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2004 Porsche Boxster Full Review
Date Published: 7/31/08
Also in the 2004 Porsche Boxster Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
2004 Porsche Boxster Review
Porsche's entry-level car is a 2-seat convertible that uses a midmounted, horizontally opposed 6-cyl engine. The base model comes with a 225-hp 2.7-liter and 5-speed manual transmission, the Boxster S with a 258-hp 3.2 and 6-speed manual. Both offer an optional 5-speed automatic with manual-shift steering-wheel buttons. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes and side airbags are standard. Antiskid/traction control is optional. Also included is a power soft top with a heated glass rear window. A removable hardtop is optional. The base model has 16-inch wheels and is available with the S's 17s; 18s are optional for both, as is a sport exhaust system. A heavily revised 2005 Boxster is expected in the first half of calendar '05.
News
Various German reports confirm a heavily revised Boxster will be unwrapped at the January 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. A first-ever Boxster coupe, rumored for some time, arrives in autumn of '05. Against the familiar "986" Boxster, the replacement "987" gets subtly revised sheetmetal imparting a more muscular look, plus oval headlamps, larger air ducts in the front bumper and rear fenders, new taillights, standard lightweight 18-inch alloy wheels, and a slightly wider rear spoiler. Dimensions and weight are little changed. So are the two engines, though each reportedly adds 10 hp and somewhat more low-rpm torque. The base Boxster apparently gets the S-model's standard 6-speed manual transmission, and the 5-speed automatic option gives way to a 6-speed unit with manual-shift steering-wheel buttons. Expected later on is a computer-controlled 6-speed manual with twin clutches, borrowed from the revised '05 911. Other reported changes include lighter suspension components, a modest increase in axle widths, a new dashboard, and upgraded cabin materials. The coupe, when it arrives, will reportedly be priced below the base roadster. Further out, there's talk of a no-frills Clubsport Boxster with more power courtesy of a larger 911 six. We hope to have more details soon, so keep checking back with us.
2004 Porsche Boxster Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Steering/handling | Noise |
| Acceleration | Ride |
| Braking | Passenger room |
| Entry/exit | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
Porsche says 0-60-mph times are about 6.4 sec for the base version, 5.7 for the S; we got 6.0 sec on test S. Both deliver smooth, ready power in any situation. Tiptronic responsive enough, but we prefer the manuals.
| Base w/18-inch wheels, man. | S w/18-inch wheels, man. | Class Average |
| 7 | 8 | 7.7 |
Porsche says 0-60-mph times are about 6.4 sec for the base version, 5.7 for the S; we got 6.0 sec on test S. Both deliver smooth, ready power in any situation. Tiptronic responsive enough, but we prefer the manuals.
Fuel Economy
Test manual-transmission base model averaged 23.3 mpg. Test S averaged 17.2 with more city driving. Both require premium fuel.
| Base w/18-inch wheels, man. | S w/18-inch wheels, man. | Class Average |
| 6 | 5 | 4.7 |
Test manual-transmission base model averaged 23.3 mpg. Test S averaged 17.2 with more city driving. Both require premium fuel.
Ride Quality
Buttoned-down sports-car suspension is quite stiff. All models made available for test so far came on optional 18-inch wheels, which trigger lots of thumpy jiggle over tar strips and patches. Expect much the same of the 17s, but the 16s should be more forgiving. Some testers feel Boxster has too much body flex on uneven surfaces; others say rigidity is fine, but noted squeaks from door and window seals in test examples.
| Base w/18-inch wheels, man. | S w/18-inch wheels, man. | Class Average |
| 2 | 2 | 4 |
Buttoned-down sports-car suspension is quite stiff. All models made available for test so far came on optional 18-inch wheels, which trigger lots of thumpy jiggle over tar strips and patches. Expect much the same of the 17s, but the 16s should be more forgiving. Some testers feel Boxster has too much body flex on uneven surfaces; others say rigidity is fine, but noted squeaks from door and window seals in test examples.
Steering/Handling/Braking
Entertaining and athletic, as expected of Porsches, with grippy stability, little body lean. Available antiskid/traction system enhances safety on slippery roads.
| Base w/18-inch wheels, man. | S w/18-inch wheels, man. | Class Average |
| 10 | 10 | 8.4 |
Entertaining and athletic, as expected of Porsches, with grippy stability, little body lean. Available antiskid/traction system enhances safety on slippery roads.
