joshthorsc

Thanks for the review as I've always had a thing for Porsche especially the Cayman S. Again, I'm sorry to hear about your friend. You have my condolences.

mmarshall

Glad you liked it.

Yeah...a great sports-car, but once you start getting into the "S" range, you're talking real money. Even Boxster S models, which are somewhat cheaper than their Cayman S counterparts, can run 75K or more with options....they had a 2013 Boxster S at the dealership which listed for over 76K.


Thanks. It's just a shame he didn't get to enjoy a true retirement after those years of work.

LexFather

You missed the Jag F-type as a competitor, they go head to head.

mmarshall

The F-type is in a substantially higher price range (starting at 69K) than an entry-level Boxster, but, yes, I agree that it can be considered a competitor to the Boxster S. I'll go back and note that in the review. Thanks.

Byprodrive

iTrader: (1)

Just ran across this thread, nice tribute to your friend Marshall.

I have been driving & working on 986 Boxsters for 15 years & want to add a few points.
1997 Boxster debuted in the USA with base MSRP of $39,995 & 2.5L engine making 201 HP & the 5-speed manual transmission was standard, as it is today. Boxster S comes standard with the 6-speed manual. Then, as now the engine is accesable after removing a panel underneath the conv. top. Most servicing is done from underneath the engine.
The 987 Boxster/Cayman are essentially the same platform. The Cayman was designed to be a higher performing car & marketed as a step up from the Boxster to justify it's higher cost. Cayman engines usually have 10-15 more HP.
981 series Box/Cay's have aluminum front fenders,doors,hoods & decklids. Dings can happen!

For the naysayers out there, I too scoffed at the low HP ratings & just about everything about the pristine 1986 911 Turbo look widebody I test drove. (owned by Stephaine Powers) Until I drove a 2000 Boxster S 250HP. Like I tell everybody, don't drive one unless you can afford to buy it! Quite simply the funnest device ever invented by man!

After driving mine several years, a power improvment plan became available:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/car...estigated.html

Upper engine access:

mmarshall

Thanks. He passed away a couple of years ago, but is not forgotten.




You'll probably remember, then, the enormous backlog of orders Porsche had during the first two years of production. Another friend of mine (not the one who passed away) ordered a new Boxster in March of 1997. He took delivery of it in April of 1998.......a thirteen-month wait, even after Porsche added a second Boxster assembly plant in Finland. By delivery time, he had a brand-new but essentially a year-old car....with depreciation.


Yes, but that light weight also contributes to the car's excellent handling....some of the best I've experienced outside of a Lotus Elise or Mazda Miata.

I'm used to test-drives. I drive a lot of vehicles, for various reasons (both for me and others), without buying them.