Compare with a 991.1 Carrera S Cabriolet and a 981 Boxster GTS.

Anyone who has ever considered buying a Porsche convertible has, at one time or another, run into this question. "What is the difference between a 911 Cabriolet and a Boxster?The question is, "What is the best way to do it?

I used to ask myself that question a lot, I know the difference between a 4-seater and a 2-seater, and I know the difference between RR and MR. But.How are the ride quality, body rigidity, wind roll, power feel and sound different?And is the difference as great as the price difference? That's the kind of question I'm asking.

I had the opportunity to drive a 991.1 (early 991) Carrera S Cabriolet, and I would like to write a comparison article with my 981 Boxster GTS, a Boxster from the same period, including a review of it.

911 Carrera S Cabriolet of the 991.1 model

This time, theI had the opportunity to test drive a 2013 Carrera S Cabriolet.It is a top-of-the-line 911 with a great-looking Agate Gray exterior color, clear tail lenses, PCCB brakes peeking out from classic wheels, and a leather interior package with 18-way sport seats plus ventilated seats, and even a carbon steering wheel.

Rarely seen with seat ventilation.

Anyway, it's cool.It is a car with an interior and exterior that you will fall in love with, but when you start driving it, you will be even more impressed.The natural torque output with just the right amount of power, the firm yet supple suspension, and the superb NA sound from low speeds all add up to a perfect balance.

Frankly, since I've been on this unit.It is so good that I even want the 991 first semester.

What are the differences in ride quality and body rigidity?

I started to drive off and rounded a curve.It is clearly more rigid than the Boxster. It is totally different.The Boxster, however, is also quite rigid and solid, so much so that it is different from other convertible cars, but the 911 Cabriolet is even more rigid.

I have experience with convertibles in cars more expensive than the 911, but they are on a totally different level. The seriousness of the design is different.The 911 Cabriolet's body is solid enough to make one think so.

Carbon Steering

The 911 Cabriolet steers a little bit and the head goes into the corner firmly without any deviation in reaction.The front traceability is very high. The front end is very traceable. In fact, the Boxster feels more like a RR-like front movement.

The shell of the stout body feels very secure, and the roof lining is covered with a hard material, so that when the roof is closed, the car is really mistaken for a coupe.

The structure of the roof lining is another major difference from the Boxster. The Boxster's roof lining is just a piece of sturdy fabric under the top.The 911's interior lining is covered with a firm, hard shell so it feels like a coupe's ceiling.It is.

The lining of the top of the 911 Cabriolet. It is covered with a firm and hard material.

The Boxster's interior lining is only covered with this kind of cloth, which is soft to the touch.

What is the difference in suspension ride quality?

In simple terms of hard and soft, the 911 Cabriolet is stiffer. And the Boxster is softer.Nevertheless, the ride quality of the 911 Cabriolet is not bad at all, and it is supple enough without any unpleasant vibrations or thrusts.However, the Boxster seems to be even more supple in taste, and the corners of vibration and thrust seem to be rounded off even more.

The PCCB's light weight makes it slightly bouncy at very low speeds, but the ride improves as the speed increases.

This is due to the stiffness of the suspension, but I think it is more due to the rigidity of the body; the 911 has a more solid body, so some of the vibrations from the road surface are transmitted without escaping. On the other handI think that a large percentage of the Boxster's vibrations are tamed not only by the suspension, but also by the body.The first is the "I" in "I".

Perhaps there is a difference in ride quality in that area.

What is the difference in engine power?

The 991.1 and 981 engines are essentially the same block, but with different displacements.Since this 911 is a Carrera S, it has a 3.8L engine with 400 hp, while the Boxster GTS has a 3.4L engine with 330 hp.Both are horizontally opposed six-cylinder NA engines and emit a very pleasant sound.

I like the sense of daring to hide the "S" in "911" instead of the Carrera S emblem.

There is a difference in power, of course; the 911 is faster with a more solid torque feel. However, unlike the turbo engines of the 992 and 718, the torque curve is natural, so it is not a violent power feeling when driving.The engine provides long-lasting acceleration as the rpm rises.

In this sense, the engine is very similar to the Boxster's engine, and in areas other than power, the two engines have similar characteristics.

What is the difference in engine and exhaust sound?

In terms of volume, the Boxster GTS is definitely louder. However, the Carrera S is also loud enough. The car is equipped with a sports exhaust system, so when the switch is turned on, the sound is truly delightful. It is a really nice sound.The clear boxer sound of an NA engine can be heard.In Sport or Sport Plus mode, the bubbling sound is also more aggressive, but it is probably 10-20% more mellow than in the Boxster.

Model 991.1 sports exhaust

The sound quality of the 911 is more mature sounding and does not tire me out after listening to it for a long time. The sound quality of the 911 is more mature and does not tire one's ears over a long period of time. The sound is a little lower than that of the Boxster due to its larger displacement, but it is more transparent than the Boxster. Although I like the bouncy sound of the BoxsterI think the engine sound of this 911 is more comfortable for long-distance touring.

Is there a price difference worth the difference?

This is a 'yes'. Prices don't lie.Well, it is only natural. If a 911, which costs about 1.5 times as much as a Boxster, feels the same, 911 users would be upset. The difference is that theAfter all, it is the rigidity of the body.Since the 911 is a four-seater, it has a larger opening, which may seem like a disadvantage in terms of rigidity, but it is not.

And the sense of security that comes from its rigidity.In terms of ground contact, solidity in cornering, and a sense of security, I clearly feel that this is a car of a higher class.The 911 is a higher-end model in terms of sound insulation, the construction of the top lining, and less wind roll-in. It is also clear that the 911 is a higher-end and more advanced model in terms of sound insulation, the construction of the hood lining, and less wind entrapment.

However, while I am not taking the Boxster's side, considering the Boxster's price, rigidity, driving feel, and enjoyment, I can say that it is a bargain price and a very cost-effective car. However, it is not as good as the 911. It is not that the Boxster is inferior to the 911, but that the 911 is just that much more impressive.

Who is the 911 Cabriolet for and who is the Boxster for?

Without considering the difference in price and whether it is a 2-seater or 4-seater, I would say that the Boxster is more important for fun, openness, and happiness on winding roads, while the 911 is for all-around performance that can handle everything from long distance travel to city driving to winding roads at a very high level.

However, as I write this, please do not take the Boxster as more fun than the 911, or that all-around, the 911 is more of a luxury luxury coupe. It is not.

This is only a comparative discussion, and both are top-notch, genuine sports cars. They are by no means luxury luxury coupes, andEven the 911 is great fun winding down, and there is no doubt that the Boxster can handle long distance travel with ease.

In other words, the Boxster's range is very wide compared to other manufacturers' cars, but the 911's range is even wider. 911 concept."Race on Sunday, drive on MondayAs the catchphrase "The 911 is the flagship of Porsche," it is, in a sense, omniscient and omnipotent. I think that is the 911, the car that reigns supreme.