Base Porsche Boxster vs 370Z

RoshDawg · 01-06-2013, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DLSTR

Car and Driver have zero issues with the base Boxster or its suspension. Ive driven them here at speed and one of my best German friends has one. Its not known here as in-capable at speeds over 100kmph or 65mph. Strange you had such an issue...

2013 Porsche Boxster Manual Test - Review - Car and Driver

---To see if our price/value thesis holds up, we tested the cheapest Boxster that Porsche had in its press fleet, a fairly stripped unit with the six-speed manual gearbox and the 2.7-liter horizontally opposed six making 265 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. We did in no way miss the Yachting Blue seatbelts ($340), contrasting stitching on the steering wheel ($1025), or leather air vents ($1190) that can drive even the base Boxster deep into the pricing gap left open by the newly six-figure 911. From a starting price of $50,450, our car had only the barest of essentials—Agate/Amber two-tone leather ($640), nearly as attractive and upscale as the full-leather interior; the Premium package ($4360), including bixenon headlamps, a wind deflector, and heated and perfectly bolstered sports seats; the Infotainment package ($3860); plus some other junk like Porsche Torque Vectoring ($1320), which does something or other to brake the inside rear wheel to help the car knife through corners, and just might be more valuable than leather air vents. Grand total: $66,100. As we said, cheap.

*****The price is in no way justified by the numbers, except for two: ****1.01 g of cornering ability and a 70-to-0 stopping distance of just 145 feet. Those capabilities are GT3-esque. Otherwise, the critical performance figures are unimpressive: 0 to 60 in 5.6 seconds, the quarter-mile in 14.0 seconds at 103 mph. Since the purpose of this story is to provide you with an instrumented test of the Boxster, we should act as if those numbers matter. But rarely have acceleration times been such a poor indicator of total performance. A last-generation Accord V-6 coupe will do the sprint nearly as quickly, and run the quarter in the same ballpark. But, good as it is, does an Accord coupe’s body right itself so instantaneously out of turns? Does its clutch pedal tell you exactly how and when to release its pressure? Is its engine’s torque this insistent? Do its brakes feel five times as powerful as its engine? Does it barely shrug its shoulders over imperfect pavement? Does it steer this well? These are rhetorical questions.

If there is a Porsche “thing,” what’s above are its core attributes. That this Porsche thing is now more completely palpable in the Boxster than almost anywhere else in the range, well, that’s a victory for the little guy—provided he has the cash. Whatever price you may put on joy, this car is cheaper than that. The Boxster is pure joy.----

The Boxster that they reviewed was equipped with the essential PASM suspension system, so the feeling I had with the non adaptive / no air suspension was very different from their better equipped car. If I could only choose one option it would be PASM, and its not even that expensive in the grand scheme of things.

And I agree, the steering feel is amazing, even with the new electric setup. It is every bit as good as the hydraulic one they had on previous generations.

The car will not cease to make me smile when I drive it, it is a world of fun and is driven by quality parts. Pretty much the only complaints I have is the non-PASM equipped suspension, and the price. Brakes are great, the engine is so enjoyable even though its not the fastest thing, sounds pretty cool, the transmission (even the MT) is to die for, and I love the nimbleness of the car.
I did observe this weird combination of understeer / oversteer closer to the limit, which was a cool, controllable feeling. Hard to explain but it was like the center was being pulled outside of the turn but you could still steer it 100%.

DLSTR · 01-07-2013, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoshDawg

The Boxster that they reviewed was equipped with the essential PASM suspension system, so the feeling I had with the non adaptive / no air suspension was very different from their better equipped car. If I could only choose one option it would be PASM, and its not even that expensive in the grand scheme of things.

And I agree, the steering feel is amazing, even with the new electric setup. It is every bit as good as the hydraulic one they had on previous generations.

The car will not cease to make me smile when I drive it, it is a world of fun and is driven by quality parts. Pretty much the only complaints I have is the non-PASM equipped suspension, and the price. Brakes are great, the engine is so enjoyable even though its not the fastest thing, sounds pretty cool, the transmission (even the MT) is to die for, and I love the nimbleness of the car.
I did observe this weird combination of understeer / oversteer closer to the limit, which was a cool, controllable feeling. Hard to explain but it was like the center was being pulled outside of the turn but you could still steer it 100%.

Thanks for the feedback. I will have one of these in the spring for a few days. I will report back on my experiences!

