Porsche Boxster – hard to beat
The Boxster was released late in 1996 as an entry level Porsche, sitting below the famous 911 in the Porsche pecking order. The introduction of a more affordable Porsche had most recently been tried about two decades earlier with the front-engined 924 and 944. The latter matured into a very worthy car. However, the market was resistant to these four cylinder, front-engined Porsches. Consequently, the Boxster was mid-engined and blessed with six cylinders. It was designed from the outset to be a roadster. Initially, the car was fitted with a 201 bhp (150 kw) 2.5 litre engine. At the turn of the century, the Boxster S version was introduced with a larger 249 bhp (186 kw) litre engine and the base model was given a 217 bhp (162 kw) 2.7 litre engine to replace the 2.5 which was seen as merely adequate at the time.
In order to reduce costs (and knowing that the iconic status of the 911 was well established), the Boxster shared the same bonnet, headlights and front guards as the 911. At the time, Porsche was feeling significant financial strain, so the shared componentry made economic sense. The 911 has always been rear-engined, allowing two small rear seats to fit into the cabin. The Boxster was of quite a different architecture with its engine sitting in front of the back axle, and precluding the installation of a rear seat. (As an aside, the unloved Ferrari Mondial was a four seater mid-engined sports car – it can be done)
Despite the lack of a rear seat, the mid-mounted engine blessed the Boxster with safe natural handling poise that had eluded the Porsche 911 – particularly on the limit.
These early Boxsters, with the “runny egg” headlights, are now 15 years old and kick around for the price of a Korean hatchback. The mileages may be high, but Porsche is legendary for its build quality. These cars are now seriously tempting. They look good, go well and are almost certainly the best, modern, all-round sportscars available for the money.
Used prices across the range are likely to fall further with the release of the spectacular-looking new Boxster this year. Those without the courage to pick up an early 986 Boxster might consider the improved 987 version which brought greater power and refinements. This update was released in 2005.
Engine output was further increased in 2007 and, again, in 2009. For those who prefer a coupe to a convertible, the Porsche Cayman was effectively a hardtopped Boxster and was released in 2006.
Personally, I think the Boxster, with its convertible roof is a more desirable (and cheaper) machine than the Cayman. Also, I would ignore the 911 diehards who (quite rightly) focus on the extraordinary heritage of their favourite Porsche. If I had the means and the space in the garage, I would pick up as late a Boxster as I could afford. Mind you, it is worth noting that the earliest versions of most cars eventually turn out to be the most collectible. On that basis a very early Boxster must now be approaching the bottom of its depreciation curve.
Buy a good one while you can.
Is there a better sports car buy than the Porsche Boxster?
Send me your views:
(photo above by Max Earey / Shutterstock.com)
Terry S
An interesting and well written article but as for the last question let me throw a curve ball back at you.
What about the Alan Horsley tweaked MX-5 SP?
Only 100 built,race credibility by winning the the Targa Tasmania ( showroom Class) in 2002
When they were sold in 2002 all the magazines were impressed that the SP was actually faster then both the WRX and Boxster
Now nearly at the bottom of their depreciation cycle it would have to represent great buying value especially that most of the general public cannot tell the difference between these hotrods and the standard cooking MX-5
Michael - The Classic Motorist
Dear Terry S,
Thanks for your excellent and thought-provoking suggestion about the Horsley tuned Mazda MX5. I reckon that you are really on to something there. Powerful, affordable, huge fun and over-looked by the bulk of the market. Given your excellent suggestion, I will publish an article on the MX5 in the next few days. I will talk about about the Horsley turbo version and acknowledge that, without your helpful contribution, I would have forgotten about it. You’ve got me thinking. – Michael.
Richard C
Dear Michael,
Excellent article and web site. Having personally admired the Porsche Boxster for 10 years from when I first saw a prototype pic in 1996, I made the decision and purchased a 3.2 litre 986 2004 Boxster S in 2007. This car was one owner (well almost) as it was won by the first official owner in a raffle, but left at the local dealer and he walked away with a rather large cheque instead of the car. I purchased it after the second owner had done around 30,000 K’s. It was a Tiptronic and been the last of the 986’s it had all the great gear on it (Litronic lights, red seat belts, sports chassis, sound package and 18 inch alloys). I sold the car last year having done a total of 58,000 K’s for a song to a great mate of mine as I recently got a job that provided me with an Aussie V8 company car.
