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Want to forget about practicality for a while? Well, we can't think of a better way than cruising in our 2005 Porsche Boxster S. Clearly the darling of our long term fleet, the Boxster S seldom is idle, racking up 1,600 miles in only a month.
Besides all the obvious accolades about Porsche handling, the new Boxster S shows an enormous jump in build quality and refinement over the original car. It just feels so much more solid. No surprise we have no complaints with its powerful 280-horsepower flat-6, and the 6-speed manual that engages with just the right amount of resistance to let you know you're in control. Plus, hardly a car we drive gently, it's not breaking our bank with 22.9 miles per gallon.
The Porsche Boxster S is a great remedy for almost anything that ails ya!
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Our choice for a weekend of pure driving fun is easy, this 2005 Porsche Boxster S. With 3 months and 5,000 miles on its clock, our unusually warm Mid-Atlantic winter has even prompted us to pop-down the Boxster's top on sunnier days.
Besides the impressively solid feel, our staff loves the smooth and quick throttle response, the intimate driver-oriented cabin, and the fact that the Boxster is almost a practical car with quite useful trunks front and back.
Downsides are the lack of interior storage space, the fact that without the blower on high top-up driving quickly gets stuffy, and slight notchiness in the otherwise well suited 6-speed manual gearbox, which is connected to a jewel of a 3.2-liter 280-horsepower pancake-6 engine. And it's no gas guzzler either, with always spirited driving still allowing for 21.9 miles per gallon. The Boxster S is a weekend driving treat that's hard to beat.
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With 7 months and nearly 8,000 miles under its tight fitting fabric top, we're already well into planning summer getaways that are always better in a Porsche.
While the hardtop Cayman S is getting most of the media attention right now, the sweet roadster lines of the Boxster turn heads everywhere we go. People love to dream about owning a sports car and the Boxster's $45,000 base price makes it more attainable than any other Porsche.
Trade up to our Boxster S, and you add a wonderfully responsive 280-horsepower flat-6, and a rocking 180 watt 7-speaker sound system that can be heard over even the stiffest highway breeze.
And to those who say a sports car is always impractical, we point out that the Boxster's mid-engine design delivers good wet traction. And with both front and rear trunks, you can carry a surprising amount of luggage. Except for a little notchiness in the 6-speed manual gearbox, our Boxster S stint has been trouble free. Plus fuel economy is a sound 22.8 miles per gallon.
When it comes to dreamy cars that you can still live with, it doesn't get much better than a Porsche Boxster S.
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If there ever was a car designed for summer, it has to be the Porsche Boxster S. After 8 months and nearly 10,000 miles, Porsche's only roadster promises to gather little driveway dust between now and Labor Day.
Having just completed a trip up and down the east coast, there's nothing to report on the repair front. Over 25 years we've been fortunate enough to test many Porsches and our long term Boxster sets new standards in reliability.
1,400 hard miles in two days and the eager 280-horsepower flat-6 never missed a beat. The slight notchiness of the 6-speed manual seems to have disappeared, as our now properly broken in "S" reacts to driver inputs without pause. Fuel economy is not stellar at 21.9 miles per premium gallon, but then no car is perfect.
But the cabin is perfect for two. Intimate but not cramped. And, with the wind blocker in place, top down motoring allows conversation without shouting. Plus, two trunks means you don't have to choose what to leave at home for that getaway.
Getting away is what the Porsche Boxster S is all about, and a big reason why we wish this summer would never end.
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Our year long adventure with this 2005 Porsche Boxster S is nearly over. So, with 14,000 miles behind its wheel, we though it would be a good time to separate Porsche fact from fiction.
Porsches have a reputation as expensive to own and operate. We'll, yes and no. Our Boxster S with options did cost over $61,000. But, well equipped Boxster prices start at $45,000. As for operating expenses, the 4 year/50,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty gives lots of peace of mind. Our car's only faults are a rattle in the wind blocker, and tires that wore down fast from our enthusiastic driving.
Some also say Porsches are difficult to drive. Boy, is that an old wives' tale. With its 280-horsepower flat-6 located amidships, our Boxster S is nearly perfectly balanced. That location also ensures good traction in the wet. And, it's also reasonable on fuel. Our total test mileage is 22.2 miles per gallon of premium.
And, when the weather is fine, the Boxster's tight fitting top drops to quickly leave your cares behind. The Porsche Boxster S may be frivolous. But, it is one elixir that works as advertised.
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We managed to squeeze a 13th month out of Porsche for our year long test of this 2005 Porsche Boxster S, but we all knew it eventually had to end. However, after, 14,500 miles, we got a great feel for a great roadster.
Our experiences with this second generation car were much different than our first long term Boxster back in 1997. While a fine performer, the first Boxster did not wear well. Mechanical problems were mostly minor, yet very annoying. On the other hand, our 2005 edition was repair free. Yes, the tires wore down rather quickly, and the wind blocker rattled, but that's it.
The 280-horsepower flat-6 was flawless, and even returned quite respectable fuel economy of 22.4 miles-per-gallon of premium.
Surveys say Porsche has come a long way in reliability and durability in recent years, and our Boxster S was proof positive for us.
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