Boxster converts all to rubberneckers

Author's Rating:

Pros: Acceleration smooth, Head turner, convertible, beautiful shape

Cons: No cup holder

Handling And Control:

The Bottom Line: 
If you want a fast, sporty, beautiful car you want a Porsche Boxster

Author's Review
I recently purchased a 2001 Porsche Boxster from a Porsche Dealer in VA. I did the research on this vehicle, Car Fax showed it with 1 owner over 5 years in rural Virginia. It had 17,300 miles on it, and it had the Porsche Certified-Preowned Inspection that gave the new owner a 2-year, 100,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty.

I'm 35 now, and back when I was around 19 years old I had a friend that purchased a Porsche 914-Targa top. He took me for a drive in it and the first thing he did was take a right around a city block at an astonding speed and it stuck to the road like it was on a track. I could not believe it, it felt surreal and that was a long time ago. He also had taken me on the highway back then and took an exit ramp around 75 MPHs and this thing stuck to the turn again...this is a 914 I'm talking about back in the late 80's. It took my breath away both times. Plus my friend only a year older was quite an accomplished driver.

Well now in 2005 I started getting that itch. I have an SUV, and need a second 'fun' car. I looked at everything, Hondas, 350Zs, BMWs, and RX-8s. I bought a consumer reports magazine, and it was impressive b/c every sport coupe on the market was compared against the Boxter. So I thought if the Boxster is the benchmark, then the Boxster is the best choice. So I found this dealership and they were only asking about $800 above Kelly Blue Book Value so I talked them down $1600, and drove the car off the lot about 10 days ago.

Ever since then I've kinda felt like the driving experience has been surreal. Is this MY car? Is this thing really this fast? I come from being a Saturn Sedan owner, to Jeep Cherokee owner, to this. I'm amazed and all those memories come back from the 914 days I had 15 years ago. And this thing is a lot nicer, newer, and faster than that car ever dreamed it could be.

Now I live in the Mountains, so we have lots of curvy roads, and I live about a stone's throw from the Blueridge Parkway. I take this car out and everyday push it a tad bit harder. I accelerate faster each time (manual trans) and I take curves a tad bit faster than the day before. I have to say that I'm still chicken to take a windy road over 45mphs but I know this car can take a curve like the batmobile once one figures out how to best use the steering wheel.

I'm very happy with my new car. It is probably one of the funnest rides ever. It is a babe magnet (single) and I've met some women that actually get 'hot' from just seeing my car. I'm so hooked on it, as long as the career continues to prosper, my next thought is to Move up to a newer Porsche all the while keeping this one too.

In previous stick shift cars I was always told that once you get up to around 3000 rpms move up to the next gear. Not true with a porsche, in a porsche you can get it up to twice that and that's when it gets fast!!

If you are considering buying one of these cars, remember consumer reports loves them, and if you do your homework you will find love with this car.