Quietness
Top-down wind rush not objectionable, and race-car-engine note delights. Cockpit noisy top up to due engine behind seats, copious tire roar, moderately insulated roof.
| Base w/18-inch wheels, man. | S w/18-inch wheels, man. | Class Average |
| 2 | 2 | 4 |
Top-down wind rush not objectionable, and race-car-engine note delights. Cockpit noisy top up to due engine behind seats, copious tire roar, moderately insulated roof.
Controls
Tachometer appropriately dead-ahead, but smaller, flanking speedometer marked in broad 25-mph increments and its supplemental digital readout is illegible in sun's glare. Cabin decor sophisticated enough with solid materials, careful assembly.
| Base w/18-inch wheels, man. | S w/18-inch wheels, man. | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 5.8 |
Tachometer appropriately dead-ahead, but smaller, flanking speedometer marked in broad 25-mph increments and its supplemental digital readout is illegible in sun's glare. Cabin decor sophisticated enough with solid materials, careful assembly.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
Low-slung cockpit decently roomy for 6-footers, and seats hug supportively. Entry/exit demands flexibility with top down or up. Top-up rear visibility limited by smallish rear window.
| Base w/18-inch wheels, man. | S w/18-inch wheels, man. | Class Average |
| 4 | 4 | 5.4 |
Low-slung cockpit decently roomy for 6-footers, and seats hug supportively. Entry/exit demands flexibility with top down or up. Top-up rear visibility limited by smallish rear window.
Room/Comfort (rear)
(No rear seating.)
| Base w/18-inch wheels, man. | S w/18-inch wheels, man. | Class Average |
| 0 | 0 | .6 |
(No rear seating.)
Cargo Room
Front and rear compartments hold a fair bit of stuff for a 2-seater. Note that there's no topside engine access other than three service ports in the rear trunk.
| Base w/18-inch wheels, man. | S w/18-inch wheels, man. | Class Average |
| 2 | 2 | 2.2 |
Front and rear compartments hold a fair bit of stuff for a 2-seater. Note that there's no topside engine access other than three service ports in the rear trunk.
Value within Class
Though more backroads-stormer than comfortable long-distance tourer, the Boxster is a highly capable yet fairly practical sports car. Even base models easily nudge $50,000 when popularly equipped, but this is still the most affordable way to live the "Porsche experience."
| Base w/18-inch wheels, man. | S w/18-inch wheels, man. | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 4.6 |
Though more backroads-stormer than comfortable long-distance tourer, the Boxster is a highly capable yet fairly practical sports car. Even base models easily nudge $50,000 when popularly equipped, but this is still the most affordable way to live the "Porsche experience."
Total Score
| Base w/18-inch wheels, man. | S w/18-inch wheels, man. | Class Average |
| 44 | 44 | 47.4 |
Scores for all Premium Sporty/performance Cars
| Low Score | 38 | |
| Average Score | 47 | |
| High Score | 57 |
2004 Porsche Boxster Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 05/25/2004
| Trim Name | Retail Price | Dealer Invoice | Destination Charge |
|
|
|||
| Base 2-door convertible | $42,600 | $37,121 | $765 |
|
|
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| S 2-door convertible | $51,600 | $45,001 | $765 |
|
|
|||
| SE 2-door convertible | $59,900 | $52,267 | $765 |
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's
manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker.
Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are
what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options.
The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price
and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently
throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's
window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national
manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings
may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
Base
Powertrain
2.7-liter 6-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission.
Safety
Dual front airbags, side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, integrated roll bars.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning w/automatic climate control, interior air filter, power steering, telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel, partial leather upholstery, front bucket seats w/power recliners, center console, cupholder, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, power convertible top, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, illuminated visor mirrors, rear defogger, heated washer nozzles, remote trunk releases.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system, rear spoiler, front and rear fog lights, 205/55ZR16 front tires, 225/50ZR16 rear tires, alloy wheels.
S adds to Base:
Powertrain
3.2-liter 258-horsepower 6-cylinder engine, 6-speed manual transmission.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Variable-intermittent wipers.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Sport suspension, 205/50ZR17 front tires, 255/40ZR17 rear tires.
SE adds to S:
Powertrain
3.2-liter 264-horsepower engine, traction control.
Safety
Antiskid system.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Heated seats, upgraded sound system, trip computer, floormats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Windblocker, xenon headlights, headlight washers, 225/40ZR18 front tires, 265/35ZR18 rear tires.
