Porsche has a classic design that is still gorgeous even today, after years of slight tweaking. The design is timeless.

I have to agree with Modshack and with Bobo as well
 

Both are great cars with their issues. I have not owned both but have driven both. They are different animals. For a roadster, the Boxster is very stiff maybe stiffer then the 370Z hardtop. The Boxster feels more refined as it whines toward redline. The 370Z feels very masculine and rough in comparison. No one will rate the Boxster down on its' handling which is superb. Funny how some folks will say "don't get the Boxster they are not a real porsche, get the Cayman". They are the same vehicle just one with a hardtop. It is interesting how the Cayman got a better rep due to coming out later with different press. The Cayman is a tad stiffer then the Boxster but since the vehicle was designed as a roadster, very few would push the car hard enough to tell the difference. Given that the Boxster S has done 0-60 in 4.1 with the PDK and will out corner a 911, it is not a slow wimpy vehicle. Now is it better then the 370Z? It depends. As I said, they are different animals. Given the price difference, The Z would be the better bargain but it is what you want in a car.

I think the Zs have kept a similar design all along. I can see one and say that looks like a Z, just cant tell the year or the number ie 240 etc. But they have kept the sloping roof to back, small rear window, long front end compared to back length. Im not a Z nerd but every time they came out with a new one I knew it was a Z. Ive always liked the Z but would not classify myself as a Z nerd, untill I bought one I guess.

Porsche is building a “baby” Boxster that will be priced very close to the 370Z.

To me, a Boxster is a poorman's Porsche.

Aesthetically(spelling) , it's ugly.

I'd take Z over Boxster anytime. In fact, if i see a Boxster on the road, i would not respect it nor the driver.

I would take CaymanS over Z, however. But then, Cayman is no cheap car.

The Cayman barely costs more than the Boxster really...base MSRP on the Cayman is only about $4000 more than the base Boxster...and the Boxster Spyder is about the same price as the Cayman S.

You aren't one of those, "If its not a 911 or more expensive, its not a true Porsche" guys, are you? Because I have news for you on that whole "rear-engine layout" junk...

Having owned (wifes car) and driven a Boxster for a number of years, I can give a simple point by point opinion of each.

Boxster:
Pros--
- Great fair weather car (can't beat a convertible with the sun on your face).. however the 370z has this covered now as well.
- Surprisingly comfortable on longer trips
- Trunk space is a bit better than expected and for those really large items, you can always drop the top and use the passenger side to get that coatrack home :p
- Superb handling in stock form.
- Nice features, quality feel.

Cons--
- Quick but runs outta steam compared to lesser priced cars (370z)
- Chick car styling. Let's face it, this is a chick car. (The Cayman isn't much better as it's called the "Cockster")
- Expensive upkeep.
- For the price you pay, Porsche's ALWAYS need to come equiped with STANDARD things such as Xenon lights, multi-disc CD players, etc. They do not.
- Did I mention it's a chick car? The only thing a guy could drive that looks more pathetic is a VW Beetle.

370z:
Pros--
- Interior styling and quality is on par or better than that of the Boxster (well it is with my touring package anyway)
- More powaa!!
- I've seen women driving them and it's sexy but it's not a "chicks car" like the Boxster.
- Lower maintenence costs.
- Lot's more pro's...

Cons--
- Small trunk space. It was better in the Boxster.
- Same blind spots as a Boxster with it's top up.

Porsche is a strong company but if I ever get a Porsche again (and I plan to), it will be a GT2 or GT3. Between the Boxster (or even the "Cockster") and a 370z... There's really NO comparison. 370z all the way.

Was it Jeremy who said that having a Boxster is like telling yourself...."my life did not go as planned!"

if you want a Porsche go for the 911. :). Or a cayman.

I still hear the same old theme
 

and that theme is that the Boxster and the Cayman are two different vehicles. Folks, they are not. Saying the Boxster is a poor man's porsche and buy the Cayman mentality just makes me wonder what folks are smoking. Also, saying if its not a 911 or more expensive p car then it is not worth having is absurd. I have driven the Boxster S enough to know that it handles as well as anything costiing thousands more does not run out of gas as you push it. Don't compare a new Boxster S to an older Boxster in terms of speed. They are quicker then the Z.
All cars are built to a price point and you usually get what you pay for. That goes for the Boxster or the 370Z. I guess, in hindsight, I should not have entered this post as everyone has their opinion and those do not change easily. To the original poster, buy the one that puts the biggest grin on your face.

