A 911 GT3 and a Boxster

The other day, our family took a Porsche 911 GT3 and a Boxster on a quick trip to Arima Onsen. We got the idea at the last minute, checked for availability, and found a room, so off we went.

It was an unusually sunny day. We packed a fairly large suitcase, and when my husband tried to load it into the car, it wouldn’t fit in either the GT3 or the Boxster… (LOL)

For reference, the suitcase measured 70 cm high, 48 cm wide, and 28 cm deep, with a capacity of 70 liters.

My husband said,

This suitcase is too wide, and the wheels catch, so it won’t fit in the trunk. A suitcase one size smaller would fit in the Boxster, but that’s a hassle too. Should we give up and take the Note?

But after all, I had a rare chance to drive the Boxster again—and with weather this beautiful, it would be such a shame to miss out on a top-down drive.

…So we went back home and repacked everything into two smaller suitcases.

The kids having fun in the Boxster while they waited

I mean, did we really want to take two cars that badly…? lol

Once the suitcases were safely stowed in the trunks of the GT3 and Boxster, we were finally ready to go. Arima Onsen is about 20 minutes from home when traffic is light, and even with heavier traffic, the drive takes less than half an hour. We’d be there in no time—but I was still happy to get even a little more time behind the wheel of a Porsche.

Whenever the road ahead cleared, my husband gave the GT3 a little burst of acceleration. The GT3 really is something else. I don’t think the Boxster GTS would have had trouble keeping up, but the GT3’s instant response… it felt like a whole different class of car.

Meanwhile, driving the Boxster with the top down on such a beautiful day was pure bliss. The GTS’s engine note with the sport exhaust on, along with the spring breeze, felt wonderful. At one point, while we were stopped at a red light, the truck driver beside us called over through his window.

Driver: “Aren’t you cold?”
Me: “No, the heater’s on pretty well, so it’s warm inside.”
Driver: “That’s the one with the roof that closes automatically, right?”
Me: “That’s right!”
Driver: “Nice! Have a great drive—take care!”

My daughter waved goodbye with a big smile. It was the first time in my life a driver in the car next to me had struck up a conversation, and it was such a heartwarming moment.

A 911 GT3 and a Boxster

Before we knew it, the drive was over and we’d arrived at our destination. My husband, who had been driving the GT3, said,

The GT3 really is a joy to drive. On roads where traffic flows smoothly, it feels absolutely fantastic. You can accelerate and slow down exactly when you want, and point the car exactly where you want. It’s a remarkable machine.
I’ve had the GT3 for almost a year now, and what I’ve realized is this: You can drive a GT3 around town—no problem at all. It’s just not remotely interesting or enjoyable. On the other hand, open winding roads, country roads, and highways are incredibly fun.
If you think of the 911’s fun factor as a total of 10, the GT3 delivers 8 or 9 of those points on a track, highway, or anywhere else you can drive at higher speeds. In other settings, you only get 1 or 2. A regular model, by contrast, seems to spread that enjoyment more evenly across a wider range of speeds.
That’s probably the biggest difference between the GT3 models and the rest of the lineup.

That’s what he said.

My husband has always said, “If I’m going on a road trip, I’m going by myself.” And, to be fair, I did dawdle and let several cars get between us, so there were moments when he had to wait for me. Maybe he really is better off going on his own. lol

Still, heading out for a drive as a family in two cars like this feels special. Once the kids are grown and off doing their own thing, we may not get another chance. This little getaway to a nearby hot spring made me realize how precious these moments are—and how much I’d like us to explore more places together while we still can.