Ask the Car People.SM


C6 Corvette vs 987 Boxster

34 messages,  Last post on Mar 28, 2009 at 10:12 PM

You are in the Chevrolet Corvette Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Corvette, Porsche Boxster, Coupe

Messages Page 4 of 4

#25 of 34 Re: Vette vs. boxster [majormcf] by fedlawman

Apr 19, 2008 (1:51 pm)

Replying to: majormcf (Apr 19, 2008 11:01 am)
I'm glad to see the hyperbole removed from your posts.
 
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.

#26 of 34 Re: Vette vs. boxster [fedlawman] by majormcf

Apr 19, 2008 (3:23 pm)

Replying to: fedlawman (Apr 19, 2008 1:51 pm)
Porsche options are extremely expensive and when you add the PCM 2.1, xenons, climate control and turbo wheels to an S you have a very expensive car ( forget about the exclusive options). I went on the porsche website and was able to configure a base boxster with over 50K in options. The options actually cost more than the car itself.
 
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!

#27 of 34 Re: Vette vs. boxster [fedlawman] by majormcf

Apr 19, 2008 (3:31 pm)

Replying to: fedlawman (Apr 19, 2008 1:51 pm)
They probably put some pinstripes, tint on the car and a sealant. The sticker read 74K .....not sure what all they added but I know thats in Z06 territory.
 
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.

#28 of 34 Re: Vette vs. boxster [majormcf] by fedlawman

Apr 19, 2008 (8:27 pm)

Replying to: majormcf (Apr 19, 2008 3:23 pm)
Porsche says the Boxster weighs 2877 lbs.
 
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 ), it is consistently outgunned by anything with a V-8 or big 6 under the hood. Mustang GT's, C5 Corvettes, etc. simply walk away from me with no effort.
 
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).

#29 of 34 Re: Vette vs. boxster [fedlawman] by majormcf

Apr 19, 2008 (8:50 pm)

Replying to: fedlawman (Apr 19, 2008 8:27 pm)
Check car and driver or google 0-60 times for a magnum 5.7L 340HP since you obviously dont believe me. Yes as crazy as it seems the Porsche is faster in 0-60, 1/4 mile and top speed. Its just so hard to believe a porsche is faster than a camry, accord or dodge magnum. The magnums 0-60 is 6.2 and the boxster is 5.7 according to car and driver. Keep in mind the Magnum is very heavy.
 
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.

#30 of 34 Re: Vette vs. boxster [fedlawman] by majormcf

Apr 20, 2008 (8:04 pm)

Replying to: fedlawman (Apr 19, 2008 8:27 pm)
The boxsters weight is 2877lb with tiptronic, I found this article online
 
"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).

#31 of 34 Re: Vette vs. boxster [majormcf] by fedlawman

Apr 20, 2008 (10:40 pm)

Replying to: majormcf (Apr 20, 2008 8:04 pm)
Porsche website says 2,877 lbs manual / 3,009 lbs tip.
 
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.

#32 of 34 Re: Vette vs. boxster [fedlawman] by majormcf

Apr 21, 2008 (6:41 am)

Replying to: fedlawman (Apr 20, 2008 10:40 pm)
Not sure what year model those weight figures were from, I cut and pasted them from an article. I know some wheel packages are lighter and there is a difference in wieght on the boxster exhaust as well as the 5 speed vs 6 speed manual. I may just put my car on a scale at a truck stop just because I am curious. My car has the 2.1 PCM entertainment package and I am sure that adds some weight.
 
 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

#33 of 34 Re: Vette vs. boxster by dtownmil

Mar 24, 2009 (6:20 am)

Replying to: majormcf (Apr 21, 2008 6:41 am)
This post is humorous. We all know that a vette will beat a Boxster in a staight line. I certainly didn't buy my Boxster to beat ANYTHING in a straight line. I just like the way it drives, looks, and sounds. I love the effeciency of it. I love that in ten, twenty years, it won't look extremely dated.
 
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.

#34 of 34 Front Overhang by ipenguinking

Mar 28, 2009 (10:12 pm)

Does anyone know Boxster's front overhang? Before I run and buy one, I want to know if the car's front lower lip would scrap my steep driveway. I googled and could not fin the number anywhere.

Messages Page 4 of 4

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement