MotorSport Magazine - 2.7 Boxster 981 now the best Porsche?

[RichB]

Interesting article in MotorSport magazine this month reviewing the 2.7 981 Boxster. Basic premise is that the 2.7 is light, beautifully balanced and sufficiently quick for public roads and the reviewer comes to the conclusion that the cheapest Porsche is now the best. Given that all the early demonstrator cars were Boxster S models I wonder if many people on here have driven or indeed purchased the 2.7? On paper the 2.7 has more power and is lighter than the previous 987 Gen II 2.9 so should be a better drive. What do those how have made a direct comparison think?

[RichB]

Maybe I didn't word my previous post very well, I wasn't being contentious but I just wondered how people have driven a manual 2.7 981 found it to be? Wondered if it's as good as MotorSport suggested? Has no one on here actually driven one?

[shoestring7]

Its a valid point.

Arguably its also the best value for money in the range; you get also 90% of the interior, 90% of the prestige, all of the OPC buying experience and arguably a better drive for less than 50% of the price of a 991 cab.

SS7

[BnB]

Motoring journalists regularly conflate "best" for "best value". And to that extent, who can argue? As others have said here and on a multitude of threads, the Boxster offers a high proportion of the 911's rewards at a fraction of the price. And the 2.7 is the best value Boxster of all.

But many don't buy their cars for their value for money (ask any 991 owner ). Any search for the "best" car should only include price as a factor if the test is one of value, not performance and motoring pleasure.

I change regularly into what I believe at the time is the "best" car for me. And the Boxster doesn't do it for me at any price.

But I'd have another Cayman when the kids no longer need collecting from their tennis match after school and I look forward to hearing about the 981 tin-top.

[nsm3]

Had a manual base model as a courtesy car from OPC - didn't realise it wasn't an S until I got home and checked the boot badge.

Thought it was a great car, but then I got the GT3 back. In all reality though, the Boxster is all you need for the road IMHO?

[RichB]

nsm3 said:

thought it was a great car, but then I got the GT3 back. In all reality though, the Boxster is all you need for the road IMHO?

Interesting - I've got my Griffith for outright raw speed so this is being considered as a replacement for the 2.9 987

[hopeydaze]

Last month's 911 & PW magazine also rated the entry level Boxster very highly and showed some pretty attractive financing costs. However these were all based on the entry level price but then they listed a number of options to make the ownership experience and resale better. Thereby undoing the cost advantage of the entry level car.

[Nano2nd]

hopeydaze said:

Last month's 911 & PW magazine also rated the entry level Boxster very highly and showed some pretty attractive financing costs. However these were all based on the entry level price but then they listed a number of options to make the ownership experience and resale better. Thereby undoing the cost advantage of the entry level car.

can you re-post the figures? no one seems willing to divulge their finance agreements... even my local OPC

[anonymous-user]

RichB said:

Basic premise is that the 2.7 is light, beautifully balanced and sufficiently quick for public roads

Can't really argue with that. A bit like an old 2.4S 911 for example. Road driving is not all about massive power and grip for some, me included.