A purist choice,
October 7, 2008
By
MidEngineMan
"I've had my Boxster S for 2 years now, and I still fall in love every day I drive it. This car is so much fun to drive. The steering is tight and communicative, like a go-cart, so you feel your way thru corners so much more than other sports cars like the corvette. The chassis is very agile due to the mid-engine layout, so the car changes directions with less effort than heavier front engined ones. If you live near mountains or have a commute that goes thru a canyon road, you will not find a more fun enthusiast's car for the money (maybe a Lotus Elise, but good luck getting in and out!). It isn't amazingly fast in a straight line, but this class of car is more about handling and corner speed than winning a drag race. Plus, listen to that flat-6 engine sing and you won't really care.
The car is reasonably well-appointed but not super luxurious as you might expect for the money. It has a decent interior, but small things like the quality of the switches and handles have obviously been sacrificed for light weight and simplicity. The A/C and sound system is liveable. It's extremely practical compared to other cars in the roadster class (2 trunks), but not so much when compared to coupes or larger. Reliability-wise, my car has been great, but understand that these engines occasionally implode due to oil-seal and IMS, so you are highly advised to get a warranty that covers powertrain, especially on an older model.
Make no mistake, the Boxster is first and foremost a purist's car. If you buy it for looks, if you buy it for luxury, if you buy it for cache (don't even bother in 911-happy SoCal), you are wasting your money. This car is built around two key points, a fantastically tuned mid-engine layout, and the lightest weight that any self-respecting mature driver will allow. If you want a luxury coupe that's capable, get an M3. If you want the fastest thing on the road, get a corvette. But if you if you are all about enjoying the driving experience, and can put aside things like high luxury, great practicality, or carrying more than one other person, this is the car for you."
| Overall Rating: |
|
5
out of 5
|
| Comfort: |
|
3
out of 5
|
| Performance: |
|
5
out of 5
|
| Quality: |
|
4
out of 5
|
| Appearance: |
|
5
out of 5
|
| Value for the Money: |
|
4
out of 5
|
What is your gender?:
Male
What is your age?:
25-34
How long have you owned your car?:
1-2 years
How many cars have you owned in your lifetime?:
4
|