Which is the Benchmark -- the Boxster or the 8?
 

I'm talking about the Boxter, not the Boxster S.

Looking at the acceleration and braking and handling numbers in Road & Track, they seem kind of equal. The Boxster numbers are better in some areas and the 8's are better in others.

Then of course there's the matter of doors, seats and price!

So, IF the Boxster is the benchmark, how much does one have to do to an 8 to have it be the equal of the Boxster?

Thanks

Hunter

what exactly is the boxster the benchmark for? I don't consider it the benchmark for anything except hairdressers.

One has to spend $25,000 more for the 8 to equal the Boxster.

...and spend that making the RX8 smaller, handle better, and convertible. :)

I'm not sure if you are criticizing the boxster or the 8...ok wait nevermind you are complimenting the 8 :D (thanks for the PM)

If you buy a boxster you'll be 'that guy who couldn't afford a real Porsche' and really the 8 is 100times more enjoyable to ride...still rare in many places (only see a few in the Twin Cities :)) plus if you add a couple thousand to the 8 you'd have a car that would not just beat...it would kill the boxster in ALL numbers, period. Oh and by the way you'd have enough money left over to buy your wife something REAL nice (like a jacuzzi and more :)).

You don't know what you're talking about. The boxster is just as much a real porsche as any 911.

Indeed.

As Yamagushi mentions in his book on the RX8, the 986 Boxster S was a benchmark car for development of the RX8. Now with the slightly more powerful 987 series, the RX8 HP must be somewhere between the base and S Boxster.

Having owned one before, I can compare it with my 8 and I think the Boxster is a truely brilliant car. It's got all the true Porsche characetristics, including the flat-6 engine.
But we are 3.25 in the family right now, and the RX8 is the perfect car for me and us. I don't regret the Boxster at all. I miss the flat-6 engine music a little bit though...

the 8 is actually below both 987 boxster models in power. :(

Engine peak power is only a part of the story. Read what Paul Frère says about 986 Boxster S vs RX8 HP in Yamagushi's book...

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=1949
The Boxter is very much a real Porsche. I can't wait till they come out with the Boxter coupe which they are calling the Cayman.

yum

If we could get the thread back on track
 

I do think the Boxster is a real Porsche. That wasn't my question. ;)

And, dos, thanks for bringing the Road & Track article into this conversation -- seriously. R&T -- a magazine I pretty much respect -- did that comparison in March and there was no mention of the RX8 and a Boxster (S?) won.

That article is why I was starting with the supposition that the Boxster outhandles the RX8.

If that is the case, then what does one have to do to an RX 8, what has to be modified, to have it handle at least as well as a Boxster?

Hunter

you should go read the aftermarket and racing sections ;)

Someone is lobbying for the Fanboi award!

A mid-engine rwd car is the benchmark for true sports car handling. The 8 is probably one of the best handling front engine rwd cars tho. If you look at the rx7 dna you will see that porsche has a major influence.

I searched the aftermarket handling section and this subject has not been discussed yet