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2008 Porsche Boxster Bottom Line

November 7, 2008

By Marty Padgett's avatar Marty Padgett, Executive EditorMarty Padgett

TheCarConnection.com's editors researched a wide range of road tests of the 2008 Porsche Boxster to write this definitive review. TheCarConnection.com's resident experts also drove the Porsche Boxster to help you decide which reviews to trust where opinions differ, to add more impressions and details, and to provide you with the best information.

Likes:

  • Great acceleration
  • Breathtaking handling
  • Iconic styling
  • Er, it's a convertible Porsche?

Dislikes:

  • Audio systems
  • Short on storage areas

Buying Tips:

The 2008 Porsche Boxster has steadily become more expensive over the years, with base versions starting around $45,000 and RS 60 versions pushing past $60,000. The S versions are as close as you can get to Porsche 911-like performance for the price, but the base car is still hugely entertaining.

The 2008 Porsche Boxster is the car that returned Germany's most famous sportscar maker to its roots. The style is classic rear-engine roadster; in silver, the Porsche Boxster looks like it could have erupted right from a technical drawing pad. The interior looks basic, but the fundamentals are in the right places and trimmed with higher-quality materials than in the original Boxster.

The Boxster, Porsche's least expensive car, comes charged in its base form by a 245-horsepower, 2.7-liter six-cylinder engine, which is coupled to a five- or six-speed manual transmission Porsche says will accelerate to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds with the manual, 6.7 seconds with the automatic. The Boxster S sports a larger, 295-horsepower, 3.4-liter six-cylinder and a six-speed manual gearbox or the five-speed automatic. Its acceleration to 60 mph with the manual is just 5.1 seconds; with the automatic, it takes 5.8 seconds. There's also a 303-hp special edition of the Boxster S, dubbed the RS 60, available this year.
Fuel economy is 20/29 mpg with the base car, and 18/25 mpg with the Boxster S automatic. That's good performance to match the 2008 Porsche Boxster's brilliant road manners. It's an ideal companion for any twisty road--the steering winds in naturally, the brakes are strong and responsive, and the manual transmissions have short-throw shifts.

The cockpit is an ideal place to work, too. The controls are arranged neatly, although Porsche's audio systems are notorious for iffy sound quality and too many buttons. The convertible top is power-operated, the seats are typically firm (bolstered sport seats are an option), and since the engine is mounted in the back, the front hood hides a reasonably large storage area. Equipment is extensive; there's automatic air conditioning with air filtration, a CD stereo, a rear spoiler, partial-leather upholstery, heated washer nozzles, and locking alloy wheels, all standard. The 2008 Porsche Boxster also offers one of the longest lists of available interior and exterior cosmetic tweaks in the business--virtually every switch, button, and knob can be leather-wrapped in any of several finishes, for example.

The 2008 Porsche Boxster has standard front, side, and special head-protecting side-impact airbags, which deploy from the doors' windowsills. Anti-lock brakes and stability control are also standard.

Other Choices:

If you like the 2008 Porsche Boxster, also consider:

Reason Why:

Two-seat convertibles dripping with power and great bloodlines all owe something to the Porsche Boxster. BMW's Z4 has edgy styling, fantastic dynamics, and a powerful M companion, but a busy interior. The MINI Cooper Convertible actually seats four, but you'll do better to consider it a two-seater; its convertible top is clever, the shape is instantly recognizable, and performance with the supercharged S is blistering. Nissan's 350Z roadster has raw power and clawlike traction, while Audi's TT roadster gets all-wheel drive and a big V-6 on its features list.

The Bottom Line:

The 2008 Porsche Boxster performs brilliantly, and looks and feels the part, delivering a modern take on the classic roadster experience.

