5th Gear Car of the Year
- Thread starter THX911
- Start date
Yes, the Porsche Boxster is our favourite car of 2005. Considering the quality of the competition, that's high praise indeed. Yet the Porsche's magic isn't hard to discern - it's the combination of performance and accessibility.
The original Boxster was brilliant, too - but this second generation model is genuinely better. The looks have evolved rather than changed radically, but under its skin the Boxster is now 80 percent new, with the more powerful "S" version benefiting from an all-new engine. The interior, always a weak area in the original car, now feels far classier and driver and passenger enjoy more space. But the Boxster's biggest appeal is the way it drives, delivering a dynamic masterclass on both road and track.
Whatever you look for in a performance car, the Boxster delivers - great steering feel, strong performance, keen responses and that enigmatic flat-six exhaust note.
One of the highlights of Fifth Gear year was lining up the new Boxster next to its bitterest roadster foe - the BMW Z4 - on the track. It was a fascinating test, the first gen Boxster hadn't been able to beat the BMW in a straight fight. But after a day of Jason and Tiff dog-fighting their way around the circuit it was the Porsche that emerged victorious. The story was a firm favourite with viewers - and it was a joy to make. The camera guys loved filming it, the editors loved cutting it and the producers loved watching it. Seeing the way the Boxster responded to being driven right at the edge was awe-inspiring - but it was made even more special by the fact that, compared to so much of the esoteric machinery we drive, it is so attainable. Save hard enough, or maybe sell a kidney, and the Boxster really is a realistic dream.
Rating
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Quick SummaryHighly recommended. Little except new-style headlamps serves to tell the second-generation Boxster apart from the seminal original, but under its skin Porsche's ultra-desirable roadster has more powerful engines and a higher quality cabin. Full Road Test
Porsche has always majored on evolution instead of revolution and the second-generation Porsche Boxster is no exception. It keeps the styling and mid-engined layout that made the original such a critical success, while adding a welcome dose of extra quality and improved driving dynamics to the mix. The end result is one of the most multi-talented sportscars you can buy.
The Boxster's styling sticks closely to the template set by the original - handsome proportions set off by strong details like the retro-911 look headlights and the swoopy writing of the rear badge. The cabin has been dramatically improved with new, upmarket materials and slightly more space for driver and passenger. Various oddments trays and stowage compartments add a bit of practicality, although luggage space is still pretty much limited to what you can cram under the front bonnet.
Handling is what the Boxster does best, its chassis combining keen reactions with a wonderfully adjustable neutral cornering balance that can be adjusted instinctively via the throttle. On the racetrack it's awesome - happy to slide and easy to correct. But it's brilliant on the road as well, especially with Porsche's PSM stability control system (which doesn't intervene too early) guarding the limits. Dynamically it's softer-edged than the new Porsche Cayman, the upside being better comfort over rough road surfaces.
Power is supplied by either a 2.7 litre or 3.2 litre flat six engine, with both giving serious urge and directing power to the rear wheels via a five-speed or six-speed manual gearbox. A "Tiptronic" automatic is also available, although it robs the car of much of its sporting character.
Breakdown
Styling
Strong design pretty much guarantees being on the receiving end of serious envy. New headlamps look far better than the plasticky units of the original Boxster.Handling
Whether travelling fast or slow, the Boxster drives brilliantly thanks to towering grip levels and a scalpel-sharp chassis.Comfort
Interior feels gloomy with the canvas roof in place compared to retractable hard-top rivals but the driving position is relatively good for longer distances.Quality + reliability
Vastly improved when compared to the plasticky-feeling cabin of the original Boxster. High quality switchgear and good ergonomics dominate now.Performance
The basic 2.7 litre version will be fast enough for almost everyone - although it's impossible to deny the attraction of the more rapid 3.2.Roominess
Limited luggage space and the hassle of having to keep opening and closing the front bonnet loses the Boxster points here, but the cabin has several large stowage compartments.Running costs
Used gently, the Boxster can crack 30 mpg - but under hard use the fuel economy plummets proportionately. Insurance and servicing costs are very high, but well-contained depreciation helps redress the economic balance somewhat.Value for money
You're paying a substantial premium for the Porsche badge compared to less exotic rivals and options are expensive.Stereo / Sat nav
The basic stereo gives decent sound quality, with various unit upgrades available. Satnav works well although it feels a bit short on features compared to some rivals systems.
waspe
New member
Daro
Many thanks forposting the 5th Gear review. I live in Australia, and we only get 5th gear sporadically, and even then without any real date sequencing. It could therefore be sometime (or never) that we see this epiosde. Two questions:
- this seems to be a written (as opposed to video) review. Is their a 5th Gear web site? If so could you post the link?
