2008 Porsche Boxster Review: Designed to Drive

So, how does Porsche get away with offering its renowned engineering at a sub-60K price point? My rationale is simple: the Boxster is designed purely for driving. This means Porsche has stripped away any unnecessary stuff so you can focus on dropping the top, turning the key, turning up the music, hitting the road, and simply enjoying the drive—a digital readout speedo, a button-free steering wheel, straightforward centre console, and a naturally aspirated engine, are just a few examples. And if you’d like all the other luxuries, you can add them (or simply move up to the Boxster RS60 if you’re inclined).

2008 Porsche Boxster Interior Impressions

The cockpit is snug yet comfortable, as it ought to be. The well-bolstered leather seats, heated seats optional, feel great in the corners; the 3-spoke steering wheel feels safe in the hands, particularly without any buttons to fiddle with; and the instrument panel is simple and easy to view. The speedometer lists speed in 20 KM increments, but no worries, a digital readout directly below is nice for the analog impaired.

Several of my passengers were unimpressed with the centre console. They were expecting something a little ‘fancier’ perhaps. I found it to be perfect: tight and compact with a straightforward layout. Again, the focus is more on driving and less on dial turning. In fact, most of the console functionality is a quick touch or push of a button, so you keep your eyes on the road. Toggling between music tracks, for instance, requires a push of the dial instead of turning it. Perhaps I’m reading into it too much, or maybe I’m just lazy and enjoy the simplicity.

Cargo space was surprisingly ample, though admittedly, I was expecting very little. The Boxster is mid-engine equipped. Thus, you’ll find cargo space under both the front and rear hatches: a deep, cooler-sized cavity good for a large carry-on bag up front and a much more shallow space in the rear—a space that leads you to believe a golf bag will fit just fine. When, in fact, it will not. This is the one puzzling complaint I had: why doesn’t the Boxster fit my golf bag? Sure, it seems trivial, but I’m sure I’m not the only one thinking this. More importantly, I can only presume many Boxster owners or potential customers/golfers also consider this.

Standard audio is an AM/FM/CD radio with four loudspeakers; my tester came with the $2330 Bose High-End Sound Package—an appropriate upgrade for those who take their sound seriously, particularly on the highway with the top down. Inside the glove compartment are two CD slots for storage.

2008 Porsche Boxster Horsepower and Performance

• Engine: 2.7L flat-six
• Power: Approximately 245 horsepower
• Torque: Approximately 201 lb-ft
• Transmission:
  • Standard: 5-speed manual
  • Optional: 5-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission
• 0-60 mph: Approximately 5.8 seconds (manual)
• Top speed: 160 mph

Power is in the form of a horizontally opposed 6-cylinder, 2.7-litre engine. Producing 245 horsepower and 201 lb. ft. of torque. The transmission is a 5-speed manual with dual mass flywheel. Out of habit, I constantly reached for the 6th gear, though it wasn’t necessary.

Suspension is in the form of a McPherson strut system, along with front & rear stabilizer bars. The standard wheel package for the Boxster includes 17” alloy wheels wrapped in 205/55ZR17 tires up front and 235/50zR17 in the rear. For a mere $1730 extra, you’ll get the much better 18” Boxster S wheels—without question, a significant styling and performance impact at this price.

Aside from the 18” wheels and Bose system, other upgrades include floor mats in interior colour; auto climate control, Bi-Xenon headlamps, heated seats, and a wind deflector. However, if it’s performance upgrades you’re after, the Boxster S is the step up, most notably adding 50 additional horses via a larger displacement at 3.4-litre. Fortunately or not, there are many ‘step-ups’ in the Porsche lineup, with the third and final Boxster installment being the Boxster RS60 before you enter the Porsche Cayman realm.

Some key safety features include POSIP- Porsche Side Impact Protection with front airbags, thorax airbags in seats, and head airbags indoors, providing six airbags in total; a body shell hot dip galvanized on both sides with high strength steel & Boron steel safety structures; aluminum luggage lids; a stainless-steel rollover bar; ABS; a stability program, among others.

The 2008 Boxster is pure Porsche, with all the performance, comfort, elegance, and even cargo, at an attainable price point. Above all, it’s fun to drive.

2008 Porsche Boxster Specs