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Headlamp Assembly

The Porsche Boxster Is It Really As Good As They Say It Is

By Andy Enright

The only thing I've ever had against the idea of owning a Porsche is the kind of image that goes with it, but that's more down to my perceptions being outdated than Porsche's. Thankfully, much has changed since the days of city yuppies and red braces. Today, ownership of one of Stuttgart's finest sportscars seems to be seen as rather clever. They're better built and depreciate less than rivals and they're still in all important respects superior to drive.

Take the Boxster I've been driving here. The only real drawback is the price - but even that wasn't quite as much as I was expecting - £32,320 for the 2.7-litre model I tried. The Boxster seems to continually get treated to mild revisions and this one's 2.7-litre engine developes a peak power of 245bhp, way higher than the first Boxsters that hit these shores. There has also been a series of subtle nips and tucks to the styling.

The Practicalities

You certainly don't invest in a Porsche of any kind if practicality is at the top of your priority list. That said, the car is extremely comfortable for front seat passengers (there are no rear seats) and the driving position is pure Porsche, excellence evident in every curve.

I wouldn't look at the engine anyway but even if I wanted to, I couldn't in this car. The mechanical side is accessible to mechanics only - which is just the way I like it. Although the boot at first seemed a little meagre, the fact that this is a mid engined car means that there's also a fairly deep albeit narrow luggage area under the bonnet. The sight of a blonde trying to stuff the ‘engine bay' with groceries in the Sainsburys car park caused more than a few raised eyebrows! Porsche say you can fit two sets of golf clubs in the rear boot: since that's not my game, I'll have to take their word for it.

As far as the exterior changes are concerned, I liked the sleeker look brought about by the restyled front and rear bumpers. Every single body panel is different with larger air ducts at the front and a sleeker look to the front bumper area. The indicators are still integrated into the headlamp assemblies but this time round, the effect is neater, giving the Boxster a far more classic Porsche look. The doors are reshaped with better quality handles and the tail lamps are that little bit more angular, spread across the car's haunches.

The electric fabric roof remains a model of efficiency, opening in just 12 seconds, so that if you're caught at the traffic lights and a shower starts, you can hopefully cover yourself before the lights turn to green.

Behind the Wheel

If anything, the changes to the induction and exhaust system that liberated the additional power for this latest 2.7-litre engine have also made this car sound even better than before. And it's very fast, the 2.7-litre car despatching the increment in 5.9 seconds. Top speed is rated at 160mph and both fuel economy and CO2 emissions have been improved. It makes you wonder at the need for paying nearly £7,000 more for the 3.4-litre Boxster S variant, though many will continue to do so.

The cabin is smarter too and it's still a model of how interiors should be done. Only the stereo system's puzzling buttons confused me. Customers can still specify either a five-speed manual gearbox or Porsche's acclaimed Tiptronic S semi-automatic system.

What really sets this car apart however, is the way that it's so easy to drive quickly, the way in fact that it flatters you into thinking that you're a better driver than you are. That sounds dangerous but it's not. You just get this huge feeling of confidence whenever you drive the thing.

Value for money

For between £33,000 and £39,000, you can buy an awful lot of car elsewhere of course. A TVR perhaps - but would you really want to put up with all the handling quirks and ownership hassles? I don't think so. A Honda S2000 then? Yes, you'd save a few pounds but you'd still end up with what is essentially a high days and holidays car. The Boxster, like it's big brother the 911, feels like a car you could use day-in, day-out. In that respect, it's quite refreshing.

Could I Live With One?

If I also had something with more seats in the drive and my finances allowed, then I wouldn't hesitate.

Anybody thinking how can I sell my Porsche should visit dealerbid.co.uk cash for cars site.

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