2010 Porsche Boxster
by Jim Prueter -June 2010

Boxster does topless right

With a base price of $47,600, the two-seat Boxster roadster is the smallest and most affordable of all Porsche product offerings.  It is also offered in a fixed-roof coupe design Porsche calls the Cayman, although purists get offended when you mention any similarity between the two vehicles.  Boxster is also $3,800 less expensive than Cayman, which shares the same class-exclusive mid-engine design.

The Boxster name refers to Porsche’s horizontally opposed “flat” six-cylinder engine located behind the seats, affording exceptional handling due to nearly perfect 50/50 front-to-rear weight distribution. 

Both Boxster and Cayman are rear-wheel drive and powered by the same 2.9-liter, 255 horsepower engine and standard six-speed manual or the newly optional seven-speed, double-clutch Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) automatic transmission.  The PDK is a similar transmission offered by the likes of BMW, Volkswagen, and Audi.  Porsche adds paddle shifters (they are actually more like buttons than paddles) to the steering wheel, or you can use the shift lever itself to mimic a manual shift mode.  The operator can select between fully automatic Drive or Sport modes.  I didn’t particularly care for either mode; I found one too unresponsive and the other too throttle-sensitive.  Add a whopping $3,420 for the PDK and the manual shifter looks even more attractive.  For my taste, I’ll stick to shifting manually.  There’s something wrong with putting an automatic transmission in a Porsche roadster, even if it does get a couple more miles to the gallon.

For 2010, we tested a base Boxster roadster with the optional PDK transmission, painted in a gorgeous ruby red metallic with sand beige leather interior.  There are a total of 18 factory exterior paint color choices, five convertible top colors, and ten upholstery color schemes to go with the five seat-type choices. 

Both the Boxster and Cayman are available with a larger 3.4-liter, 310 horsepower, six-cylinder engine, and offered as Boxster S and Cayman S models. 

We received our test Boxster during some of the best weather of the year; perfect for top-down sunny day driving with gorgeous Arizona skies and perfect temperatures.  It only added to the cache of driving a Porsche, and most likely a few more miles to both the speedometer and odometer. 

Unlike most competition, the Boxster is only offered in a soft-top convertible, rather than a retractable hardtop.  Admittedly, it does transfer more heat to the cockpit.  However, one thing we really liked was the ability to raise or lower the roof in about 15 seconds when the car is in motion at speeds up to 30 mph.  It also weighs less, which is important in a sports car, and it takes up less room.

The Boxster is easy to drive with excellent visibility, ample power, and the best brakes in the automotive business. Everything was smooth, controlled, and powerful.  Handling was enhanced by this year’s improvement of a wider track.  A Porsche is simply a joy to drive, as long as you don’t have far to go; which gets me to my two major complaints. 

My first gripe is the Boxster’s small cockpit, which needs more legroom. I’m certainly taller than most, but the lack of decent legroom unfortunately renders the Boxster a deal-breaker.  My other complaint is the minimal storage space.  Both the center console and glove box are mini-sized.  There is a very small shelf behind the seats and room for no more than a valise up front under the hood or in the small space in the rear.  Somewhat practical, but that’s it.  Oddly, cupholders have disappeared from the Boxster, but they are available as a no-cost option. 

Our 2.9-liter Boxster had ample power, traveling 0-60 mph in just 5.6 seconds, with a top speed of 163 mph according to Porsche. 

There were no significant changes for the 2010 Boxster after receiving numerous styling changes for last year’s model. Small changes include a small center vent below the front bumper, newly-styled front air intakes that incorporate LED daytime running lights, and the headlight cluster extends farther up the fenders.

Standard Boxster features include a power top with heated glass rear window, power windows, mirrors, and reclining leather bucket seats, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD stereo, cruise control, leather-wrapped tilt/telescoping steering wheel, front and rear fog lights, active rear spoiler, cruise control, universal garage door opener, automatic-off headlights, and 17” alloy wheels. 

Standard safety features include dual front, side, and head protection airbags, anti-lock disc brakes, electronic stability control system, electronic brake-force distribution, traction control, and tire-pressure monitoring.  The Boxster has not been crash tested.

Overall, the Boxster is a superbly-performing and satisfying vehicle worthy of the name Porsche, and it is certain to be enjoyed by the privileged few and shorter drivers.