For the most part, Porsche doesn't lean into retro-inspired vehicles, choosing instead to evolve slowly over decades. One exception is the Boxster, which debuted in 1997 as a more affordable alternative to the iconic 911 in a convertible body style. The Boxster takes its name from Porsche's distinctive horizontally opposed "boxer" engines and its classification as a two-seat convertible roadster. Its style was influenced by the 550 Spyder, which earned some racing fame in the 1950s and was infamous as the car in which James Dean met his untimely end.
Unlike the 911, the Boxster is a mid-engined vehicle, with the motor situated right behind the seats. That gives it a more balanced weight distribution compared to the rear-engined 911, making it a cornering demon and easier to drive at its handling limits. This layout was so advantageous that Porsche’s engineers had to dial back its performance so it wouldn't encroach on the 911's territory.
The Boxster was joined by the Cayman in 2005, its hard-top coupe sibling with similar, if not identical specs. Competing convertibles over the years have included the BMW Z3 and Z4 roadsters, the Mercedes-Benz SLK, and the Lotus Elise. The Boxster isn't as performance-focused as the Lotus, but it's considerably easier to live with and more comfortable. The Mercedes-Benz SLK falls more on the luxury end of the spectrum, while the BMWs filled the vast space between them and the Boxster.
While the early Boxster grappled with some prejudice as a "cheap" Porsche, it quickly quieted those detractors with its inspiring driving dynamics, solidifying its position as a legitimate model from the German sports car giant.
Porsche Boxster Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Porsche Boxster Pros and Cons
- Porsche Boxster Generations
- Fourth Generation (2017 - present)
- Third Generation (2013-2016)
- Second Generation (2005-2012)
- First Generation (1997-2004)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Porsche Boxster years are the best?
The current fourth-generation 718 Boxster has more tech, more power, and more performance than its predecessors, but its four-cylinder engine and its off-putting sound are big drawbacks. We suggest stepping up to the pricier six-cylinder models if your budget allows.
The third-generation Boxster holds a special place in many driving enthusiasts' hearts, as it was the last version to offer a six-cylinder engine across the board. Combined with the Boxster's short wheelbase and light curb weight, that noticeably improves driver engagement. The second-generation Boxster holds an advantage over the third, thanks to its superior power steering system.
Which Porsche Boxster years are the worst?
Oddly enough, the answer is the same as which years are the best. We're only talking about the four-cylinder 718 Boxsters, and even though they make plenty of power and outperform previous models, the sounds they make are uncharacteristically rough.
Is a used Porsche Boxster a good deal?
Porsche Boxsters have a reputation for holding their value better than most sports cars in their class. You can expect a little less depreciation over the first three years of ownership than competitors, and that holds true for older models, too. That means you might have to pay more upfront, but you should also be able to reap those benefits when you decide to sell.
Porsche Boxster Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Impressive and accessible performance
- More affordable than a 911
- Excellent build quality
Cons:
- Still expensive with options
- Limited cargo capacity
- Pricey out-of-warranty maintenance
Porsche Boxster Generations
Fourth Generation (2017 - present)
The fourth-generation Boxster debuted in 2017 with an addition to its name. It is now called the 718 Boxster (its hard-top brethren, the 718 Cayman, shared the nomenclature) in homage to the small race cars Porsche campaigned in the 1950s and 60s. The biggest change was the new engine, with the previous horizontally opposed six-cylinder "boxer" engine replaced by a turbocharged four-cylinder.
The Porsche 718 Boxster in base trim came with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder boxer engine that produced 300 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission was standard, a seven-speed automated dual-clutch PDK option was available, and amodels were rear-wheel-drive. The Boxster S received a 2.5-liter turbo engine that increased output to 350hp and 309 lb-ft of torque.
While these engines were more powerful than the previous generation's, they were criticized for their uninspiring sound. They weren't as smooth or refined as the six-cylinders, emitting rough noises that sounded more like a Subaru than a Porsche. As trivial as it may seem, the sound can be a deal breaker for many enthusiasts.
The following year, a GTS model was added to the top of the lineup, fitted with a 365hp version of the Boxster S engine. This particular GTS only stuck around for the 2018 model year and, for 2020, the lineup grew to include new Boxster T and Spyder trim levels. The Boxster T was essentially a base model with sportier suspension, improved traction with torque vectoring, and the Sport Chrono package.
The Boxster Spyder very clearly showed the importance of engine sounds, with the return of a 4.0-liter six-cylinder engine. Combined with its 414hp and 309 lb-ft of torque, an adjustable sports suspension system, and high-performance tires, it was easily the driver's pick, and was only offered with a manual transmission. It also replaced the power folding top with a manual roof to save weight.
