The car that saved Porsche?
Porsche in the 1990s faced a growing problem, teetering on the verge of a full-blown crisis. The company fielded an aging lineup of models, with what few newer options there were being effectively more or less simple uplifts of even older offerings. Sales were stagnant and beginning to trend downwards, and a bold move was deemed necessary to turn the ship around.
Enter the Boxster, named after the ‘Boxer’, or horizontally opposed engine that drives it. The original design was unveiled in 1993 as a concept and prototype, imagined as a lighter and more affordable offering that could appeal to the masses, while also using many interchangeable parts with the more expensive Porsche 911. The reception was warm and enthusiastic, but difficulties and pain points going from concept car to production car resulted in delays that pushed the release back until 1996.
Despite those early troubles, the car turned out to be a massive commercial success, with the Boxster becoming Porsche’s best-selling offering year-on-year right out the gate, only surpassed with the release of the Cayenne SUV in 2003. It is undeniable that this nameplate in particular did a great deal to put Porsche back on track, and there are many both inside and outside of the company that credit the Boxster with outright saving the company from oncoming ruin or buy-out.
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It’s almost ‘chilling’ how great this Boxster looks
This late-run example of Porsche’s famous Boxster is finished in a bright and reflective Arctic Silver Metallic, the almost trippy sheen augmented by the rainbow-tempered aftermarket headlights. A low-slung grille sits under the in-built bumper, while an automatic spoiler on the rear gives excellent handling at all speeds. Small side air intakes before the rear wheel add a hint of exotic fun without losing too much of the serious and practical tone the design strikes overall.
A black soft-top sits overtop a pair of roll hoops, a nice safety feature to have in such a powerful convertible. A pair of small exhaust outlets can be found under the rear bumper, while the rubber meets the road with 18″ Carrera-style five-spoke wheels shod in Pirelli P Zero tires, with 225/40s up front and 265/35s in the rear.
Black is a classic for a reason
Inside, we find heated black leather bucket seats, with matching black dash, center console, door panels, and carpeting. A Bose sound system with in-built CD player capability handles the audio needs, while metal pedal covers, cruise control, and climate control improve cabin and driving comfort. A simple tri-spoke steering wheel, clad in leather and black all over, with a Porsche shield logo in the center, is a classic early 2000s styling note. Behind the wheel lies the white-backed, red-indicator gauge cluster, where an 8,000 rpm tachometer sits in the middle, flanked by a 0-180 mph speedometer to the left, and a combo coolant and fuel gauge to the right.
The engine that christened the name
Sitting in a mid-mounted position lies the 3.2L (195ci) flat-six engine, also known as a ‘Boxer’ engine. German vehicles, in particular, are known for this engine style, with it being popular not only with Porsche but also with Volkswagen and early Mercedes cars. This particular engine was rated for 258 horsepower and 229 lb-ft of torque in ideal conditions.
All of that power is pushed to the rear wheels by way of a six-speed manual transaxle, which combines the transmission, differential, and rear axles into one assembly. All four corners feature four-piston red Porsche-branded calipers, each one fitted overtop of cross-drilled rotors, and suspension is augmented by a proprietary Porsche Stability Management system. The odometer reads 84,000 miles, which is not bad for the vehicle’s age and functions as an accessible sports car for the everyday man.
Final thoughts: Boxsters like this made Porsche accessible and fun
Let’s be real for a minute and acknowledge that a six or seven-figure sports car isn’t in everyone’s budget, even if it can be found in most people’s fantasies. In the Boxster, Porsche managed to find that sweet spot between high-end look-and-feel, without the price tag. It looks great, rides fast, and gives options to people looking to enter the sports-car market on a budget, and with this specific chassis being over 20 years old now while still having low mileage and sitting in good condition for it’s age, you can find it at a great price over on Bring a Trailer, so check it out before this offer speeds out of sight!
