For years now, whenever someone hears the word Porsche, their mind most likely goes straight to the 911. Since its inception in 1963, this light yet powerful sports car has been the car that Porsche puts on all of its posters– the company’s flagship vehicle. And it’s amazing sales and long life prove that.
However, what if the $100,000 + price tag and nearly 200 mph top speed are a little too much for you? What if you want a Porsche that is a little bit softer? Well, if that’s the case then you may be in luck.
Porsche has been making its Boxster since 1996 and, for almost as long, it’s been known to be a little bit on the girly side. It has always felt like a watered down 911 convertible that, while it could always do more than 145 mph, you would never see it going anywhere quickly.
In 2016 however, Porsche gave the Boxster a design overhaul, completely redoing its styling in an attempt to differentiate it from the 911. And it worked. 2016’s Boxster, branded the 718, was simply beautiful,sporting a new, curvy design and smooth finish. Unlike the 911, the 2016 Boxster didn’t need harsh looks or a brutal engine note to sell. Instead, it sold on the promise of being the perfect open-top cruising convertible that could still, if driven correctly, pack enough of a punch to satisfy.
A 2016 Porsche 718 Boxster Spyder (911 Paint Job)
From 2017 to 2019, the Boxster would become sleeker, bridging the gap between itself and the hard-top Porsche Cayman and, although it did this well, it lost some of the charm that made the 2016 718 so special.
However, I am happy to say that, in 2020, the 718 is back.
The new 718 Boxster takes many of its design cues from the 2016 model, while also taking inspiration from last year’s 911. The beautiful curves of the 2016 have returned, accompanied now by a set of air vents that seem to scream the company that made the GT2RS loud and proud. It’s also considerably lower than previous models, resting three inches closer to the ground than the old Boxster, giving it a much sportier look.
A 2020 Porsche 718 Boxster Spyder (Guards Red)
The car has been upgraded under the hood as well, now featuring a 414 horsepower 3.0 Liter turbo four-cylinder engine as standard, with more powerful engines being available in higher class models.
The base model 718 Boxster can reach a top speed of 170 mph and features a choice of two gearboxes, the standard six-speed manual or Porsche’s new 7-speed automatic. No matter which choice you go with though, going from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds will always be fun.
The new 718 bests the old model when it comes to fuel economy too, averaging 28 mpg on the highway. While that might not be great when compared to something like a 2019 Toyota Camry, you have to remember that the Camry is a mileage-based family car, whereas the Boxster is a non-hybrid, convertible sports car.
But now we get to probably one of the biggest concerns when it comes to buying a car like this– the price.
As I have already stated, the cost of the new 2020 Porsche 911 starts at over $100,000, but the real question is, how much will it cost you to buy a beautiful sports car with a top speed of 170 mph? Well, in the case of the base model 2020 Boxster 718, $61,000.
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