disc in-dash CD changer, MP3 playback, Radio Data System (RDS), auxiliary input jack, 7 Bose speakers, automatic volume control, steering wheel mounted audio controls, digital clock, and TheftLock.).
60 - 30 = 30
"Also, 75MPH on a free way exit ramp is nothing for this car and doesnt begin to push its limits."
I wasn't referring to your cars limits...
same range as what people get off on Vettes. As to yours being less than 'asking'
on e-bay, I'm sure you're right, some people are always looking for a sucker. I
notice you didn't repeat that yours was $30k less than the Vette, that is a little
bit hard to believe.
As for the Cayman being just a hard top boxster, I don't think the track times will
support that. I know one Nor Calif driver who switched and is doing 5 sec's per lap
better in the Cayman, that is huge in terms of performance. The set up and power
will both show up with a good driver.
Again, doing 75 on onramps is nothing compared to doing 119 down the turn one
hill at Laguna Seca into the Andretti Hairpin! And there it is legal and fairly safe,
since everyone else expects you to be doing those kinds of speeds. Then again,
that is a C5 on street tires and not a Cayman or C6 on DOT-R's which are both
probably doing several clicks more. Like I said, enjoy what you drive, I do.
Randy
The cayman is lighter but the chasis is the same. The weight to power ratio is much better in the Cayman. Since I am using my car for pleasure mostly, I gave up a little performance.
I am a huge fan of the corvette and I did spend alot of time shopping both cars and I used to have a vette. I like both cars and they have each have pro's and cons. I think anyone who buys either will have a smile on their face. I dont like buying a [non-permissible content removed] sled but I just like the car better. If I go back to Iraq for another year my next car will be a corvette or CTS-V.
My car has the 19 in turbo wheels with 140 traction rated michelin pilots, I dont drive on freeway ramps with traffic as I am a military police officer and not looking to lose my license. As for the Darwin award, after 3 trips to Iraq and Afghanistan at a year at a pop, I would have earned it long ago had I been a suitable candidate.
No one will have any complaints with either choice. If racing mustang GT's at stop lights is your cup of tea, go for the corvette or at least splurge another 10-20K for the boxster S or RS as the reg boxster has a 0-60 of 5.7 and isnt designed for that.
The boxster S has a 0-60 of 5.0 and will keep up with the automatic GTs at the stop light. Of course as a police office I dont condone street racing so keep it at the track. I only drive the posted limit and of course obey all traffic signs and signals (fingers crossed)
If cost is an issue look at the vette as porsche is proud of their parts and a car battery will set you back around 400.00 as will a routine service. My Porsche is a 3rd car and mostly a sunday driver. The 140 traction rated tires are expensive and wear out quickly. I plan to drive mine about 6K miles a year for resale purposes.
I agree both cars are outstanding choices and both offer a very different (but entertaining) driving experience. I do note that the MSRP of a Corvette Convertible with 4LT is $65,000 so it's no surprise that the $75,000 model at your dealer is advertised at a $10K "discount." Gotta love those old school GM dealerships!
The 4LT package is very nice, but I think it's not really necessary (the standard leather-trimmed interior is nice) and it bumps the Corvette into a totally different price bracket. Even the 3LT with it's heads-up display is pushing the value boundaries IMO.
When push comes to shove, it's all about what kind of driving experience you want. The Vette is a powerhouse that, as I recently discovered (to my surprise) has surprising amount of refinement and finesse. The Porsche is on a completely higher level from a dynamic/refinement point of view, but in non "S" trim, must cower in fear from Camry's and Accord's at stoplights. IMO, in this day of 300 hp family sedans, there's no excuse for a new Porsche to have only 240 hp - unless it weighs 2300 lbs (I wish).
Personally, I would have passed on the $15K in options and gone for an "S" with PASM and called it good. However, with three trips to the sand box under your belt, I think you should be driving exactly what you have - a car that makes you happy.
Regards.
I used to drive a Dodge Magnum RT 340HP hemi. 0-60 was 6.2. The boxster is much quicker at 5.7 seconds, well out of the range of accords and camry's but the real power of the car is on the twisties where those cars dont have a prayer. I have outgrown racing at street lights. The new boxsters have 245HP and 201lb of torque in a 2775lb car and speed is all about power to weight ratio which is why the 220HP Lotus Exige SC is faster than the vette at 0-60. I have the upgrade exhaust from the S and get about 8 more HP which puts me at more HP than the original boxster S and far more power than I will ever need on the street!
