Chapter 3. Validation

With the Boxster GTS 4.0 meeting my criteria to the tee, I was super happy to have a car that blended my favorite characteristics from my prior cars. I had never driven a Boxster before I bought it sight unseen, putting all the faith in my criteria and I was rewarded for having such confidence. Right out of the box I was very very pleased.

Boxster's mid engine balance was the very first thing that confirmed I had made the right choice. This was something I liked in Lotus Evora GT and Boxster felt even more like a mid engine car, perhaps due to the fact that Evora has a large supercharger sitting quite high where as Boxster's packaging keeps the weight tucked low and centered even more so than the Evora. Driving in the canyons, I loved how I could go through turn after turn after turn with such poise and balance. Fantastic!

Boxster's 4.0 liter naturally aspirated flat-six was the next thing I immediately felt at home with. I prefer the build toward a crescendo and that's something missing from turbo charged and super charged cars. I loved the instant and linear throttle response right off the bat.

A fine 6 speed manual transmission was the third thing that validated my decision. For me the driving engagement of a manual transmission trumps other attributes such power, features or prestige. I actually traded BMW M3 for a Ford Fiesta ST and enjoyed the Fiesta much more. And when I say 'much more', I meat a whole lot more. To the point that I thought BMW M3 (F80) was frankly an overrated car, in terms of things that are meaningful to me.


I am very lucky to live where I have very quick access to twisty canyon back roads, so driving my Boxster on a daily basis with its top open in temperatures as low as 15°F quickly became a daily ritual, day or night, rain or shine. A couple of features that I immediately came to love were the heated steering wheel and the heated seats. Most people think convertibles are for sunny weather but give me a cold crisp day and I am happier. That's why an "open top experience" was at the very top of my criteria (Chapter 2).

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