Z4 was designed as soft top from the off hence why the rarity of the tin top being heavier than the rag top whereas almost every other car in both forms is the inverse.dgm said:PawnSacrifice said:chris said:But would you get a Boxster over a 911 if you had the money? Course not
Possibly... I wouldn't buy a convertible 911. For me a convertible has to be a proper roadster, not a tin top with the roof lopped off. Oh, and James May did! Actually, thinking about it, a friend of mine did - wanted a soft top and not fond of the 911.
Ignoring the manufacturer, I bet the same percentage would answer the same to the following question...
But would you get a Z4 over a 911 if you had the money?
You would change your mind about that if you drove a 997 turbo convertible, stunning car to drive and feels as if it was designed as a soft top from the off. A Boxster or Z4 of any model doesn't really compare IMO.
z4 vs boxster s
- Thread starter theowhowe
- Start date
NinjaSquirrel
New member
Hi all, this is my first post, I did put one together on the newbies forum but it crashed whilst posting and I couldn't be bothered to type it all out again....
I have a 2001 986 S and a late 2007 Z4 3.0Si, so i guess i can give a reasonable comparison between the two cars, although obviously there are some significant differences between the 986 and 987, but i have experience of driving both and whilst the 987 has some cosmetci changes with regards to the interior and exterior, the driving experience is very comparable between both cars
when buying the Z4 i was also considering a 987 S but found that for an equivalent age, spec, miles car it was roughly 5k more for the 987 over the Z4 and going by my experience of driving both cars it just wasn't worth the price differential
to summarise
Looks = I think both cars are good looking, they have a completely different approach to styling but IMO both work well
Interior = The Z4 has a better interior than the 986 but is probably about the same as the 987, neither are great but both more than adequate
Performance = The 986 S, 987 S and 3.0SI Z4 are all pretty much the same, on a track i'm sure the 987 S would be a second or so quicker than the 986 which in turn would be about a second quicker than the Zed but in the hands of a normal driver on fast roads i doubt there'd be a noticable difference, all 3 cars are more than fast enough and i've never had the chance to fully exploit the performance of any of them for more than the odd mile at a time
Handling = There's no doubt the handling and balance is more precise in the Boxster, there's more feel and you just feel so much more confident, the Z4 has awesome grip but i never feel as conencted nor do i feel like i know when i'm reaching the Zeds limits, the Boxster is more progressive
Ride = I have the run flats on the Z4 which makes it a lot harder than the Boxster, i should get them changed before making a true comparison
noise = The Boxster wins this hands down, the sound over 4,000rpm is beautiful, the Z4 sounds good but isn't in the same league as the Porsche
day to day driving = This is where the Z4 really stands out over the Boxster for me, the clutch, gearchange, steering etc are just so much easier and much less effort than in the boxster, it's a far more pleasant vehicle to do the daily commute in
Roof = far better on the Z4
Running costs = not had the Z4 long enough to compare fully, but i doubt it'll be as expensive as the Boxster which i have spent £2,800 on in the last 12 months (inc tyres and a wheel refurb). I average 25mpg in the Porsche and 32 in the Z4
Overall = For a sunday blast round the lanes the Boxster is better but the Z4 is 90% as good, however for the 90% of the time when you're dirving normally the Z4 is better
With regards to the poor mans porsche image of the boxster i think it's a load of rubbish and is something usually spouted by someone driving a euro crap box like an Astra. when i bought the 986 i also tried a 996 coupe and Cabriolet. The 986 was far superior as a driving machine than the Cab and IMO was on a par with the coupe, meaning the 986 represented better value for money to me. from my experience of 987's and 997's the 987 S is a better driving car than the standard 3.6 carrera but if money wasn't an issue (within reason) i'd take a 997 3.8 C2S but only in coupe form, 911 cabs are just terrible
I have a 2001 986 S and a late 2007 Z4 3.0Si, so i guess i can give a reasonable comparison between the two cars, although obviously there are some significant differences between the 986 and 987, but i have experience of driving both and whilst the 987 has some cosmetci changes with regards to the interior and exterior, the driving experience is very comparable between both cars
when buying the Z4 i was also considering a 987 S but found that for an equivalent age, spec, miles car it was roughly 5k more for the 987 over the Z4 and going by my experience of driving both cars it just wasn't worth the price differential
to summarise
Looks = I think both cars are good looking, they have a completely different approach to styling but IMO both work well
Interior = The Z4 has a better interior than the 986 but is probably about the same as the 987, neither are great but both more than adequate
Performance = The 986 S, 987 S and 3.0SI Z4 are all pretty much the same, on a track i'm sure the 987 S would be a second or so quicker than the 986 which in turn would be about a second quicker than the Zed but in the hands of a normal driver on fast roads i doubt there'd be a noticable difference, all 3 cars are more than fast enough and i've never had the chance to fully exploit the performance of any of them for more than the odd mile at a time
Handling = There's no doubt the handling and balance is more precise in the Boxster, there's more feel and you just feel so much more confident, the Z4 has awesome grip but i never feel as conencted nor do i feel like i know when i'm reaching the Zeds limits, the Boxster is more progressive
