New 2013 Porsche Boxster(s) vs. Z4

[egtownsend]

So new pics of the next generation Porsche Boxster have been released, and the 2013 model seems to be quite a looker... I'm especially taken with the back -- the spoiler is integrated into the taillights! The last one seemed sort of lumpen, but they've sharpened it up and I think it looks better all around.

While the power on the S model is just a little more than my 35i (and less than a 35is), this new model will have me considering jumping ship to Porsche when the lease is up.

Still not super psyched about a cloth top roadster, but that mid-mounted six cylinder is enough to make up for it, in my opinion. I'm not sure if it's going to be that much faster than the Z4, but I'm confident it'll go around corners better.

But what are your thoughts? Hot or not?

[jparnes1]

This topic has been beaten to death in this forum. The new Boxter looks beautiful. It sounds like you know the differences between the 2 cars. By what you'll be happy with, not what other people think.

[JDB30]

I drove a Boxster before switching to the Z4 (35i). There's a lot to love about both cars. There's no question that the Boxster's handling is superior to the Z4---in fact, it's probably better than just about anything because of the mid-mounted engine. The steering is also much better, in my opinion, as is the suspension.

The Z4 is faster and you gotta love having twin turbos. I personally prefer the Z4 interior to the Boxster (though I don't know what's in store for the 2013 Porsche). And I do love having the retractable hard top, though it comes with a significant weight penalty over the Porsche.

The fact is that both cars are great but very different.

[tranquility]

I'd rather have the new Cayman, but both the latest Cayman/Boxster are much better looking than their previous versions. They now are less 'bulby' and have smoother lines.

[Kief]

The new 981 is beautiful!

[cdeslandes]

That new Boxster is MUCH better looking than the old one.

Now that both cars look equalliy good, the choice comes down to performance versus practicality. The Boxster no doubt handles better and is more of a driver's car, the Z4 is more usable year-round with a hard top, low-end torque and being a little more comfortable.

[cool4re]

I have had 3 Boxster S in the last 10 years (2001, 2003 and 2006) so I know a little about them. I think my 2011 Z4 35i M-Sport is MUCH better than my Porsches. The low end torque makes the BMW much more engaging, not to mention the retractable hardtop and the FREE service! Plus here in L.A. the BMW is much less common which I like.

[Vintage]

I love Porsches and have owned a Boxster - maybe my favorite "driver" of all time. However, I think the front looks like a some Toyota roadster of a few years back . . . what was it called? Everything else looks great, just not digging the front as it looks a little goofy and asian designed (no offense intended).

[az34]

it does not look much different then the first gen. which was looking like 911 who was looking like a 356 who was looking like a beetle who was looking like...

[jparnes1]

Yeah I agree. Seen one Porsche, seen them all. They should hire a designer to shake things up a bit.

[35iDriver]

Would it kill Porsche to come up with a revolutionary design for once?
How many times can they just keep tweaking the same body style over and over?

To me the car still looks better as a coupe (Caymen).

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by VintageBMW

I love Porsches and have owned a Boxster - maybe my favorite "driver" of all time. However, I think the front looks like a some Toyota roadster of a few years back . . . what was it called? Everything else looks great, just not digging the front as it looks a little goofy and asian designed (no offense intended).

MR2/MRS?


In any event, the new Cayman/Boxster looks way better than their older counterparts, Asian-resemblance or not.

[Art__Vandelay]

Gotta say I like the new design. Sure, it's as always the same Porsche base design, but they've made it in a pretty good way, definitely better than the old model. I like especially the new rear design (maybe except the fact that the exhaust is still in the mittle).

[timber511]

if you want to have a good handing machine , porsche is the way to go .
But , spending app $ 90000( in canada ) , i will not get a machine under 350 hp.
I will wait the new cayman to come out on july and decide wheathet to trade in
my z435is

[Colorado]

The 2013 model looks much better than the past models. One thing I noticed is the red interior. I like the fact that the steering wheel, dash, seats, etc. are all red. Just like my 1962 Corvette.

[HerrK]

Originally Posted by Colorado

The 2013 model looks much better than the past models. One thing I noticed is the red interior. I like the fact that the steering wheel, dash, seats, etc. are all red. Just like my 1962 Corvette.

The new Porches body style is pleasant looking. Still no hardtop and I never liked how Porsche would do the interior in almost entirely the same material color be it beige, tan, brown, black, grey, or red. Too much of the same is like Deja Vue all over again and I do like red.

I had no concerns when ordering the red on red Z, once I saw how the interior is broken up with the black & silver contrasts. Plus it has the best looking convert hardtop for the money.

[tranquility]

Croatian test driver>
Wow, thx for the pix, the Boxster looks great, even though I prefer coupes. Can't wait to see the Cayman.

[lrc454]

Will not own a cloth top convertible, thus my first convertible is the Z4. Don't care about the weight penalty either.

I've never liked the looks of cloth top convertibles with the top up. Just me.

[Dr Stig 2]

Originally Posted by Colorado

The 2013 model looks much better than the past models. One thing I noticed is the red interior. I like the fact that the steering wheel, dash, seats, etc. are all red. Just like my 1962 Corvette.

When I bought the Zed I looked into the pricing to option up the boxster spyder to have the same amount of options, including the extended leather interior.

By the time I had added in an option for the:
armrest centre
door trim
dash upper
instrument surround
sun visor
dash centre
gear surround
etc

I had taken a $150K car and turned it into a $195K car.
Made the extended ivory leather package in the Zed look like an absolute bargain.

[Dr Stig 2]

FWIW
IMO this generation is a lot more sorted than the previous attempts.
The flush mounting of the open roof cover looks streets aghead of the open gap that used to catch bugs and diesel dust in the boot / trunk.

I always thought I would only ever own a metal roof convertible because our sun is soooo harsh on cloth tops.
Now that I own one, and I realise I almost never have the top up in the sun (park undercover, drive 90% with the top down, basically unless it is raining) I think I could live with the cloth roof if is meant I had less creaks and rattles from the roof mechanism.

I think I would still rather wait until I have enough moolah for the 458 Spider though.

[richard in NC]

Originally Posted by Dr Stig 2

FWIW
IMO this generation is a lot more sorted than the previous attempts.
The flush mounting of the open roof cover looks streets aghead of the open gap that used to catch bugs and diesel dust in the boot / trunk.

I always thought I would only ever own a metal roof convertible because our sun is soooo harsh on cloth tops.
Now that I own one, and I realise I almost never have the top up in the sun (park undercover, drive 90% with the top down, basically unless it is raining) I think I could live with the cloth roof if is meant I had less creaks and rattles from the roof mechanism.

I think I would still rather wait until I have enough moolah for the 458 Spider though.

Gee. I'd settle for the Ferrari California. A similar design to the Z4 hardtop.

I much prefer the hard top. Probably from experience with older soft tops being noisy, flapping in the wind, and a real pain to lower and attach the cover.
Although the soft top is done right in the 650i/M6.

[FalconFlyer]

To me.. it still is the only car that looks the same... if you driving it forward or backward...