2002 Porsche Boxster Review
2002 Porsche Boxster Review
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
+63
Used Boxster for sale
Appraise This CarSee Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Supreme handling characteristics, plenty of power in Boxster S format, two large cargo areas, long list of features and custom trim.
Cons
- Plastic rear window, regular Boxster's power is only adequate, price can become high when lots of options are ordered.
What’s new
The Boxster stands pat for '02.
Edmunds says
An indication of just how capable and desirable this car is: the fact that Porsche can get away with charging outrageous prices for its options, such as up to $4,000 for wheels.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2002 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible (2.7L 6cyl 5M) 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 $5.27 per gallon for premium unleaded in Hawaii.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Hawaii
$320/mo for Boxster Base
Boxster Base
vs
$234/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
Entering its sixth year of production, Porsche's captivating Boxster is a purpose-built sports car for people who love a challenge, designed to go fast and provide optimum feedback while demanding the driver's undivided attention. It rewards skilled pilots with an unparalleled thrill ride and an unrivaled exhaust note.
There are two models available: the Boxster and the Boxster S. The regular Boxster is equipped with a 2.7-liter flat six engine that produces 217 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 192 foot-pounds of torque at 4,750 rpm. While adequate, the Boxster is a bit short on power compared to cars like the BMW M Coupe and Honda S2000.
Pop the extra $9,000 for a Boxster S and you get a half-liter increase in engine displacement and 33 more horsepower, for a total of 250, to adequately fling the car through your favorite set of S-turns. The 3.2-liter also makes 33 more foot-pounds of torque, endowing the German roadster with a decidedly forceful personality. The S model comes with a six-speed, short-throw manual transmission (as opposed to the Boxster's five-speed), a larger radiator, a revised suspension, 17-inch (up from 16-inch) wheels and more standard equipment. There is still plenty of optional equipment left to order, though, and doing so can quickly jack up the price to Porsche 911 territory. Certainly worth considering is the Porsche Stability Management system, a stability control system that helps to prevent dangerous skids and spins.
Two adults fit just fine in the Boxster, and the supple leather seats are mighty comfortable for most folks. Substantial bolstering holds occupants in place on tight turns, and nicely sculpted door panels provide a great spot to rest an arm while driving. Wind protection isn't great, so prepare to have your hair tousled even with the windows up and the wind blocker in place. On the plus side, cowl shake is nearly non-existent, with only slight amounts of shimmy evident, and there is an ample 9.1 cubic feet of cargo space available.
As a daily driver, the Porsche isn't well equipped to deal with the realities of ever-changing weather conditions, multi-tasking behind the steering wheel, and low-speed traffic situations. Its delicately balanced chassis, confounding interior ergonomics, lack of a cupholder and stiff steering, brakes and clutch conspire to make it a chore around town. Buy a Mercedes SLK320 or Audi TT Roadster if your primary driving environment resembles the Disneyland parking lot.
Rather, the Porsche Boxster shines as a weekend getaway vehicle, providing comfort and space for two adults and their belongings with driving characteristics improving at speed. Take the long way, running hard on as many twisty two-lane roads as you can find with someone who loves road trips just as much as you do, and you'll immensely enjoy one of the most memorable overnight vacations you've had in years.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2002 Porsche Boxster.
5 star(87%)
4 star(9%)
3 star(2%)
2 star(2%)
1 star(0%)
46 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
I want to be buried in it when that time comes
A Driving Enthusiast, 03/19/2020
2002 Porsche Boxster S 2dr Convertible (3.2L 6cyl 6M)
Anyone considering a used sports car should absolutely consider a Porsche Boxster S. I just found a first generation example with about 70k miles on the odometer that had already had the clutch, breaks, and IMS bearing done. This car is transcendent on multiple levels. First, it is a true drivers’ car. Nimble, quick, precise, powerful, and small, it offers terrific, fluid feedback and … exhibits a solid, analog feel without ever feeling heavy or stiff. Wonderful to drive fast, it is also a pleasure to drive slowly – it just feels great. On another level it is so well engineered that simply operating it gives me joy: the way the trunk latches with a soft ‘click’, the quality of the build and thoughtful engineering everywhere I look, the ‘thunk’ of the door, the lovely way the shifter engages each gear with a firm but precise ‘snick-snick’, the simplicity of the gauge cluster, steering that makes it seem like your hands are connected to the road, buttons that even after 18 years have no free play. I have owned three 3-series BMWs, a late model Subaru WRX, and tracked a GT-R Nismo. Each is turbocharged, which is great as long as you keep the turbo all spooled up but crappy when you aren’t paying attention and a V6 Accord Coupe blows your doors off. All the others have pretty numb steering, the BMWs – two were even Msports – seemed heavy, dull, and bloated, luxurious though they were, the WRX seemed like it wanted to be a Porsche but was about $30 grand short, and the GT-R would have been great on a long track, where it could made good use of all that high-rev power, but on a short track was just getting fun when I would hit another corner. The Boxster’s naturally-aspirated flat 6 makes a splendid sound – a present but not overbearing burble when driven nicely, e.g. from idle through about 3.5k, and a raucous but not harsh howl as the revs climb to redline – and has torque everywhere – I rarely feel like I need to downshift to pick it up. And, while I wouldn’t characterize the Boxster S as luxurious – what it does it does minimally, precisely, and well – the connection it makes between me, the driver, and our shared commitment, the road, is unrivaled in anything I have yet driven. I might tire of driving it daily in stop-and-go on the I-405 in L.A., but good lord am I glad I have it for my grocery getting on the weekends.
