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Porsche Boxster 2011 review

Neat, frill-free styling appeals to those who simply want to drive.

We just love the back to basics approach of the Porsche Boxster we have been driving all week. Basic in the way it looks, with no unnecessary frills and body bits. Basic in the way the key uses the same position to lock and unlock the car so you’re not searching about on an overly complex key. Simple and effective in the layout of the instruments and the way all the controls are exactly where you expect them to be. We just loved it.

Though the iconic Porsche 911 is the most common choice in the range of famous German sports models, it’s smaller brother, the Boxster is actually a purer machine. That’s because it is mid-engined, meaning the engine is installed within the wheelbase, not behind the back wheels as is in the 911. 

Every supercar and pure racing car has the same mid-rear layout as the Porsche Boxster because that gives the best possible chassis balance. Resulting in high cornering speeds, great driver control and plenty of on-road appeal. Porsche Boxster is a brilliant machine to push along hard and fast. It takes a lot of provocation to get the tail out of line, and if it does start to slide the Boxster remains controllable up to a point. 

The downside is that when you do take a mid-rear car beyond its limit it can get out of control rather suddenly. Those who don’t know how to drive, and it’s a sad fact of life that plenty of these people buy sports cars, should get some lessons in advanced driving, preferably at a track, or at least on a skid pan, before even thinking of taking a mid-rear engined car near the limit.

Comfort remains good on all but the roughest of Australian backroads, and even then this no-nonsense sports model has a better ride than some passenger sedans from the European continent.

This pure German sports model is strictly a two-seater with a folding roof that’s one of the simplest in the business; just look at the way the top of the roof doubles as its own cover when it’s powered down. Brilliant!

Boxster’s seats are supportive and comfortable and legroom and shoulder space are plentiful with the two occupants well insulated from buffeting with the roof down and the side windows up. Even with the windows down for the maximum of open air enjoyment the windrush isn't overpowering.

A bonus of the mid-engined layout is that it’s surprisingly liveable for a sportscar as there are luggage compartments front and rear. The front boot is quite tall and it’s possible to carry two cabin bags one on top of the other and still have room for soft items above them. Meaning there's plenty of luggage space for a long holiday trip if you take care in packing.

Hit the pedal on the right and the Boxster leaps up in speed in a manner that makes it immensely satisfying and sure to bring a smile of satisfaction. Hit the pedal on the right and the Boxster leaps up in speed in a manner that makes it immensely satisfying and sure to bring a smile of satisfaction.

The subject of this week’s road test is the latest Porsche Boxster S powered by a 3.4-litre flat-six engine with direct fuel injection. Recent tweaks to the engine have lifted it to 235 kilowatts of power, compared to the 228 kW it previously enjoyed. Peak torque is an impressive 370 Nm, up from 360 Nm.

This engine is at its best from 3000 rpm upwards and its note rises to a wonderfully metallic howl as it goes through 5000 rpm on its way to a redline of 7500. It may have been cold up here on the Gold Coast during our winter’s week with the Porsche Boxster, but we powered the top down just for the pleasure of listening to the engine rising through the gears.

Throttle response is as near to instantaneous as we have ever felt in a road car. Hit the pedal on the right and the Boxster leaps up in speed in a manner that makes it immensely satisfying and sure to bring a smile of satisfaction. As a bonus, this fast response also makes for safer overtaking.

Immediately behind the engine is Porsche’s PDK seven-speed double-clutch gearbox. Interestingly, Porsche invented this gearbox type back in the 1970s but at that time it could only be used on racing cars. It wasn’t until the early years of the 21st century that advances in electronics made it possible to smooth out double-clutch units to suit them to passenger cars.

The PDK in the Boxster is a delightful unit. It seems to sense the driver’s desires and changes down at the slightest hint that more performance is needed. Taking advantage of the wide spread of torque from the engine makes this powertrain a delight to sit ahead of.

Then there are the Boxster’s brakes; if you think going from zero to 100km/h in only 5.2 seconds feels sensational, just wait until you experience 100 kilometres per hour to a standstill in just 2.5 seconds.

Porsche Boxster is sold only as a convertible. A coupe version, the Porsche Cayman, is also on available. 

Model Range

Porsche Boxster 2.9-litre two-door convertible: $106,100 (manual), $111,400 (automatic)
Porsche Boxster S 3.4-litre two-door convertible: $132,400 (manual), $137,700 (automatic)
Porsche Boxster Spyder 3.4-litre two-door convertible: $145,200 (manual), $150,500 (automatic)
Note: These prices do not include dealer or government charges. Contact your local Porsche dealer for driveaway prices

Pricing guides

$40,700
Based on third party pricing data
Lowest Price
$30,030
Highest Price
$51,370

Range and Specs

VehicleSpecsPrice*
Spyder 3.4L, PULP, 6 SP MAN $42,570 – 49,500 2011 Porsche Boxster 2011 Spyder Pricing and Specs
S Black Edition 3.4L, PULP, 7 SP AUTO $39,930 – 46,970 2011 Porsche Boxster 2011 S Black Edition Pricing and Specs
(base) 2.9L, PULP, 7 SP AUTO $31,460 – 37,950 2011 Porsche Boxster 2011 (base) Pricing and Specs
S 3.4L, PULP, 6 SP MAN $33,000 – 39,270 2011 Porsche Boxster 2011 S Pricing and Specs
Ewan Kennedy
Contributing Journalist

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Pricing Guide

$42,570

Lowest price, based on third party pricing data

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Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication.  Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.