Porsche Boxster Review - Cheap Sports Car - The Case For The Base - TestDrive | Everyday Driver 

I’ve had an 03 2.7L for over six years. Mine is a high mileage (with a rebuilt replacement M96 motor and DOF IMSB), and I absolutely love the car. German, mid-engine, NA, flat six, RWD, manual at 2,800lbs - what’s not to love? And yes, Paul, I am 100% fulfilling my obligation to keep serviced and maintained. It’s also IMHO one of the best color combos of Midnight Blue Metallic over Savanna Beige.

A classic can only be recognized with time. One day the fried egg headlights will be one of the most revered Porsche designs. 🖊✨

Hilarious Paul’s giddiness makes me forgive his possible lack of objectivity.

I'm glad you guys recommend the basic version... Everyone always said you need to get the S, but unless you are putting it on a track, there is no big deal about the S. The better breaks, more power, 6 speed, all if this would make a difference on a track. On public roads it doesn't, and the basic version would be cheaper to run... I've got a basic 986 04, and absolutely love it.

I sold my track toy Miata and my daily Fiesta ST for a clean and relatively low mileage 986 Boxster S. I am consistently amazed by how good these cars are and the fried egg headlights really are not as bad as people think. Coming from a Porsche loving family, this was the perfect first Porsche for me. So far the ownership costs are much less than people expect, and my insurance became much cheaper coming from the Fiesta. Buy a 986 before they start creeping up, it already is starting to happen!

Love Paul fizzing all over his commentary! Great entertainment and very informative at the same time Thank you for your enthusiasm, fun to watch a couple of 12 yr olds discussing fun cars!

I keep coming back to these. I know I will have one at some point in time.

It's fun just watching you two have fun together. Regarding the Boxster's styling, keep in mind that it was intended as a bit of an homage back to the original (mid-engined) 356 prototype. The early Porsches (356s) were known for their almost cherubic proportions -- even compared to the ample proportions of 1950's cars. I suspect that the design was possibly influenced by the Rococo style of art which is commonly seen in the many 18th century buildings in southern Germany and North-Western Austria -- two regions where the Porsche family had roots. This style really doesn't have any parallel in Asian art and style. BTW - Since it came up in some of the other reviews -- there is a racing series for the Boxster too, in fact multiple series. And for the most part they all run under the same Spec Boxster technical specs.

You give back to the universe when you drive your 986 away! 👊😎✨

You are so right: 9:35. If you have one, please, please take good care of it. I wish I can buy / drive / take care of one some day. And that will be my attitude. Totally agree.

The amazing part of this video is that people we are told are about 6'3" talk about long road trips in a Boxster. I am 6'4" and can't drive this car out of a parking lot, although I always wanted one if only I could modify the interior space.

$8,000... lol. I got an excellent condition Boxster with 99k miles for my 37th birthday. So far, including the actual price of the car, I've invested about $3100. The car wouldn't move, but ran, when I got it. Threw in a clutch and bam, it drives amazingly well. I'm beyond thrilled and absolutely LOVE the car. But the days of insanely cheap Boxsters are likely coming to an end, from what I've seen, so act fast if you want one. PS: coming from a 2005 SLK350, I can't disagree more when it comes to the Boxster not being the better road trip car. Boxster 100% destroys the SLK in comfort, materials, fit and finish, ride quality, and ACCESSIBLE cargo space.

Been loving my 986S for several years now. Nothing much matches that flat six wail at 5k rpm!

They're really GTs. Much more refined than the Miata or MR2 and a little boring at low speeds. I really wish they'd have carried through with the original '93 concept car.

This car is amazing

I disagree. Esthetically it is a full package deal. You can't pick and choose what parts of the car look good or don't. Boxster looks decent but not a stunner.

These cars are BRILLIANT. The interior of the first generation Boxster is the most lovely of ALL. This is my next car.

I think I’d need an S because of the gearbox. I’m just not a fan of how that 5 speed feels to shift

You know, normally I don't mind Paul losing his damn mind over every Porsche (they're great cars after all)... but after watching him spend 70% of the MR2 video just trashing that car it's so off-putting to watch him drive the Boxster just praising everything and completely glossing over the flaws of ownership.

That car given its condition would cost twice as much one year later

I think they are ugly but mark my words they will become huge collectors items and eventually be fetching a lot of money. Most 2 door Porsches gain in value over time.

