2000 Porsche Boxster Reviews

Ewan Kennedy reviews the Porsche Boxster and Cayman from 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 as a used buy.

The Porsche Boxster and Cayman are pure mid-engined sports machines, meaning the engine is installed just behind the cabin, unlike the the engine in the Porsche 911 that’s fitted behind the back wheels.A mid-engine layout gives exceptionally good weight distribution and therefore the best in chassis balance and higher cornering speeds than the 911.Interestingly, the Boxster and Cayman share quite a few of their front-end components with the Porsche 911. At the rear they are quite different machine visually, though there’s still a family resemblance.Porsche Boxster is sold only as a convertible, Cayman is a fixed hardtop coupe and didn’t go on sale till 2006, nine years after its open-top brother.Boxster’s roof is one of the simplest in the business, note the clever way the roof acts as its own cover when it’s powered open. It can be left open even if the weather is threatening as it can easily be powered closed at a red traffic light. You can usually avoid the embarrassment of having to wait for roof closure to be complete after the lights turn green.Both models are brilliant machines that cry out to be pushed hard and fast. Their naturally-aspirated engines are wonderfully responsive, the gearbox is a delight to use, road grip is very high and the feel through the steering wheel and the seat of the pants is magnificent.It takes a lot of provocation to get the tail out of line, and if it does start to slide the cars remains controllable - up to a point, that is. As with all full-on sports cars with mid-mounted engines, if the tail gets out too far you'll need quick reflexes to correct it.An advanced driving course is recommended if you really want to get the best from your Porsche. These days electronics aids can save you from over-reaching; they can be detuned should you wish to make your own decisions, particularly for track days.Unlike the 911, these Porsches are strictly two-seaters. The seats are supportive and comfortable and shoulder room is plentiful, with the two occupants well insulated from buffeting with the roof down.A real bonus of the mid-engined layout is that Boxster and Cayman are surprisingly practical for sportscars, with luggage compartments front and rear, this can almost be used as a daily driver by a one or two-person household.The Boxster arrived in Australia in January 1997. It received minor upgrades in October 1999, August 2001 and August 2002, then a major upgrading in February 2005. The latter, tagged the 987 series, replaced the previous 986 models.This was upgraded again in November 2006, November 2007 and March 2009. An all-new Boxster came out in June 2012, followed by a new Cayman 12 months later.The Boxster was initially criticised for being down on power, mainly due to its smallish 2.5-litre, flat-six engine. That problem was solved in 1999 when a bigger 2.7-litre unit was installed.Even better news was the shoehorning of an optional 3.2-litre engine into the models called the Boxster S and Cayman S. This was increased to 3387 cc in 2006 and to 3436 cc in 2009, with the standard Boxster going up to 2.9 litres in 2009.These superb Porsche engines, even the smallest ones, really come alive above 4000 rpm, their tone initially hardening, then rising to a wonderfully metallic howl as it goes through 5000 rpm. Get the top down whenever you can and hold on to the lower gears just for the sheer pleasure of listening to it.There were major changes to the Boxster engine in 2009. Though the flat-six engines still capacities of 2.9 or 3.4 litres, they featured a direct injection fuel system.This was complemented by numerous other changes. Power was increased, and even more importantly peak torque remained constant over large parts of the rev band. Unlike the older powerplants, that needed 4000 revs to come on song, the newer units really begin to buzz from not much over 3000 rpm.Powerful ventilated brake discs are installed. If you think going from a standstill to 100km/h in under six seconds in the bigger engined models feels sensational, just wait until you experience 100 to zero in less than three seconds. That really makes your eyes bulge and gives a most satisfying feeling of security.Boxster initially used either a five-speed or six-speed manual gearbox or a five-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. From the 2009 upgrade a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox was installed.Porsche is long established in Australia. The dealer network isn’t huge, but it’s well organised and we seldom hear complaints about parts or service availability. Prices aren’t cheap, but neither are they outrageous for what you get.Insurance ratings are generally moderate for what is, after all, a prestige sports car aimed at those who like to drive hard and fast.A Porsche Boxster that’s always been serviced and repaired by an official dealer is relatively common and we feel it's the one to aim for. You probably be asked to pay more because of its history. And may we suggest you keep up the servicing to make your car a sound investmentWHAT TO LOOK FORHard driving is what the Boxster and Cayman are built for - butt too much can decrease their lives. Look for severe tyre wear, heavy brake dust buildup and repairs to the body. Rust is very unusual and almost certainly means the car has been badly repaired after a crash.These cars are well engineered and solidly built and unless poorly repaired after a crash should last well. If you suspect collision repairs it’s wise to have it professionally inspected.Check the interior for signs of mistreatment. Look under the floor mats for signs of dampness caused by a Boxster being caught out in the rain. The engine should start easily, idle smoothly virtually from the moment it kicks over and have throttle response that’s all-but instantaneous.Heavy operation of the clutch is likely to mean it’s due for an overhaul. Not a complex job, but there are no cheap repairs on a Porsche. The gearbox should be light and easy to use, with no noises at any time, even during the fastest of gearchanges.Be sure the brakes pull the car up cleanly without one wheel locking ahead of the others. If ABS is installed feel for a pulse through the brake pedal under hard braking.CAR BUYING TIPMost sports cars are only driven gently - sad but true - however it’s a fact of life they probably make a better used-car buy. 

