Porshe Boxter Second Hand

The 5-speed automatic transmission model cost substantially more at $116,000. Both cars used the 2.5-litre flat six developing 150kW.

A then all-new design, the dry-sumped engine uses a forged crankshaft, variable intake manifold and water cooling.

Compression ratio is 11:1 and 98 octane fuel is the recommended minimum. Peak power arrives at 6000 rpm while 245Nm of torque is available at 4500 rpm – however the engine develops 200Nm at just 1750 rpm.
And it’s that superbly progressive torque development that allows the Boxster to be driven quite economically –if you want, you can lug up hills in third gear at 1200 rpm.

But at the other end of the rev scale, you can run to 6500 rpm and get to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds.
Steering, ride and handling are all Porsche-excellent.

The car is also unexpectedly practical for two, with a relatively roomy cabin and boots front and back. However, the engine is just behind you so it’s a bit noisier than you’d expect given the cost of the car.

In manual trans form the car weighs only 1325kg – light indeed for a convertible of this size.

Fuel economy, you ask? Porsche list it as 8.9 litres/100km in ‘mixed usage’, and as low as 6.3 litres/100 at a constant 90 km/h.

In full urban use, this rises to 12.2 litres/100km. The Tiptronic 5-speed auto considerably worsens these figures.

Summary:

Convertible with great looks, excellent handling, and a very good performance/economy mix.