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Cato on canadacar
3 November 2000 |
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 PORSCHE BOXSTER
It was the first all-new Porsche in 19 years when it arrived in 1997. But the whole Boxster story began in 1993 when Porsche was broke and struggling to survive as an independent automaker.
For the record, today Porsche is far from broke. On the contrary, Porsche is the most profitable car company (on a per-unit basis) in the world. No so in January '93, when Porsche unveiled a Boxster show car at Detroit's North American International Auto Show. It wowed the world and was named Best of Show. And it was a vision of good things to come.
They began arriving in earnest in 1997 with the Boxster. Unlike Porsches of the recent past, the Boxster got a name not a number and in an ironic way, that was a good thing. Because to judge this car only on the numbers -- horsepower, torque, coefficient of drag
(cd.), acceleration times and so on -- doesn't do justice to this delightful roadster.
Of the trio of German roadsters that began arriving in the late '90s, (the other two were BMW's Z3 and Mercedes-Benz'
SLK), the Boxster was the most thoroughly dynamic. Then as today, it was a light, agile, responsive, wonderfully balanced example of what smart engineers can do.
Where the Boxster did from the beginning -- and in this Porsche went back to its roots in the 356 and the 550 Spyder -- was to embrace its driver regardless of skills or experience. To enjoy and appreciate the
Boxster, it's never been necessary to have a LeMans trophy on your mantle.
The critical factor in all this was the engine. Or more specifically, where Porsche put the Boxster's engine: just behind the Recaro buckets, where it was laid flat just inches away from the driver's ears and just ahead of the rear drive axle. By locating the horizontally opposed (flat or boxer-type) engine amidships, Porsche was able to deliver near-perfect balance.
Prior to the Boxster, Porsche's last mid-engined street car was the interesting but underpowered and rust-prone 914. Still, despite its many faults, the 914 was popular with racers and enthusiasts alike.
In '97, the Boxster's maximum horsepower was rated at 201. The car got a horsepower boost for the 2000 model year, to 217, while at the same time Porsche launched the 250-hp. Boxster S.
The most recent Boxsters are a bit heavier than the original and that shows up in road feel. The older cars, quite frankly, feel more nimble, more agile in the corners.
Regardless, where the Boxster's water-cooled six-cylinder does its best work regardless of model year is above 4,000 rpm. There it springs to life, eager to pull to 5,000 rpm where variable valve timing shows its full effect at increasing performance.
To get there, of course, you'll need to use the shifter. Right from the start, Porsche has offered the Boxster with a choice of two: five-speed manual or the five-speed semi-automatic
Tiptronic. If you're shopping for a used Boxster, look for a manual. Much more fun.
Also note that the Boxster was the first water-cooled Porsche and that means some measure of complexity -- always a concern when a car ages. In this case, twin radiators are located in the front fenders and piping runs internally the length of the chassis. For servicing, the oil dipstick and filler caps for coolant and oil are tucked in the rear cargo compartment. There's also access to the engine from behind the front seats and underneath.
Even at that, the Boxster so far has proven to be relatively inexpensive to operate, at least compared to older 911s. But because the manufacturer recommended using Mobil 1 synthetic oil from day one (changing at first at 25,000 km.), used shoppers should be sure servicing was done at the longish regular intervals.
Indeed, plugs and filters in the original cars were to be changed at 50,000 km.; belts at 200,000. That means in many used cars the plugs might not have been changed yet. If that's so, they might be tough to remove. At the same time, make sure the power operated top is in good working order.
The good news is that the Boxster has shown itself to be a well-built and quite reliable two-seater. The bad news for used buyers is that prices have held up well: a '97 model still holds almost 80 per cent of its original value. Says a lot about the value built into that car some say saved Porsche from bankruptcy.
 CURRENT RED BOOK PRICING (avg. retail): Porsche Boxster
1999-$57,150 ($58,400 original MSRP)
1998-$51,350 ($58,400)
1997-$45,300 ($58,000)
1996-NA
1995-NA
1994-NA
1993-NA
BUYER'S ALERTS: Look for early cars with a loose cover for the sun visor mirror
(TSB 6823, Jan. '98); wind noise at the bottom of the B-pillar with the hardtop installed might be traced to a fitting issue (6102, March '98); oil leaks might be related to the crankshaft seal (1374, Oct. '98); brake assist issues may be traced to a failed vacuum line (2454, Sept. '98).
(Technical Service Bulletins from Alldata Corp.)
For recalls:
1997: Transport Canada No. 1998108 refers to the ignition switch housing that may crack.
THE VERDICT: Superb sports car, but with demand strong and production limited, good luck finding a bargain in the used market.
CHECK THE SPECS
1997 PORSCHE BOXSTER
 Market segment: sports car.
Typical market competition: BMW Z3 2.8, Mercedes-Benz SLK, Chevrolet Corvette, Plymouth Prowler (due in late spring or early summer), Saab 900 SE turbo convertible.
Engine: (front engine/rear-wheel drive) 2.5-litre six-cylinder; horizontally opposed or boxer type; with four valves per cylinder operated by dual overhead camshafts
(DOHC); electronic engine management/sequential fuel injection; 201 hp. @ 6,000 rpm; torque rated @ 181
ft-lbs @ 4,500 rpm.
Transmission: five-speed manual or five-speed Tiptronic S (semi-automatic).
Steering: variable power-assisted rack-and-pinion.
Brakes: front disc/rear disc w/four-wheel anti-lock (ABS).
Tires: front: 205/55ZR16; rear 225/50ZR16 radials.
Fuel economy(litres/100 km): 12.4 city/7.9 hwy.
Wheelbase: 2,415 mm (95.2 in.).
Curb weight: 1,280 kg. (2,822 lbs.).
Pros
* James Dean would approve
* Front AND rear luggage compartment-a sensible sports car
* Dynamic performance and handling
Cons
* No bargains to be had in the used car marketplace
OVERALL SCORE: 8.5 (out of 10)
ROAD TEST REPORT CARD
Access: B
Driving position: B+
Instruments/Controls: B
Visibility: B
Climate Control: C+
Steering: A-
Brakes: A-
Handling: A-
Acceleration: B+
Engine: B+
Transmission: B
Interior space: B
Trunk/Cargo: C+
Noise/Vibration/Harshness: B-
DURABILITY/RELIABILITY REPORT CARD
Overall: B+
Mechanical: B+
Hardware/Body/Paint/Trim: B
SAFETY REPORT CARD
Anti-lock braking: yes
Airbags (driver/passenger): yes/yes
Traction control: yes
Driver/Passenger Front Crash Protection (0-5 stars with five stars the best): NA
 INSURANCE HISTORY
Collision cost rating: NA
Comprehensive cost rating: NA
Theft claim cost rating: NA
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