| The only thing I've ever had against the idea of owning | | | | little bit more angular, spread across the car's |
| a Porsche is the kind of image that goes with it, but | | | | haunches. |
| that's more down to my perceptions being outdated | | | | The electric fabric roof remains a model of efficiency, |
| than Porsche's. Thankfully, much has changed since | | | | opening in just 12 seconds, so that if you're caught at |
| the days of city yuppies and red braces. Today, | | | | the traffic lights and a shower starts, you can hopefully |
| ownership of one of Stuttgart's finest sportscars | | | | cover yourself before the lights turn to green. |
| seems to be seen as rather clever. They're better built | | | | Behind the Wheel |
| and depreciate less than rivals and they're still in all | | | | If anything, the changes to the induction and exhaust |
| important respects superior to drive. | | | | system that liberated the additional power for this |
| Take the Boxster I've been driving here. The only real | | | | latest 2.7-litre engine have also made this car sound |
| drawback is the price - but even that wasn't quite as | | | | even better than before. And it's very fast, the 2.7-litre |
| much as I was expecting - £32,320 for the 2.7-litre | | | | car despatching the increment in 5.9 seconds. Top |
| model I tried. The Boxster seems to continually get | | | | speed is rated at 160mph and both fuel economy and |
| treated to mild revisions and this one's 2.7-litre engine | | | | CO2 emissions have been improved. It makes you |
| developes a peak power of 245bhp, way higher than | | | | wonder at the need for paying nearly £7,000 more |
| the first Boxsters that hit these shores. There has also | | | | for the 3.4-litre Boxster S variant, though many will |
| been a series of subtle nips and tucks to the styling. | | | | continue to do so. |
| The Practicalities | | | | The cabin is smarter too and it's still a model of how |
| You certainly don\'t invest in a Porsche of any kind if | | | | interiors should be done. Only the stereo system's |
| practicality is at the top of your priority list. That said, | | | | puzzling buttons confused me. Customers can still |
| the car is extremely comfortable for front seat | | | | specify either a five-speed manual gearbox or |
| passengers (there are no rear seats) and the driving | | | | Porsche's acclaimed Tiptronic S semi-automatic |
| position is pure Porsche, excellence evident in every | | | | system. |
| curve. | | | | What really sets this car apart however, is the way |
| I wouldn't look at the engine anyway but even if I | | | | that it's so easy to drive quickly, the way in fact that it |
| wanted to, I couldn't in this car. The mechanical side is | | | | flatters you into thinking that you're a better driver than |
| accessible to mechanics only - which is just the way I | | | | you are. That sounds dangerous but it's not. You just |
| like it. Although the boot at first seemed a little meagre, | | | | get this huge feeling of confidence whenever you |
| the fact that this is a mid engined car means that | | | | drive the thing. |
| there's also a fairly deep albeit narrow luggage area | | | | Value for money |
| under the bonnet. The sight of a blonde trying to stuff | | | | For between £33,000 and £39,000, you can buy |
| the ‘engine bay' with groceries in the Sainsburys | | | | an awful lot of car elsewhere of course. A TVR |
| car park caused more than a few raised eyebrows! | | | | perhaps - but would you really want to put up with all |
| Porsche say you can fit two sets of golf clubs in the | | | | the handling quirks and ownership hassles? I don't think |
| rear boot: since that's not my game, I'll have to take | | | | so. A Honda S2000 then? Yes, you'd save a few |
| their word for it. | | | | pounds but you'd still end up with what is essentially a |
| As far as the exterior changes are concerned, I liked | | | | high days and holidays car. The Boxster, like it's big |
| the sleeker look brought about by the restyled front | | | | brother the 911, feels like a car you could use day-in, |
| and rear bumpers. Every single body panel is different | | | | day-out. In that respect, it's quite refreshing. |
| with larger air ducts at the front and a sleeker look to | | | | Could I Live With One? |
| the front bumper area. The indicators are still | | | | If I also had something with more seats in the drive |
| integrated into the headlamp assemblies but this time | | | | and my finances allowed, then I wouldn't hesitate. |
| round, the effect is neater, giving the Boxster a far | | | | Anybody thinking how can I sell my Porsche should |
| more classic Porsche look. The doors are reshaped | | | | visit dealerbid.co.uk cash for cars site. |
| with better quality handles and the tail lamps are that | | | | |