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2009 Porsche Boxster Review
Redesigned, featuring new engines, transmissions.
2009 Boxster Review Summary & Specifications
The Porsche Boxster is one of the most entertaining convertible sports cars. Top up, it's quiet and comfortable enough to commute in a rainstorm; top down, fresh air, open sky and the engine note all conspire to make you go a little faster. It's an immensely capable car that can be driven in the daily grind, with nary a complaint. Our only caution against impulsively ordering one is to select options carefully, as they can escalate the price considerably; the Boxster makes more sense the closer you can stay to $65,000 rather than $90,000.NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent G.R. Whale filed this report.
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| Vehicle Category | Sports Cars |
| Editor | G.R. Whale |
| Model Lineup | Porsche Boxster ($46,600); Boxster S ($56,700) |
| Engines (standard) | 3.4-liter dohc 24v horizontally opposed six-cylinder |
| Engines (optional) | 255-hp 2.9-liter dohc 24v horizontally opposed six-cylinder; 310-hp 3.4-liter dohc 24v horizontally opposed six-cylinder |
| Transmissions (standard) | 7-speed automated manual |
| Transmissions (optional) | six-speed manual; seven-speed automated manual (PDK) |
| Safety Equipment (standard) | dual front airbags; dual side-impact head/thorax airbags; Porsche Stability Management; ABS/ABD; rollover protection; tire pressure monitors |
| Safety Equipment (optional) | fire extinguisher |
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Assembled In | Uusikaupunki, Finland |
| Manufacturer Phone | 800-767-7243 |
| Manufacturer URL | www.porsche.com/usa/ |
| Base Price MSRP | 46600 |
| Model Tested MSRP | Porsche Boxster S ($56,700) |
| Standard Equipment | leather upholstery; manual climate control; power windows/locks/mirrors; 3-layer power convertible top; speed-dependent rear spoiler; tilt/telescoping steering wheel; cruise control; 185-watt 7-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo; HomeLink; trip computer; alarm system |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) | PDK 7-speed ($3,042); PCM 3.0 w/extended navigation ($3,110); power seats ($1,550) with ventilation ($800); heated seats ($500) and steering wheel ($190); bi-Xenon headlights ($1,560); 19-inch Carrera S II wheels ($1,550); PASM ($1,990); windstop ($375); automatic climate control ($550); Bluetooth ($695); Sport Chrono Plus ($1,320); Bose sound system ($990); universal audio interface ($440); floor mats ($90) |
| Destination Charge | 950 |
| Gas Guzzler Tax | |
| Layout | mid-engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Price as Tested | 76780 |
| Horse Power | 310 @ 6400 |
| Torque | 266 @ 4400-5500 |
| Fuel Economy | 20/29 |
| Wheelbase | 95.1 |
| Length/Width/Height | 172.1/70.9/50.9 |
| Track Front/Rear | |
| Turning Radius | 36.4 |
| Seating Capacity | 2 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room | 38.3/51.5/42.9 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Trunk Volume | 9.9 |
| Payload | |
| Towing Capacity | |
| Front Suspension | independent, MacPherson struts, antiroll bar |
| Rear Suspension | independent, MacPherson struts, antiroll bar |
| Ground Clearance | 4.8 |
| Curb Weight | 3042 |
| Stock Tires | 235/35 ZR19 front, 265/35 ZR19 rear |
| Brakes Front/Rear | vented disc/vented disc with ABS; cross-drilled |
| Fuel Capacity | 16.9 |
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