Topic: Test Drive: 2013 Porsche Boxster

[Autos_Editor]

The Porsche Boxster may be the best drivers car on the market today according to Social Editor Mike Schlee.

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[redman]

Nice car, so good though it borders on cannibalization of the 911 convertible for me.

That being said if stars aligned I'd being eying me a Caymen

[safristi]

  "Ever since my first ride in a 911 a DECADE ago"?...were ya 13!!! .........c'mon How aboot a "Base all belongs to me $55,500 Model" !!! do they exist beside the Bavarian Forrest Unicorns???...$17.000 to $79.999 in EXTRAS................tawk aboot yer Pund of Flesich.......


Oakville to Toronto SPEEDFEST........tell the non Ontario viewers how much FUN THAT IS.............. .....


 yeah yeah give me one and i'll shut the fack up............

[CanuckS2K]

If I was in the market (and had the coin to spend) for another roadster, this would no doubt be at the top of my list.  Love this car!  6 sp manual would be a must.   

[mixmanmash]

Definitely a nice car.  Really like the looks of this third gen.

Although, is it starting to have the typical german car issues a little early?

[Snowman]

If I was in the market (and had the coin to spend) for another roadster, this would no doubt be at the top of my list.  Love this car!  6 sp manual would be a must.

 

[OliverD]

Aqua blue metallic is a gorgeous colour. Would be tough for me to decide between that and guards red.

I'm surprised your test car didn't have the $1340 convenience package which I would consider essential. It adds heated seats, auto dual zone climate control, and a wind deflector.

[CanuckS2K]

Aqua blue metallic is a gorgeous colour. Would be tough for me to decide between that and guards red.

I'm surprised your test car didn't have the $1340 convenience package which I would consider essential. It adds heated seats, auto dual zone climate control, and a wind deflector.

Agreed, the aqua blue is a really sweet colour!  Having said that, mine would be either the guards red or the racing yellow!

[SaskSpecV]

"It may have been even better, but during a two day loan to Senior Editor Jonathan Yarkony the average efficiency rose a half litre. [What can I say? I have a magic foot! –Ed.]"

Mike, I assume you mean that the L/100km (consumption) went up by 0.5 during the time with Jonathon?  In other words, the fuel economy went down? The terminology is somewhat ambiguous - everyone wants fuel efficiency (mileage) to go UP, but that means fuel consumption (L/100 km) goes DOWN.  Either way, good results from a pure sports car in winter.

I know people tend to rag on Porsche for their (admittedly crazy) option prices, but it's sort of refreshing to have the ability to customize your car exactly the way you want it.  I guess that's the benefit of buying from one of the most profitable brands on the planet!  In particular, I really like how Porsche gives the customer the option to choose from so many different wheels from the factory (even though they are all stupid expensive - at least compared to aftermarket rims).  Too bad more mainstream MNFRs don't let you do this - I think Ford does with the Focus, but not sure about others.

And while it may be expensive, isn't the Boxster still the cheapest mid-engine car on the market?  Or is there another one I'm missing?

[whaddaiknow]

The Porsche Boxster may be the best drivers car on the market today according to Social Editor Mike Schlee.
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Red or Blue, I want one.

[Weels]

Yes i'd love one, but had to lol at this:

 "a regular non-S Boxster can have $71,700 worth of options added to its $56,500 base price."

[evil_twin]

Perfect 2nd/3rd car for those with the means and an approving partner.

Option prices are indeed crazy on Porsches.  I'd simply price out a base Boxster, black paint, 2-way sport seats ($920), Boxster S wheels ($1,790), and maybe the convenience package: auto climate, heated seats, wind deflector ($1,340)

Total MSRP with destination: $61,600

No, not crazy powerful in base trim, but I'm sure it'd be more than adequate to satisfy with the driving dynamics.

[opg210]

I know people tend to rag on Porsche for their (admittedly crazy) option prices, but it's sort of refreshing to have the ability to customize your car exactly the way you want it.  I guess that's the benefit of buying from one of the most profitable brands on the planet!  In particular, I really like how Porsche gives the customer the option to choose from so many different wheels from the factory (even though they are all stupid expensive - at least compared to aftermarket rims).  Too bad more mainstream MNFRs don't let you do this - I think Ford does with the Focus, but not sure about others.

And while it may be expensive, isn't the Boxster still the cheapest mid-engine car on the market?  Or is there another one I'm missing?

Agree completely. This policy means that mortals can get hold of one of these, at least in theory. The options may be ridiculously priced, but for those that can afford them then great, they will subsidize the car for the rest of us. Without this policy all you'd get would be moderately loaded or fully loaded Boxsters at a far higher price, and enthusiasts would then either be priced out of the market, or be forced to pay for a bunch of (still expensive) stuff they don't necessarily want. I'd rather be able to get the driving experience but not pay 90k for it.

Having said that it is comical to see total options valued at more than the price of the car. But I still prefer it that way.

[huota]

Thanks for the article. I was watching this video last night, and the Boxster (S) seems to convince other journalists, too. Sounds like a true driving enthusiast's choice. Another great car on the market for us who seek for simple driving pleasure.

http://youtu.be/s0e5cml_2_A

[dirtyjeffer]

Graeme Fletcher did a review recently on the Boxter S and was amazed with it...he admitted to not being a big fan of the Boxter, so was prepared to come away less than impressed, but loved it...he even noted it doing 1.3G (lateral) on his handling course...a number which almost defies the laws of physics.

[wing]

Well not really, my S2000 was capable of 1.9gs

[safristi]

Graeme Felcher is at it again,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ...feel FREE to PYLON........


 

[OliverD]

I know people tend to rag on Porsche for their (admittedly crazy) option prices, but it's sort of refreshing to have the ability to customize your car exactly the way you want it.  I guess that's the benefit of buying from one of the most profitable brands on the planet!  In particular, I really like how Porsche gives the customer the option to choose from so many different wheels from the factory (even though they are all stupid expensive - at least compared to aftermarket rims).  Too bad more mainstream MNFRs don't let you do this - I think Ford does with the Focus, but not sure about others.

I agree. It's definitely preferable to other companies who only bundle things together in packages (that are dependent on one another, i.e., package A requires package B) or don't offer any customizability at all. And the option packages that Porsche has offered in the last few years are actually reasonably priced when you compare them to how much the options cost separately. So even if you don't want a couple items in the package it's usually still the way to go.

[kevlar]

quite frankly i very much disliked the look of the old boxster, in particular the disproportionally small air intakes.   those drove me mental....    although the drive was excellent.    this new one made all the right moves wrt the exterior and interior design.   it now has a discernible form!  i love it.  love the stacked headlights, love the bigger air intakes, love the sharper shoulders, love the reduced overhangs loveeeeee it!  having driven both the previous boxster and the cayman, i am a little concerned about the fact that they replaced their steering system.   the previous version was sublime. 

[carcrazed]

This is beautiful car with a huge improvement over the previous model.  They must make most of their profit on the options though!