For 2021, the PDK automatic was added as an option to the Spyder. That year also reintroduced the Boxster GTS 4.0. As you can guess from the name, it also received the 4.0-liter six-cylinder, though power was reduced to 394hp. It served as a middle ground between the four-cylinder Boxsters and the hardcore Spyder. The 2022 model year introduced a Style Edition enhancement to the base Boxster with a handful of aesthetic upgrades.
The Spyder RS arrived in 2023, replacing the standard Spyder and sharpening the top of the line-up. Power increased to 493hp and 331 lb-ft, thanks to the engineers shoehorning in the GT3 engine from the Porsche 911. That year also saw the discontinuation of the Boxster T.
Thanks to its small footprint and low weight, the 718 Boxster was one of the more fuel-efficient sports cars in its class. The base Boxster with the PDK transmission was estimated to return 22 mpg city, 29 mpg on the highway and 25 mpg in combined driving, while the manual gearbox drops those figures by one mpg. Opting for the more powerful Boxster S reduces those estimates to 24 mpg or 22 mpg with the manual. The 4.0-liter GTS and Spyder models were estimated between 21 and 19 mpg combined, though the Spyder RS fell even further to 16 mpg.
Crash tests from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have not been performed on the Porsche Boxster. That's typical for high-end sports cars, but considering the Boxster's more accessible price in relation to other Porsches, such as the 911 or even the Cayenne, it is somewhat unusual.
As a sports car, the Boxster relies on the attentiveness and skill of the driver instead of the usual advanced safety features found in more conventional vehicles. Standard features were limited to parking proximity sensors and a rearview camera, while adaptive cruise control with frontal collision warning and a blind-spot monitor are available as options.
Recalls for the fourth-generation Porsche 718 Boxster are notably light. Initially, they were issued for a possible fuel leak, airbags, and windshield adhesive, but all were addressed in a few short years, so the Boxster deserves praise for its dependability. Owners of fourth-generation models report far fewer mechanical issues than those of other sports cars, which should alleviate some fears if you're in the market for a pre-owned example.
Boxsters of this generation tend to retain their value better than rivals as a result, and owners should expect around 40 percent depreciation in the first three years. That's not great for a family vehicle, but for a sports car of this caliber, it's better than average. Contrary to most other vehicles, the higher-trimmed models (especially the six-cylinder variants) also hold their value well, thanks to their relative rarity.
As with any Porsche, maintenance and repairs are much more expensive than your average family car. We suggest searching for a certified pre-owned model with a warranty or perhaps even look into an extended warranty.
Third Generation (2013-2016)
Depending on who you ask, 2013 either introduced a new Boxster generation or made enough significant upgrades to justify calling it generation 2.5. The 981 Boxster was longer and wider than its predecessor, but also weighed less, while the bodywork was sleeker and elemental, with stacked headlights behind a clear enclosure.
The base engine was a 2.7-liter six-cylinder boxer with 265hp and 206 lb-ft of torque, while the Boxster S went with a 3.4-liter engine producing 315hp and 266 lb-ft. As with before, a six-speed manual transmission was standard, with a seven-speed automated dual-clutch PDK unit as an option.
While those specs point to improvements in performance, the move from hydraulic power steering to electric-assist had the opposite effect, and the new Boxster lost a lot of the steering feel that made past models so communicative. With less feel and feedback, drivers were forced to trust the tires more than all the information the steering wheel once delivered.
The 2014 model year added the GTS trim with a more potent Boxster S engine that increased output to 330hp and 273 lb-ft, and that was also the year the Burmester premium audio system debuted as an option. In 2015, the Spyder rejoined the party, and a new Black Edition was added. The Spyder added a 3.8-liter engine pulled from the Porsche 911 S, producing 375hp and 309 lb-ft of torque, which was only available with a six-speed manual transmission.
Fuel economy was estimated at 25 mpg in combined city and highway miles with the automatic transmission. The manual was rated one mpg lower, while the Boxster S and GTS with the manual were estimated at 22 mpg combined. The Spyder was the lowest, at 20 mpg combined.
Safety features remained minimal, with parking sensors, a rearview camera, and adaptive cruise control offered as options. Frontal collision warning was also available, and it included automatic emergency braking. Recalls were still rare, with only three issues over this generation. These included one for a rear axle component, one for the hood latch, and one for the airbags. As such, owners reported high scores related to reliability. These helped to keep Boxster values strong for the class.