They’re expensive now. Remember when Miatas were cheap? This is the new Miata.

You really can't touch a Boxster for 8k unless it has 150k miles

Really, the porky 987 is better than the 986?

$8k or less? Where is this fantasy land please?

Your 8k price is a joke. Because of the 25th Anniversary of it's launch prices are steadily climbing, albeit not into the stratosphere, but climbing none the less. I can't touch my Boxster today for what I paid for it over 7 years ago.

Like.

still annoying

Sorry, but you can not get an '03 for $8,000 unless it's beyond trashed I've been window shopping for quite awhile now. This is my dream car.

A lot of people hate the early 2000s interior but I love them. My truck has the same kind of crappy plastics but it’s home

I really don't get why so many dislike the headlamps. Personally I like how they blend into the shape of the car. The interior isn't the best admittedly but it's less generic than that in a 987 which wouldn't look out of place in any VW.

I love the way Paul thinks about this car. As the owner, you are a caretaker. Your job is to maintain and improve the car while you own it. The shape of this car is flat out stunning. The 986 is becoming my favourite Boxster.

Todd summed up the duality in the Porsche extremely well! It feels like a sports car thats at if not above the capability level of any sports car you’ve driven, but when you drive it soft it drives soft and luxurious. It’s eerie.

986 is a damn good car. Shared the same interior with the 996 & the Carrera GT

Shortly after the release of this review, I bought a virtually new 2002 Boxster S with 27,500 miles on it...and while I paid over 3x what you're talking about here (good luck finding one without a lot of needs for $8K now), this is without a doubt the best value sports car in the market on a dollars to performance ratio basis. I personally think the S is the way to go, but I drove several with the 2.7 that were fun cars at good prices! I'm just from the school that thinks you should buy the best possible example you can afford. If that's $8K and you can find a good one, go for it! Back in 2002 I passed on this car for practical reasons (I had young kids) in favor of a BMW M3, and it was a great car...but I'm so glad to finally have this one in my garage and I'm working on racking up some miles and smiles!

an $8k boxster is more reliable than a $200k Ferrari or Aston Martin

I have a 2003 Boxster S and I love it.

Seriously, you’re still complaining about the awesome GT-1 inspired headlights?

Can't agree on the 987, guys. I strongly prefer the 986. The 987 has those hideous side vents.

Yeah, great car. Up here in Canada for 8K USD you would not get the mid-cycle refresh, and you'd have 180,000+ km on a 90's Porsche. Good luck.

I have a triple black 2002. Got it for $7900, but had to slap down another $2500 for front & rear bumper paint/repair and a new fuel pump. So fun to drive, this is the best car I have ever owned!

Headlights are from GT1..Enough said 👍🏽

I love the fried eggs it looks more like a seventies Porsche with them.... which I love!

Owning a 986 isn’t mandatory but when you own one then driving it is! 🎯✨

Interior center console buttons and air vents remind me of the all-oval shaped Ford Taurus

$12,000 for a used 2001 boxter base w/62k miles here in Honolulu.

I recently purchased an '02 Boxster, metallic silver with black/grey interior, black soft top. good price, so far so good, in great condition for its' age, already upgraded with touchscreen, bluetooth entertainment center and backup cameral. Previous owner passed away, took very good car of the car. If I get at least 3 years out of it with regular maintenance / wear and tear costs, I'll be happy. Can't cost more to own and maintain than my Lotus Esprit back in the '00s. I'll be taking it to the dealer for an oil change, inspection and to get a spare key made; after that there are a few Porsche / German car repair shops around here, closer than the dealer.

Was trying to find a good 914 or a good 944 when I came across this video…….I now have my first Porsche that I always wanted. 2001 Boxster S. So far so good, so much fun to drive. Thanks guys.

All good till something breaks....

What rear spoiler does the black boxster have?

