1998 Porsche Boxster Review
1998 Porsche Boxster Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Great fun at Porsche's entry-level price.
Cons
- Weak stereo.
What’s new
Side airbags are standard for 1998.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1998 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$208/mo for Boxster Base
Boxster Base
vs
$174/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
Car buff magazines have been proclaiming the rebirth of the sports car market since the introduction of the BMW Z3 in the winter of 1996. One year later their prediction was validated with the introduction of the Mercedes SLK and Porsche Boxster. The most anticipated of these wonderfully impractical cars, however, has to be the Porsche Boxster. Porsche is slow to change, and even slower to introduce new products. (The previous 911 design has been around for an astounding 30 years, and it was just updated this year.) When Porsche does introduce a new product, though, it is guaranteed to cause a stir.
We think that the Boxster deserves the attention it's getting. The Boxster was a clean-sheet design that was built around an all new horizontally opposed (boxer-type) engine. The engine is mounted midship for ideal weight distribution and displaces a relatively thrifty 2.5 liters. Innovations on this engine include Porsche's first use of water cooling as well as their first use of Porsche's VarioCam variable valve-timing technology on a six-cylinder engine. This engine produces 201 horsepower, which is the best in this class, and 181 foot-pounds of torque.
The Boxster is available with a five-speed manual or a five-speed Tiptronic transmission. The Boxster's Tiptronic transmission differs from Tiptronic transmissions found on other Porsche models because it features five forward speeds instead of four and has the manual mode gear selector switches mounted exclusively on the steering wheel.
Aside from the mechanical innovations, the Boxster also features a few practical features that we think buyers will appreciate. First, the Boxster offers more cargo area than any of its competitors due to the inclusion of front and rear trunks. This front/rear trunk design produces an impressive 9.1 cubic feet of cargo space, and is made possible by the mid-engine design. Second, the Porsche has a very livable cockpit that has a great deal of space for two occupants and features wonderful, cradling seats. Lastly, the Boxster has the fastest closing automatic top in the business, going from completely open to completely closed in a scant 12 seconds; perfect for those unexpected rain showers.
For 1998, the Boxster's second year on the market, Porsche added side airbags, and otherwise left the car unchanged. (That's the sort of evolutionary change we're talking about.)
The real reason that people will buy this car, however, rests with the fact that it is a Porsche that regular people can afford. The Boxster is not some cheap imitation of a Porsche like the 914, nor a second-best, front-engine design like the 944; it is built the way a Porsche should be, with a six-cylinder engine mounted behind the driver. With prices starting at $23,000 under the 911 Carrera Coupe, the Boxster's price tag leaves enough money in the bank to park a practical sedan or sport utility next to it in the garage.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1998 Porsche Boxster.
5 star(69%)
4 star(23%)
3 star(8%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
26 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.63 out of 5 stars
Porsche - There Is No Substitute
Schnellman, 11/09/2008
1998 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible
While living in Germany I owned a 924, then a 944 and then a 911 Carrera. I left them in Germany because I felt it wouldn't be fun to drive a Porsche in the States. I was wrong. I bought a Boxster as a second car and love every minute of driving it. Porsche quality and Porsche ownership can not be beat. The twisty roads around my house have become my playground. I've owned Z's, an … RX-7, a Lancia and a Quattro. But I'll say it again Porsche - there is no substitute.
4.75 out of 5 stars
One of the funnest cars at any price
Lordblood, 10/07/2008
1998 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible
I got this car 2 months ago, and so far it's been absolutely amazing. I upgraded from Nissan Altima's and Toyota Camry's, so I know reliability. The only thing that went wrong with my Boxster is that the left window regulator is broken, but that happened before I bought it. It is a bit pricey to run, you do have pay well out of your pocket for small repairs. But it is one of the funnest … cars you can buy, no matter what price level you look at. It's mid engined, so it is perfectly balanced and provides for fun in every corner. It's a bit underpowered, mine produces around 215 HP because of a better exhaust, but 0-60 in around 6.7 seconds is pretty brisk. Worth buying!
4.63 out of 5 stars
Great Car that's Fun to Drive
GMc, 03/15/2007
1997 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible
I have totally enjoyed the car for six months now. Other than the classic ignition switch falling apart (which took 15 minutes to get fixed), this car has been a pleasure to own. Buy one if you can find a very clean low miles car.
4.88 out of 5 stars
All-Around Performer
Tim Stoops, 01/12/2006
1998 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible
I bought my 1998 Porsche Boxster used with 45,000 miles and sold it recently with nearly 110,000. It was a wonderful car. So good, that we bought another newer one. The Boxster provides excellent performance and sophisticated engineering that can be easily used as a reliable daily driver. I needed to perform very little service on it. It only needed one pricey repair, an a/c … evaporator. Buy one and startle the non-car people with the two trunks!
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1998 Porsche Boxster, so we've included reviews for other years of the Boxster since its last redesign.
1998 Boxster Highlights
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 20 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $208/month |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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