2001 Porsche Boxster 986... Is it better than an NC MX-5 Miata?

[@original2758]

I can answer that question immediately before watching the video. YES with a resounding YES the Porsche Boxster 986 is better than an NC MX-5 Miata... Especially in the "S" variation. I've got an 02, 3.2 liter, six speed, Porsche Boxster S with Fabspeed Exhaust, CAI, catless headers, IPD Plenum/TB, Numeric shifter, Bilstein performance shocks, H&R lowering springs etc. And with it's mid-engine design combined with legendary Porsche flat six power plant there is no comparison... Imo of course! 😁

[@erikkulp8819]

Thank you for the review. I own a 2011 base Boxster used for road and track. With that said I do believe for many people the Miata is the best sports car for the money but not for me. My 2011 has even taller gearing than the 986 you drove, and I love to rev out the gears. If you have a sports car and don't break the speed limit what's the point? What you didn't talk about much is how much better that flat six sounds and pulls than the Miata. Sound is super important for the experience and the Miata is just lacking. I also find the sound with the top up mechanical and satisfying and with the top down even better so maybe that is personal preference. As for storage space the difference is bigger than you may think. I get tons of groceries in the frunk of the Boxster and rarely even need to use the trunk for anything other than golf clubs. I spent a bunch of time in a 2017 club and touring Miata and it's just a different car. I am 5'10" and feel the Miata is too small for me and it don't have that special sound or feel to it compared the Boxster's I drove. The Miata to me is more of a small weekend toy as the Boxster is a more practical toy that has the feel of a special occasion every time I drive it.

[@4speedauto]

I did mention the sound, but said that it's a shame you can't enjoy the glorious flat 6 noise more due to the tall gearing. As a note... the speed limits on Japanese back roads is usually 40kph (not mph). Yes you break speed limits to enjoy a sports car but even the top of 1st gear in the 986 is an immediate loss of your license for a few years if you get caught. You're not even allowed to drive the car home =/ The Initial D days when the police ignored the mountain roads have been over for decades... I really loved driving the 986, but like I said... wrong country for it.

[@erikkulp8819]

@@4speedauto Thats too bad about the driving enforcement I definitely wouldn't have a license if I lived out there. Maybe a smart car or moped would be the way to go. I see no point in having anything fun or sporty if you can't use it. A Boxster and a Miata would both break the speed limit and cost you your license in second gear.

[@4speedauto]

@@erikkulp8819 That's why Kei-car "sports cars" with 660cc engines here are a thing haha.

[@masakitoraiwa1562]

I own the early 2.5 version in Japan for the reason you mentioned, I was specifically looking for 2.5 so that I can push the engine bit more than 2.7 and S variants. I think I made the right choice. Nothing but fun so far😊

[@4speedauto]

I heard that the 2.5 has the shortest gears of all Boxsters, so I can definitively see that being more suited to Japan and more fun =) Good choice!

[@flashuser777]

I’m considering exactly this choice right now. Thank you for the input!

[@4speedauto]

@@flashuser777 Both are very fun cars and I don't think you would be disappointed with either... But it's good to keep in mind the running costs of the NC are significantly less. Even an engine blowing is far from the end of the world with a Miata.

[@samson-judahsaintlaurent7003]

I love my ND Miata RF. I would not change, and I do live in the USA.

[@4speedauto]

The ND is actually faster than the 986 Boxster, so really no reason to even be envious of it =)

[@miyoshifw27]

NC1 '06 AT with 135K kms owner here, so proud that mine has 4 cup holders. Yeah as a 180 cm old dude is kinda hard driving any Miata but the fun is priceless. Around 7 - 11 km/liter hi oku is quite expensive for 2L Ford engine. Anyway love this video 'bro! Anyway if you drive a convertible make sure the top is down all the time, don't care if the weather is hot, cold or even dusty because that's what I do. Why? Because mine has holes everywhere I always check the weather forecast before I drive, if it rains well I drive my CR-Z Peace from Tochigi

[@4speedauto]

Wow you must be driving your car much harder than me haha. I think the worst I got was 9km/liter being mostly stuck in traffic and the best I got was 17.5 on a long highway drive.

[@miyoshifw27]

@@4speedauto lol I'm old and I drive by the speed limit most of the time, but most of the NC owner in NC Facebook group are always complaining about the mpg of this 2 liter Ford engine. I always change my oil and filter every 2500 km with Castrol Edge which cost me around 8000 Yen at Autobacs but yeah... this car is smile per gallon according to US drivers

[@4speedauto]

@@miyoshifw27 Well, I have no idea what I'm doing right then haha. It might be a manual and auto difference which would make sense for this era of car. I have a Roadster specialist taking care of the maintenance of my car. It's worth trying to find one in your area compared to Autobacs.

[@aaronwindmiller4307]

You have to drive the Boxster S. That's a different animal entirely.

[@4speedauto]

I hear that the S is a better car and would definitely love to try one... but if the gearing of that 6 speed transmission is anything like the base Boxster's 5, this isn't the country to try it in.

[@andrewfitton764]

@@4speedautoit’s not. I’ve had both 2.7 and 3.2 and a mx5Na. You can’t really compare a 3.2 to an mx5 - its peers would more be a big 370 or a 3.0 Z4 Z3M and it hammers all of them. What I would say is I drove right across Europe, > 1000 miles in a 2.7 in a day and I wouldn’t do that in an MX5.

[@4speedauto]

@@andrewfitton764 The refinement levels of the Porsche are better for sure. That plus the extra power for motorways puts the Boxster in a different category as a cross continental blaster =)

[@Shaun94]

I've got a 2004 boxster s,it's absolutely amazing!

[@tjacobsen5131]

I'm not taking advice from a dude who wears a face diaper outdoors in 2024 😅

[@4speedauto]

I wouldn't either =)

[@jonseries9973]

I don’t get the big deal with face mask, are americans that insecure.

[@denseljosephs9500]

I own a Boxster but sorry i cant bear to watch a vlog with someone wearing a face mask .

[@4speedauto]

KZbin is a big place. There are plenty of other channels to watch with lots of attractive people making videos that hopefully don't make you feel uncomfortable. Go watch those instead.

[@carlosbonilla1637]

The 986 is one of the worst Porsches ever made.. after 7 Miatas.. I got a 986S.. what BIG MISTAKE.. couldn’t wait to get rid of it.. awful quality, mechanical issues and overall an overrated car.. now back in an ND Miata and couldn’t be happier

[@4speedauto]

I just had a day in an ND last weekend... I wouldn't get the 986 over that for sure. The Porsche was fun to try out for a day, but definitely not something I would own.