Cool car... but I doubt it will perform better than the next GT3.

 

Still won't put the power down in the tight turns like a rear engine car, I have driven both and the 996/997 platform will pull out of the turns better.

 

Of course it won't -by corporate edict .
You think PAG and dealers wants to kill PROFITABLE 997 GT3 and Turbo sales ?
Last I checked, the clean sheet design C-GT's motor was also placed AHEAD of the rear axle. The fun will come in 2 years when identically prepared RUF -style GT3s and Caymans with same drivetrain are compared on the track.

 

Well, you never know... there are rumors that the 998 may become front or mid-engined.

Porsche have done a wonderful job at perfecting rear engine layouts. Obviously the 911 can compete with any of the world's mid-engined cars. Funny thing is that as well as the Boxster handles, it still doesn't give me the thrill of the GT3 in the corners.

The CGT is mid-engined, but there are a lot of other things like the pushrod suspension which makes it awesome. Engine layout is only one component to handling, it's all about execution.

 

Last I checked, the 986 Boxster S with it's leaky 250 hp " fake -dry-sump-econoporsche " engine didn't come from the factory with a std 380 hp 8200 rpm motor , factory calibrated and lowered coil over suspension and a stiff sunroof-less coupe bodyshell like the GT3.
I'm trying to envision a closer apples to apples scenario coming down the pike.

 

Front is hot, back is alright, but I am a bigger fan of that front! I think it is an awesome all around car. I fear it will hurt 911 sales big time but none the less it will be one hell of a package. Hell call me a chick if you want but since I would in the near future be hard pressed to buy a new 911 I may go this route.

 

Number 1 911 model sold last year in the US was the " lardy" C4S Cab Tiptronic, aka the Porsche SL360. Compared to a Boxster S , which is these " girrrrly-mahn " cars is likely to show up at the next PCA event ?

 

Interesting the latest Evo has the new Box S bringing home marginally better track times than a 997 (non S) using two drivers with much differing experience. They were both faster in the Box. I bet the Box S in coupe form (more rigit, less weight) will give the 997 S all it wants and maybe more. Again, the posuer won't be the one driving the Box S coupe.

 

If it only had a true dry sump . . buy the z06 for the same price

 

yeah, the 997s are in the same (sad) boat. only the TT, GT2, GT3 and CGT are made to actually be driven.

 

It's often been quietly said that the Boxster is the "dancer" of the two Porsche platforms... that it's balance and mid-engined design is inheriently superior, while the 911 setup makes up for it's unorthodox design with sheer mechanical grip and it's long expeience of tuning out the "bad habits" that come with hanging the engine behind the rear axle.

In the end though, does it really matter? For some, perhaps. Ultimately, who cares what someone else's take is on the two; whether you're passionate about one or the other, there is no "wrong" choice. Enjoy what you own, and build your memories one Porsche mile after another.

 

Yep, that is true. Those elistist types that smack down the Box as being lesser than or a chick car or whatever are pretty silly. My casual observations are that the Box drivers drive them more like they were (kind of) meant to be driven than do the 911 ones. Personally I find the 911 takes more skill to exploit and love the dynamics of it's layout, but the Box is a sweet car.

 

Go to Boxster boards and those owners are younger guys , many as an only car ,very much into performance , driving pleasure and weekend racing / autocrossing- what the 911 scene was like when I got into them 2-3 decades ago.
Most of the 996 boards are an older crowd with several cars who seem to be more into changing bling every 2 months and insecurely asking for our approval . I submit that the modern day 911 is more the poseur of the two.

 

Ok, I have a Boxster S and a GT3, so what does that make me?(insecurely asked)

 

Best from Both Worlds?!