4.75 out of 5 stars
It's a porsche - enough said.
dan, 11/20/2008
2002 Porsche Boxster S 2dr Convertible (3.2L 6cyl 6M)
This is the best car I have owned to date. It's fun, sporty, handles well and holds its own against any other car out there. You cannot beat the style and I still get strangers coming up to talk about it. I don't buy the "poor man's" Porsche. It has the same interior and front of the 911 - less power, but I'll put the difference in money I saved in the bank and have just as much fun! … Regular service calls are a little expensive, but only needs to be done every 18 months. Great car for the $.
5 out of 5 stars
Bucket List Car!
Carol, 04/26/2016
2002 Porsche Boxster 2dr Convertible (2.7L 6cyl 5M)
I have waited all my life to own a Porsche and finale have a 2002 Boxster. I am in love with my car and totally enjoy driving it.
It's the best driving car that I have ever owned. It handles the road and exits great!
I have no owners manual with the car and I am in need of one. Also stored the vehicle for the New England winter and now I have to get a code to listen to the radio. I … disconnected the battery, that was a surprise, unable to open the hood but thanks to goggle we fixed that. So simple but read up on it first. Looking forward to driving this summer again. Looking for tank away adventures. See you on the Road Again!
4.63 out of 5 stars
seasoned porsche owner
LB Zayszly, 06/05/2008
2002 Porsche Boxster S 2dr Convertible (3.2L 6cyl 6M)
I own a 1990 944 S2 convertible, and when I first saw the Boxster, I knew I had to have one. I also have the best Porsche mechanic in the business. I don't see him very often, because of the reliability of these cars. Personally, I don't want to ever drive another type of vehicle.The name Porsche speaks volumes and their reputation is unsurpassed. You have to know how to drive to … appreciate these cars.
2002 Boxster Highlights
Base
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $42,600 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 20 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $320/month |
Seating | 2 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 9.1 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Boxster include:
- Alarm
People who viewed this also viewed
Starting at $114,400 |
Starting at $68,300 |
4.7 average Rating out of 6 reviews. |
Starting at $60,900 |
Consider these recommendations
Related Used 2002 Porsche Boxster info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used BMW 5 Series 2021
- Used Ford Fusion 2015
- Used Nissan Pathfinder 2012
- Used Audi Q5 2020 For Sale
- Used Ford Transit Wagon 2022
Shop similar models
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Porsche Boxster 2020
- Used Porsche 718 Boxster 2017
- Used Porsche 718 Boxster 2022
- Used Porsche 718 Boxster 2019 For Sale
- Used Porsche 718 Boxster 2021
- Used Porsche Boxster 2018
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- Polestar 2
- 2025 Nissan Kicks News
- Polestar 5
- Model 3 Prices
- 2025 Nissan Rogue News
- Nissan Kicks
- Polestar 4 Price
- Rivian R1T
- 2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger News
- Nissan Rogue
Research other models of Porsche
- Cayenne
- Porsche Taycan Turbo S
- Porsche Panamera
- Porsche Macan 2023
- Porsche Macans
- Porsche Boxster Convertible For Sale
- 2024 Porsche 911
- 2023 Porsche 911
- Porsche 911 GT3
Research similar vehicles
- Mazda Miata
- 2023 Lamborghini Huracan
- 2023 MX-5 Miata
- 2024 BMW M4
- Mazda MX 5 RF
- Mclaren Spider 720S
- 2024 Corvette Stingray
- 2024 Ford Mustang
- BMW Z4
- 2023 Bentley Continental GT
Other models
- Used Aston-Martin DB9 in Lenoir, NC
- New BMW X2 for Sale in Orland Park, IL
- New Genesis GV70 for Sale in Conway, AR
- Used Mazda Mazdaspeed-3 in West Newton, MA
- New Chevrolet Silverado-1500 for Sale in Bowling Green, OH
- Used Honda Clarity in Woodside, NY
- Used Buick Cascada in Prairieville, LA
- Used Ford Econoline-Cargo in Reading, PA
- New BMW 4-Series for Sale in New Castle, PA
- Used Oldsmobile Cutlass-Supreme in Plant City, FL