Slideability
Under normal
circumstances, it doesn't slide. When you really go for it, it doesn't slide. 
I still need a good
session at an airfield, but in the meantime I went out for a hooligan run across the
Horseshoe Pass in North Wales. It was a wet and cold Sunday morning, and the road had
plenty of surprises (like sudden areas of mud). For the first time though I really got to
grips with the car. Through sharp, slow bends the car turns in as if it were on very
sticky tyres on a hot day (remember it was wet). Eventually there was understeer [wash
out], but with maintained cornering effort. At higher speeds, I managed to get the tail
out a on a few occasions, but always on bumpy corners and whilst at full throttle. Right
up to that point the car was very stable, with no 993-like squirming, but the loss of
traction at the rear was fairly rapid. I guess that if you over-cook the Boxster it'll
have to be a quick reaction that rescues the situation.
At 3800 miles I had an extended run at various large deserted roundabouts, soon
followed by a long run mainly comprising dual carriageways and roundabouts. To my immense
relief, this car 
slides in huge four wheel drifts, just like the CS. As you go faster, the
drift quantity just increases (not the angle). I spent the majority of the time with the
front wheels pointing straight on - this is just a bit different to the more tail-out
style of the 968, but just as much fun. I guess, though, that if you were slap happy with
the throttle and you encouraged gross oversteer in this situation, then you'd have a
quick-to catch spinner. Oh yes, we were going a whole load faster than a 968 would....
(track day soon!)
For the track session, go to the Nurburgring!
While really caning the car, most of the work was done in 3rd gear. Driving like this
showed up the fact that the flywheel effect is a little to great and the ratios a little
too wide. It felt easier to stay in 3rd at 3000 rpm rather than waste time getting it all
the way down to 2nd for a brief spurt, and then bang up to 3rd again. Having said that,
the overall noise and feel was like no other car, and far less scary than the wriggling
993.
Well the 996 has
such a surplus of grip (is there such a thing?) at the rear, that all I could do was get
understeer. The 996 goes into a corner front end first with the rear following round like
a trailer, except stable. The Boxster feels like there is no weighty lump anywhere - the
front and rear dive into a corner at the same rate (and with slightly less stability).
Sorry about my lack of effort, but you need rare opportunities to let rip fully
on the road, and I didn't get them.
I still need a good
session at an airfield, but in the meantime I went out for a hooligan run across the
Horseshoe Pass in North Wales. It was a wet and cold Sunday morning, and the road had
plenty of surprises (like sudden areas of mud). For the first time though I really got to
grips with the car. Through sharp, slow bends the car turns in as if it were on very
sticky tyres on a hot day (remember it was wet). Eventually there was understeer [wash
out], but with maintained cornering effort. At higher speeds, I managed to get the tail
out a on a few occasions, but always on bumpy corners and whilst at full throttle. Right
up to that point the car was very stable, with no 993-like squirming, but the loss of
traction at the rear was fairly rapid. I guess that if you over-cook the Boxster it'll
have to be a quick reaction that rescues the situation.