308/328 vs. Boxster performance

Please report back on what you find. It sounds like you are genuinely torn. I am interested in hearing what YOU think after some test drives.

-F

 

One thing for sure. 20k on a used Boxster, gives you a lot of bang for the buck. A fun little sportscar that will do fine for a dd, and occasional Track day tool. I think that if a person really wants a Ferrari, it's as simple as that. They just WANT one. If ya start getting too logical with cost- per-mile, and available luggage space ect ect.... you might end up with a camry. One needs to simply ask themselves, What do I REALLY want to own? Cost of admission isn't cheap, nor the cost of running one. But to most owners, it's worth it.


Darrell.

 

I agree with Bullfighter. Your choices are: get the 328 and pray it doesn't brake during gentle, infrequent driving (and live in terror of the maintenance interval), or...

get an older Boxster and go to the track.

I know which I would do. No car is as fun puttering around on the street as ANY other car is on the track.

 

Agreed. Even the roof line of the CGT isn't quite right.


Darrell.

 

That's a tuff decision to make. Very mature one though. It's one thing to buy the car, quite another to properly maintain it. Especially if you intend to track the car. Best of luck on your search. Let us know how it turns out.

BTW. A lot of F car owners, track another brand of car for this exact reason.


Darrell.

 

If this is the same car I saw announced for sale around Nov/Dec of last year on one of the rennlist forums, its an AWESOME car.

As mentioned, I'd love to have the resources for a 308, but BREW, I'd seriously consider that RUF boxster for smiles per mile rating.

James in Denver

 

Brew,
If you are looking for a new ride in your range that can be tracked, test drive an STi. I've had mine 3 years. I traded a 99 M3 on it because the Subie is more fun. It has over 1000 track miles on it and it's never missed a beat, just wore out tires and pads. I nick named it ego buster because on track days it beats almost everything out there and it is bone stock. I have seen people bring a lot of new performance cars to track day and I'm always amazed at how many will overheat or suffer other hard riving induced problems. The Subie just goes and goes. I tracked quite a few Ferarris and not had any track induced trouble. People who modify them sometimes have problems because some other component is then stressed more than its design limits, but this applies to any brand.

If you are willing to look at used, a whole 'nother world opens up. Certainly a boxster is a great used car value since they have depreciated very badly. I'm planning to have a look at CaymanS in a year or two after some depreciation is worked in.

I don't really think you are ready for a Ferrari. Give it time.

Best of luck,
Dave

 

Well said.

Not to get into which 3X8 is better and for what reason, but with a budget in the $60K range I think the 348 offers great value and near or better performance than a boxsterS and probably closer in perfomance to the Cayman.

Of course I've just spent close to $8K on 30K major that was 4 years over due. What he said above.

 

A Ruf Boxster with 365 hp would be AWESOME. Would probably blow the doors off my 360, really. Maybe I can talk the wife into trading in the Boxster S...Hmmmmmm.

If you don't need a roadster (a must for ME), the Subaru Sti is a great car for the money. It would have a warranty which means more money for tracking.

We live in a great time for sports cars. Lots of choices. Enjoy the ride.

 

I would think the 348 will serve your purpose just fine... The 348 is a beautyful Ferrari, nice compact, well handling, great tracking, easy to modify, and just about the same cost as the 328.... Most important thing is it will leave the Porsche Boxster eating dust by itself....

 

I seriously doubt that, but it would be fun to try!

That is so true. The quantity and quality of the (sports) car choices today is mind-boggling. Makes me wish I had a 20 car garage and the money to fill it!

 

Since when did the 328 become "fragile". Those are the opinions of the clowns that ask "how fast does it go", "How much does it cost" and (my personal favorite) "what do you do for a living?".

These cars aren't fragile. They are quite the opposite really. Maintenance is the only real issue.

