Used 1998 Porsche Boxster Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 1998 Boxster, so we've included reviews for other years of the Boxster since its last redesign.
Porsche - There Is No Substitute
Schnellman, 11/09/2008
1998 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible
15 of 15 people found this review helpful
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.
One of the funnest cars at any price
Lordblood, 10/07/2008
1998 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible
14 of 14 people found this review helpful
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!
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Great Car that's Fun to Drive
GMc, 03/15/2007
1997 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible
12 of 12 people found this review helpful
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.
Great overall car with minor flaws
in2deep, 07/12/2004
1998 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible
12 of 12 people found this review helpful
Pros: Great looking car. Drives well. Tons of storage space. Cons: Thank God for the warranty. I couldn't afford the car without it. Ergonomics need improvement. Why even have a mechanical speedometer when it's unusable. Replace with oil and battery gauge. For a high end car, the radio is mediocre at best. Clutch is clunky.
All-Around Performer
Tim Stoops, 01/12/2006
1998 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible
19 of 20 people found this review helpful
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!
Love This Car
Pete, 12/04/2006
1997 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
I have read horrors about the Porsche Boxster after I purchased mine, but it seems the problem are mostly on newer models manufactured in Finland (check driver side sticker). Mine is a 1997 Porsche Boxster with 101,120 miles, made in Germany and it is running GREAT! The only problem I am having is that the clock stopped working (digital clock) and I can't find which fuse (if it is the fuse) is out. Other than that, this is a great car.
Wondering if I made the right decision
SADinGermany, 06/02/2004
1998 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible
22 of 25 people found this review helpful
Yeah a Porsche, I thought I was getting a great deal with a 98 and less then 25k miles. Thank goodness I didn't pay that much, because the first trip to the dealer for a tuneup set me back $1500 and was told that I would need a new starter soon. Then a week later, I was putting the roof down and the back window split down the middle. The Porsche dealer said it was my fault for putting down the roof in cold weather- it was 10C. This is a great little car really fun to drive! But had I known that the quality of the parts were that crappy I never would have bought it. I would have gone for the BMWZ3.
Water Leaks
CrPlater, 08/31/2009
1998 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible
17 of 19 people found this review helpful
Lots of fun to drive but, water leaks into the area underneath the seats. Electronic control box is there and expensive to replace. Once it gets wet its shot. There are drain tubes that have to be kept clean - and even then, a heaving rain will still leak in.
Buying it is the cheap part
Mordant, 04/24/2003
1998 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible
17 of 19 people found this review helpful
I was so excited when I got my Porsche Boxter, but my excitement soon turned into disgust. Yes, there is no argument that this is a fun car to drive, not to mention it looks great. It's the high & frequent repair bills I can do without. The repairs are small, but their price ticket is over the top. I paid $750 for a spring for the roof, and $3K and all I got for my buck was 2 front tires, brakes, and a repair to a small oil leak. According to the tech at the dealership, this is not unusual. The scheduled maintenance will run you hundreds for your fluids and belts to be checked. Love the look, but no thank you. This is my 1stand last Boxter!
I love my Boxster
Chef John, 05/15/2005
1997 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
It is a 1997, I have yet to meet anyone who thinks it is more than three years old. I used to drive a Mazda Miata. The Boxster turns heads on every drive. People think that I am rich or something. Get one that has been loved. Have it checked by an independant mechanic. Look for oil leaks. Mine is dry as a bone. Be aware that the Boxster is a "gateway" Porsche. You will move on to the next level.
Boxster 1997
porsche01, 04/11/2003
1997 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
This is an all around great car. This car has lots of power and is fun to drive. This car has the coolest design. It is really an eye turner.
Manage your expectations
RavenFan, 05/18/2003
1997 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
First, this is a fun car. I purchased this a replacement for my Vette. It turns just as many heads, but bang-for- your-buck, the Corvette and S2000 are clear winners in the price category. However, this car is far more reliable. The power is limited and the exhaust note is soft. A little cramped inside for the six footer. Minor problems and it eats tires.
Great Roadster by Porsche
Legion, 04/08/2007
1997 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible
15 of 19 people found this review helpful
I have had my 1997 Boxster for 5 years, I have a blast with this car, the engine note is music to anyone lucky enough to hear it. This car has been very reliable, this was the first year for this car and it was made in Germany, newer ones are made out of the country and still have great quailty and reliability. This car is great for a get away weekend or a nice sunday drive. This car also functions well as a daily driver. Two trunks give you plenty of room for shopping and getaways! On the track this car comes alive, with it's mid engine design, it gives even the most basic driver's a sure footed feel. The best roadster of the bunch, this car is very well regarded in Europe.