TheCarConnection.com's editors researched a wide range of road tests of the 2008 Porsche Boxster to write this definitive review. TheCarConnection.com's resident experts also drove the Porsche Boxster to help you decide which reviews to trust where opinions differ, to add more impressions and details, and to provide you with the best information. Likes:Great accelerationBreathtaking handlingIconic stylingEr, it's a convertible Porsche?Dislikes:Audio systemsShort on storage areasBuying Tips:The 2008 Porsche Boxster has steadily become more expensive over the years, with base versions starting around $45,000 and RS 60 versions pushing past $60,000. The S versions are as close as you can get to Porsche 911-like performance for the price, but the base car is still hugely entertaining. The 2008 Porsche Boxster is the car that returned Germany's most famous sportscar maker to its roots. The style is classic rear-engine roadster; in silver, the Porsche Boxster looks like it could have erupted right from a technical drawing pad. The interior looks basic, but the fundamentals are in the right places and trimmed with higher-quality materials than in the original Boxster. The Boxster, Porsche's least expensive car, comes charged in its base form by a 245-horsepower, 2.7-liter six-cylinder engine, which is coupled to a five- or six-speed manual transmission Porsche says will accelerate to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds with the manual, 6.7 seconds with the automatic. The Boxster S sports a larger, 295-horsepower, 3.4-liter six-cylinder and a six-speed manual gearbox or the five-speed automatic. Its acceleration to 60 mph with the manual is just 5.1 seconds; with the automatic, it takes 5.8 seconds. There's also a 303-hp special edition of the Boxster S, dubbed the RS 60, available this year. Fuel economy is 20/29 mpg with the base car, and 18/25 mpg with the Boxster S automatic. That's good performance to match the 2008 Porsche Boxster's brilliant road manners. It's an ideal companion for any twisty road--the steering winds in naturally, the brakes are strong and responsive, and the manual transmissions have short-throw shifts. The cockpit is an ideal place to work, too. The controls are arranged neatly, although Porsche's audio systems are notorious for iffy sound quality and too many buttons. The convertible top is power-operated, the seats are typically firm (bolstered sport seats are an option), and since the engine is mounted in the back, the front hood hides a reasonably large storage area. Equipment is extensive; there's automatic air conditioning with air filtration, a CD stereo, a rear spoiler, partial-leather upholstery, heated washer nozzles, and locking alloy wheels, all standard. The 2008 Porsche Boxster also offers one of the longest lists of available interior and exterior cosmetic tweaks in the business--virtually every switch, button, and knob can be leather-wrapped in any of several finishes, for example. The 2008 Porsche Boxster has standard front, side, and special head-protecting side-impact airbags, which deploy from the doors' windowsills. Anti-lock brakes and stability control are also standard. Other Choices:If you like the 2008 Porsche Boxster, also consider:BMW Z4MINI Cooper ConvertibleNissan 350ZAudi TTReason Why:Two-seat convertibles dripping with power and great bloodlines all owe something to the Porsche Boxster. BMW's Z4 has edgy styling, fantastic dynamics, and a powerful M companion, but a busy interior. The MINI Cooper Convertible actually seats four, but you'll do better to consider it a two-seater; its convertible top is clever, the shape is instantly recognizable, and performance with the supercharged S is blistering. Nissan's 350Z roadster has raw power and clawlike traction, while Audi's TT roadster gets all-wheel drive and a big V-6 on its features list. The Bottom Line:The 2008 Porsche Boxster performs brilliantly, and looks and feels the part, delivering a modern take on the classic roadster experience. TheCarConnection.com's editors researched a wide range of road tests of the 2008 Porsche Boxster to write this definitive review. TheCarConnection.com's resident experts also drove the Porsche Boxster to help you decide which reviews to trust where opinions differ, to add more impressions ...

Other Choices:

Two-seat convertibles dripping with power and great bloodlines all owe something to the Porsche Boxster. BMW's Z4 has edgy styling, fantastic dynamics, and a powerful M companion, but a busy interior. The MINI Cooper Convertible actually seats four, but you'll do better to consider it a two-seater; its convertible top is clever, the shape is instantly recognizable, and performance with the supercharged S is blistering. Nissan's 350Z roadster has raw power and clawlike traction, while Audi's TT roadster gets all-wheel drive and a big V-6 on its features list.

Next Steps:

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2008 Porsche Boxster

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for the 2008 Porsche Boxster

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2008 Porsche Boxster near you

See the Porsche Boxster in Other Years:

2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

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