Why You Should Buy The Porsche Boxster Convertible
The 2009 Porsche Boxster Convertible is a sublime realization of the dream of many sportscar enthusiasts. If the sound of the slightly muffled roar of a racing engine and the firm, but stable cornering on hairpin switchback mountain roads cause your adrenalin level to go up just a few points then you should consider purchasing the Porsche Boxster Convertible.
When you first see the 2009 model of Porsche’s answer to those who would really like to know what it is like to drive a high performance Sebring type racecar you begin to understand why Porsche still has good sales figures for this fine road machine. The basic design of the 2009 model hearkens back to the first Boxsters that appeared in 1997. It still has a harsh drive, no real glove box to speak of, which makes for overflowing map pockets in the door.
The rest of the new interior, though, is a delight to discover. The 2009 model has a Bose stereo system that has been upgraded from previous models. The fade is factory set for heavy front, but can be adjusted more to the back speakers to give a theater studio quality sound that is rich and full. The down side of the system is that there are some uncertain sounds that occur when traveling at higher speeds, which is not too different from many other convertibles. Also there are way too many buttons to deal with when trying to negotiate the curves on Mulholland Drive north of Bel Air.
Other features of the new interior are a new navigation system with a touchscreen display. Excellently designed primary gauges appear on the dashboard with neatly arranged controls that focus on the large center-mounted tachometer. All the buttons and knobs can be ordered with leather wrappings that add to the Porsche appeal to pricey elegance. Temperature control and fan adjustment are handled with rocker switches in the new automatic climate control system.
The Porsche Boxster convertible’s two trunks are still a bit tiny as far as hauling extra cargo is concerned, but after all, we are talking rallye driving here, not pickup truck yeoman’s work. If you only plan on doing a couple of days away from the office and home there is enough room in the front cargo area for that much luggage. The rear trunk space is not as deep as the front but it can handle your briefcase with a complementary computer bag. You will find that this year’s model has race-car-firm seating as standard, but there is an option available for bolstered sports seats.
As you walk around the outside of this fine vehicle you can take in some beautiful car design work. The power operated convertible top is greatly appreciated especially when rainy weather threatens your jaunt through the mountains. The long front hood camouflages the deep storage area. And as you look at the car you begin to realize that the original design is definitely there, but the car has an altogether new skin. The front air intakes take on the look of the flared nostrils of a highbred Arabian stallion. The diagonally arranged headlamps within the now familiar transparent ‘eyelids’ that appear on many newer cars remind you of those headlamps on a 1970’s model 917 fitted out for Le Mans. The car also appears to be a little wider brought on by fender ridges that push out just a bit. The new LED taillights create an all new aura to the rear of the car not to mention brighter lights for safety sake.
The platform of the car continues the mid-engine mount that features two choices of direct injected engines – the standard 2.9 Liter, 255 horsepower, DOHC 24-valve flat-6 or the optional ‘S’ 3.4 Liter, 310 horsepower, DOHC 24-valve flat-6. The exhaust is finely tuned to produce just enough roar right by the driver’s left ear, but for that grab-your-hat and run sound you will have to dish out an additional $2500 for the special sport exhaust system.
The majority of Porsche Boxsters (75%) sold in the U.S. come with standard stick shift transmissions. The new seven-speed Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) dual-clutch automated standard shift transmission is quite the pleasing option to consider. It works great on those winding roads above Bel Air or in the Virginia hills near Lynchburg. It is a great substitute for an automatic. Most reviews show this new PDK transmission as a high performing option for any driver of the Boxster.
This whole package with the ‘S’ option 310 hp engine will surge down the street from zero to 60 in less than 5.2 seconds. The PDK offers steering wheel-mounted shift paddles that some reviewer found to be awkward yet satisfying smooth shifting. There are four options for transmissions to be considered:
- Drive mode – purely automatic
- Sport-automatic mode – lags in the low end shifts
- Sport-manual mode – fast shifts yet silky smooth
- Sport-plus (optional with the Sport Chrono Package) that feature very fast shifts, but real harsh in its response
All in all, the Porsche Boxster Convertible for 2009 offers the feel of great handling, especially on curvy roads through the management of the stability control system in the Sport Plus option. The economy of a sportscar is rarely mentioned but tests on the 2009 Porsche Boxster S with PDK reported 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the interstate. To appreciate driving the way it was meant to be, consider the Porsche Boxster Convertible.