On September 20th, I published “Boxster vs 911: Rethinking Which to Keep”, a post where I began wrestling with a dilemma that every Porsche enthusiast dreams about—and quietly fears. You can revisit that earlier post here.
At that time, the debate felt more like an intriguing thought exercise than an impending decision. I admired both cars for different reasons and enjoyed switching between them depending on the drive. There was no urgency. No deadline.
But over the last several months, I’ve put far more miles on each car, spent a few days at Eagles Canyon Raceway (ECR) refining my skills, and paid closer attention to how each one makes me feel behind the wheel. Somewhere along the way, the question became real. And Liz has reminded me more than once that one of these needs to be gone by spring.
What follows is the updated, more experienced version of that earlier debate.
The Joy-Per-Mile Factor
Few cars deliver joy-per-mile like the 718 Boxster GTS 4.0. Every time I slide into the seat, I feel a spark of anticipation. The naturally aspirated flat-six behind me, the immediacy of the chassis, the mid-engine balance—it all comes together in a way that feels deeply connected. This car makes even the shortest drives memorable.
The 992.1 C4S is equally impressive, but in a very different way. It’s smooth, composed, and refined. It handles long-distance drives with ease and never puts a foot wrong. It’s the car I reach for on quiet highways, rainy days, or early morning runs where I want something effortless.
The 992 creates comfort, while the Boxster creates stories.
Despite how capable the 992 is, I keep coming back to the same feeling: when I step out of the GTS, I remember the drive. When I step out of the 992, I remember how comfortable it was.
HPDE and the Unknown Ahead
This is where the story takes a different turn from my original post.
I’ve been spending more time at ECR and progressing through the run groups. As I push myself to improve, I’m starting to understand the kind of car that helps me grow. I want a platform that teaches me, not one that smooths over my mistakes.
The 992 C4S, with its AWD stability and composure, makes me feel more capable than I really am when approaching the limit. It’s astonishingly forgiving—sometimes too forgiving for true skill development.
The Boxster GTS 4.0 should be the perfect learning tool. Precise. Balanced. Honest. But here’s the twist:
I haven’t tracked it yet.
A cracked windshield, tight scheduling, and cold weather all conspired to keep it off the track this year. My first opportunity will come early next year when the temperatures rise. When that day arrives, the Boxster will finally show me what it can do under the same conditions where the 992 has already proven itself.
That experience may change or validate everything.
Comfort, Practical Use, and the Macan Factor
This is where the 992 really shines. It’s an excellent car for long drives, traffic, or days when I simply want quiet competence. If I didn’t own a Macan S, which covers all my daily-driver needs, this section of the debate might look very different.
But with the Macan in the garage, the comfort argument for the 992 loses some of its weight. The Boxster is the emotional Porsche. The 992 overlaps with the Macan more from a comfort perspective than I expected when I bought it. As my friend Dominick describes it, “The Boxster is hot, the 911 Carrera 4S is hot and comfortable.”
Value, Replaceability, and Long-Term Logic
The GTS 4.0 continues to rise in desirability, and its naturally aspirated engine is becoming increasingly rare. There’s something about its analog character that feels timeless. Values are holding strong, and demand is only rising.
The 992 C4S, while fantastic, follows a more traditional depreciation curve. Even in Lizard Green, it’s not a limited or difficult-to-find variant.
If I let the GTS go, finding another one like it would be tough—maybe impossible. If I let the 992 go, replacing it would simply require money.
One feels irreplaceable. The other feels accessible.
The Decision—For Now
After months of driving, tracking, and reflecting, the answer feels clearer than it did in September.
The 992.1 C4S is a phenomenal machine, and I will miss it if it leaves the garage. Liz wants one car gone by spring, but there’s a small, stubborn part of me hoping she might let me keep both.
I’m not counting on it. But I’m not abandoning the possibility either. Sometimes, the journey of choosing is just as meaningful as the choice itself.
The 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 is the car that best aligns with who I am today. It delivers joy. It encourages growth. It represents the heart of Porsche driving in its purest form.
