Z4 and Boxster

[AndyJ]

Please bear in mind that I've had a lot of Z's over the years (since a new Z3 2.8 ) and spent a lot of time reading forums and car magazines. With the new 35 IS on order I am of course catching up on the gossip

Today I was looking through here / bimmerfest and was still intrigued to see many of the age old ancient Boxster / Cayman vs Z4 threads and comments / digs. So I did a 10 minute session on the Porsche website spec'ing a Cayman to rival the 35 IS to see if anything had changed since I last drove the porker.

After 10 minutes I had both cars specified fairly closely.

• Z4 35 IS (my fairly high Spec) - Approx £40k after discounts.
  P Cayman S (similar spec) - £62k and probably not able to negotiate anything substantial off.

Bearing in mind that the Z4 is a convertible (and a very classy one with a hard folding roof) and the Cayman is a far cheaper coupe the difference is even greater. And to put it mildly there were a myriad of Porsche options that I didn't choose I'd have liked. I'm sure I could have got the Cayman close to £70k easily.

Conclusion. I'm still confused that people continue to compare these 2 cars as if they were the same price. And not just people on forums either, I stopped reading Autocar as they are practically owned / sponsored by Porsche. I think the Cayman is becoming a nice looking car (with many options specified) but it isn't remotely in the same price band / comparable on value to a Z. It would make more sense to compare to the Jag F-Types / etc.

For me the baby Porches are so expensive that I'd just skip them and go straight to an F-Type S or Aston Martin.

[ZermattV]

I think you're right the Z4 stopped trying to compete withe the Boxter a while ago , and competes more with the TT and the SLK. the Boxter has moved up market allowing the 991 to go even further up the scale.

[Dave1971]

In the early days it was a fair but the latest version of the Boxster and Cayman have had quite a dramatic price hike, especially when you start adding in the extras you don't get with a Porsche it's no longer a reasonable comparison.

[srhutch]

With all you research surely you saw it is a 35iS and not a 335iS

[Fast3000]

Different cars imo - not sure why people compare them! as Zermatt says...

[GuidoK]

Conclusion. I'm still confused that people continue to compare these 2 cars as if they were the same price. And not just people on forums either, I stopped reading Autocar as they are practically owned / sponsored by Porsche.

There was a time that the CaymanBoxster was compared to the Z4 and the CaymanBoxster S was compared to the Z4M
Now that the Z4 range hasn't got a 'Z4M' anymore, there is no car in the lineup anymore to compare the Boxster S(/GTS).

The right comparison would be Z4 35is to a well specced Boxster. That might get pricewise interesting too...

Before anyone starts the BHP arguement: there was a time that the top Z4 had about equal (or even more in a very small overlap) HP than the boxster S.
Money for money the bmw will always win on power, but that is not something porsche is trying.

[chasBMW]

Im planning to change middle of next year and am expecting that the Z4 will have stopped production by then , so have been considering the alternatives (mid sized 2 seater convertables) of which there are not alot , the boxster GTS seems to hit the spot and the 'starting price' doesnt seem to bad but once you start to spec it up

[AndyJ]

I think the Z4 will still be in production next summer, so you'll have another last chance to extend the Z4 ownership.

However... If you really do switch to a Boxster from a VO Z4 then you will :-

1) Have a feeling that someone has removed your trousers (along with your wallet). Best specify the heated seats (£5k)..
2) Need to close your eyes when outside the car. Keep them firmly shut. Remember Medussa !
3) Never look in shop windows as you drive by. Even tinted windows won't save you.

[GuidoK]

Jaguar F type no option?

[chasBMW]

Jaguar F type no option?

I like those but sadly it wont fit my garage widthwise

[chasBMW]

I think the Z4 will still be in production next summer, so you'll have another last chance to extend the Z4 ownership.

However... If you really do switch to a Boxster from a VO Z4 then you will :-

1) Have a feeling that someone has removed your trousers (along with your wallet). Best specify the heated seats (£5k)..
2) Need to close your eyes when outside the car. Keep them firmly shut. Remember Medussa !
3) Never look in shop windows as you drive by. Even tinted windows won't save you.

I certainly agree on point one and would probaly agree that a Z4 is a better looking thing

[Stark]

4 cylinder Boxster and Cayman out next year

[pvr]

Your chance to say that you own a Porsche Turbo then

[pvr]

In the E85 arena, the Z4M and the Boxster S were proper competitors, however the E89 went cruiser direction whilst the Porsche offerings remained code performance / sportscar based so that comparison is no longer the case as they are not similar cars anymore.

[Stark]

I just think the one area that any other manufacturer misses out on is precision. They are so advanced in this field, it's hard to explain unless you've driven them.