2008 Porsche Boxster S Road Test Review
Boxster S Photos
There are many cars in the premium roadster segment, from the Audi TT to the Aston Martin DB9, but none is better at being a sports car than Porsche’s Boxster S. Why do I say that? Because since day one the Boxster, especially in S trim, has been all about performance, style and wind-in-the-hair driving, all things sports cars are heralded for. And it combines these fun-loving attributes in an overall package that’s both refined and reliable.
Yes, it’s difficult not to love this car. Over the years Porsche has improved it one methodical step at a time, so that the current Boxster S is a markedly better machine than the original. It’s more powerful, more capable in the corners, offers a more forgiving ride over bumps and through dips, and has moved way upscale in interior quality and amenities. The price, however, has held its own, making this prestigious little two-seater a fairly good value as far as premium roadsters go.
The cabin was redone in 2005, along with the rest of the car under the new internal code, 987. And while the exterior showed modest styling updates from front to back, the most noticeable being oval front headlamp clusters designed to harmonize its look with the more traditional styling direction the brand was taking, also being adopted by the 2005 911, the interior was a big departure. Gone was the much maligned see-through instrument cowl (or at least it’s not quite as see-through as it once was), something I never had any problems with but others continually complained about. The overall look went from funky to sophisticated, and along this theme the less than ideal interior plastics were replaced with soft-touch materials everywhere. Porsche redid the electronics too, with better switchgear and a much improved audio system interface, but the key, love it or lump it, still slotted in to the left of the steering wheel.
A quick turn produces a growly exhaust note, not unlike the 911 for obvious reasons. It, like the 911, uses a horizontally-opposed six-cylinder engine, otherwise known as a boxer, which is how the Boxster got its name in the first place (half boxer, half roadster), and therefore creates the same menacing snarl and guttural exhaust blat. Not everyone loves it as much as I do (I’ve found out), as it’s more grunge meets metal than night at the opera.
Depress the well-weighted clutch and slot the six-speed manual into first, mind you, and no matter what you think of the exhaust note you’ll be smiling as it rockets to 100 km/h in a mere 5.4 seconds of pure bliss, that is if you’re quick with your hand-foot coordination. If you weren’t aware, the Boxster S benefited from the introduction of the Cayman S by getting that car’s engine upgrade for the 2007 model year. Now its larger displacement 3.4-liter, 24-valve, DOHC H-6 makes 295 horsepower at 6,250 rpm 251 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm, quite a bump up the desirability ladder from the previous 3.2-liter engine’s 280-horspower and 236 lb-ft of torque. An additional positive is the more powerful engine’s efficiency improvements, while another bonus, and this one new to the 2008 model, the recommended oil change interval has been increased to 20,000 km or one year, while the recommended spark plug replacement is now 60,000 km or four years.
More than just a great way to leave a stoplight, the new 3.4 works wonders when passing slower vehicles on two-lane highways, and when throwing it through the curves provides that extra punch needed to maximize the straights. And the S is magical when roads tighten up into winding nirvana.
I’ve gone on at end about this car’s handling prowess in previous reviews, and things only get better as Porsche’s engineers tweak settings from year to year. This latest iteration continues to provide outrageous levels of grip, plus the added excitement of moderated oversteer; or rear tire-slip in English. I say moderated because Porsche provides electronic traction and stability control as standard, although unlike some systems on the market this one has been designed for play as well as work. It’ll let the rear wheels slide a bit before kicking in and pulling car and occupants back to safety, or alternatively it can be completely shut down for track purposes. All-round the S is an absolute joy to sling through a road course, around some autocross cones or down a narrow back road, rewarding with superb steering feel and phenomenal braking performance with nominal fade.
While performance is paramount for a sports car, Porsche hasn’t forgotten that its owners like to drive their cars daily, and therefore the Boxster is one of the most accommodating two-seaters on the planet. Not one but two trunks make commuting and traveling easy, with a deep 5.3 cu ft well up front and a shallower yet still useful 4.6 cu ft trunk in back. Any roadster forces a lifestyle compromise, but by my experience the Boxster puts you in less of a bind.
Where the Boxster S is a great value at its $55,700 base level, its price can grow dramatically if you get carried away ticking off option boxes. On the positive it comes well equipped out of the box, so there’s really no need to.
For me, a bone stock Boxster S is the ideal sports car, wonderfully balanced and sinfully fast yet refined enough to live with day in and day out. No wonder Porsche is one of the industry’s most successful car builders.
Specifications (2008 Boxster S):