| Longtime
favorites at RTM, the Porsche Boxster and its slightly more powerful stablemate,
the Boxster S, soldier on through 2002 with their trademark poise and scintillating
reflexes. Certainly,
we could go on about the Boxster's perfect roadster proportions, expressive headlights,
voluptuous curves and stolid rear flanks, but that would take valuable word space
away from all else that makes Boxsters so wonderful to behold-let alone drive.
That said, the 217-hp Boxster (250-hp in Boxster S guise) has been updated, well,
not terribly often since its 1997 introduction. And we'd whine more about that
if not for the fact that the Boxster was so well done right from the beginning.
Just trace back our reviews of it each year since 1997 and you'll see that we
just can't find enough superlatives to bestow upon it. But
beyond its classic styling, this is a pedigreed Porsche, which means it delivers
a driving experience such that no other car can match. Start with its razor-sharp
steering, which reads minds more reliably than certain televised psychics. Its
brakes stop the car with the same uncanny intuition. Handling
is superb, a factor of optimal weight distribution-most of the heavy bits are
located just aft of the driver but in front of the rear wheels, so there's a paucity
of unruly physics to hamper your driving fun. The result is pure, clean slicing
through the ess-curves. Accompanied by the engine's mechanical symphony, the experience
will have your hair standing on end each time you put the hammer down. As
for its interior, well, it could stand some ergonomic refinement. While we love
the two (yes two!) trunks, we wouldn't mind more interior storage space. Not to
mention cupholders that worked better, and, heck, how about updating it with a
better-looking dashboard? Then
again, just put the power top down, step on the gas and the Boxster's distinct
engine note will drown out any such complaints with a glorious roar.
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