- second, is there a place to dpwnload the video of the test they refer to?
Cheers
Peter
Many thanks forposting the 5th Gear review. I live in Australia, and we only get 5th gear sporadically, and even then without any real date sequencing. It could therefore be sometime (or never) that we see this epiosde. Two questions:
- this seems to be a written (as opposed to video) review. Is their a 5th Gear web site? If so could you post the link?
- second, is there a place to dpwnload the video of the test they refer to?
Cheers
Peter
Good day Peter hope the following links work for you [
]http://www.7digital.com/stores/productDetail.aspx?shop=54&product=19027&sid=217358
http://www.five.tv/home/frameset/?content=2278491
Don't tell me you have never seen the Boxster forum description at the root of the PCGB forum site? It has for a long time been: "the best roadster you can buy" - 5th Gear [
]HarryBox4899
New member
It was great to see Tiff throwing around the Boxster on 5th gear, boyoboy he can drive eh? He seemed to like the Cayman also. I know its a bit off topic but what are peoples opinion of Mr Clarkson, i'll save mine till some other opinions are aired perhaps.
Harry
Harry
waspe
New member
THX911
Premium umleaded in Asutralia is sold as either 95 RON or 98 RON. I note the fuel filler flap on my 987S specifies 96RON!
As I understand it, the differences in octane rating between markets is driven by local refining capacity differences, which in turn is influenced by crude composition.
So the shourt answer is "no".
Also Tesco does not operate in Australia.
There are so few of us down here that my don't warrant a lot of the diversity and choices which you guys enjoy ( a prime exmaple being this forum!)
Cheers
Peter
Premium umleaded in Asutralia is sold as either 95 RON or 98 RON. I note the fuel filler flap on my 987S specifies 96RON!
As I understand it, the differences in octane rating between markets is driven by local refining capacity differences, which in turn is influenced by crude composition.
So the shourt answer is "no".
Also Tesco does not operate in Australia.
There are so few of us down here that my don't warrant a lot of the diversity and choices which you guys enjoy ( a prime exmaple being this forum!)
Cheers
Peter
You can't equate "RON" ratings between countries. In the USA they show lower "RON" numbers at the pump for the same actual "ooompf" rating[]
It looks like Australia is similar.
]It looks like Australia is similar.
sawood12
New member
I personally can't stand 5th gear as it's a very very painful poor imitation of Top Gear but I think their conclusion of the Boxter was spot on - although I didn't think Tiff did it justice against the Z4. As good a car as the Z4 is I think that Plato did a better job of showing it off than Tiff did with the Boxter. I'd have liked to see them swap for a much more objective test. Tiff's never been a particularly successfull racing driver which is why he struggled against Plato and why he's now turned his hand to showboating. I'm sure powersliding becomes very easy, very quickly when you have an open runway, it's not your car and you can have as many goes as you like!!
waspe
New member
I posted the following reply as suggested by THX911 at the Tesco thread, but can't seem to find it on the forum, so repeat it here
THX
Optimax Extreme is an ethanol blend, which is being promoted in Australia. Ethanol is derived from grain, and is quite different to gasoline in a number of ways. Some markets around the world (notably Brazil) have used ethanol blends in reasonably high proportions for years. However, in these markets the cars are specially modified to run on this moxture.
I am surpised Shell is offering it with their premium gasoline, as the market reception in Australia has been very poort.
I for one would not use an ethanol/gasloine blend in my Porsche, as I am quite sure it was not designed with that fuel in mind.
Interesting that you pointed it out, since even though it apperas to be available in Australia, i have never seen it, and I travel quite extensively.
Reagrds
Peter
THX
Optimax Extreme is an ethanol blend, which is being promoted in Australia. Ethanol is derived from grain, and is quite different to gasoline in a number of ways. Some markets around the world (notably Brazil) have used ethanol blends in reasonably high proportions for years. However, in these markets the cars are specially modified to run on this moxture.
I am surpised Shell is offering it with their premium gasoline, as the market reception in Australia has been very poort.
I for one would not use an ethanol/gasloine blend in my Porsche, as I am quite sure it was not designed with that fuel in mind.
Interesting that you pointed it out, since even though it apperas to be available in Australia, i have never seen it, and I travel quite extensively.
Reagrds
Peter
Tesco's 99RON uses Biofuel as well. However, I think the legal limit for Biofuel in petrol in England is 5% (I assume it's not much higher in Australia), so I don't know how much damage potential that could have on your engine
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