Candidate: Boxster S

Nearly there with these reviews, honest. Next up, the Porsche Boxster S.

So... the Porsche for people who can’t afford a 911. Or people who like to be seen. While I’ve long considered each car I’ve bought as a step on the ladder to a 911, the Boxster had never really been on my radar. Unlike the Elise and VX220, the soft-top on a Porsche felt more like a shop window for hairdressers than a practical ease-of-entry thing. In fact, in general, I’m fairly prejudiced against soft-tops and soft-top owners. But here’s where I’ll reel it in a bit.

Last year, a good friend bought a Boxster S... for just £18k. I was, at once, both seriously impressed and hugely disappointed. Rather childishly, I’d wanted to be the first of my mates to own a Porsche. Me, me, me! ;-) Anyway, once I’d got over this and been taken for a drive, I had to investigate further. Turns out I can even fit in a Boxster with a helmet on — bonus! That, combined with the falling second-hand prices, was enough to make me consider it.

Now, I’ve not yet driven a Boxster, but I have had a few passenger rides. Disconcertingly, it’s not the car’s pace or road-holding that’s the lasting impression; it’s the comfort. Just as when I drove the 350Zs, I’m a bit concerned that the car might not be involving enough for the driver. (I’m sure my friend will reassure me here, if he’s reading.) At the same time, however, Evo magazine still rates the Boxster massively and I treat that publication like gospel. Yet again, there’s only one thing for it: I need a test-drive.

Unfortunately, that’ll mean a private seller’s car, as the local Porsche garage deals only in unattainable cars. I don’t want to muck private sellers about, so until I’ve got funds ready to go, it’ll have to wait. In the meantime, I can mull over the more objective measure of 0-100km/h in 5.9secs. Not bad, but with the car’s price at the top of my range, am I ready to sacrifice practicality for it?

• Straight-line speed: 6 out of 10
• Chuckability: 8 out of 10 (predicted)
• Kerb appeal: 5 out of 10
• Economy: 4 out of 10 – 27mpg on the combined cycle
• Practicality: 3 out of 10

Only one to go now — the E46 M3 — but can I be bothered? Not sure yet. Every time I write stuff here, it feels like time that would be better spent prepping the Mini for sale. So, if everything goes quiet, don’t go thinking I’ve bottled out. It may just mean I’m getting closer to a sale. :)