2007 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. 

You see Porsches on the road every day. But it's not until you sit behind the wheel of one for a while that you realise just why serious drivers around the world adore them.When CARSguide took delivery of the recently upgraded Boxster S last week, we received a near-perfect driving experience.The Boxster has its critics, usually more seasoned Porsche purists who see the 911 as the ultimate, and only, serious Porsche.Perhaps it's because they haven't driven the perfectly balanced, highly potent and gloriously fun Boxster S.If they had, not only would they be surprised, they might even consider putting one in their garage.Maybe it's the fact that, for at least $100,000 less than a 911, you can get a true Porsche driving experience.The Boxster is the entry level Porsche (sports car, that is, not the distressingly popular 4WD Cayenne). It starts from $109,300.The Boxster S is the beefed-up version of the base model. Rather than a 2.7-litre engine, it has a 3.4- litre variant, giving it 217kW and a 0-100 km/h sprint of 5.4 seconds, compared with 180kW and a 0-100 km/h time of 6.1 seconds. The S also has 340Nm, nearly 70Nm more than the base model.All of which costs about $25,000 extra. It's a mid-engined affair, with a sublime chassis, stunning gearbox, love-it or hate-it looks with a canvas roof that, with the touch of a button, transforms the car into an open top roadster (even when the car is travelling as fast as 50km/h).Like most Porsches, it's a package that is worth a lot more than the sum of all of its parts.The legendary Stuttgart carmaker performed a bit of mid-life surgery on the Boxster earlier this year. You wouldn't know to look at it, as most of the tinkering was done on the chassis and under the bonnet.In the case of the S variant, the results are stunning.The steering, while not overly heavy, provides just about the perfect amount of feedback to allow the driver to feel the road. It's also extremely sharp and highly responsive, requiring only small amounts of input from the driver.The Boxster's optimum balance inspires confidence, perhaps even over-confidence, making it a very difficult car in which to get out of shape in, even though it tempts you to try at every winding curve.With the optional Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system, a click of the button tightens up the springs for a more lively drive. And it works a treat.In normal mode, the drive is firm but not uncomfortable. Firm enough for you to avoid potholes, but not enough to shake loose your fillings.In fact, not only does the Boxster perform under pressure as well as anything you care to name, it's also easy to drive around town.The excellent torque is available down low, so you needn't constantly work the gear lever all of the time to find power. And, with a relatively heavy clutch, this is a good thing when driving in traffic.The main problem is finding the will power to resist dropping a cog or two to tap what's waiting among the higher revs, that blurt above 4500 revs that brings not only a short, sharp bust of speed, but an uncontrollable smile.On a more lazy drive, accelerating in the fifth or sixth gear at most speeds is not a problem at all, with ample pulling power at anything above about 1500 revs.Like most convertibles, the Boxster is fairly noisy with the roof down, a combination of wind, tyres on the road and peripheral noises can drown out the wonderful exhaust.Perhaps because of the positioning of the (mid) engine, the car actually sounds best when the roof is up, trapping the engine note in the cabin.Vision is improved greatly with the roof down.Aside from the canvas top, the only real giveaway inside that you're driving a convertible is the odd creak and rattle.Other than that, though, the chassis is tight as tight.Fuel consumption is relatively high, we averaged a touch above 16.5 litres per 100km in a mix of peak-hour traffic and the odd bit of spirited driving. It's unlikely any buyer would be bothered.A switchable stability control is non-intrusive enough to leave on most of the time.The brakes take quite a kick to bite hard, but have a wonderful amount of feel to them, stopping the Boxster hard, fast and straight.Inside, the cabin is a bit sparse for a $135,000 car, no steering wheel controls, no sat-nav etc but the Boxster is made to drive, not to lounge about in.Surprisingly, the stereo system was also a little below average. But, again, the engine sound track and pure driving fun makes this a near-redundant criticism.A nifty little spoiler on the back of the car pops up once you exceed the speed limit, at 120km/h, but you can also drive with a 'legal' spoiler by pressing the manual over-ride and raising it yourself.Why you would need it at slow speeds, other than to look good, is anybody's guess.For a two-seater, storage space is ample, with surprising amount of room in both the back and the front of the car.The front storage area, which is under the front bonnet where the engine normally sits in most cars, is deep and holds more luggage than you might expect, certainly enough to put in a trolley full of groceries. The back boot, although not as deep, also offers generous space.Being a true two-seater, however, there are obviously no back seats and no chance of getting more than two people in the cabin.It's a selfish car, on more than one level.But cabin goodies and luggage space are not what the Boxster is about. It's about the driving experience and, for any money, the Boxster is up there with the absolute best of them.Even though it's not a fabled 911, the way the Boxster looks, feels, handles and sounds is unmistakably Porsche. SnapshotPorsche Boxster SPrice: $134,600Engine: 3.4L/6-cyl, 217kW/340NmTransmission: 6-speed manual0-100kmh: 5.4 secs The rivalsBMW Z4 M RoadsterPrice: $130,800Engine: 3.2L/6-cyl, 252kW/365NmTransmission: 6-speed manual0-100kmh: 5.0 secs Mercedes-Benz SLK 350Price: $115,474Engine: 3.5L V6, 200kW/350NmTransmission: 7-speed auto0-100kmh: 6.0 sec (approx) Alfa Romeo Spider JTS V6Price: $94,990Engine: 3.2L V6, 191kW/322NmTransmission: 6-speed manual0-100kmh: 7.0 secs (approx)