 

The reference was to the fact that track driving is hard on cars and will, at the least, drive up the frequency of regular maintenance (brake pads and fluid and oil, if nothing else). And even in very durable cars, it will significantly increase the liklihood of something breaking. Track driving costs more, and since it was recommended he avoid too many maintenance costs due to budget, that makes tracking the more expensive car more risky and more costly. That was the point. No intended suggestion of the 328's durability, either good or bad.

 

Right on. No problem.

 

I have found that the earliest mid-engined production sports cars give the most pure sports cars feeling out there. Modern sports cars are great, but the feeling an early to mid 70's mid-engined Ferrari or early Porsche 911s for that matter provides is leaps and bounds more satisfying than a newer car. Should you feel as if you are a purist at heart, go for a Dino, or an early 308(76-77).

 

I've owned both an '85 308 and a 2005 Boxster S. First, lets discuss the looks. For me, the 308 is a far more exotic looking vehicle and always engaged my interest. The Boxster is more modern in style, but with that, looks very similar to so many other cars of today. Side-by-side, kind of boring in comparison to the 308. THAT'S MY OPINION! NOW GET THIS! A majority of my friends (guys and girls) said they preferred the Boxster!?!? Yeah, I thought what you're thinking right now.... Anyway, it's true that it is 20 years newer than the 308, but styling wise, I just didn't see a comparison. Driving, though, there's a big difference. The new Boxster S is faster and better handling than the 308, and yes, it's very noticeable. It also has all the best of modern sophistication which makes it very "James Bond" if you will. The 308 is minimalist in comparison. Which one was the most fun for me...the Ferrari by a mile! Why? Well, even though (and I'm being honest) it's definitely not the best of the two cars...in the end that's a highly subjective statement. Best doesn't have to be based on absolute performance...it can also be based on absolute thrill, i.e. what it does for the soul. The Ferrari with its mythical status...its history...even its stupid little problems...has a charisma that is hard to match. You experience something more than a trip down the road when you drive it...and its a car that you can't help but turn to look at one more time (at least) when you walk away from it. The world is full of great cars...and they're not all Ferraris...but not every great car can capture your imagination the way that Italian prancing horse will. Good luck with your decision.

 

I keep telling my friend that,
1) you may have faster car
2) you may have quicker car
3) you may have newer car
4) your car may cost more than mine
5) you may have more electronics gadget than mine
6) you may have this, that and so on...
But no matter how you look at it, IT IS STILL NOT A FERRARI Hello!

 

<Pause>

Never, never, NEVER -- take James Bond's name in vain like that again!

 

lol - hey now! If Bond had been driving a 911 turbo, GT3, or even a Cayman or Boxster...he probably would have CAUGHT the bad guy instead of being flipped over on his head and crashing 20 seconds into the chase!

Just imagine...he dashes out to get in his boxster to chase the baddie...waits patiently while the top goes down...check his hair and sunglasses in the mirror, and then catches the bad guy effortlessly while listening to his favorite band on the radio. lol

Okay, the Aston was very very hot, for the 10 seconds it was on screen.

 

Watch what you wish for. My wife has done a few track schools, and now I can't keep tires on her cars!!!



Darrell.

 

You're absolutely right!!! Funny thing is, I thought the same thing when I wrote that rather blasphemous comment!!! I'm a huge James Bond fan...heck, my dad raised me on Connery and Moore! Watched Casino Royale last night on the home theater...man I love that movie!! Back to the cars, though...as I'm sure you know what I was meaning...all the cool little electronic gadgets and sophisticated features...even the cup-holders that magically appear and extend at the touch of a hidden panel...make the new Boxster S well, let's just say "James Bond JR. like"!!! Keeping the 007 Faith...

 

Tell your wife all is well. I watched some of the "making of" movie, and they had to specially modify the car to get it to flip, as well as essentially giving it a great big push up on one side.

Short of some good speed sideways into some mud, or hitting something...it is very hard to flip a sports car.