Ride = I have the run flats on the Z4 which makes it a lot harder than the Boxster, i should get them changed before making a true comparison
noise = The Boxster wins this hands down, the sound over 4,000rpm is beautiful, the Z4 sounds good but isn't in the same league as the Porsche
day to day driving = This is where the Z4 really stands out over the Boxster for me, the clutch, gearchange, steering etc are just so much easier and much less effort than in the boxster, it's a far more pleasant vehicle to do the daily commute in
Roof = far better on the Z4
Running costs = not had the Z4 long enough to compare fully, but i doubt it'll be as expensive as the Boxster which i have spent £2,800 on in the last 12 months (inc tyres and a wheel refurb). I average 25mpg in the Porsche and 32 in the Z4
Overall = For a sunday blast round the lanes the Boxster is better but the Z4 is 90% as good, however for the 90% of the time when you're dirving normally the Z4 is better
With regards to the poor mans porsche image of the boxster i think it's a load of rubbish and is something usually spouted by someone driving a euro crap box like an Astra. when i bought the 986 i also tried a 996 coupe and Cabriolet. The 986 was far superior as a driving machine than the Cab and IMO was on a par with the coupe, meaning the 986 represented better value for money to me. from my experience of 987's and 997's the 987 S is a better driving car than the standard 3.6 carrera but if money wasn't an issue (within reason) i'd take a 997 3.8 C2S but only in coupe form, 911 cabs are just terrible
Personally I hate the noise the Boxster makes, I find it feels like just a very loud whine / drone. When cold, it sounds like a rattly old Beetle....but the 911 is the same, so it must be a Boxer engine trait. I much prefer the sound of the 3.0 Z4, it's got a classic BMW straight six noise. But that's clearly down to personal preference.
The Boxster S (987) has way more grip and would always be faster over a lap, as you can just push harder....a roundabout you can take at 50 in the Boxster will have you sliding at about 35 in a Z4, it's certainly not as planted. But IMO that's why I prefer the BM - it's a bit more wild, whereas the Boxster lacks character.
Both are very good, both have quite different ways of doing things.
The Boxster S (987) has way more grip and would always be faster over a lap, as you can just push harder....a roundabout you can take at 50 in the Boxster will have you sliding at about 35 in a Z4, it's certainly not as planted. But IMO that's why I prefer the BM - it's a bit more wild, whereas the Boxster lacks character.
Both are very good, both have quite different ways of doing things.
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Anonymous
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NinjaSquirrel
New member
Kryton said:NinjaSquirrel said:
Sorry but I don't agree, I've got a 991 on order and I do think if you buy a Boxter you are telling everyone that you cannot afford a 911, if the Z8 was available for the last few years I would never have bought a Z4.
By that logic someone that buys a focus only bought it because they can't afford a Mondeo? I personally could have afforded a 911, admittedly not a brand new one but i could have afforded a 986 or 996 at the time of buying the Boxster and could afford to sell the Boxster and buy a 987 or 997.
IMO the Boxster S is better than a base model 911. I've driven a GT3 and a Turbo and both were in a different league to the Boxster and both were also in a different league to the standard Carrera. I didn't want a 911 but for financial reasons had to settle for a Boxster, to be honest other than the higher end 911 models the current and previous gen water cooled 911's do nothing for me. I wanted the best sports car i could find for the budget I had at the time and after driving numerous cars over a period of months i came to the conclusion that the Boxster was the best.
money no object of course i wouldn't have the Boxster or the Z4, but then i probably wouldn't have a 911 either (though i'd be tempted by a GT2 RS) but i genuinely never feel envious of someone who has a Carrera 2/4
Sorry OP, this has veered of topic slightly... although I guess it shows what you're up against.
As for the Boxster / 911 debate, looking at this purely with £s in mind the cheaper car will always appear a poor mans' alternative... by that rationalle driving a standard 911 is a poor man's 911 Turbo - you see them round our way being driven by people that will never use the performance but that want the top of the range (accepting that the GT2/GT3 are track focussed).
I think the Boxster is a great car on merit. I wouldn't buy a 911 cab because they're not my cup of tea - as great a car as one would be, I'd have the coupe or a Boxster. If I wasn't needing it every day I'd seriously consider a Boxster Spyder over a 911... and a lot of other cars too! Subject to test drive
I love cars
and I wish I could afford all the ones I want, it would be nice if they could be judged on merit but there will always be people who reduce the discussion to £££, or in the case $$$, which does spoil some peoples' ownership experience - and that is in life, not just this forum.
theowhowe, how is the search going BTW? Are you having the poor man's M6 discussion on the Boxster forums? :lol:
As for the Boxster / 911 debate, looking at this purely with £s in mind the cheaper car will always appear a poor mans' alternative... by that rationalle driving a standard 911 is a poor man's 911 Turbo - you see them round our way being driven by people that will never use the performance but that want the top of the range (accepting that the GT2/GT3 are track focussed).