By all measures the Porsche Boxster was a brilliant car. It was fast, handled superbly, yet was still comfortable and refined, but that wasn’t enough for die-hard Porsche enthusiasts who panned it for being insipid and plastic.Stung by the criticism Porsche swung into action and soon produced the Boxster S, an evolution of the original mid-engined Boxster that had the sort of edge Porsche fans were longing for.MODEL WATCHGiven its current success it’s amazing to think that Porsche was teetering on the brink of bankruptcy 20 years ago.Then, it was a one-dimensional car company producing an expensive high-end sports model that was going nowhere. Company bosses knew it had to expand or it would die, but how to achieve that expansion without losing the very character that made a Porsche the great and classic car that the 911 is wasn’t clear.The company’s first attempt to expand its model range, with some credible front-engined sports cars, proved a disaster. There was nothing wrong with the cars, it was simply that Porsche enthusiasts refused to accept them as real Porsches and wouldn’t buy them.The Boxster was the second attempt. This time the new car line was much more Porsche-like and was a rip-roaring success with everyone but the die-hards.While it looked like a scaled down 911, and shared a number of body panels, the Boxster was very different to the iconic 911.It was mid-engined instead of rear engined, and its engine was water-cooled rather than relying on air to keep it cool.The key was that it didn’t go too far from the Porsche formula. Its looks were in keeping with Porsche tradition and anyone who got behind the wheel found a car that had all the performance you could wish for in the real world, handled like it was on the proverbial rails, and drove sweetly when put to the task in traffic.It was the perfect compromise for anyone who wanted a sports car, but not necessarily one that would induce a nosebleed simply by looking at it.The S came in 1999 and was an attempt to inject a little more excitement into the Boxster for the Porsche die-hards who reckoned the Boxster was perfect for their wives to drive, but wouldn’t dare being seen in one themselves.Put simply, the S accelerated faster, had a higher top speed, and more dynamic handling, better stopping power, and better active and passive safety than the regular Boxster.Its six-cylinder engine was 3.2 litres and put out 185 kW at 6250 revs and 305 Nm from 4500 revs.With the right foot buried in the carpet it would accelerate to 100 km/h in less than six seconds and reach 260 km/h if pushed.Behind the larger engine lay a six-speed manual gearbox, or if optioned up, Porsche’s sporty Tiptronic auto.To keep up with the new performance the Boxster S had firmer springs and shocks, distinctive 17-inch alloy wheels, and large disc brakes on all corners.IN THE SHOPLittle generally goes wrong with Porsches; they are remarkably robust and resilient. Stories abound about Porsches with very high miles and still going strong.At the same time there are many that do few kays. They’re held in reserve for that special day out when the roads are dry and the sun is shining, but they will survive very well if driven daily.Have your chosen car checked over by a Porsche specialist to make sure all is well just the same.It would pay to find someone well qualified to service your car and get on friendly terms with them. That way you will save money of servicing costs.Aware that its parts prices were high Porsche made a conscious effort to contain them with the Boxster and you find that things like headlights, guards and door panels aren’t as expensive as you might think.IN A CRASHA stiff, strong body, underpinned by an agile chassis means the Boxster has good crash protection.Nimble, responsive handling means it can get out of danger if driven capably, its big powerful brakes will get it stopped when threatened, and the body structure will stand up when all is lost.If it happens to roll over the A-pillars are designed to stand up and give it the same level of overhead protection as a coupe.Add to that the passive protection of dual front and side airbags and the Boxster’s crash protection is good.AT THE PUMPDrive it hard and the fuel consumption will increase, but driven normally the Boxster is quite frugal for a sports car.Porsche claimed the Boxster S would do around 10.5 L/100 km on average in manual form, the auto a litre more.LOOK FOR • Badge cred• Superb handling• Exhilarating performance• Robust and reliable• Comfortable and refined• Tractable in trafficTHE BOTTOM LINE Not a cheap buy, but good value for money, and there are few better sports cars if you can scrape up the cash.RATING 85/100

In a logical world the Porsche Boxster would have superseded the Porsche 911 about 10 years ago.