RoshDawg · 01-07-2013, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

i read it and that's why i posted my comments. dont you want feedback from someone that actually owns a 370Z?

anyway, GL to you.

Oh I do still own my 370Z. It's a sport touring 6MT

Quote:

Originally Posted by DLSTR

Thanks for the feedback. I will have one of these in the spring for a few days. I will report back on my experiences!

Awesome! Are you custom ordering it? And of course I'm assuming you will choose the factory delivery / pickup option? Very jealous of where you live. I gotta visit soon.

FPenvy · 01-07-2013, 01:50 PM

my

i rather have a Z over a boxster any day. the boxster is ugly in my opinion and less powerful than the Z. it's over priced, ridiculously priced options, nothing in the base model, and repair and insurance costs hahaha

forget it. i only pay around or < than $900 a year insurance for my Z now and it ends up being less when it's in the garage all winter.

to be honest a boxster with any performance options you can get a more powerful cayman which i feel is the real porsche competitor for the Z performance wise.

RoshDawg · 01-06-2013, 11:00 AM

Oh and it's very easy to get to the limit of this car. And I'm saying that in a VERY good way because its controllable at the limit.

Edit: oh and that car and driver Boxster, doesn't seem to mention it has PASM, but it does (I see the button for it on the center counsel) as well as PTV. Both of those systems help out a lot!

RoshDawg · 01-06-2013, 11:15 AM

And and I think it might be worth to say that I am seriously considering trading in my Z for a Boxster spyder or cayman r (maybe lightly used) when they come out. But that will be far down the road. Damnit come to think of it I will need an SUV at that point in my life..

sparky · 01-06-2013, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoshDawg

And and I think it might be worth to say that I am seriously considering trading in my Z for a Boxster spyder or cayman r (maybe lightly used) when they come out. But that will be far down the road. Damnit come to think of it I will need an SUV at that point in my life..

I like how your thread has come full circle!
Life's a bitch and then you marry one.............

elmz · 01-06-2013, 09:27 PM

Thanks for the review. I'm actually planning on trading the Z for a base Boxster in a few months. I have to agree with you, although its a less powerful car, its such a blast to drive. The PASM option is nice, but I'm considering the sport suspension, and coupled with the sport exhaust, it should make one heck of a fun car to drive.

RoshDawg · 01-06-2013, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elmz

Thanks for the review. I'm actually planning on trading the Z for a base Boxster in a few months. I have to agree with you, although its a less powerful car, its such a blast to drive. The PASM option is nice, but I'm considering the sport suspension, and coupled with the sport exhaust, it should make one heck of a fun car to drive.

Oh yes yes I saw that option! That coupled with the PSE will make for one hell of a car. I put my jacket and gloves on and went for a long drive today with the top down. Wow I'm seriously starting to fall in love with this car and really appreciate what it can do.

That one part in my review saying I don't think ppl should trade in their Z for a base Boxster, well I seriously take that back. There is something about a mid engine roadster that makes for a magnificent car.

Are you getting the MT?

Z_ealot · 01-06-2013, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoshDawg

Oh yes yes I saw that option! That coupled with the PSE will make for one hell of a car. I put my jacket and gloves on and went for a long drive today with the top down. Wow I'm seriously starting to fall in love with this car and really appreciate what it can do.

That one part in my review saying I don't think ppl should trade in their Z for a base Boxster, well I seriously take that back. There is something about a mid engine roadster that makes for a magnificent car.

Are you getting the MT?

i dont know, i'd still probably take the Z over the boxster just for the fact that maintenance is relatively cheap compared to the boxster. one other option im considering also is a used corvette C6 Z06 which are also becoming pretty cheap these days.

dawudih · 01-06-2013, 10:27 PM

You know you're going to get it, don't pretend you're thinking about it still; Mulholland Drive?

elmz · 01-06-2013, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z_ealot

i dont know, i'd still probably take the Z over the boxster just for the fact that maintenance is relatively cheap compared to the boxster.

The cost of maintenance isn't that much more. If we follow the factory recommended oil changes, the Z is every 3,750 miles and the Boxster is 10k/1 yr. Nissan charges around $100 for oil changes and Porsche around $300, so its pretty comparable. And both use sticky summer tires and I'm sure pads and rotors are comparable as well, so really, it's not much of a difference.

