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Old 11-03-2018, 08:28 AM   #101
John V
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It is kind of a shame that 987s and 981s are geared as tall as they are. They'd feel more torquey if they had the ultra-short 1st gear BMW tends to use.

The turbo BMWs to me have a bit of a "German Camaro" feel to them. Instant power, really aggressive throttle mapping, and soft springs. Kind of drunk handling that makes them lively in day to day driving. You're not going to get that from a Boxster or Cayman and if you're used to that kind of snappiness I can see them feeling a bit dull.

Except that now the Camaro has oh-my-God-this-is-really-good handling so maybe the analogy doesn't work anymore
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Old 11-04-2018, 08:16 PM   #102
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It is kind of a shame that 987s and 981s are geared as tall as they are. They'd feel more torquey if they had the ultra-short 1st gear BMW tends to use.

The turbo BMWs to me have a bit of a "German Camaro" feel to them. Instant power, really aggressive throttle mapping, and soft springs. Kind of drunk handling that makes them lively in day to day driving. You're not going to get that from a Boxster or Cayman and if you're used to that kind of snappiness I can see them feeling a bit dull.

Except that now the Camaro has oh-my-God-this-is-really-good handling so maybe the analogy doesn't work anymore


I don’t like the heft that accompanies modern BMWs. It always take an abnormal amount of effort to get them moving from a red light. And then slow down.

Hope this gets fixed with the new 3 series (doubt it).

This is what is remarkable to me about the Cayman and Boxster: they’re real sports cars with 3000lb curb weights. They stop on a dime. And are effortless from a standstill.
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Old 11-05-2018, 06:28 AM   #103
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I let the Boxster sit for...a long time, because Sept and Oct were so busy.

This weekend I woke it up with a new battery. Jesus it’s so good. The Tesla is far faster and satisfying in its own, I’ve-hacked-the-Matrix kind of way—it has performance in a straight line that makes the world seem fake.

But the Porsche reminds me what we’ll lose when the world is electric. The wail of that six as it clears 4000 rpm is intoxicating. It doesn’t shove you the way that turbos or Teslas do, but the performance builds so perfectly and linearly. And the steering? Sublime.

Every time it sits for a few weeks I curse it as an albatross and swear I’ll sell it. That lasts no longer the the first turn of they key.
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Old 11-05-2018, 11:17 AM   #104
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I let the Boxster sit for...a long time, because Sept and Oct were so busy.

This weekend I woke it up with a new battery. Jesus it’s so good. The Tesla is far faster and satisfying in its own, I’ve-hacked-the-Matrix kind of way—it has performance in a straight line that makes the world seem fake.

But the Porsche reminds me what we’ll lose when the world is electric. The wail of that six as it clears 4000 rpm is intoxicating. It doesn’t shove you the way that turbos or Teslas do, but the performance builds so perfectly and linearly. And the steering? Sublime.

Every time it sits for a few weeks I curse it as an albatross and swear I’ll sell it. That lasts no longer the the first turn of they key.
making me want to uncover the turbo and take it for a spin
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Old 11-05-2018, 12:24 PM   #105
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making me want to uncover the turbo and take it for a spin


I just want to point out two things:

1. That’s a spectacular way to reset your driving senses for “analog”. And it always makes me laugh at how stupid it is to own one.

2. When I do this, one in context of the other, the Boxster still wins hands down as the “best” driving experience IMO
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Old 11-06-2018, 12:59 AM   #106
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I just want to point out two things:

1. That’s a spectacular way to reset your driving senses for “analog”. And it always makes me laugh at how stupid it is to own one.

2. When I do this, one in context of the other, the Boxster still wins hands down as the “best” driving experience IMO
Yep -

Reminds me that when I had my 2002 - it was the car that I just plain enjoyed driving. It was not the fastest, not the best handling, nor the nimblest... Just the most balanced and enjoyable car I have ever had. (granted - the 997 is close behind - but with the 2002 being a very 'analog' car- it is just you and the car - nothing at all electric in between - the Porsche does have all the modern touches - and that takes a bit of it away - in this context)

I expect the 2800CS will be similar to the 02 (when I get it back). But - just like your first kiss, the 2002 will always be tops for me.
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Old 11-06-2018, 06:48 AM   #107
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Just to close the circle on this. I do find myself missing the shifter in the boxster since I returned it. He replaced the ?polyurethane? shift cables with steel ones and the shifter really does have an amazing bolt action feel to it. OTOH I took my 1er down to Baltimore over the weekend. It was top down, back roads for most of the way and it was awesome. It is just a fun little car. It is definitely a better all around package to me.

I keep thinking a C7 'vert is probably a great car for me. It is just so garish and stereotypically 'murica... I don't know that I can get past it. I'd feel like such a d every time I climbed into it. Of course P-cars and BMWs have their own stigmas, so maybe I just need to not give a sh*t
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Old 11-06-2018, 07:32 AM   #108
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Just to close the circle on this. I do find myself missing the shifter in the boxster since I returned it. He replaced the ?polyurethane? shift cables with steel ones and the shifter really does have an amazing bolt action feel to it. OTOH I took my 1er down to Baltimore over the weekend. It was top down, back roads for most of the way and it was awesome. It is just a fun little car. It is definitely a better all around package to me.

I keep thinking a C7 'vert is probably a great car for me. It is just so garish and stereotypically 'murica... I don't know that I can get past it. I'd feel like such a d every time I climbed into it. Of course P-cars and BMWs have their own stigmas, so maybe I just need to not give a sh*t
Our tweenager is very self-conscious about arriving to school in the Guards Red Boxster. Seems he gets ribbed for being the rich kid then, but the suv that cost more attracts no comments. My little car just gets approving praise.

It’s a private school where all the parents have swanky cars tht cost as much or more than the Boxster.

Just something about a red sports car...
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Old 11-06-2018, 08:07 AM   #109
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Yes, similarly aged tween found the Model S “extra” and wouldn’t permit being dropped off in the Boxster.

Weirdly she seems ok with the Model 3.
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Old 11-06-2018, 08:32 AM   #110
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Just something about a red sports car...
In her defense, it's a pretty badass looking red sports car.

It looks almost supercar-ish.
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