Second Generation (2005-2012)
The Boxster received its first full redesign with the introduction of the second generation in 2005. While this new model was easily recognizable as a Boxster, it featured rounder headlights to match the rest of the Porsche stable of the time, and the air intake was better integrated into the bodyside panels.
The base model sported a 2.7-liter flat-six engine with 240hp and 199 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed manual transmission was standard, with a five-speed Tiptronic automatic available as an option. The Boxster S upgraded to a 3.2-liter engine that made 280hp and 236 lb-ft. It came with a six-speed manual, which was an option for the base model, along with the automatic.
For the 2007 model year, the Boxster S' engine grew to 3.4 liters, and output increased to 295hp and 251 lb-ft of torque. Not to be outdone, the base Boxster upped its power to 245hp and 201 lb-ft. Both versions benefitted from a reworked Tiptronic automatic transmission that sharpened responses.
More upgrades took place in 2009, with the base engine growing to 2.9 liters, while churning out 255hp and 214 lb-ft of torque. The six-speed manual transmission replaced the five-speed, and the Tiptronic increased to seven gears. It also received sportier suspension system and a new infotainment system with a larger touchscreen. The Boxster S switched to direct fuel injection, which increased output to 310hp and 266 lb-ft.
The lineup grew to include a more track-focused Spyder model in 2011. It came with the Boxster S engine that was massaged to produce 320hp and 273 lb-ft. Those figures didn't fundamentally improve performance, but its weight-saving measures most certainly did. The power top mechanicals were ditched for a fussy hammock-like fabric covering, and basic comforts such as air conditioning and a radio were also deleted (but they could be added back in at additional cost). If you added the radio, you also got iPod integration, which was new that year.
Fuel economy estimates ranged from 21 mpg in combined city and highway driving for the base Boxster with the manual transmission to 19 mpg for the Boxster S with the Tiptronic. The 2007 engine upgrades helped matters slightly, pushing those estimates between 23 mpg and 21 mpg. The lineup gained yet another mpg across the board with the 2009 updates.
Boxsters of this vintage didn't benefit from all of the advanced safety features offered today, and the only notable option was rear parking proximity sensors. Otherwise, it relied on steel roll hoops and numerous airbags to keep occupants safe.
Second-generation Boxsters are notable for their lack of recalls, with only one significant issue with the Spyder's manual top. In our experience, it was far too complicated to install and understandable if owners missed a step. That didn't affect the Boxster's sterling record for reliability, though, and as you'd expect, these models also retained their value well over time.
First Generation (1997-2004)
The original Porsche Boxster, known internally as the 986, debuted as an all-new entry-level model in Porsche's lineup. It could be argued that it was the first "affordable" new Porsche since the Volkswagen-developed 924 was discontinued in 1988. The concept was heavily influenced by the 550 Spyder from the 1950s, and marked the first time a mid-engine layout was used by the carmaker since the 914 was discontinued in 1976. The 911 has always been rear-engined, meaning the bulk of the motor sits behind the axle. The easiest way to identify a first-generation Boxster is by its square-ish air intake behind the doors and the "fried egg" headlights that incorporate the amber turn signals.
It had a 2.5-liter six-cylinder boxer engine that made 201hp and 181 lb-ft of torque, paired with either a standard five-speed manual or an optional five-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. The Boxster S was introduced in 2000, with a 3.2-liter engine that made 250hp and 225 lb-ft of torque. The base Boxster simultaneously received an increase to 217hp, and all models benefitted from smarter cabin materials.
A slight facelift took place in the 2003 model year, amounting to new bumpers, air intakes, and headlights. Power also increased, thanks to a larger 2.7-liter base engine that made 228hp and 192 lb-ft of torque. The Boxster S also got a bump to 258hp and 229 lb-ft.
Early Boxster models with manual transmissions were estimated to return up to 20 mpg in combined city and highway miles, while the Tiptronics were estimated at 18 mpg combined. The Boxster S was rated at 18 mpg for the manual and 17 mpg for the Tiptronic. Those ranges all increased by one mpg with the 2003 refresh.
Safety features were light, as they were with all cars of the era, and limited to passive systems, such as traction control and airbags. Thankfully, recalls were also on the light side throughout the production run. Issues included recalls for the headlights, the gear selector, and the airbag deactivation unit. Despite the lack of recalls, owners gave these first-generation Boxsters lower reliability scores than later generations. The novelty of the new roadster helped to retain its value over time, and today, some very well-maintained examples could be considered borderline classics.
