shim
11-05-2006, 03:54 AM
While hanging out with ShimShimHada last night, he decided he wanted to take his dad's 2006 Porsche Boxster S out. RICH!!! :eek:
Driving this car was a soul-stirring experience. There's the typical joke that the boxster is a "poor man's 911", but obviously those guys have never driven one. I had always heard that the boxster handled amazingly and I found that to be true. With only 1800 miles on the clock, it was a perfect post break-in drive. :D
The handling on this thing was simply awesome. Very sharp through the corners with very little body roll. It has a pretty stiff suspension, yet compliant enough for daily driving usage. The low slung sports car literally hugs the road and still remains comfortable. The steering feedback is absolutely sharp and precise. You point it to whatever direction and it will follow your input with no hessitation. It reminded me of a tighter version of an S2000, without the twitchiness and fuss.
The engine transplant of the Boxster S is a 3.2L flat-6 with 280bhp @ 6200rpm. The torque is phenomenal. It will simply pull in any gear without any hessitation. The max I took it up to was 5k rpm, but it felt great each time. The powerband in this thing is an excellent match with the 6 spd manual transmission. The Boxster begs for you to take it up to its 7k rpm redline. Although it doesn't have the sudden, grunt feeling of torque as my S50, it has a smoother feeling of acceleration through the gears. Mind you, it is quick enough that you go over the speed limit before you even realize it. :devillook I especially love the sounds, as the mid-mounted engine roars through the powerband and screams into your ear (even with the top down). We didn't realize until the end of the drive that the Por-scha had a "sport mode". I definitely felt quicker throttle response through the midrange.
Driveability is so easy, a beginner could drive it with very few stalls. Rev-matching is lightning quick as the compact, flat-6 design, mated with a light flywheel provide very fast revs. Down shifting is also a breeze as the floor mounted gas pedal allows perfect "heel-toe" action. The close ratio 6 speed feels perfect with its factory short shifter. The gates are defined and shifting takes little effort. The car is very flat around the bends and easily manuverable. Even though we left PSM on, it still was a fun ride. It is funny how Porsche made everything on/in the car stiff. Stiff suspension, stiff seats, and even stiff turn signals. I could see the seats being uncomfortable for long distance cruising, but I don't think I would have it any other way. They hug you in with the supportive bolsters and do not let you slide around.
As expected from a Porsche, the brakes are insane. They stop on a dime while looking pretty in bright red behind the huge, stock 5 spoke wheels. The modulation and pedal firmness was excellent. Definitely "world-class braking".
The outside of the car is gorgeous as well as the nice, tasteful interior. I love how Porsche puts the RPM gauge front and center, putting emphasis on the importance of the engine speed. Another thing I appreciate is the analog and digital speedometers. I only paid attention to the digital one as the analog part only has increments of 25mph. The navigation system is easily readable and the console is very user friendly. The automatic convertible top is easy to operate and can even be closed while driving under 30mph. I also like the auto sealing windows like BMW offers. :)
All in all, this car is a performer. It is an "all-around" sports car that shines in any department. A quality valved suspenion that apexes nicely, yet is smooth and compliant enough for street use. Perfectly matched powerband for any situation, but doesn't drink gas like an SUV. Powerful braking that makes your internals hurt. Refined interior that is expected for a car with that kind of pricetag. I instantly fell in love with this car and really understood the meaning of "There is no substitute". You truely have to drive this thing to get that feeling. I wish I could take the Boxster to an auto-x or a track day. I would have so much fun, you would have to rip me out of the driver's seat. After getting back into my M3, it felt like a complete piece of shit. :rofl I hated how loose my steering was, how tall and narrow the body was, how sloppy my stock suspension was, how many squeaks and rattles my E36 had, etc. I can definitely see why JohnV bought a boxster and I know I will be a P-car owner someday. :)
Driving this car was a soul-stirring experience. There's the typical joke that the boxster is a "poor man's 911", but obviously those guys have never driven one. I had always heard that the boxster handled amazingly and I found that to be true. With only 1800 miles on the clock, it was a perfect post break-in drive. :D
The handling on this thing was simply awesome. Very sharp through the corners with very little body roll. It has a pretty stiff suspension, yet compliant enough for daily driving usage. The low slung sports car literally hugs the road and still remains comfortable. The steering feedback is absolutely sharp and precise. You point it to whatever direction and it will follow your input with no hessitation. It reminded me of a tighter version of an S2000, without the twitchiness and fuss.
The engine transplant of the Boxster S is a 3.2L flat-6 with 280bhp @ 6200rpm. The torque is phenomenal. It will simply pull in any gear without any hessitation. The max I took it up to was 5k rpm, but it felt great each time. The powerband in this thing is an excellent match with the 6 spd manual transmission. The Boxster begs for you to take it up to its 7k rpm redline. Although it doesn't have the sudden, grunt feeling of torque as my S50, it has a smoother feeling of acceleration through the gears. Mind you, it is quick enough that you go over the speed limit before you even realize it. :devillook I especially love the sounds, as the mid-mounted engine roars through the powerband and screams into your ear (even with the top down). We didn't realize until the end of the drive that the Por-scha had a "sport mode". I definitely felt quicker throttle response through the midrange.
Driveability is so easy, a beginner could drive it with very few stalls. Rev-matching is lightning quick as the compact, flat-6 design, mated with a light flywheel provide very fast revs. Down shifting is also a breeze as the floor mounted gas pedal allows perfect "heel-toe" action. The close ratio 6 speed feels perfect with its factory short shifter. The gates are defined and shifting takes little effort. The car is very flat around the bends and easily manuverable. Even though we left PSM on, it still was a fun ride. It is funny how Porsche made everything on/in the car stiff. Stiff suspension, stiff seats, and even stiff turn signals. I could see the seats being uncomfortable for long distance cruising, but I don't think I would have it any other way. They hug you in with the supportive bolsters and do not let you slide around.
As expected from a Porsche, the brakes are insane. They stop on a dime while looking pretty in bright red behind the huge, stock 5 spoke wheels. The modulation and pedal firmness was excellent. Definitely "world-class braking".
The outside of the car is gorgeous as well as the nice, tasteful interior. I love how Porsche puts the RPM gauge front and center, putting emphasis on the importance of the engine speed. Another thing I appreciate is the analog and digital speedometers. I only paid attention to the digital one as the analog part only has increments of 25mph. The navigation system is easily readable and the console is very user friendly. The automatic convertible top is easy to operate and can even be closed while driving under 30mph. I also like the auto sealing windows like BMW offers. :)
All in all, this car is a performer. It is an "all-around" sports car that shines in any department. A quality valved suspenion that apexes nicely, yet is smooth and compliant enough for street use. Perfectly matched powerband for any situation, but doesn't drink gas like an SUV. Powerful braking that makes your internals hurt. Refined interior that is expected for a car with that kind of pricetag. I instantly fell in love with this car and really understood the meaning of "There is no substitute". You truely have to drive this thing to get that feeling. I wish I could take the Boxster to an auto-x or a track day. I would have so much fun, you would have to rip me out of the driver's seat. After getting back into my M3, it felt like a complete piece of shit. :rofl I hated how loose my steering was, how tall and narrow the body was, how sloppy my stock suspension was, how many squeaks and rattles my E36 had, etc. I can definitely see why JohnV bought a boxster and I know I will be a P-car owner someday. :)