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2005 Porsche Boxster Sports Car
…Continued
Pure driving pleasure: New Boxster shows Porsche prefers evolution, not revolution
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While engines for the Boxster and higher performance Boxster S remain the same size - 2.7 liters and 3.2 liters respectively - both offer substantially improved power and fuel efficiency. Horsepower for the Boxster improves from 225 to 240, and the Boxster S goes from 258 to 280.
Porsche says the engines were designed to offer more low-end torque to make passing easier without having to downshift.
The six-cylinder, horizontally opposed engine - meaning the cylinders bang sideways against one another -- feels like a perfect compromise between the small, high-revving engines from Japan and the big, honkin' V8 monsters from America. It has lots of low-end oomph like the rough-sounding V8s, but it smoothly pulls all the way to redline like a Honda four-banger. As a result, it's one of the best engines on the market.
Interestingly, the engine doesn't have a dipstick. Instead, it uses a dry-sump lubrication system that meters oil so precisely an electronic monitor can keep an eye on the oil. It also makes sure the engine gets a healthy supply of oil even under extreme G-forces in corners.
Power is routed through one of three transmissions: a five-speed manual (standard on the Boxster), a six-speed manual (standard on the Boxster S), or a five-speed automatic Tiptronic S. Porsche claims both manual transmissions offer shorter throws and more crisp gear changes than last year's model.
My test Boxster came with the Tiptronic S, which was the only disappointment I found. It lets you shift gears yourself using rocker switches on the steering wheel - a good compromise for an automatic, but not nearly as intimate a feeling as you get with a good manual transmission.
It still baffles me why anyone would buy a sports car without a manual tranny -- but I digress.
Porsche refined the Boxster's suspension to be both stiffer and lighter, and a new variable-ration steering system offers stability at high speeds and agility on winding roads. No complaints here.
To keep speed in check, the Boxster now has cross-drilled front rotors that aid brake disc cooling. The Boxster S is now available with optional ceramic composite brakes, too.
All these options can be pricey, taking the $43,800 base price to $60,000 and beyond if you so choose. And Corvette enthusiasts would slap me if I didn't mention how you could find better performance for less money in a Chevy showroom.
But as a whole package, it's hard to beat the Boxster's perfect balance. It has sexy looks, German engineering, an unbeatable pedigree and is a heck of a lot of fun to drive.
Yep. Whoever said money can't buy happiness never drove one of these.
Pros: It's a legend in its own time, offering timeless style and great performance with a price that's not unreasonable.
Cons: In an effort to be comfortable, it's not as raw and harsh as many people expect a sports car to be - especially one with a Porsche badge.
Ratings (1-10)
- Style: 10
- Performance: 10
- Price: 8
- Handling: 10
- Ride: 9
- Comfort: 9
- Quality: 10
- Overall: 9
More Data
Where Built: Germany, Finland
Major Options: Full leather upholstery, Porsche Active Suspension Management, 19-inch alloy wheels, Heated seats, Upgraded sound system (Bose), Rain-sensing wipers, Bi-xenon headlights, Automatic day/night rearview and driver-side mirrors.
Seating: 2.
Number of Rows: 1
Length in Inches: 171.6
Warrantees: 4 years/50,000 miles bumper to bumper, 10 years/unlimited miles corrosion protection, 4 years/50,000 miles Roadside assistance.
Weight in Pounds: 2855 lb.
Cargo Capacity in Pounds: Not available.
Gross Maximum Vehicle Weight in Pounds: Not available.
Towing Capacity in Pounds: Not Available.
Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 16.9
Destination Charge: $795
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