- 2008 PORSCHE BOXSTER
- Type: Two-door roadster
- Base Price: $58,100; as tested, $65,525
- Engine: 2.7-litre horizontally-opposed boxer six, DOHC
- Horsepower/Torque: 245 hp/201 lb-ft
- Transmission: Five-speed manual
- Drive: Rear-wheel-drive
- Fuel economy (litres/100 km): 10.1 city/6.8 highway; premium
- Alternatives: BMW Z4, Nissan 350Z, Honda S2000, Saturn Sky Redline, Mercedes SLK-Class
Make no mistake: The Porsche Boxster is no chick car. You rarely see a woman behind the wheel; they usually occupy the passenger seat. Before driving the car for this review, I'd only driven one other Porsche in my four years of reviewing cars and it was a Cayenne SUV so technically it doesn't even count. Honestly, I've never wanted to drive one. But I don't have a choice; my editor assigned me the task of testing a 2008 Boxster base model, which costs $58,100.
Compared with the competition, it's reasonably priced. Plus, it comes with six airbags (driver and passenger airbags, thorax airbags and head airbags), ABS, air conditioning, an anti-theft system, keyless entry, a CD player, 17-inch alloy wheels, power windows, and a power top with heated glass rear window.
You can load it up with options such as bi-xenon headlamps ($1,530), heated front seats ($680), a Bose premium sound package ($2,330) and 18-inch Boxster S wheels ($1,730). but that pushes the price up fast. As tested, it's $65,525.
Prominent front air ducts – and the large intakes on the rear quarter panels – serve a purpose, but they’re also pleasing to the eyes. (Glenn Lowson for the Globe and Mail)
Photogallery
You could just move up a model to the S trim, which costs $70,200; it has more power, extra standard equipment and twin exhaust tips, too. A Limited Edition Boxster ($61,700) and a Limited Edition Boxster S ($73,900) are also available.
At first sight, I'm intrigued, yet intimidated by the Porsche Boxster; it just oozes testosterone and taunts me.
I approach cautiously, raising the door handle and sliding into its firm, yet supportive, black leather seats. It takes time to find the ideal seating position; you have to fiddle with manual seat adjustments.
Key in hand, I reach for the ignition, but it's not there. I forgot that it's left of the steering wheel. Fire up the engine and an intoxicating growl from its massive single exhaust outlet fills the air.
Power comes from a 2.7-litre flat-six-cylinder engine, which delivers 245 horsepower and 201 lb-ft of torque. Big brother Boxster S gets a 3.4-litre flat-six with 295 hp and 251 lb-ft of torque.
My tester has a five-speed manual transmission; a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic with a manual shift mode is optional.
Off the line, the throttle responds instantly, launching the Boxster from 0-100 km in 5.8 seconds. Its ride and handling are superb. The suspension is tight and firm, but not punishing or uncomfortable. Gear changes are smooth; steering is accurate; the brakes first-rate.
Its low centre of gravity makes it fun to drive; its tires sticking to the pavement at all times. It's agile, yet easy to control along curves and bends. High side seat bolsters hold you in place when taking turns quickly.
And fuel economy is decent for a roadster. The Boxster averages 10.1 litres/100 km in the city and 6.8 on the highway. Plus, oil changes are recommended every 20,000 km or once a year. That's a feature I love — better on your pocketbook and the environment.
Top up or down, the Boxster's lines and curves blend beautifully along its body — its long sexy hood and huge headlamps draw you in immediately. Form truly follows function with these wheels.
Prominent front air ducts and large intakes on the rear quarter panels serve a purpose, but they're also pleasing to the eyes. A sloping rear deck and speed-activated rear spoiler emerges when you hit 120 km/h for better handling and high-speed stability.
The power soft top works well — one clasp to unfasten and one button to raise and lower the roof, which takes only 12 seconds. And you don't need to be at a standstill either; it'll operate travelling at speeds of up to 48 km/h.
The top, made of colour-fast fabric designed to withstand ultraviolet rays, is lightweight so it doesn't add extra pounds to the Boxster's 1,305-kg body. When you're travelling topless, a wind deflector ($525) works well at keeping unruly locks tame. For year-round drivability, a hard top is also available for $3,090.
Inside, the layout is straightforward and simple. All gauges and controls are intuitively placed within the driver's reach.
On the instrument panel, three large, round dials are clustered closely together so it's easy to read. The audio buttons, however, are a little too tiny for my fingers.
The cup holders are nicely hidden in the front fascia for a clean look. But when open, my small cup of java dangles about dangerously.
With the roof closed, there's sufficient shoulder, head, and legroom for the driver and passenger. It's extremely quiet and well-insulated, too.
I love the Boxster's two trunks — one in the front and one in the rear. Even though they're both small, they're useable. The fore trunk has 150 litres of space; while the aft trunk has another 130 litres, which is enough luggage space for a weekend getaway.
The Porsche Boxster isn't a chick car, but I don't know why. Sorry, guys — but most women would love this ride.
I'd recommend the more affordable and fuel-efficient base model and leave the more powerful S trim for the guys. After all, it's just icing on the cake.
