Re: I am curious to know what the target market is for the 2
Nick raises some interesting points of discussion and I don't completely understand the hostility. But on the other hand, it is somewhat of a lose-lose situation for image-conscious Boxster owners. On one hand if they say the car has acceptable acceleration for its class, then they must admit the car is somewhat in the shadow of the 911. On the other, if they wish to elevate the Boxster's status and play with the big boys, then the 5.5s time is rather behind. However, this speed thing isn't everything and the car is appreciated by the same enthuisiasts Nick mentioned earlier.
There is really nothing wrong with liking the Boxster for its current merits and in fact I think it's a nice car for what it is. Porsche could otherwise further differentiate the Boxster from the 911 by making it a bit more raw and moving it away from the pseudo-GT direction of the 911. This however, will not attract more buyers which was the point of this discussion.
Assuming Boxster sales are so lackluster as to warrant having this discussion (haven't looked into it myself), examining the marketing strategy is pretty interesting! I doubt making it more sporty will help sales, but perhaps more power would help it from an image perspective.
I think the Boxster still has some image holding with first time sports car buyers. Someone asked me why I didn't get a Boxster, because Porsche in general was more desirable to them. To the contrary, my older sibling will only consider a 911 when she graduates from med school.
- J
PS: If you think I am biased against low powered cars, you'd be wrong, for my sports car has but 190hp!
There is really nothing wrong with liking the Boxster for its current merits and in fact I think it's a nice car for what it is. Porsche could otherwise further differentiate the Boxster from the 911 by making it a bit more raw and moving it away from the pseudo-GT direction of the 911. This however, will not attract more buyers which was the point of this discussion.
Assuming Boxster sales are so lackluster as to warrant having this discussion (haven't looked into it myself), examining the marketing strategy is pretty interesting! I doubt making it more sporty will help sales, but perhaps more power would help it from an image perspective.
I think the Boxster still has some image holding with first time sports car buyers. Someone asked me why I didn't get a Boxster, because Porsche in general was more desirable to them. To the contrary, my older sibling will only consider a 911 when she graduates from med school.
- J
PS: If you think I am biased against low powered cars, you'd be wrong, for my sports car has but 190hp!
), and I think therefore everyone will agree it has earned its right to be a Porsche. Is it a true sportscar that should be respected. By all means yes. Having said that its no where close to being as good as a 911. Not only do the speeds matter, but looks (911 looks a million times better then the Boxster) and stuff like heritage (and no saying the Boxster in a recarnation of the 550 Spyder doesn't count). And for that "image" thing everyone has been talking about. Yea ur right you must be a little insecure if all that matters about a sportscar is what kind of people drive them. But in sincerity I see tons of Boxsters lining the streets (not a good thing when everyone else is driving the same car as you) and yea you see too many women driving the Boxster. The Boxster just has gotten that label -- "the ladies Porsche". And when you're out there thinkin how great your sports car is, and then you see how many Boxsters are lining the street, and the drivers don't look like the Michael Schumacher type...you should worry about what you just bought. But in truth I think the Boxster has been a good thing (not only for saving the company we love) but because it should show us die-hard 911 fans that modern 911's are too slow 
. WOW...i know I'm having a hard time with what I just said too. But the truth is; if the Boxster is as fast as it is, why isn't the 911 miles ahead of it? I mean the 73 Carrera RS went 0-60mph under 5 with a vmax of 150mph. The full-race RSR version did 0-60 in under 4 with a vmax of 170!
, and we move on. In that way, since we have finally agree with him, he might just leave us alone and go off to drive his no doubt incredible Ferrari.... 