Well, now after several months without one and many sleepless nights (and boring K’s in the V8), I have purchased another one. This one is a straight 2.7 litre, 2005 Boxster, however it is manual and has a few extras like sports chrono, heated seats, Porsche embossed crest on the seat headrests, sound package, 18 inch Boxster S alloys and finally PASM. I pick it up this Saturday from Interstate and will have a 8 plus hour drive home. I’d be happy to write in and tell you what I think of it?
Keep the great articles and pics coming!
Best wishes,
Richard C.
Richard C
I should have added that my new car is a 987!
regards
Richard C
Michael
Dear Richard, Thanks for your comments and congratulations on your new Porsche. I would be interested in hearing about your experiences of moving from a 3.2 litre 986 tiptronic to a 2.7 litre 987 manual. Does the manual gearbox and the advances of the later model make up for the smaller capacity motor. How do they compare for refinement? Often the true connoisseur will take a smaller motor over the larger one. People say that the 3.4 litre Mark 2 Jag is a sweeter drive than the 3.8 litre that the go-fastest brigade hanker after. In the world of Holdens, I hear the 186 was much nice than the more powerful 202 and that the 4.2 litre V8 had a civility missing from the 5 litre. I note that the output of the standard 987 Boxster is pretty close to the 986 Boxster S anyway. I know the 986 went very, very well.
Richard C
Well, as I stated a few weeks ago, I flew across to Melbourne from Adelaide to pick up a 2005 987 Porsche Boxster, from Porsche Centre Melbourne. Having purchased the vehicle “sight unseen”, I was a little apprehensive. Thankfully, the vehicle met all my expectations. Black on black like my previous 986 Boxster S, in my opinion is the best colour combination. My new one has a few extra options, like PSM (Porsche Stability Management), PASM (Porsche Active Stability Management), heated seats, 5 speed manual and the sports chrono option. What they all do and are is for another day, but those that know me will vouch that I do love gadgets and these options are some extra things to have some fun playing with!
The drive back to Adelaide from Melbourne went very smoothly. I left Melbourne for the 700 plus kilometre drive at around 11:30am and was back home in Adelaide at around 7:40pm.
The temperature was in the high 30’s, so the roof was closed for most the drive, but I also had the roof down on occasions-sucking up months of not been able to enjoy open top motoring after selling my previous 986 S.
The car in the 2.7 litre 5 speed manual set up, went in my opinion far better than the triptronic in my previous 3.2 litre 986 S. Power output does vary slightly, with the 987 having 176KW versus the 986 S having 191 KW. Still, on paper and in the flesh, the 987 5 speed manual is slightly quicker than the triptronic. I also found the interior far more upmarket in the 987 than the 986 and the 987 having all the advanced stability management enhancements, meant that the road handling and control is far better.
For most the drive I tried as hard as I could to maintain the legal speed limit, but as I exited Boardertown and saw the 110 kph limit, I changed down and gave it some stick, only to see a pole with heaps of cameras on it. To my relief these are to manage trucks and other heavy vehicles to ensure they maintain their rest periods and speed limits. It was a real lesson to at least look up before you “leap”.
The other surprise was the exhaust note. The 987 although only the 2.7 litre version, sounds far more sporty in exhaust noise than my previous 986 S.
One of the real advantages buying it from an authorised Porsche dealer is that it comes with a 12 month Porsche pre-owned warranty and an option to renew the warranty for up to 9 years from it’s first registration. This means no surprise expenses until at least late 2015 and hopefully by then, I’l be driving the soon to be released 981. If you haven’t as yet seen the new model (soon to be released), get onto the Porsche website and check it out-absolutely outstanding!
Until next time, as I’m off to polish my car with my recent Ebay purchased Zymol cleanser and polish!
Richard C