Optional Equipment
Major Packages |
Retail Price |
Invoice Price |
|
P70 Sport Design Pkg.
|
||
|
Base, S
|
$1,395
|
$1,186
|
|
Black leather sport bucket seats, additional leather upholstery, aluminum-look interior accents.
|
||
|
|
||
Powertrain |
||
|
5-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability
|
||
|
Base, S, SE
|
$3,210
|
$2,729
|
|
2-stage sport exhaust system
|
||
|
S
|
$2,100
|
$1,785
|
|
|
||
Safety |
||
|
Antiskid/traction-control system
|
||
|
Base, S
|
$1,235
|
$1,050
|
|
Rear-obstacle-detection system
|
||
|
Base, S
|
$530
|
$451
|
|
|
||
Comfort and Convenience Features |
||
|
Navigation System
|
||
|
Base, S, SE
|
$2,680
|
$2,278
|
|
Includes trip computer.
|
||
|
Cruise control
|
||
|
Base, S, SE
|
$570
|
$485
|
|
6-disc CD changer
|
||
|
Base, S, SE
|
$715
|
$608
|
|
Bose sound system
|
||
|
Base, S
|
$1,625
|
$1,381
|
|
SE
|
$795
|
$676
|
|
Trip computer
|
||
|
Base, S
|
$280
|
$238
|
|
Power Seat Pkg.
|
||
|
Base, S
|
$1,550
|
$1,318
|
|
Power seats w/driver-seat memory. NA w/Sport Design Pkg.
|
||
|
Heated seats
|
||
|
Base, S
|
$410
|
$349
|
|
Full leather upholstery
|
||
|
Base, S
|
$2,030
|
$1,726
|
|
Automatic day/night rearview and driver-side mirrors
|
||
|
Base, S
|
$705
|
$599
|
|
Includes rain-sensing wipers.
|
||
|
Windblocker
|
||
|
Base, S
|
$375
|
$319
|
|
Floormats
|
||
|
Base, S
|
$95
|
$81
|
|
|
||
Appearance and Miscellaneous |
||
|
Removable hardtop
|
||
|
Base, S
|
$2,345
|
$1,993
|
|
Includes rear defogger.
|
||
|
Luggage rack
|
||
|
Base, S
|
$470
|
$400
|
|
Xenon headlights
|
||
|
Base, S
|
$1,090
|
$927
|
|
Includes headlight washers.
|
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Sport chassis
|
||
|
Base, S
|
$705
|
$599
|
|
Sport suspension, height-adjustable shock absorbers.
|
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Boxster-design alloy wheels
|
||
|
Base
|
$1,235
|
$1,050
|
|
Includes 205/50ZR17 front tires, 255/40ZR17 rear tires.
|
||
|
Carrera alloy wheels
|
||
|
Base
|
$2,920
|
$2,482
|
|
S
|
$1,435
|
$1,220
|
|
Includes 225/40ZR18 front tires, 265/35ZR18 rear tires.
|
||
|
Sport Design Wheels
|
||
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S
|
$2,940
|
$2,499
|
|
Includes 225/40ZR18 front tires, 265/35ZR18 rear tires.
|
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|
|
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2004 Porsche Boxster Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Porsche Boxster 2-door convertible |
| Wheelbase, in. | 95.1 |
| Overall Length, in. | 170.1 |
| Overall Width, in. | 70.1 |
| Overall Height, in. | 50.8 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 2911 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 9.1 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 16.9 |
| Seating Capacity | 2 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 38.4 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.6 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | -- |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | -- |
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
| dohc H6 | dohc H6 | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 2.7 /164 | 3.2 /194 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 225 @ 6300 | 258 @ 6250 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 192 @ 4750 | 229 @ 4500 |
| Availability | Standard | Standard |
|
EPA City / highway mpg
|
||
| 5-speed manual | 20/29 | --/-- |
| 6-speed manual | --/-- | 18/26 |
| 5-speed automatic | 18/26 | 17/26 |
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft;
dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders;
V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions
per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--"
= measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
 Antilock Brakes Traction Control Antiskid System |
Front Side Airbags Curtain Side Airbags Rear Side Airbags |
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | Porsche Boxster 2-door convertible |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's
worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to
rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury:
5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact
crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%;
1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover
when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%;
2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
| Class | Years/Miles | Comments |
| Powertrain | None/-- | -- |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 4/50,000 | -- |
| Corrosion | 10 /unlimited | -- |
| Free roadside assistance | 4/50,000 | -- |
| Free scheduled maintenance | None/-- | -- |
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive.
There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two
other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for
2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any
on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts
and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in:
Germany
Drivewheels:
rear-wheel drive
Also in the 2004 Porsche Boxster Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
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