OCT2009 CARANDDRIVER.CO M

1997–99 PORSCHE BOXSTERSTILL PUGNACIOUS.

When the Boxster went on sale for 1997, it

represented Porsche’s first all-new model offering in 19 years. Mid-engined, with a radiator ahead of each front wheel and a water-cooled, 2.5-liter flat-six hidden under a box, the Boxster drafted a controversial amendment to the Porsche constitution. Yet it also had its ignition to the left of its steering wheel, flaunting its racing bloodlines and deep genetic ties to the 911 (the Boxster and the 911 share much of their front ends). Maybe that’s why, unlike Porsche’s previous attempt at a mid-engined car, the 914, this one was embraced by the Porsche faithful.

One of these is Detroiter Phil Kubik, whose one-owner, German-built 1997 example

(claimed to be the fifth Boxster sold in America) tells the story. Twelve years and 120,000 rattle-free miles later, Kubik’s 986 defines what’s great about Porsche’s cars: an immutable, core sensitivity. The car no longer feels all that fast—the power war of the intervening decade-plus has recalibrated this test driver’s

internal accelerometer—but the Boxster hasn’t lost its reflexes. The steering still vibrates with information, the body still rebounds immediately and tightly out of transitions, and the chassis, fitted here with new Yokohama S.drive tires, loses its grip on the pavement with an incremental predictability that still feels astounding in a mid-engined car. More important, it hasn’t lost the breathing tract’s feral growl that comes in from 5200 to 5500 rpm—a fair trade for never being able to pop the hood and show off the engine.

—Eddie Alterman

QUOTES FROM THE PAST: THE BOXSTER

“Thoroughly fun to drive, thoroughly unconventional, and thoroughly Porsche.” —PATRICK BEDARD, APRIL 1997

“When it comes to styling, performance, and handling, the Boxster is simply a remarkably handsome,

terrific sports car.” —ANDRÉ IDZIKOWSKI, APRIL 1999

FEAR FACTORThe convertible top’s plastic window gets cloudy and scratched, and the top can be temperamental. Rarely are whole top systems (frame, $9075; cover, $2763) in need of replacement, though. Watch for dead spots in the digital HVAC display; a new climate-control head unit runs $374.

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1997 PORSCHE BOXSTER TIPTRONIC SVEHICLE TYPE: mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door roadsterBASE PRICE (1997): $44,527ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 24-valve flat-6, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injectionDisplacement . . . 151 cu in, 2480ccPower (SAE net) . . . . . . . . . 201 bhp

@ 6000 rpmTorque (SAE net). . . . . . . . .181 lb-ft

@ 4500 rpmTRANSMISSION: 5-speed automatic with manumatic shiftingDIMENSIONS:Wheelbase: 95.2 in Length: 171.0 in Width: 70.1 in Height: 50.8 in Curb weight: 2998 lbC/D TEST RESULTS (NOV 1997):Zero to 60 mph . . . . . . . . . . .7.7 secZero to 100 mph . . . . . . . . .20.4 secZero to 120 mph . . . . . . . . .36.2 secStanding ¼-mile . . . . . . . . .16.0 sec

@ 88 mphTop speed (drag limited) . . .142 mphBraking, 70–0 mph . . . . . . . . .180 ftRoadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad . . . . . . 0.89 gFUEL ECONOMY (UPDATED):EPA city/ highway driving . . . . .15/22 mpg

PARTS COSTS (OEM):Wheels (each): 17-in front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $894 17-in rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $956Brake pads: Front. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $145 Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$117Brake rotors (each): Front. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $149 Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $146Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $579Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . $4575Shocks (each): Front. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $377 Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $351

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