What CarGurus' Experts are Saying About the Porsche Boxster

The Porsche Boxster arrived for the 1997 model year as a mid-engine convertible aimed at more entry-level shoppers than the typical Porsche. Powered by a flat-6 engine mounted behind the driver, the Boxster combined sporty driving performance with classic roadster looks, inspired by the 550 Spyder. Nearly ten years later, for the 2006 model year, Porsche revealed the Boxster's coupe cousin, the Cayman. Over its first three generations, the Boxster underwent subtle styling changes but retained its general shape and design. The second-generation car carried some design influence from the Carrera GT supercar, while the third-generation car absorbed design themes from the 911, Porsche's flagship sports car. Costing significantly less than the 911, the Boxster was an attractive option for shoppers looking for a high-performance vehicle. The 1997 Boxster featured a base price of $40,745 (MSRP), and even in 2016, the starting price for a top-of-the-line Boxster Spyder rang in at more than $2,000 less than the least-expensive 911 Carrera's starting MSRP. The Boxster's engine displacement and power grew over the years, as well, with the Boxster evolving from its original 2.5-liter H6 engine with 201 horsepower to the 2016 Boxster Spyder's 3.8-liter H6 with 375 horsepower. In 2017, Porsche altered the Boxster's name and recipe, debuting it as the new 718 Boxster. For the first time ever, this Boxster featured a turbocharged flat-4 engine producing between 300 and 350 horsepower. While some enthusiasts questioned the performance of a turbocharged 4-cylinder Boxster, Porsche maintained that the new engine allowed it to be a lighter, quicker, and more efficient sports car.