Porsche 911 vs Boxster Comparison 997 vs 987 (Did I Buy the Right Car)?!

[@flat6croc]

Amazing how people often talk about how much 'smaller' or 'lighter' or 'narrower' the Boxster is. The front half of these cars is shared, including the front half of the cabin, the front axle, steering rack, the monocoque structure, the works. Cabin width at the seating position is identical. It's on shared platform with exactly the same sizes / widths. You could take 997 front wings, lights and bumpers and bolt them directly to the 987. You can also fit the 997 dash top to the 987 and vice versa, again, the front half of the cabin is largely shared. Overall weight is only a tiny bit more in the 997. They are mid-rear and rear-rear versions of the same car. Yes, they handle differently due to the weight distribution. But all the stuff about size and weight is mostly imagined due to the market positioning of the cars making people think the 997 is somehow a bigger car. The 997 Carrera is only 7mm wider (at the rear, it's identical width at the front axle) and actually has a much shorter wheelbase.

[@willscars]

From my perspective I think it’s mainly due to the space behind you in the 911, having the rear seat area does wonders for making you feel like you’re in a bigger, less claustrophobic car. It is weird how our brains perceive things to be different when, like you say, the dimensions are pretty damn similar!

[@jf9601]

I’ve said this before, it is nigh on impossible to “get” 911’s from a short test drive. With the Boxster or Cayman the car will feel right from the get go; they’ll give you bags of confidence and you’ll be able to chuck the thing around. You can’t with 911’s - you have to figure out the dynamics; the slow in fast out mantra. I’ve got a 997 and love it.

[@will_behind_the_wheel]

Thanks for watching. I think i might have to spend some more time with one to build up some confidence

[@qikqbn77]

I have both the 997 + 987. They are both so great that you are blessed to own either one. For long trips up the coast with top down, or weekend getaways the 987's really feel great and not so much road noise from the giant rear wheels in the 911. They just seem to roll down the road effortlessly. The turn in to corners in the 987 is more confident inspiring so people feel more comfortable going fast in the 987 right away. The 911 takes a bit more time, but still very rewarding when you have tamed the beast. The 987 is like a great horse that does everything you ask with no surprises, the 997 still has a bit of that wild horse and that keeps you a bit more on your toes. Both amazing cars and if you have the chance you should own both.

[@willscars]

Thanks for having me mate! Hopefully next time we meet up the weather will be on our side 🤣🤙🏼

[@will_behind_the_wheel]

Thanks for letting me have a go mate. 100% we will do a drive when the sun is out 😂

[@marcusgeorge9140]

I tried both 997 & 981 cayman S …. Personally 981 won it for me, more modern, better looking imo.

[@colinwatson4172]

Had both. 996 C4S and ,986/987 2.7s the biggest difference is a 2.7 just works. 3.6 will need a rebuild. A widebody is worth it for looks alone but if want to just drive your Porsche. There is only one choice from that era.

[@dominiccooper7944]

Not all 3.6 996 cars will need a rebuild, mine is on over 200k miles now and still has un scored bores, plenty of oil changes mind.

[@nornibres]

I own a few Boxsters. I would buy a Cayman over a 911 if I needed a hard top. The rear seat of the 911 isn't important to me. I prefer smaller cars.

[@parvinkukar1259]

I’ve got a Boxster 981 and my son has the cayman 987. I would say definitely the 911 is the better car, but the question you need to ask is what’s the best car for you personally. And in my case it’s the Boxster 981, for agility and the way it looks after you in the corners and finally value for money.

[@will_behind_the_wheel]

Thanks for watching. That is intresting and maybe a decent comparison of the 981 vs 997

[@heelntoe3982]

It took me a second to realize that crunching sound was the windshield wipers. Lol.

[@will_behind_the_wheel]

haha yes they were quite loud😂 One of the joys of filming this time of year is that its always raining

[@HoleLeeAutomotive-rb2qs]

Have both 911 and 987 and I think having both is a great idea.

[@will_behind_the_wheel]

Thanks for watching. I think I will look to do that one day

[@TheFlyingPlectrum]

Boxster is a cabriolet. You should compare it to a 911 cabriolet. I have a 981s and tested a 991 cabriolet before choosing the Boxster.

[@will_behind_the_wheel]

Thanks for watching. That is something that has crossed my mind. I'd love to see what a 911 cab is like

[@christophersabat3884]

Interesting that the 911 and Boxster are so similar, yet so different. I think it speaks volumes for how good we as humans have become at engineering, that subtle differences can feel like big differences to us. It's what makes a great car stand out from a merely good car. That extra few percent, while minor, make a huge difference. Laughing at the proposition of owning a Boxster plus a 911! Maybe it's possible in the UK because you poms have devalued these cars down to the price of an Apple MacBook Pro. You need quite a lot more money to own both in Australia - especially if you want a Carrera S over the standard Carrera. A decent 997 Carrera S and 987 Boxster S in Oz would cost you about one hundred thousand pounds (give or take), combined to buy. That's for .1's too! .2's cost a lot more...

[@will_behind_the_wheel]

Thanks for watching. Wow they must be realy expensive down there. It might even be worth inporting some if they are that expensive.

[@christophersabat3884]

@@will_behind_the_wheel Aussie buyers are extremely conservative and an imported UK car will always sell for less than an Australian delivered car unless the UK example is some hyper rare collectible Porsche. Not sure what it is about UK cars. You guys don't want them and Australian's don't want the UK cars either. I hear a lot of it has to do with the salt that is used on the roads in the UK, but Porsches are fully galvanised from the factory, so it shouldn't be such a big factor.

[@rossbethell4187]

I need to move my 987.1 Cayman S for a 997.1 for the rear seats. Not for adults but for my kids. Shame they are £10k more on average like for like.

[@kevinneary2283]

997 every time for me . I have had both and the sold rigid 997 wins , I also had convertible 996 I honestly can’t put up with the irritation of the odd squeak and rattle of the roof 😂

[@riggs1590]

Two very different cars that share a lot of the same parts. The 911 is more of a luxury GT car. It's heavier, so it feels more solid and slightly more refined. The boxster/Cayman is a lighter more nimble sports car with great handling. I own both a 987 spyder and a 997 c4s cab from the same year. The 987 is just more fun and easier to enjoy more of the time. The 997 is great and can lift up its skirt and dance when needed, but it is better for motorway long distance runs. I think a lot of people are swayed by the whole status symbol thing and buy a 911 over a Boxster/ Cayman. Even if the latter is more suited to what they are really looking for.

[@dominiccooper7944]

Just buy what you like and what you can afford, simples

[@-Jason-L]

Theyre the same car from the doors forward.. the boxster is not smaller

[@pj1597]

Before you buy the 911, if you want you can to take my 981S Cayman out Will at the next Cotswolds Tribal….

[@will_behind_the_wheel]

Thanks mate. I'll have to do a bit of saving up before I can buy anything 😂 I'd love to have a look around yours. Ill see you soon

[@inflatable2]

Here is an interesting video for anyone wondering what the difference is between a Cayman/Boxster and a 911.. You'll be surprised how similar they are.. See here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGm1dYepp56DhaMsi=G7y7mzG1FZVC7KOM

[@KaneLono]

Should have bought a cayman.

[@JJL206]

The 987.1 Boxster and Cayman are some of the best 997.1 911’s Porsche has ever made…