I shopped Maxie Price in GA when I was getting ready to buy and they were giving good discounts. I was on the fence between the vette, boxster and lotus and could have gone either way on any of them. I am 6'5" and just dont fit well in the lotus with shoes on.
The new one series BMW look good but I have a feeling they are going to be more common than cobalts in a year.
There's no way your Boxster is quicker than the Magnum. My BMW is a close match in power and weight to your Boxster (240hp, 2700 lbs), and from a standstill and down the straights (at the track, of course
But like your Boxster, it's all about the corners. What it lacks in power it makes up in feedback and responsiveness. For tackling a twisty road course or deserted canyon pass, I'll choose a "momentum car" over a brute every time.
By the way, I would be remiss if I didn't comment - as an MP and (I assume from your screen name) commissioned officer, you are the last person I would expect to pull the foolish antics you previously described. I'm sure your earlier remarks were embellished a little for effect and you probably regret mentioning it (yes, I admit I like to kick out the tail a little every once in a while), but if you really want to explore the limits (of your car and yourself), there is a safe, affordable, and fun way to do it - on a race track!
Join the PCA and sign up for some driving events - you can go as fast as you want, on a road that has a high probability of being clear of hazards/debris, and you'll be around other like-minded and skilled drivers who behave in a much more predictable manner than your average brain-dead commuter. Plus, you will actually improve your skills and have fun at the same time.
And again, enjoy your Porsche. I've wanted one since I was a kid, and some day when my kids are grown, I plan to find a sweet 993 that was owned by a little old lady (who hopefully had a thing for Bilstein coil-overs and a FabSpeed exhaust).
Your right I was making a point but I really dont think 75 MPH is jaw dropping for most entrance and exit ramps if no traffic is around. I dont really even look at the speedo when I am driving near my limit which is nowhere close to the cars limit. I will NEVER mention how fast I have gotten this car as it will generate all kinds of hate posts. I havent got a speeding ticket since high school or for about 20 years and this is my fourth porsche so I havent been driving slow cars. Also have owned a yellow corvette and a red shelby cobra which I did get a stern warning in.
I wish I had unlimited access to one of these race tracks that everyone else seems to live next to, I live in a fairly rural area and my local porsche dealer is a good 2.5 hour drive.
2877 is with the standard rims and full tank of fuel. I have the lightest wheel and tire package and my car is on empty ;-) however I was just going off memory on the weight, the car feels alot lighter than 2877 but that is still a pretty respectable weight.
My point is that speed comes from power to weight which is why a corvette is faster than my 500 HP Mercedes S600 twin turbo....actually 493HP.
"Curb weight of the Boxster, which has a galvanized steel body with plastic end caps over the bumpers, is 2,755 pounds with the five-speed manual gearbox, 2,865 pounds with the five-speed Tiptronic (shiftable automatic).
http://www.porsche.com/usa/models/boxster/boxster/featuresandspecs/?gtabindex=5
I do stand corrected on the Magnum though. I didn't realize that the old Hemi R/T was such a slug - no wonder they stroked it to 6.1L.
Of course, less than 5 years ago, cars like the Magnum that did 0-60 in under 6 seconds and low-14 seconds for the 1/4 mile were considered FAST. Today, yawn - a V-6 Accord or Camry can do it.
But again, you should enjoy the Boxster for it's merits - it's sublime chassis and amazing brakes. I'd say the one thing it truly has in common with the Corvette is the unique ability to drive in comfort to the track, lap the track like a thoroughbred, and then bring you back home none the worse for wear.
I think the fastest time I ever found was the Solara at 6.9 seconds. There are loads of cars out there that are faster than the boxster to 60. Here is a website that has alot of times and cost of ownership ect ect.
http://www.performancecarnews.com/Fastest-Cars-0-60.asp?Process=ShowTable
My S600 does 0-60 in 4.5 seconds and that beats most cars on the street. If I really cared about stop light wars I could drop a renntech kit on it and it would beat anything near me. I have an 03 model which is about the same as this 04 except that this one has the renntech mod. I got in on ebay last year with 13K miles for only a couple grand more than I paid for my porsche and it stickered for 160K, was an exec car from MB and has every single factory option.
http://www.dragtimes.com/Mercedes-Benz-S600-Timeslip-8523.html
Honestly, I didn't even compare vettes at all. I've never seen myself in one. I'm sure the later models are awesome cars. There will always be conflicting opinions about European cars vs. American cars.
I personally own a Boxster, an Expolorer and an Altima. They are all good in their own way. The Porsche can't pull my boat or go thru the snow very well, and only the Altima gets over 30 MPG on the highway loaded with 4 adults and luggage with the AC on. :shades: