2003 Porsche Boxster

Description

The Porsche Boxster was the first all-new Porsche in decades, with a mid-engine design, it was also arguably the best-handling. All the 911's vices were excised, and the handsome roadster body was clearly a tribute to great Porsches of the past. And the coolest thing of all is that the design evolved slowly, so this 2003 Porsche Boxster looks an awful lot like a more recent model, especially with those wheels. Nobody but you has to know what a screaming bargain it really is.

Finished in handsome Silver Blue Metallic, this slick little roadster represents the best of Porsche design. Hard core enough to be a wonderful track-day weapon, but as reliable as a wood stove so you can drive it every day, no other car manufacturer has yet matched that combination. The shape is instantly recognizable, from the 911-inspired front end to the air intakes just ahead of the rear wheels, to the center-exit exhaust system, there's nothing else like a Boxster. This one has also been nicely maintained by a Porsche enthusiast, and as a result it's in good shape overall. Sure, there are some signs of being used, most notably on the low nose where a few bumps and chips are all but inevitable, but overall it still looks like an expensive car. Porsche quality is legendary, and even on a car that's now nearly 15 years old, the fit and finish are notably better than most new cars being built today and you can feel it in every single component. As a southern car all its life, it has never seen inclement weather and it's hard to imagine a bigger bang for the buck than this.

The black interior features arguably better ergonomics than the venerable 911, along with plenty of stretch-out room despite the mid-engine design and folding top. Leather seats are grippy yet comfortable for long hauls and the seating surfaces show minimal wear and only a few signs of careful use. Big, round gauges are laid out in traditional Porsche fashion, with the tachometer front and center and the other gauges to either side, and the fun-loving font on their faces shows that even the Germans have a sense of humor. Everything remains in very good condition, especially for a convertible from the south, further evidence that this car has been cherished throughout its life. Overhead, a black canvas convertible top folds easily and stows neatly behind the seats with the touch of a button. The forward section forms a flat deck surface, eliminating the need for a boot, a neat little design element. The Boxster also includes TWO trunks, one behind the engine in the usual location and one up front in, well, the usual location for a Porsche.

Porsche gave the Boxster a strong-running 2.7 liter flat six, whose sonorous exhaust note and distinctive flat six sound will have you blipping the throttle under every overpass. As a mid-engine design, most of the service access is from underneath, which leaves those trunks fore and aft and giving this car the storage to be a legitimate long-distance cruiser. The engine fires up easily and pulls eagerly in all five gears, yet still manages impressive gas mileage for a car with this much performance. The suspension remains agile, the big brakes are highlighted by big race-grade calipers, and the overall look is augmented by a set of gorgeous 10-spoke 17-inch Boxster S wheels that were actually ordered new on the car (with documents to prove it).

Vintage Boxsters represent tremendous performance for the money, and this well-maintained example is ready for another decade of fun. Call today!