I like that Paul and Todd have always been sort of dismissive of the German car maintenance fear, then Paul has to replace his shocks on his Cayman and now talks about Porshce tears when maintenance is needed. Love the show, love the podcast, and I am now shopping fried egg Boxsters

Excellent video, I came across my 01 base Boxster by accident. I was looking at another car and the Boxster really caught my eye, I'm a sucker for red with black interior. Came to find out this was a one owner 35k car with IMS done and very good maintenance. I'm a little embarrassed to say what I paid, but it was well north of 8k. With that said the cars condition was just exceptional, and my wife kept commenting that it looked like a new car. The owner wanted 14 and would not budge. I looked at many others at 10 to 15k and they did not compare condition wise. I bought the car thinking you paid too much but its so nice, and you are so picky, so suck it up. I have been very fortunate and own and have owned some great cars. I have enjoyed this car which with fluid changes has been perfect and flawless and what a blast to drive. Best 14k I ever spent

Here, they start around $16k so…. Fck

It's such an absolutely phenomenal car. Probably the scariest possibility is the IMS bearing problem, but if you don't buy within the years of 2000 to 2005, you've already avoided the ones that were really problematic. Hell, frankly, if you can turn your own wrenches and shop around online, it doesn't even have to be particularly expensive to maintain.

Make sure you find a good Porsche mechanic and have him do a PPI before buying. Doesn't take much to add up $10,000 in repair costs in 1st year of ownership. And find a good German mechanic that doesn't charge Porsche dealership prices.

Future if not a current classic. The first gen Boxster is truly a drivers car. If you can and are willing to work on the car yourself it is also very affordable to own. I like the fried egg lights because they are different and quirky. I also completely agree that with a car like this you should take pride in ownership and that includes improving and maintaining the vehicle as it ages.

I think this is the perfect car to do an LS swap. apparently, they can fit with very little to no modifications to the body of the car. I have yet to verify but some LS engines are lighter than the 2.7. I keep eyeing this 986 at the porsche dealership that has been there for a very long time. but the owner wants way too much for a car that hasn't moved in the last year.

8G is not going to get you a sorted driver. These are regularly going over 15 G on BAT, plus 1-2G transportation and fees. Many 986s are going for over $20G. Get one now while you can still afford it.

Just picked up a base '99 986 for only $6k ... once I dry all the water out of the floorboards and install a CarPlay radio, I'm keeping it forever!

I bought my 03 S in 2019. While I have put a considerable amount of money into parts and upgrades, I would love to keep the car for many years.

Porsche's are one of the few vehicles (in any model) that aren't disposable. These machines were meant to keep going and going and then get restored to become collectables.

Hahaha, I wonder which car is going to win.... Also I like this style(986/996), I was 16 when the 996 was first on the cover of Car and Driver.

There is a reason why it's eight thousand dollars. 8k + 8k + 8k. These two dudes are the biggest flip floppers on the internet.

Nice, I have the 01 Boxster Lapis Blue, upgraded the rims to bbs and its amazing to drive

No one said the GT1 race car had ugly headlights, funny but the 996/986 had the same design

Just got mine as a result of this video, 2000 2.7 986, cheap clean fun!

I think that the headlights are my favorite it just screams Porsche

Oh great now I gotta convince my wife that we need one for the family

I got no fear of buying a Porsche. I got no money. One day.

I own a 987.2 which I absolutely love! The 986's are an incredible bargain when purchased right. I previously owned a 2000 996 911. The fried egg light's are not that bad at all. The main reason those headlights were so maligned is because Porsche had the iconic round lights for so long. It was such a different look that it put some people off. The prices are starting to creep up on the 986 and 996 because more people are finding out how great these cars drive.

Am looking into a 111,000 km one now. What about the dreaded IMS issue? Is it common, or a lot of fear mongering? Greatvideo, have fun!

I really enjoy coups and I have a base RSX its really fun to drive, I think this might be my next car. good video thanks for sharing.

Better than mopsr doors

😀love my 97 sound 😀

Great car!!❤

Sorry, have to disagree about the 'fried eggs'. First experience i had with them was watching a GT1 flying down the Mulsanne straight, I will forever have a soft spot, and unpopular opinion, 996s look WAAAAY better than the 'melty' styling of the 993, and 959.

Where can I watch the video on the early boxster? 3:25 I don't see it on the channel

So which Porsche does Paul own? A Boxster?

I'm on the fence between a 986 base and S model. You mentioned the power loss at elevation with the normally aspirated engine. I live at 7,000' feet and most twisty driving will be between 8,000' - 11,000'. I'm wondering if the extra torque of the S will help offset the power loss?

Sorry Paul that is not a good looking car.

It’s not about the power it’s about the experience. Great video guys.