PoorMansPorsh · 01-07-2013, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elmz

The cost of maintenance isn't that much more. If we follow the factory recommended oil changes, the Z is every 3,750 miles and the Boxster is 10k/1 yr. Nissan charges around $100 for oil changes and Porsche around $300, so its pretty comparable. And both use sticky summer tires and I'm sure pads and rotors are comparable as well, so really, it's not much of a difference.

"Maintenance" really isnt an issue with Porsches. Much of which can be done yourself. When it really hits you is when it comes to repair. That was another factor that kept me from choosing a preowned cayman/boxster as my dd. Despite a few minor electrical gremlins, many had been reported to have weak crank shaft bearings and what a mess can be made when one fails. I've owned a few Porsches and have dropped tens of thousands of dollars on a single car alone just on repair. Little things go wrong here and there and end up costing you an arm and a leg at $150+/hr in labor not to mention the price of parts. Dont get me wrong, what a joy they are to drive! As far as I'm concerned, pull out the steering lock fuse and the Z is bullet proof. Ultimately, the Z will have a much lower cost to own than most all Porsches.

elmz · 01-07-2013, 08:51 AM

^True. I've read up on the IMS issues on earlier Boxsters and the cost of a Prosche engine isn't cheap.

elmz · 01-06-2013, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoshDawg

Are you getting the MT?

That was the initial plan, but I'm seriously considering the PDK.

01-06-2013, 11:00 AM	#5 (permalink)
RoshDawg Track Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: NM / CA Posts: 981 Drives: '13 911 C2S Rep Power: 15	Oh and it's very easy to get to the limit of this car. And I'm saying that in a VERY good way because its controllable at the limit. Edit: oh and that car and driver Boxster, doesn't seem to mention it has PASM, but it does (I see the button for it on the center counsel) as well as PTV. Both of those systems help out a lot! __________________ \| EVO X MR \| '11 WRX STI \| 370Z SPRT \| 911 (991) C2S \| Last edited by RoshDawg; 01-06-2013 at 11:08 AM.

01-06-2013, 11:15 AM	#6 (permalink)
RoshDawg Track Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: NM / CA Posts: 981 Drives: '13 911 C2S Rep Power: 15	And and I think it might be worth to say that I am seriously considering trading in my Z for a Boxster spyder or cayman r (maybe lightly used) when they come out. But that will be far down the road. Damnit come to think of it I will need an SUV at that point in my life.. __________________ \| EVO X MR \| '11 WRX STI \| 370Z SPRT \| 911 (991) C2S \|

01-06-2013, 09:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
elmz Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 674 Drives: 2014 Porsche Boxster Rep Power: 18	Thanks for the review. I'm actually planning on trading the Z for a base Boxster in a few months. I have to agree with you, although its a less powerful car, its such a blast to drive. The PASM option is nice, but I'm considering the sport suspension, and coupled with the sport exhaust, it should make one heck of a fun car to drive. m4a1mustang likes this.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Fifth Gear Episode - 370Z vs. Audi TT RS vs. Porsche Boxster S	EazyD	Nissan 370Z Photos / Spyshots / Video / Media Gallery	25	12-28-2010 08:23 PM
Best Motoring 2009-10 BMW Z4 Nissan 370Z Nismo Porsche Boxster Cayman Carrera S Tsuku	supraman626	Nissan 370Z Photos / Spyshots / Video / Media Gallery	1	04-02-2010 10:31 PM
BMW Z4, Nissan 370Z Nismo, Porsche Boxster, Cayman, Carrera S	zmyride	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	11	01-27-2010 10:07 AM
FS: 1999 Porsche Boxster!	KillerBee370	Other Vehicle For sale	5	11-11-2009 07:12 PM
Playboy Hot Laps: The 2009 Porsche Boxster S	AK370Z	Other Vehicles	6	09-12-2009 12:47 AM

01-06-2013, 10:27 PM	#11 (permalink)
dawudih Base Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Katy, TX Age: 50 Posts: 93 Drives: 2011 370z auto Rep Power: 15	You know you're going to get it, don't pretend you're thinking about it still; Mulholland Drive?

01-07-2013, 08:51 AM	#14 (permalink)
elmz Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 674 Drives: 2014 Porsche Boxster Rep Power: 18	^True. I've read up on the IMS issues on earlier Boxsters and the cost of a Prosche engine isn't cheap.