08-10-2020, 04:18 PM | #11 |
195
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I haven't driven an ND. In fact, it's been decades since I've driven a Miata of any kind. I remember them being extremely hilarious fun, though kind of slow.
And, yeah, it's hard to justify rationally paying 10x a cheap Miata for a 987, though I think it's a lot easier to justify 1.5 to 2X an ND for a 981. That said...the Boxster is just such a good car. It's so much nicer to drive, in terms of fine detail, than any BMW I've driven--I used to prefer it to the E90 M3, and I still prefer it to the F80. The 987 and the 981 are pretty different, but my short drives in 981s leave me convinced that that inherent goodness remains in those cars. It's the kind of car you can buy and keep for 10 years or more, and every now and then think "I don't drive that enough, I should sell it," and then decide "no, I just like it too much and I'll never find anything better for the price." Ask me how I know. I still want a 911, but I think I mostly want a 911 because I haven't had one. I don't think the 911 is a better sports car even if it's faster. |
08-10-2020, 04:46 PM | #12 |
Carmudgeon
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08-10-2020, 04:55 PM | #13 |
Solving problems
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Well, I had an '07 987S and I'd take it over the 997TT. I wish I still had that Boxster. But for the minimal use and how new it was at the time, I simply could not afford it.
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08-10-2020, 04:58 PM | #14 |
Solving problems
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08-11-2020, 07:00 AM | #15 |
No more BMWs
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Now you're speaking my language. I've had a similar debate going for almost three years, with the extra wrinkle that I already own a late 987S in ideal (for us) spec.
First off, I love Miatas, but I can't see replacing this car with a Miata. They just don't have enough room for long-distance travel, and that's a major use case for us. Second, it's almost equal dollars to go from our car to a new ND. Maybe a used ND2? Second, I'm with you (FC) on the later four cylinder cars. It seems like they will depreciate faster than any Porsche in recent memory, but the turbo 4 ruins the car, IMO. The sound and feel are all wrong for me. Third, 981s are great. A little big, and a little disconnected-feeling, but great. The interior and exterior styling are a big step up. But man, I have a hard time ponying up $50k for a used car especially when it only does things *a little* better than a car I already own and love. Some unseen force pulls me back when I see a used vehicle price with five digits and a '5' up front, particularly when I know the number my car would sell for starts with a '2' I guess if I were in your shoes with an M3 in the garage I'd have a really hard time pulling the trigger on another expensive sports car. I don't really see the point. Don't they execute pretty much the same mission? Maybe that's just an indicator of how detached I've become from modern BMWs. I don't really see the point of the M3, as it exists today |
08-11-2020, 07:53 AM | #16 | |
Solving problems
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As for the M3, well, I have young kids with activities. Often times friends need rides to and from games. If I am being honest, I do have some regrets for not having just bought a GTI instead of the M3 (though I put a MASSIVE amount of value to that ED trip). I had a feeling this may come up. Kids are now walking to school so the sedan is not as needed, and COVID has only made things worse. But I love having it and I love the setup with the Miata. It just looks dumb if I get the 981S. An additional complication is that the Miata is the designated winter beater. If it goes then I have to commute more in winter in the M3 when that resumes. But again, since this is likely not to happen until next spring/summer, by then I will have had the M3 for 3 years, so if it becomes a less ideal choice after 3 years of use, that's not that big a deal. Last edited by FC; 08-11-2020 at 08:40 AM. |
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08-11-2020, 08:20 AM | #17 | |
Alphanumeric
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I would have had a 987.2 if I could but they were very hard to find in 2015-16 for what I thought were "reasonable" prices. Subjectively: The 987.2 has some major advantages over the 981: - Better steering feel (hydraulic) - Simpler cabin/narrower car - Slightly more playful drive (less smooth susp?) - Better gearing/none of this 20" nonsense - A real handbrake, none of this e-brake nonsense The 981 has - Better outside looks (especially on the boxster, less on the cayman) - Better cabin, perhaps comfier seats - Smoother shifter - Proper firm brakes - Perhaps more settled/planted drive; smoother suspension - A bit better engine sound, non-PSE to non-PSE There is not much upgrade there if the 987.2 is in good shape. The engines are the same, the gearing and steering are better on the 987. |
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08-11-2020, 08:40 AM | #18 | ||
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I take FC's point that it feels extravagant to have both an M3 and a Boxster, and there's some merit to the idea of selling the M3, getting a 981, and replacing the M3 with a GTI (which would do better in the winter, as well). Selling the M3 would also let you avoid expensive out-of-warranty costs in a few years. But the M3, as unfavorably as it compares to the Boxster, is still a hell of a lot more special feeling car than the Golf--even the R. The days when you *do* have to carry more than one person, you'd miss it. |
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08-11-2020, 08:45 AM | #19 | |
Solving problems
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- I had one (987.1) and had it over a decade ago. To go back to one after all this time somehow feels weird. - The discount over 981 is nowhere near what it should be, IMO. - The 981 looks better is much more modern and that ups the likelihood that I'll keep it for a long time. But to the extent that I am looking for fun first and speed 2nd, maybe I should be more willing to get a late 987.2S. |
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08-11-2020, 09:21 AM | #20 | ||
Chief title editor
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OH NOES!!!!!1 MY CAR HAS T3H UND3R5T33R5555!!!!!!1oneone!!!!11 Team WTF?! What are you gonna do? |
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