Pedals and controls
One of the best features of the 968 is the perfect pedal layout and feel. You never
stall a 968, you never get that heel-toe double de-clutch wrong and your legs or feet
never get tired. The 911 on the other hand has hugely offset pedals that operate in
opposition to the natural leverage you get from your feet. The clutch flops over the top
and 
into the
floor, making fine throttle and clutch balance difficult. Hence the ease of stalling. The
Boxster has normal pedals, positioned centrally. The clutch is light and easy to balance,
but with a fairly sharp biting point, the brake is high up (making it easy to heel-toe)
and the throttle is well weighted with no noticeable stiction. The action of the throttle
will please 911 owners, since it has that same hair-trigger action, so normal slow driving
only requires small inputs. The brake is firmer than a 968, but not quite as rock hard as
a 911. It does without the floppy area at the beginning of the 911 pedal stroke but also
suffers from the same problem of being able to brake very slightly without the rear lights
coming on (can catch out snoozing idiots behind you). It is very easy to perform smooth
stops (reducing pressure evenly such that you stop just as you reach zero pressure), just
like you can in a 968 but can't in a 911.
In traffic the car is similar to a 911, in that there is little torque below idle
speed, the clutch requires precise control and the engine is easily raced. Hence at first
you do what most 911 newcomers do, which is to race the engine or stall. After a little
getting used to the action though, it is no problem. I have subsequently found that with
the air conditioning off, this is much less of a problem. The slight inconvenience of this
sharp action is rewarded with the fact that you can get gearchanges lightening fast and
very accurate.
I have noticed the tiniest judder when slipping the clutch, reminiscent of the 968/944
judder in reverse (but really tiny).
The other controls work well, just as they do in the other cars. The styling man has
had a go at the stalks, and they look and feel great.
Exactly the same!
Including the centre console hitting my leg, sadly.
into the
floor, making fine throttle and clutch balance difficult. Hence the ease of stalling. The
Boxster has normal pedals, positioned centrally. The clutch is light and easy to balance,
but with a fairly sharp biting point, the brake is high up (making it easy to heel-toe)
and the throttle is well weighted with no noticeable stiction. The action of the throttle
will please 911 owners, since it has that same hair-trigger action, so normal slow driving
only requires small inputs. The brake is firmer than a 968, but not quite as rock hard as
a 911. It does without the floppy area at the beginning of the 911 pedal stroke but also
suffers from the same problem of being able to brake very slightly without the rear lights
coming on (can catch out snoozing idiots behind you). It is very easy to perform smooth
stops (reducing pressure evenly such that you stop just as you reach zero pressure), just
like you can in a 968 but can't in a 911.