The user-friendly and reliable Porsche Boxster is one of the great sportscars of the '90s.  Porsche's attempt to move away from its traditional roots with a range of front-engined sports cars in the 1980s proved disastrous.It was not that the cars were bad, it was simply that diehard Porsche fans refused to accept anything other than a car with a rear-mounted, air-cooled, boxer engine. Sales of the front-engined cars did not go well.  Given that history, the arrival of the Boxster in 1997 was much anticipated.The German sportscar maker was acutely aware it had to expand its range beyond its traditional models or face extinction. The front-engine experiment had failed, so a lot was riding on the Boxster.Unlike the front-engined models – the 924, 944 and 928, which represented a major departure for Porsche – the Boxster honoured the past, despite being quite different from the great old Porsche models.For a start it looked like a Porsche. It was reminiscent of the Speedsters of the 1950s, and bore a clear resemblance to the 911. That became even clearer with the release of the new 911 in 1998, which shared many body panels with the Boxster.Some traditionalists remained unconvinced the Boxster was a real Porsche, but sales surged. Aided by a relatively affordable base price of $109,900, it attracted people to the brand who otherwise would never have considered buying a Porsche.The Boxster was a marked departure from past Porsche practice, though that wasn't immediately obvious.  The engine – a horizontally opposed, 2.5-litre, six-cylinder boxer unit – was totally new. Most notably it was water-cooled instead of being air-cooled, as was previous Porsche practice, apart from in the front-engined cars.With an alloy block and heads, twin overhead camshafts on each bank and four valves per cylinder, the fuel-injected Boxster engine produced peak power of 150kW at 6000rpm. Maximum torque was 245Nm at 4500 revs, but, importantly, more than 200Nm was available between 1750 and 6400 revs, which made it smooth and tractable.Power was transmitted to the rear wheels through either a five-speed manual gearbox or the optional five-speed Tiptronic auto, which added $7000 to the price.  The smart Tiptronic auto would choose the correct gear for the moment based on what the driver was doing – accelerating, coasting or braking – but it also offered the fun option of self-shifting using buttons on the steering wheel.Acceleration was brisk with either transmission, the 1250kg manual two-seater able to reach 100km/h in 6.9 seconds, the auto marginally slower. Top speed was quoted as 240km/h.  In another departure, the engine was mid-mounted rather than being behind the wheels.Rear-mounting was the source of Porsche's reputation for being difficult to drive quickly if you couldn't conquer their habit of oversteering when you lifted off the throttle.  There was no such problem for the Boxster. With independent suspension front and rear, its road manners were impeccable and it had a wonderful balance.Powerful four-wheel disc brakes slowed it with the help of standard ABS; traction control was optional. Standard wheels were 16-inch alloys; 17-inch alloys optional.The seats were comfortable and supportive and the folding roof worked a treat, disappearing into the rear compartment in 12 seconds.  It was just as easily raised to make the Boxster quiet and thoroughly weatherproof, even at high speed.Two quite generous luggage compartments meant you could take all the luggage you needed for a trip, and you didn't lose luggage capacity when the roof was down.The Boxster's interior was criticised by some for being bland. Some of the plastic trim was a little too hard and plain for such a costly car, they said, so Porsche upgraded the interior in the 1999 model.Even so, the original Boxster interior is roomy and quite well appointed, with lashings of leather to soften the hard plastics of the dash and console.  Standard equipment included air-conditioning, a super sound system with CD stacker, twin airbags and remote central locking.Porsches are generally among the most bulletproof cars on the road. Many are kept locked away in garages during the week and come out only on sunny days. But plenty are used every day around town.Porsches are easily the most user-friendly sportscars on the market. They are just as happy to trundle along in traffic as blast along on track days at warp speed.They also give very little trouble. Plenty of old Porsches on the road have 200,000km or more on the odometer – we've seen a mid-1990s 911 with more than 300,000km.  The bottom line is: Porsches are built to last, and they do that with admirable reliability.If you're shopping privately, check the bona fides of a car before you part with your money. It's best to buy a car that has been delivered locally rather than an import, even though imports sometimes cost less.  Check for a service record from a reputable Porsche service agent.

Boxster is arguably the purest Porsche of all.