Used Porsche Boxster 2012-2016 review

Those after a prestige badge and a brilliant sports car will likely have a Porsche Boxster on their shopping list. This third-generation model won almost universal acclaim, from those who drove it as well as from those who merely aspired to it.

The original Boxster was such a breath of fresh air it actually saved the company, and this version upped the ante in nearly every way, being lighter, stiffer and faster than its predecessors. It’s great to drive and civilised to own.

Engines & Performance: The engines are wonderfully responsive and deliciously smooth naturally aspirated flat sixes, in either the standard 261bhp 2.7-litre or 311bhp 3.4-litre capacities, the latter known as the ‘S’.

But wait, there's more, because GTS models go a step further, getting 325bhp in addition to some other go-faster kit that would sometimes be mere optional extras on lesser guises. The cream of the crop is the Spyder, however. Its 3.8-litre engine produces a mighty 370bhp, and it's by far the most hardcore Boxster of this generation.

Performance is suitably rapid, and the accompanying steering, handling and braking all top drawer. Driving the open-top Boxster quickly is a rare thrill, with either the standard six-speed manual gearbox or the PDK automatic gearbox option.

Ride & Handling: Balance is the name of the Boxster's game, with handling that's sharp, poised and engaging. The steering is well-weighted and precise, too, while the gearshifts are slick, whether you go for the manual or auto'.

The ride is well judged as well. It's firm but forgiving, meaning it's decently comfortable (for a sports car).

Interior & Practicality: The interior is of modest dimensions, and its suitably sporty, classy fittings remind you that you’re in a Porsche. Right in front of you is a central, oversized rev counter that lives behind a familiar and very tactile steering wheel. There are also plenty of buttons on the centre console – lots of them, in fact. Those coming from an Audi or a BMW might be daunted by the number of buttons and yearn for a rotary controller to bring all the functionality together, but, with familiarity, things become a lot easier.

Surprisingly for a sports car, you get two boots – one in the front and the other in the back. In total, there's enough space to cater for a light trip to the shops or a week’s holiday luggage for two.

Trims & Practicality: Porsche cars tend to be quite sparsely equipped as standard and this Cayman is no exception. The standard car has 18in alloys, air-con, a 7.0in touchscreen, automatic headlights and a CD player, while the Cayman S has bigger 19in alloys, bi-xenon headlights and a part-leather interior.

If you want any more luxuries than that, you better hope the first owner was generous with the options list because almost everything was an option – even simple things like a Bluetooth connection for your phone.

Interested in buying a used Porsche Boxster? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.

Entry to the third-gen Boxster club starts at around £20,000, at the time of writing. Expect a mileage of around 80,000, though. A better bet would be to have around £25,000 to spend, that way you can easily pick up a good entry-level Boxster with around 50,000 miles. You'll start to see S models at this price point, too.

For the GTS, you'll need to set aside around £40,000 at least. The hardcore Boxster Spyder is a rare beast and will set you back upwards of £60,000.

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MPG: The 2.7-litre version is good for only a claimed average fuel consumption of 34.4mpg, while the 3.4-litre S version claims 31.6mpg.

Road tax: All third-generation Boxsters will have been registered before April 2017’s road tax band changes and will therefore attract a high annual charge due to their CO2 levels.

Insurance and servicing: Insurance is likewise high, with groupings of 44 and 46.

Regular servicing is vital, although intervals are reasonably long at 18,000 miles, and most will only trust a Porsche dealer to do it, although there are a number of recommended specialist firms who handle Boxsters and whose fees for such work will undercut the main dealers’.

There are only two variants: the 261bhp 2.7-litre standard car and the 311bhp 3.4-litre ‘S’ version. It’s a difficult decision whether to go for the standard car or spend the extra money on a used Boxster S, as both are exceptionally good.

Normally we incline towards a less is more approach, but here we feel the S has just enough of an edge to justify any price differential you might have to pay. However, make no mistake, those who pick the standard car will still have a spectacular five-star sports car.

Our favourite Porsche Boxster: 3.4 S

The Audi TT is a cracker, whether as a coupe or a convertible roadster, with a smooth, eager range of engines, darty handling and a beautiful interior. It’s as fast, in some of its variants and in many of its ways, as the Boxster, but perhaps lacks the special sparkle of the Porsche.

The BMW M2 is not a drop-top but a coupe, the top rung of the 2 Series Coupe ladder, and once again is a car that’s if anything even faster than the Boxster. It sounds great, is well equipped and by virtue of its size is more practical. However, it’s not as agile or precise as the Boxster, and its gearbox is a bit notchy.

The Mercedes-Benz SLC is a fine drop-top car whose purpose is more boulevard cruiser than out-and-out sports car, and though it’s well equipped and good to sit in it’s not as much fun to drive as the purposeful Boxster.

Interested in buying a used Porsche Boxster? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.

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