I think the Boxster is a great car on merit. I wouldn't buy a 911 cab because they're not my cup of tea - as great a car as one would be, I'd have the coupe or a Boxster. If I wasn't needing it every day I'd seriously consider a Boxster Spyder over a 911... and a lot of other cars too! Subject to test drive
I love cars
and I wish I could afford all the ones I want, it would be nice if they could be judged on merit but there will always be people who reduce the discussion to £££, or in the case $$$, which does spoil some peoples' ownership experience - and that is in life, not just this forum. theowhowe, how is the search going BTW? Are you having the poor man's M6 discussion on the Boxster forums? :lol:
PawnSacrifice, well stated... I've had 2 911's in the past and they are brilliant cars. However, today if the Z4 did not exist I suspect that I would be driving a Boxster as it was my second choice back in 2002 when I was looking for a roadster. And it was a very close 2nd choice where for me the Z4 won on looks.
I've had 2 911's in the past and they are brilliant cars. However, today if the Z4 did not exist I suspect that I would be driving a Boxster as it was my second choice back in 2002 when I was looking for a roadster. And it was a very close 2nd choice where for me the Z4 won on looks.mikedav said:
+1
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Anonymous
Guest
playalistic said:mikedav said:
+1
Not really, just a fact of life
so,if you could afford £90k for a 911 you would still buy a boxster, err, I don't think so 
Kryton said:Not really, just a fact of life
At your age I would have thought you had grown out of that
Many people buy the car they actually want....?How about James May; he's got a Fiat Panda as his daily, a Boxster S and an 84 911. Must be because he cannot afford a 997.
I assume you will be going for the GT2 RS? Because of course, a C2S just shows you cannot afford the 'proper' 911. Mind you, the GT2 RS would just show the world you can't afford the Carerra GT, so maybe that's a bad move too....man this stuff is hard.
:wink:
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Anonymous
Guest
mikedav said:Kryton said:Not really, just a fact of life
At your age I would have thought you had grown out of that
How about James May; he's got a Fiat Panda as his daily, a Boxster S and an 84 911. Must be because he cannot afford a 997.
I assume you will be going for the GT2 RS? Because of course, a C2S just shows you cannot afford the 'proper' 911. Mind you, the GT2 RS would just show the world you can't afford the Carerra GT, so maybe that's a bad move too....man this stuff is hard.
I used to have a new GT3 a few years ago as some on this board know, and I do buy the car I want
but the carrera GT is slightly out of my budget :lol:WLH said:PawnSacrifice, well stated...
I saw those, enviously, in your car history. Ideally I want to keep the Z4 and get something like a 3.2 SSE or 964 Celebration - want one with the torpedo tubes. Less capable than today's 911s, but I understand, much more involving to drive. That said the new 997 GTS looks like a fantastic car. Otherwise the GT3... maybe a few years down the line.
Kryton said:I used to have a new GT3 a few years ago as some on this board know, and I do buy the car I want
You're the lucky one, Boxster drivers don't have that choice
Kids, this Christmas spare a thought the Boxster owners, they may look happy, smiling on the outside but they're crying on the inside.
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Anonymous
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mikedav said:At your age I would have thought you had grown out of that
As the saying goes "your only as old as the woman you feel"
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Anonymous
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I think this is my last post on this subject, I may have given the wrong impression but I tried not to, so, in life you have to know when to stop digging
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Kryton said:>...................I'll stop digging now
:wink:
(When the time comes, 911uk.com is good forum, if you've not found it already.)
Still want to know what the OP's up to
Here's the deal: I'm an American living and working in Kuwait, and when I go home on vacation once a year I'd like to have a nice roadster to drive around in. I can't justify paying big money for a car that I'm only going to drive for four weeks out of the year. I very seriously considered buying a Mazda Miata, but the difference in quality between the Z4 (or Boxster) and Miata vastly outweighs the difference in price. I don't really want a cabriolet or whatever you want to call it, but if I do get one, I'll probably get an M3.
I think I have decided on getting an M Roadster, unless I can get a killer deal on a hardtop Z4. In my mind, the Boxster S may be a better car, and it may not, but the fact that it is even debatable, to me, means that I can't justify spending the extra money. Like I said before, the Z4 is absolutely a better car than a Miata, so I'll pony up the extra cash.
I think I have decided on getting an M Roadster, unless I can get a killer deal on a hardtop Z4. In my mind, the Boxster S may be a better car, and it may not, but the fact that it is even debatable, to me, means that I can't justify spending the extra money. Like I said before, the Z4 is absolutely a better car than a Miata, so I'll pony up the extra cash.