VW/Porsche should put the 3.8L 500hp twin turbo in the Boxster/Cayman and shake up the Super Car world. Cayman Turbo 4S. The 911 should have been killed a long time ago. Rear engine cars are really old school. Rear engine = Sh!tty design.

I'm sure the million dollar porsche carrera gt owners think 911 owners are a bunch of wannabe's 911 owners are probably saying 370 owners are wishin. 370 owners put down genesis coupe owners. And genny owners are putting down eclipse owners... in the end. Who gives a F*&K. Drive what you like. If u enjoy it? That's all that matters. Your neighbors garage or someones shallow opinions shouldn't even be a factor in your driving decision. Drive what you love.

I'd have to go the 370z cause I play golf and the car is useless to me if i can't take it to the course on the weekend.

However, if i was rich enough for two cars it would be the cayman... heard it's sick...

The problem is that some people don’t know what they like! All it takes for some buyers is a car commercial with hot music or a sexy car ad in a magazine with beautiful models. Some people look at the engineering and technology. When somebody asks for advice, it might aid the reinforcement needed to really enjoy the car. Shallow opinions are what some people are looking for!

That is some statement...have you driven a Cayman? The engine placement makes a world for a difference. I love the the 370 and its front midship engine design, its a very balanced car. But the Cayman's mid engine setup is superior, drive one if you get a chance, its pretty amazing.

A "mid-engine” car has the engine in front of the rear axle but behind the passenger compartment = best design.
A “Rear engine” car = Sh!tty design.

Yes, I have driven them.

You do not say if you owned one AND driven one. There is a big difference like night and day.

If you actually owned one for some time, then I rest my case and I apologize.

Get the Porsche!

I owned a 2002 996TT (basically a 911TT). Absolutely loved it, feels small, super fast etc etc

BUT...I paid twice as much for that car then my Z (I bought it used). The mod parts are much more not to mention the maintenance! What's worse is the $ you will lose when you go to sell it regardless of what model you choose.

I'm sorry to admit it but Boxsters really do seem like more of a girls car. If you don't do the 911 then do a 370, its my favorite car thus far and it makes me smile every time I start her up, you won't regret it.

If the Boxster/Cayman and the 911 had the same engine/HP and raced on a road course, the 911 would finish in second place (first loser).

^^^^

The Boxster is only crippled because the 911 is Porsche's defacto standard as far as image goes.

The sad truth is the Boxster is an optimal setup...if only it had the same engine offerings as in the 911...

Suppose that's true but I don't feel the Z is feminine even though it lacks the power and performance of a GTR. I chose the Z over the GTR and the Porsche but that's just me.

To each his own... Suppose it doesnt really matter what others think, get what you like best and what you can afford.

well there is only about 4 370Zs in Augusta, ga and only one is driven by a female and she only drives it once in awhile as I think her hubby is deployed and its really his. Now the stangs are chick cars in GA. The only GTR that I know of back home was bought by a jewlery dealer, so I wont shop there as he is obviously making too much from his customers. He also has the Audi R8, lamborgini and a couple other exotic cars. rich bastard.

I agree 1001%

370z's are still taking care of buissiness against the Cayman as well as the cayman S

I think your assessment is pretty fair - as you've said you've owned them both.

However, I have to disagree with comfort. I test drove a '09 Cayman (not S) the same day I test drove the 370Z. The 370 has a greater seating position latitude than the Boxster/Cayman. I couldn't get the Cayman into a comfortable position for even local driving. I couldn't imagine a long trip.

No upper leg support and and no room for leg extension. My knees were butted against the steering wheel, with the seat in the full back position.

I am 6'2", 230 lb, which is makes me taller than average, but I was surprisingly disappointed, considering this is a German engineered car. But given the platform (short wheel base, and mid-engine) it's an inevitable design constraint.

So as much as I loved driving the cayman, and have always wanted a p car, this alone eliminated it from my consideration.

Furthermore, Its one of the things i really like about the 350/370 as stand out value compared to other sports cars- plenty of leg, hip, and elbow room (more so in the 350, but still very accommodating in the 370). Just wish it had a telescoping steering whee.

One other note - my '09 Acura TSX 6MT accommodates by far the most perfect seating position (for me) I've experienced in any of my 20+ years of driving.