A car that will engage your heart

Author's Rating:

Pros: Handling, sound of engine, style that will wear well over the years, falling in love

Cons: Obsession. Constant worry.

Handling And Control:

The Bottom Line: 
If you don't mind worry, get one.

Author's Review
While I've always wanted a Boxster, I never thought I'd own one. The car was something I'd dreamt about, but it seemed like it was created for well-tanned single guys who live in California. As for me, I'm married, have one child and live a pasty-white existence in the Northwest. But one day my neighbor came home with a new BMW Z-4 and it got me to thinking: he lives in the NW, he has kids, and he's even pastier than I am. Maybe I could own a sportscar.

Feeling more confident, I began to read all about Boxsters, Z-4's and Honda S-2000's. I scoured Web sites and postings and devoured any information I could find. After all of my research, I narrowed it down to two contenders: A used Boxster S and new 2.5 Z-4. Both could be had for about the same amount of money. I eventually chose the Boxter S. Here's why:

Reading and dreaming are good starts, but they're no replacement for actually driving each of the cars to see which one feels best to you. To me, the Boxster S just felt more like a sportscar. They way it held corners and defied the laws of physics. The feel of the steering wheel and its seemingly direct connection to the wheels and road. The beautiful sound of the engine on acceleration. After driving the Boxster S, I only needed to drive the Z-4 for a few minutes and my mind was made up. It was the Boxster S for me.

Is the Z-4 a great car? Without a doubt. But it didn't speak to me in the same way that the Boxster did. For me, it was too refined and the driving experience was less, well, an experience. With the Porsche, something in my soul just clicked, like the first time I saw my wife. Who knows why we fall in love. We simply do. And I did.

I also felt like the Boxster would age more gracefully than the Z. While the Z's agressive styling may attract my eye today, it may not wear well with time. Porsche designs cars with a more classic sensibility. Even when you see an old 911, it still looks great today. I think the Boxster's visual appeal will hold up just as well.

I ended up purchasing a 2001 Boxster S with 27,000 miles on it. I had it checked a the local Porsche dealer where it was serviced and they gave it the OK. The car was in stellar shape. I paid 31k.

My experience with the car since purchasing it has been mixed. Don't misunderstand me. The car has performed beautifully -- I'm the one falling apart. I smile widely like I've done while driving no car before, but I fret about where I park it. I love cornering the car, but wonder if I'm putting too many miles on it. I love the way the car looks, but obsess about every slight swirl or scratch. All in all, I worry much more about this car. What can you do? Love is like that.

To be honest, I have never been much of a car guy, but after driving the Boxster S, I became one. My wife looks at me quite puzzled as I try to describe the Boxster S driving experience. Here's the truth: you can't.

And so we're off to let the car speak for itself.
Top down. Smiles up.