2013 Boxster S Grows Up, Challenges 911 as Porsche’s Best
The Porsche sat seductively, tempting me to open the door, slide in, turn the key with my left hand and ignite the potential energy sitting just behind and under the seats.
But I didn’t want to yet. I wanted to take in the surroundings first and fully appreciate what was to come. A hot, dry day. Sticky rubber wrapped around 19-inch alloy wheels. A white 2013 Boxster S with the top down and plenty of places to introduce my right foot to the Porsche’s floor.
There was just one problem: The last Porsche I drove was the new 911 Carrera S. This was just a Boxster S. There’s no way the experience could be as good, right?
The opportunity to drive the 2013 Boxster S came after last week’s post that covered the debut of the car to a large group of Porsche enthusiasts. In that post, I said the Boxster has never been my favorite roadster. Soon after, an invite came via email from my local dealer, who offered to let me wring the new car out. He also promised the experience would change my tune forever.
Big words. But after the drive, my tune has officially changed.
The new Boxster is different. Not only has Porsche designed the car to be more masculine and aggressive on the outside, it transplanted the soul of the 911 to the inside. The new Boxster feels like no other Boxster I’ve ever experienced. Accelerating through a curve inspires confidence as the car turns into the apex and holds the trajectory without complaint or even much effort.
This car makes you feel and look like a pro driver.
Throttle through the corner exit and the Boxster S rushes forward with pure athleticism. When things need to come to a stop, the 4-piston aluminium calipers grip the ventilated rotors and just… stop. No nose diving, no fuss, even when asking the car to come to halt from a speed well above any legal limits.
I could go on about the handling and the steering and the acceleration and the sound, but the bottom line is this: The new Boxster might be my favorite Porsche. That 911 Carerra S? Incredible for sure, but it’s more brute than athlete.
My original plan for this post was to compare the new Boxster to another hot little sports car getting a lot of attention, the Subaru BRZ. I did have the opportunity to flog that little coupe around some corners, too, but it’s not fair to compare the two machines. It would be like playing with a kids’ toy after flying a rocketship.
The new Boxster has changed what I think of the car. Has a brand-new car model ever changed what you think of that car?
-tgriffith
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It’s a nice looking car but probably one that Porsche has probably priced out of the reach of most buyers. If so, that’s a shame because Porsche had some ice entry level models like the 914 and 944 that are still popular “classics.”
Great read! Sounds like fun car, but with a starting price of $60K it’s well above anything I’ll be able to buy.
Work harder JIm :)
Interestingly enough, comparably equipped to last years car, it is actually 8% less expensive ….
Let’s see. Longer, wider, more torsion ally ridged, less weight, faster, handles better….and all for less dough !! :-)
Mine arrives on Friday… CANNOT WAIT!!!