RX8 vs. Boxster - I went boxster
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09-29-2008, 10:45 AM
#29
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I'm the OP - this is NOT a bash thread. I REALLY had a tough decision. I almost bought the RX8 instead of the boxster. they are indeed VERY different cars. Which was part of the problem. It wasn't like I was comparing an Accord vs. Camry...
My goal was to get a third car for fun. I had a daily driver which I wanted to keep. It's one of those older, high mileage, but paid off and very reliable but "not so fun" kind of cars. So "fun" was the key factor for my third car.
I test drove the 350Z, the S2000, the EVO X, the Boxster, and the RX8. From the second I test drove the RX8 I was in love with it. Like all of you know - it's not torquey, it's not *fast*, but it's just so much darn fun. The EVO was fast but not as fast as I expected, and it felt cheap and numb. It did NOT feel sporty AT ALL.
I want somethign that I climb into and feel like I"m in a sports car. I've owned two RX7s in my past, as well as a Miata - so I"ve had a lot of mazdas, and two rotaries. Both my 79 RX7 and my 87 Turbo II were modded - and I loved those cars. So I'm no stranger to rotaries, but neither am I determined to get another one.
I just wanted a fun car. My dad owned the boxster. I had driven it a handful of times when he let me and my wife borrow it for weekend "dates" and I have to admit, it was probably the most fun, best handling car i have ever driven. Not rocket ship fast - it's only rated at 217hp, but I believe it also weighs in a couple hundred pounds less than an RX8 - somewhere aroudn 2800.
The s2000 was really cramped and i did not like the sound at VTEC wail. it sounded like it was going to explode. and it sounded like all the other ricer cars to me. the RX8 had a very nice sound at WOT. the boxster also sounds amazing at WOT. you have to sit in one to listen to it. the air intake is behind you, on the drivers side, if you look at the photo at the tp of the thread, you can see the passenger side vent..there are two, one on each side... those thigns are sucking air, basically right behind your ear, and when you hit about 5k, you reallyh ear it. it sounds like an exotic car or something. it's the best sound I've ever heard in a car. the rx8 is a close second.
the handling on this car has to be experienced. given there are so many variations of boxsters, it's hard to compare them directly. many of the older boxsters came with 16 or 17" wheels...and if you drive one of those, then get into a car with the M030/ factory upgraded suspension PLUS 18" sticky tires - it's not even a fair comparison. it would e like getting into an RX8 sport with 17"s and all seasons, then gettinginto an rX8 with full MS setup on PS2s.
this boxster is the equivalent of that mazdaspeed prepped rx8. it has upgraded/stiffer sways, shocks, springs, all factory tuned to be a high performance street setup - like a MS setup.
the drop top fun is hard to beat for a third car. for a daily driver I would have wound up getting the rX8 - it's much easier to live with. but for a car i only take out on Fri or Sat - having a convertible is pretty fun.
another KEY factor is that the boxster was my dads. he gave me a VERY good deal. i got the car for thousands off wholesale and no sales tax as it's interfamily.
all in all - it was partly the car, and partly my desire for a third car, plus the smokin deal I got. if I was looking for a car I drove more often, I would have done the 8.
you guys hae a great car. the rx8 is one of the most underappreciated cars out there. it is tons of fun and reasonably practical for a car that looks, feels, and drives like a pure sports car.
I just want to go out now and find some awesome twisty roads to enjoy my new car on!
My goal was to get a third car for fun. I had a daily driver which I wanted to keep. It's one of those older, high mileage, but paid off and very reliable but "not so fun" kind of cars. So "fun" was the key factor for my third car.
I test drove the 350Z, the S2000, the EVO X, the Boxster, and the RX8. From the second I test drove the RX8 I was in love with it. Like all of you know - it's not torquey, it's not *fast*, but it's just so much darn fun. The EVO was fast but not as fast as I expected, and it felt cheap and numb. It did NOT feel sporty AT ALL.
I want somethign that I climb into and feel like I"m in a sports car. I've owned two RX7s in my past, as well as a Miata - so I"ve had a lot of mazdas, and two rotaries. Both my 79 RX7 and my 87 Turbo II were modded - and I loved those cars. So I'm no stranger to rotaries, but neither am I determined to get another one.
I just wanted a fun car. My dad owned the boxster. I had driven it a handful of times when he let me and my wife borrow it for weekend "dates" and I have to admit, it was probably the most fun, best handling car i have ever driven. Not rocket ship fast - it's only rated at 217hp, but I believe it also weighs in a couple hundred pounds less than an RX8 - somewhere aroudn 2800.
The s2000 was really cramped and i did not like the sound at VTEC wail. it sounded like it was going to explode. and it sounded like all the other ricer cars to me. the RX8 had a very nice sound at WOT. the boxster also sounds amazing at WOT. you have to sit in one to listen to it. the air intake is behind you, on the drivers side, if you look at the photo at the tp of the thread, you can see the passenger side vent..there are two, one on each side... those thigns are sucking air, basically right behind your ear, and when you hit about 5k, you reallyh ear it. it sounds like an exotic car or something. it's the best sound I've ever heard in a car. the rx8 is a close second.
the handling on this car has to be experienced. given there are so many variations of boxsters, it's hard to compare them directly. many of the older boxsters came with 16 or 17" wheels...and if you drive one of those, then get into a car with the M030/ factory upgraded suspension PLUS 18" sticky tires - it's not even a fair comparison. it would e like getting into an RX8 sport with 17"s and all seasons, then gettinginto an rX8 with full MS setup on PS2s.
this boxster is the equivalent of that mazdaspeed prepped rx8. it has upgraded/stiffer sways, shocks, springs, all factory tuned to be a high performance street setup - like a MS setup.the drop top fun is hard to beat for a third car. for a daily driver I would have wound up getting the rX8 - it's much easier to live with. but for a car i only take out on Fri or Sat - having a convertible is pretty fun.
another KEY factor is that the boxster was my dads. he gave me a VERY good deal. i got the car for thousands off wholesale and no sales tax as it's interfamily.
all in all - it was partly the car, and partly my desire for a third car, plus the smokin deal I got. if I was looking for a car I drove more often, I would have done the 8.
you guys hae a great car. the rx8 is one of the most underappreciated cars out there. it is tons of fun and reasonably practical for a car that looks, feels, and drives like a pure sports car.
I just want to go out now and find some awesome twisty roads to enjoy my new car on!
09-30-2008, 10:48 AM
#30
Grand Chancellor
Congrats. I like the mid-engine porkers. very well balanced. I looked into Boxsters too. But only 2001+ as they have a bit more motivation. But the thought of not being able to see the engine or change the oil without a lift was a downer for me. And ultimately prefered the BMW Z4s instead. nevertheless, enjoy the Boxster. They are great cars until the next routine maintenance.
Cayman S is sexy.
Cayman S is sexy.
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