1400 Mile Boxster S Road Test

Still a 911 Guy… But Curious

I try not to be a 911 snob, but like most long-time Porsche owners, the rear engine, air-cooled 911 is – and always has been – “Top of the Pops” for me. Other makes and models invariably come up short. Certainly, the car has its faults: confusing ergonomic controls on the early models, a tendency to swap ends at the worst possible moment, oil leaks, bump steer, and a few other minor and not-so-minor issues. However, when compared to the rest of the motoring world, the 911 stands supreme in my mind: rock solid, engineered to last, a storied race history, and one of the finest mills of all time. The best of the best.
Or is it?

Recently, with the value of all air-cooled models skyrocketing (my 993’s being no exception), I resolved to acquire something I’d be more comfortable using as a nice-day driver. My wish list included solid performance, a unique color (preferably a shade of green), and a reasonable price tag. Oh, and a convertible top. I figured a 986 Boxster S, if well maintained, might fit the bill. Why a “water boiling” Boxster? Simply put, for two decades it’s been impossible to ignore all the gushing press lavished on the car. From Road and Track to the pages of Excellence and Panorama, the praises of the mid-engine drop-top Boxster have been nothing if not consistent in their plaudits for the design and its on-the-road manners.