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

No, the main reason is the loud, growl of the engine, right in your ears. And for those who like a good tune, it sure is sweet.The Boxster is mid-engined, which means the motor sits directly behind the driver. This has two positives: the noise of the roaring engine, as already established, and it frees up the front of the car for more storage.One thing you'll notice is the surprised look on people's faces as you lift up the bonnet to extract your grocery bags, instead of showing off that pretty Porsche engine.And no need to worry when it comes to the big shopping: there's still extra space in the usual boot in the back.The Boxster got its name from its "boxer" engine and body style, a roadster. The 2.7-litre engine is named after the action of the pistons in its six horizontally opposed cylinders, said to resemble the movements of a boxer.And although it may be Porsche's base model, it's still an impressive and exciting drive.At $108,800, the Boxster is the cheapest Porsche available, although the model we tested had options that brought the total to $123,820.Metallic paint, 18-inch alloy wheels, sports seats, a park-assist system, a wind deflector and a high-end Bose sound system were rather expensive additions on our drive.Sitting very low, the Boxster is dynamic on the straights and agile around corners. The 2007 model has slightly more power, now delivering 180kW at 6500rpm and 273Nm between 4600 and 6000rpm.It comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission, which is a bit disappointing for a car in this class. A six-speeder, plus a suspension kit, is another expensive option.Despite the lack of that extra gear, there are no complaints about the five-speed. Once you get the Boxster rolling, it offers plenty of flexibility and extracts sharp performance from the smooth, potent engine.Highway cruising (with the top down, of course), listening to the engine's music, is the best way to drive the Boxster — although city cruising will attract much more attention.Hit 4000rpm and you really feel some urge, although it's sometimes hard to keep a track on the speed limit.The speedometer is calibrated in 50km/h blocks, with only tiny dashes to signify the in-between speeds. So it's hard to tell if you're doing 60 or 80km/h — and you really should be able to tell the difference.Especially in a Boxster. Let the thing rev, and it's easy to get distracted.And because that probably won't be much of a defence when the boys in blue pull you over, Porsche has thought of a solution: a digital display.Demonstrating its athletic abilities, the Boxster sprints to 100km/h in 6.1 seconds. Even acceleration from as low as 2000rpm in fifth gear is quick and sharp — a slight breath in, and the power is drawn out.She's quick off the mark, if the right person is behind the wheel, of course.The power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering provides smooth turning and exceptional handling.Even though it's the base model, you'd expect a little more equipment from a car costing $100,000-plus.The seats are still manually operated; there are no electric buttons like on other expensive cars. The basic Boxster also lacks steering-wheel controls.That extra storage space also comes at the expense of a spare tyre. Instead, you get a repair kit. As long as you steer clear of nails or other objects on the road, you won't have a problem.On the upside, the new model is the first roadster to feature head airbags. It also has Porsche Stability Management, plus thorax and front airbags.An electrically operated soft top that retracts in just 12 seconds makes going topless quick and easy. Around town, you don't even have to slow down much — you can travel at 50km/h while removing the roof.With its scooping lines, oval headlights and those fish-like side gills, the Boxster has an aggressive, yet classy, stance. The front bonnet scoops up like flared nostrils, and the firm lines follow the car around to the rear.The only dilemma with the Boxster's low stance is getting in and out. Needless to say, older passengers did it with a moan, while younger ones tried to stylishly slip in. Unfortunately, there wasn't much success on that front.Although driving this Porsche brought an abundance of joy, it seemed a bit unfair. Just one week, with a Boxster, just before Christmas. So much fun in such little time.I guess Santa didn't get my letter; but, fingers crossed, there's a birthday just around the corner ...