Originally Posted by dedwards0323
It still continues to amaze me to read in the FEB/2010 issue of Automobile where the critics heap volumes of praise on the BMW Z4 and Porsche Boxster/Cayman models. Both of these made their 10 All-Stars list in this issue. With the Z4's 3.0 liter twin turbo 6 rated at 300 hp/300 lb-ft and the Porsche Cayman S having 320 hp/273 lb-ft from its 3.4 liter flat-6, both of these marques still haven't quite caught up to the Crossfire SRT-6 performance ratings for the 2005/2006 model years. (Note: I'm not convinced that the Z4 or Cayman/Boxster models out handle our cars either.)
I'm envious to those of you that have been lucky enough to have an SRT-6 in your stable and you should be proud that your 4-5 year old car still out performs the latest & greatest from the 'other guys'!
As one of the few members on here who actually has access to both a Porsche Boxster, and a Crossfire, I can assure you that both cars are very enjoyable to drive, but are very different drives.
My Porsche is a '98, and doesn't have all the power and gadgetry of the newer Boxster's, but it provides a driving dynamic that can't be matched by the Crossfire when being pushed to the limits of the car and the driver.
As for why the Boxster and Cayman don't put up huge hp numbers, that's simple, and no one has stated the obvious:
If you gave the Boxster/Cayman the same power as the Crossfire SRT-6 comes with from the factory (330 hp and 310 ft-lbs), it would be stepping squarely on the toes of the 911 cars. Today's base 911 has a 3.6L engine that puts out 345 hp and 288 ft-lbs of torque. All that for $78k. If you have an extra $10k burning a hole in your pocket, you can upgrade to the 911 S, and get a 3.8L engine that pushes out 385 hp and 310 hp.
The SRT-6 was the top dog in the Chrysler world at the time, and it got the best engine that would fit into the car at the time.
There are more than enough people in the Porsche forums that stuff 3.6 and 3.8 engines into their Boxster's and Cayman's to get that added power, and still get to keep the chassis with the better driving dynamics.
As for me, for the money, the used Boxster's are a better value for the type of driving I do. Right off the bat, I get a car that handles better when pushed at track pace, has better brakes from the factory (4 piston radial mounted calipers at each corner), and a suspension that isn't harsh, as I keep reading about the SRT-6.
Plus, and this is the big thing:
I get that elusive manual transmission that the SRT-6's owners can't seem to get their hands on.
Also, they are still making the Boxster, Boxster S, Cayman, and Cayman S. 13 years of the Boxster, 10 years of the Boxster S, and 5 years for the 2 Caymans. Last I checked, that beats the SRT-6 production timeline very easily. 13 years of production builds refinement.
When you start off with the desire to build the perfect driver's car, and refine it over 13 years, you can feel it behind the wheel. That's why the press heaps boundless accolades on the Boxster/Cayman. You want big hp? Go buy a Viper or a Corvette. There's a Dodge Challenger or a Camaro SS with your name on it if you don't have enough money for those two.
The great thing about the world of performance cars is that there's a car out there for everyone. I like my Boxster, and you like your SRT-6. We're both happy, and both right.
Life's great like that!
BC.