With the 911 GT3 and Boxster

The other day, our family took a trip to nearby Arima Onsen in the 911 GT3 and Boxster. We decided on a whim just before leaving, and when we checked, there were still rooms available, so we went for it.

It was a rare sunny day. We packed our luggage into a slightly larger suitcase, and when my husband tried to put it in the car trunks, surprisingly, it didn’t fit in either the GT3 or the Boxster… (lol)

By the way, the suitcase measured H:70cm/W:48cm/D:28cm, with a capacity of 70L.

My husband said,

“The suitcase is too wide, and the wheels get caught, so it won’t fit in the trunk. A slightly smaller one would fit in the Boxster, but that’s a hassle too. Should we just give up and take the Note?”

But since it had been a while since I last drove the Boxster, and it felt like such a waste to miss the chance to enjoy an open-top drive on such a beautiful day,

…so, we went back home to repack into two smaller suitcases.

Kids playing around the Boxster while we waited

I mean, do we really want to go that far just to take two cars? …lol

Once the suitcases fit safely in the trunks of the GT3 and Boxster, we finally set off. From home to Arima Onsen, it takes about 20 minutes if the roads are clear, and no more than 30 minutes even with traffic, so it’s a quick trip, but any chance to drive a Porsche is always a joy.

Occasionally, when the car ahead cleared out, my husband would accelerate the GT3, and it really is incredible. I think the Boxster GTS can keep up to some extent, but the instantaneous power of the GT3 is on another level… it felt like a completely different class of car.

Meanwhile, driving the Boxster with the top down on such a beautiful day was absolutely wonderful. The sound of the GTS’s sport exhaust and the spring breeze felt amazing. At one point, while waiting at a traffic light, a friendly truck driver next to us called out through the window.

Driver: “Aren’t you cold?”
Me: “No, the heater’s on, so it’s nice and warm inside.”
Driver: “This is the one where the roof closes automatically, right?”
Me: “Yes, that’s right!”
Driver: “Nice! Drive safely now—see ya!”

My daughter waved back with a smile, and it was a heartwarming first experience to be chatted with by a stranger in a car next to us.

With the 911 GT3 and Boxster

Soon, the drive was over and we arrived at our destination. My husband, who was driving the GT3, said,

“The GT3 really feels great. On roads flowing smoothly at a decent pace, it’s truly a joy. You can accelerate and brake exactly as you want, and change direction just as you intend. It’s amazing performance.
I’ve had the GT3 for almost a year now, and what I’ve realized is that you can drive the GT3 in the city—it’s not impossible, it’s totally doable. But it’s neither fun nor enjoyable at all. On the other hand, empty winding roads, country roads, and highways are incredibly fun.
If the fun factor of a 911 is rated 10, the GT3 scores 8 to 9 in high-speed environments like circuits and highways, but only 1 to 2 in other settings. Meanwhile, the regular models spread their enjoyment more evenly across various speeds.
That’s the big difference between the GT3 and other models.”

My husband has always said, “If I’m going touring, I’ll go alone.” And indeed, there were moments when I dawdled and several cars slipped in front of us, and he had to wait, so maybe it’s better if he goes solo on tours. lol

Still, being able to go on drives with the family in two cars like this is probably something we won’t be able to do once the kids grow up and leave the nest. It was a precious experience, and I hope we can take many more family drives while we still can.