97 Boxster
Lloyd, 07/19/2002
1997 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Great fun car. Very reliable and tight. Comfortable with great handling. Can be noisy with the top up. Newer models have very noticeable performance improvement. Our 2nd Porsche, both are daily drivers with no bas manners.
Boxster
JimmyDHarrell, 01/02/2003
1997 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Trouble free car with no mechanical or cosmetic wear problems. Good fuel milage for a high performance car.
Porsche bliss
riverdale21, 07/07/2002
1998 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I have driven some nice cars in my time. For quite some time now I have been obsessed with Audi's powerful sedan the 2002 S4. Having driven a Porsche for the first time today I immediately fell in love. The Porsche Boxster is a excellent addition as a second car for anyone looking for a car that is loads of fun to drive in the twisty mountain roads, yet is still comfortable and roomy and can hold a set of clubs in the trunk. The Audi can be my family hauler, but my Porsche is my get-away car.
one FINE car!
Erez, 07/16/2002
1998 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
the boxster... one of the funest to driver car in the world! i enjoy every sec in it!
98 Boxster
Efro, 02/14/2003
1998 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Excellent car! Fun to drive but needs more HP.
Fun, When It Runs
Michael, 09/01/2006
1997 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible
16 of 23 people found this review helpful
This car has a terrible engine design. The shafts explode on the inside of the engine and cost thousands of dollars a piece. Porsche just installs new engines at $20,000 plus labor a piece, so they don't mind. It is NOT UNCOMMON for a Boxster, of ANY year to blow an engine before 80,000 miles. The problem is that Porsche recommends changing the oil only once every 15,000 miles. Unfortunately, most people who drive these cars aren't mechanically inclined and actually believe Porsche and then wait 15,000 miles. Problem is, if this is a weekend car, it takes two or three YEARS before they do their next oil change. The engine is practically shot by that time. If you've bought a Boxster, change your oil. If you haven't, don't.
Love the Boxster
blueboxsterlover, 10/11/2004
1997 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Great car! Very fun to drive and handles beautifully. It's hard to drive my SUV after driving the Boxster--I have to slow down for the corners in the SUV. Easy to drive and maintain. It's a very classic car also--the body style has remained basically the same and it's beauty is timeless. Lots of admiring looks when I drive this car around town.
not only snob appeal
sam kalter, 01/22/2005
1997 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Bought certified used when prices were still firm (high). Not the case w/2-seaters today; makes this car ,or better an "S",great value for the money. This car is a pleasure to live with...notwithstanding the high costs when something does go wrong...it just makes me feel good to get in it...I still stare back at it after almost (5) years but thats how it is with Porsches-and yes, this a real Porsche .p.s.Even w/T.C.,useless in snow p.p.s.go for the full leather interior,a major difference on early models.
7 year old Boxster
60 yr old gear-head, 08/30/2005
1997 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
waited 11 months after placing pre- production order for 1st year Boxter. I drove it to work everyday for 4 years and just as a fun 2nd car for the last 3 years: hence, the very low milage. very reliable, had a freaky problem with the folding top after warranty expired. Bill was $2,000. Porsche Corp. was actually embarrased and paid it in full! Impressive!
Fun to Drive
Bill77, 06/15/2003
1997 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
There is nothing better for a car lover than red, lots of power, no top and no back seat. I can't help but smile when driving this car. This was worth every cent.
fell apart
Asadvertzd, 09/24/2002
1997 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible
4 of 6 people found this review helpful
I swore this would not be my last Porsche until the trans fell out at 45M. Now I consider it a POS. It IS "rolling Prozac", and the tagline "an extension of the driver's will" is indeed true. Have you found out that you have to replace ALL 4 tires every 10M-12M miles? Can't just replace ONE-- different wear patterns don't allow it to respond as well! Maybe I have become more practical and just had a bad experience. Maybe it WON'T BE my last Porsche. In the future, maybe I'll own a Porsche instead of a boat or Harley. Just pick your money sucker.
FUN CAR
NICE CAR, 12/02/2005
1997 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible
5 of 8 people found this review helpful
i just bought a 97 boxster with 54k. i must say, boxster always cought my eye and after reading the reviews, i just had to have one. i have 20" rims on mine. triple black. i love this car, its pretty fast and tight. the girls dig it, and you look like a movie star in it. over all, its fun to drive and nice style.
Boxster Love
livinirie, 02/01/2023
1998 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I loved my Boxster, I'm looking for an Automatic now account of my wrist problem. Excellence Was Expected
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value