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Porsche Boxster 2005
By Peter Bleakney
 Balance. If you could pick only one word to capture the essence of the $62,400 2005 Porsche Boxster, “balance” would have to be it. Sure, the car is quick, it grips like a leach, it’s drop-dead sexy and makes the most delicious noises, but ultimately the soul of this roadster is it’s innate ability to eat up a country road and put you, the driver, right at the pointy end of the driving experience.
The car does not so much steer as rotate on a central axis, which just happens to line up with your butt. If you’re receptive to the wealth of information the Boxster transmits through the steering, shifter, exhaust note, and the seat of your pants - and if you can respond in kind - this drop-top will reward your efforts like no other four-wheeled conveyance I know of.
Okay, I admit it. I’ve found my automotive soul-mate. I love this second-generation base Boxster and I want one so bad it hurts. If you’re looking for a cold, objective assessment of this Germanic assemblage of metal, rubber and plastic bits, well, you might not find it here.
 For 2005, Porsche significantly upgraded its iconic mid-engined roadster. Eighty percent of the parts are new and it now carries a new internal code name (987 vs. 986). External changes are subtle, but the overall look is more planted and aggressive. The new ovoid headlights sit above a deeper bumper area with larger intakes. The extended side sills sweep below bigger air intakes to more voluptuous rear haunches, which cover a wider track. Styling cues from the Carrera GT uber Porsche are evident.
Inside, Porsche has ditched the previous plasticky interior for an altogether classier offering. Materials are top notch and the slightly larger cabin gives more legroom. The steering wheel is now adjustable for both rake and reach. The pedals are perfectly positioned for heal-and-toe downshifting, which makes rowing through the slicker shifting five-speed that much more fun. Optional on the base Boxster (and standard on the $75,600 Boxster S) is a manual six-speed (a worthwhile upgrade in my opinion), although the ratios in the five-speed are now better matched to the powertrain than in the previous Boxster.
A five-speed Tiptronic is also available for those who would willingly deprive themselves of a big slice of Boxster fun. Now standard with the ’05 Boxsters is electronic stability control (PSM), stereo/CD player, AC and trip computer. In addition to the front and side airbags contained in the seats, all Boxsters have industry-first head airbags located in the upper door sills.
 According to Porsche, the new car reflects a 9% price reduction over last year’s model, when taking into account the higher level of standard equipment.
The base Boxster’s flat-six engine still displaces 2.7 litres, but sees an increase of 15 hp to 240. Torque output is199 lb/ft at 4700 rpm. The extra power is certainly welcome, but the beauty of this car lies in the fact that it’s not stupid fast. It’s that balance thing again.
Let’s put this into perspective. The week before testing this Boxster, I drove a $145,000 Carrera S Cabriolet with a honkin’ 355 hp 3.8 litre flat six hung out behind the rear axles. An absolutely awesome machine for sure. But to glean the same dynamic ya-yas that the Boxster serves up, you’re traveling a good 25% faster. Oh yes, the 911 steers, grips and thrill like few cars, but the Boxster handles better and, in my humble opinion, is way more fun.
Exhibit A: With the top down and the sweet serenade of the 2.7 litre six tickling your ear drums, the Boxster can make a normally mundane run to the video store a mini-motoring event. Cruising in third with a left turn coming up, you squeeze the brakes and execute a heel-and-toe downshift to second. The bark from the exhaust as you blip the throttle echoes off the trees. Perfect.
 Release the brakes, turn in and the Boxster heads for your “apex’ with deadly accuracy. You’re carrying a fair bit of speed, and a delicate application of throttle coaxes the back end to drift out just ever so slightly as the car describes a perfect arc. Smooth, progressive and easily controllable oversteer at your beck and call. A quick flick of opposite lock catches the slide and you’re on your way.
All perfectly legal. And all executed before PSM (Porsche Stability Management) steps in. Beautiful.
So what about the $75,600 Boxster S? The price premium gets you a 280 hp 3.2 litre flat six, standard six-speed tranny and 18’ wheels, bigger brakes, firmer underpinnings and a few trim upgrades. My friend Carlos, whom I quite dislike now, just took delivery of a lovely dark blue 2006 S, and we spent an afternoon strafing my local favourite back roads with our Boxsters. Doesn’t get much better than that. Driving the two cars back to back, the extra power in the S was evident, as was the firmer ride, but the gap between the two variants is closer in this newest generation. Structurally, the 2005 Boxster feels even more rigid than the 911 Cabriolet, which is no slouch itself. There’s nary a hint of body flex or cowl shake.
 My tester sported the optional $1700 18” Boxster S wheels (thumbs way up) plus an upgraded $2330 Bose sound system that I have to confess I never scrutinized because it interfered with the glorious mechanical symphony. Typically of Porsche, things like heated seats and a glass windblocker are going to cost you. If you have to ask, $680 and $525 respectively. Yes, the base Boxster is all I really need, and as icing on the cake, this healthy serving of motoring fun comes with a dash of practicality too. Not only does it sport two small but usable trunks and gets reasonable fuel economy, the perfectly acceptable ride quality is a revelation when considering this car’s athletic prowess.
Yes, Balance is the word. I can think of a couple others too. Must. Have.
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