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2009 Porsche Boxster Bottom Line

October 4, 2009

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

TheCarConnection.com has researched a wide range of reviews from both the enthusiast press and consumer Web sites to bring you the most comprehensive Full Review possible of the 2009 Porsche Boxster. The editors of TheCarConnection.com have also driven the Boxster and include their own driving opinions in this Bottom Line to help you make a smart buying decision.

Likes:

  • Reassuring, capable handling
  • Iconic styling
  • Strong acceleration
  • Perfect tactile experience
  • What’s not to like?

Dislikes:

  • Lack of storage spaces
  • Sound systems

Buying Tips:


Don’t feel like you need to slap on a lot of options—or even upgrade to the S—to get an enjoyable car. The base version itself is a blast to drive.

The 2009 Porsche Boxster is strongly connected to its roots and offers a basic interior and classic styling on the outside. The design lines are clean and look like they could have popped right off the drawing pad.

Porsche's least expensive car, the Boxster comes charged in its base form by a 255-horsepower, 2.9-liter six-cylinder engine, which is coupled to a five- or six-speed manual transmission. Porsche says it will accelerate to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds with the manual, 6.7 seconds with the automatic. The Boxster S sports a larger, 310-hp, 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.

The 2009 Porsche Boxster has 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. Fuel economy is 20 mpg city, 29 highway with the base car, and 18/25 mpg with the Boxster S automatic.

The cockpit of the 2009 Porsche Boxster is an ideal place to work, too. 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. The controls are arranged neatly, although Porsche's audio systems remain notorious for iffy sound quality and too many buttons.

The 2009 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. 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. A 2009 Special Edition is offered only in Carrera White with black upholstery, light gray striping, and a gray convertible top.

Anti-lock brakes and stability control are standard on the 2009 Porsche Boxster. The Boxster also has standard front, side, and special head-protecting side-impact airbags, which deploy from the doors' windowsills. No U.S. crash tests have been conducted on the Boxster, but from fatality and injury statistics Porsche drivers have a record of faring well in accidents—or avoiding them in the first place!

Other Choices:

If you like the 2009 Porsche Boxster, also consider:

Reason Why:

Two-seat convertibles dripping with power and great bloodlines all owe something to the Porsche Boxster. Most recognizable of those are the Z4 and TT; the Z4 has excellent performance and a more passenger-friendly interior, along with a nice soft-top arrangement, but its gregarious exterior styling might be too much for some. The TT was just restyled last year, with a more conservative yet still uber-chic look that may appeal more to enthusiasts; it drives more like a true sportscar as well. Nissan's 350Z roadster has raw power and claw-like traction, while Audi's TT roadster gets all-wheel drive and a big V-6 on its features list. Traditionalists might actually like the simplicity of the Mazda Miata, which costs about half as much as the Boxster; with a high-revving four-cylinder engine and no-nonsense interior, the Miata has a charm of its own.

The Bottom Line:

The 2009 Porsche Boxster is exactly what you want it to be: a fast, snazzy modern roadster.

TheCarConnection.com has researched a wide range of reviews from both the enthusiast press and consumer Web sites to bring you the most comprehensive Full Review possible of the 2009 Porsche Boxster. The editors of TheCarConnection.com have also driven the Boxster and include their own driving opinions in this Bottom Line to help you make a smart buying decision. Likes:Reassuring, capable handlingIconic stylingStrong accelerationPerfect tactile experienceWhat’s not to like?Dislikes:Lack of storage spacesSound systemsBuying Tips: Don’t feel like you need to slap on a lot of options—or even upgrade to the S—to get an enjoyable car. The base version itself is a blast to drive. The 2009 Porsche Boxster is strongly connected to its roots and offers a basic interior and classic styling on the outside. The design lines are clean and look like they could have popped right off the drawing pad. Porsche's least expensive car, the Boxster comes charged in its base form by a 255-horsepower, 2.9-liter six-cylinder engine, which is coupled to a five- or six-speed manual transmission. Porsche says it will accelerate to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds with the manual, 6.7 seconds with the automatic. The Boxster S sports a larger, 310-hp, 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. The 2009 Porsche Boxster has 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. Fuel economy is 20 mpg city, 29 highway with the base car, and 18/25 mpg with the Boxster S automatic. The cockpit of the 2009 Porsche Boxster is an ideal place to work, too. 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. The controls are arranged neatly, although Porsche's audio systems remain notorious for iffy sound quality and too many buttons. The 2009 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. 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. A 2009 Special Edition is offered only in Carrera White with black upholstery, light gray striping, and a gray convertible top. Anti-lock brakes and stability control are standard on the 2009 Porsche Boxster. The Boxster also has standard front, side, and special head-protecting side-impact airbags, which deploy from the doors' windowsills. No U.S. crash tests have been conducted on the Boxster, but from fatality and injury statistics Porsche drivers have a record of faring well in accidents—or avoiding them in the first place! Other Choices:If you like the 2009 Porsche Boxster, also consider:Audi TTBMW Z4Mazda MiataNissan 350ZReason Why:Two-seat convertibles dripping with power and great bloodlines all owe something to the Porsche Boxster. Most recognizable of those are the Z4 and TT; the Z4 has excellent performance and a more passenger-friendly interior, along with a nice soft-top arrangement, but its gregarious exterior styling might be too much for some. The TT was just restyled last year, with a more conservative yet still uber-chic look that may appeal more to enthusiasts; it drives more like a true sportscar as well. Nissan's 350Z roadster has raw power and claw-like traction, while Audi's TT roadster gets all-wheel drive and a big V-6 on its features list. Traditionalists might actually like the simplicity of the Mazda Miata, which costs about half as much as the Boxster; with a high-revving four-cylinder engine and no-nonsense interior, the Miata has a charm of its own. The Bottom Line:The 2009 Porsche Boxster is exactly what you want it to be: a fast, snazzy modern roadster. TheCarConnection.com has researched a wide range of reviews from both the enthusiast press and consumer Web sites to bring you the most comprehensive Full Review possible of the 2009 Porsche Boxster. The editors of TheCarConnection.com have also driven the Boxster and include their own ...

Other Choices:

Two-seat convertibles dripping with power and great bloodlines all owe something to the Porsche Boxster. Most recognizable of those are the Z4 and TT; the Z4 has excellent performance and a more passenger-friendly interior, along with a nice soft-top arrangement, but its gregarious exterior styling might be too much for some. The TT was just restyled last year, with a more conservative yet still uber-chic look that may appeal more to enthusiasts; it drives more like a true sportscar as well. Nissan's 350Z roadster has raw power and claw-like traction, while Audi's TT roadster gets all-wheel drive and a big V-6 on its features list. Traditionalists might actually like the simplicity of the Mazda Miata, which costs about half as much as the Boxster; with a high-revving four-cylinder engine and no-nonsense interior, the Miata has a charm of its own.

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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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