Thanks martinbo. I think the same about your posts. Always very insightful and a lot of value added in them...hope one of these days there will be a thread where we can exchange a few words about Joburg and SA too...used to live in Joburg and environs for a while...worked at Power Steel and Genrec while there in the late 70s...

A great review Martin, seems like you enjoyed your experience!

I agree that the 987 is far better looking than the 986, the Boxster has got to be one of the best cars on sale.

Was the drive everything you expected it to be?

I don't care what people say about the boxster being a chick car or a woman's Porsche. I think the car is incredible and I would definitely get one!

Without question. I really enjoyed the visceral experience of the drive as a whole - it's like a back-to-basics effect in terms of the purity of the experience without detracting from the technology that makes for such a precision driving tool. Gosh, how else would I put it? Something like, "high tech performance coupled with good ol' seat-of-the-pants values".

The way the wind gently buffets the cabin, the rasp of the exhaust, the obedient helm, strong power delivery at the top of the rev range; it may not be a sensory overload - no, you're never overwhelmed - but it does come pretty darn close. Sensational sums it up nicely.

Put it this way, if Chuck Norris were a hairdresser, he'd drive a Boxster S.

Do you remémber how the Z4 3.0 was to drive compared to a boxster S?

Certainly Just_me, first thing that comes to mind is, sorry to be so predictable, the most obvious characteristic to even those that haven't driven them: the driving position relative to the length of the car. You're all too aware in a Z4 that you're driving the car from behind. You sit so close to the rear axle with such distinct awareness of the huge expanse of bonnet/hood in front of you that sensation is one of pushing the car onwards from the rear. It's most agreeable in the classic cab-backward style of the earlier roadsters.

With the Porsche you sit slap bang in the middle of the car, longitudinally speaking. You're much more aware of this position as being the point around which the front and rear pivot and so there isn't quite the sensation of yaw that you get with the Bee-Em. The Porsche feels more pointy.

The Z4's ride is definitely stiffer. But that said, in terms of outright grip I couldn't for certain claim that one is better than the other. The Porsche sounds terrific, the Z4 sounds better. There's more of a rough, rasping exhaust note to the Boxster whereas the BMW has that typical straight six bass woofle and howling top end. Induction noise on the Z4 is more prevalent too IMO. Boxster's gear change and control feel is lovely and fluid and the pedals are beautifully placed. The same could be said for the BMW and heel-n-toe for example is a cinch in either.

These two cars are quite different in mechanical layout and hence the driving experience ought to be accordingly different, which it is. Each car has distinct charm of its own and both are highly enjoyable to drive.

Ultimately, it's the seating position that remains the most apparent differentiating factor in the driving experience.

Boxsters are the perfect Roadster, best Sports car on the planet

@ Martin: kudos to you - wonderful write-up
It's not only a very enjoyable read, it's also spot-on in describing the drive feel
I also agree with your Z 4 3.0 comparo - the Z4 is more following the idea of the original roadster concept while the Boxster is a genuine mid-engined sportscar

@ Donau: you're right with your statements Boxster vs. Cayman
The Cayman feels a tad more rigid compared to the Boxster, just like a Carrera Coupé feels somewhat stiffer compared to a Carrera Cab - otherwise it feels and behaves pretty much the same (no wonder, finally it's the same technical platform).

The mid-engined Porsche's handling is just telepathic
I tracked my baby (987 S) for the first time last weekend and it was not a problem to keep up with the Carreras (would be different on a high speed course though).

Martin, I'm looking forward to your 987 review
As you're a fan of the Cocoa (just like myself) I add a pic showing the interior of my pride & joy

Thanks for sharing and your kind words, Zuffi. Your 987 - it's too beautiful! (Perfect interior colour of course )

Haven't had a chance at driving the new 987. Drat.

Thanks for the compliments - I just love that car
Is it difficult to get your hands on a 987 demo car in JHB for a testdrive ?
In Germany the dealerships just let the car sell itself (maybe the salesguys are too lazy) - before you know they hand over the carkey of a demo car and after the testdrive you just ask where to put you're name on the dotted line