My Porsche is in for a minor service - only 7500 miles but it is a year old, so I thought it would be a good idea to get the oil changed and have a general inspection. Couple of other niggling problems being looked into as well. But that isn't what this is about.
As a loaner, I got a Boxster. My first time in one. What a hoot! Needless to say, I have performed a complete and thorough road test. If you haven't driven a Boxster, go do it. I had always heard it was one of the best handling cars available - and it is true. It is just a joy to drive. Extremely neutral in steering, tossable, agile. Good compliant ride (rides better than the 996TT.) This particular car is shod with 225/40 (f) and 265/35 (r) Continental "ContiSportContact" tires on 18" wheels. I know 18's are an option on the Boxster, but I don't know if that implies it has a sport suspension as well. It is a 2001 model car, so it has the 2.7 liter engine which is rated at 220hp. 0-60 is 6.6 seconds, according to the Porsche web site.
With the top down, it makes WONDERFUL noises at full throttle, and at part throttle it is very quiet. The engine is smooth as silk and ready and willing to run up to the 7000RPM redline. Of course, the pressure in the back you get from the M5 or Porsche is absent - but it is no slouch.
Interestingly, it seems to be geared very tall. Redline in 1st gear is good for 47mph, vs. the M5's 40 mph. (The 996TT and the M5 gearing are very similar, by the way.) 2nd in the Boxster is good for 75mph (vs. about 60 in the M5), and 3rd is good for 105mph! These numbers are based upon indicated speed. (See what lengths I go to for you guys?
) So who needs 4th and 5th? Now granted, it is only a 5 speed, so it makes some sense that the gears have to be spaced wider. But still, I think the car would be more fun with a lower 1, 2 and 3, lower 4th a bit and leave 5th where it is.
The upside of these tall gears and less power is that it takes a much longer time to get through 1st and 2nd. This gives you lots of time to enjoy the delicious sounds coming from the engine - intake and exhaust noise mostly. And so you "feel" fast anyway.
This car is all about autocross-type driving - just a delight to handle at lower speeds. It is perfectly stable and planted at higher speeds too, but I'm guessing on Sears Point or Laguna you'd not get past 105mph - just not enough power. And where the M5 or the 996TT are a bit on the heavy side is in the slower, tighter stuff, this is where the Boxster really excels. It does reward smooth driving, in which case you can just keep tightening the wheel and it just keeps responding. If you work HARD to really upset the car, you can induce understeer or drift. Full power isn't enough to get the tail out, but if you really bang the 1-2 shift you can step it out a bit. If you're smooth, though, you can put your foot to the floor in a lot of corners. The car is so well balanced, no doubt due to its perfect 50/50 weight distribution and mid-engine layout.
Back in Spartanburg, I drove the M Roadster. Fun car, but the Porsche is WAY superior in ride, ergonomics, and most importantly handling. If I were to buy one, it would have to be a Boxster S - which I'm assuming is twice the fun. But the lack of power in the standard Boxster is not a fun-killer - you just have fun a little slower.
The 996TT and M5 are of course HUGELY more powerful, and the 996TT generates more lateral grip in steady-state corners. In fact about the only similarity between the 996TT and the Boxster is the legendary Porsche brakes, which are tremendous in both cars. But in terms of transition and balanced feel, the Boxster is the "sweetest" handling car I've ever driven.
Way fun, a recommended experience.
/Greg
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