PORSCHE MODEL GUIDE

The Boxster (S) and Cayman (S)

1997-2004: The Boxster and Boxster S
Also known as the 986, the Boxster was introduced in 1996 as a 1997 model. It was an immediate success and remains so to this day. Why? Because it is a darn fun car to drive! It's light, nimble and athletic. It has a great engine sound and just wants to be driven. The name Boxster is a hybrid of the words “boxer” (a nickname for the flat engine layout) and “roadster.” Only Porsche could introduce a sports car with the word “box” in its name and have it be a huge success - a testimonial to the quality of this car. Consider that the Boxster, designed in the mid 90s, is still the unanimous pick of car magazine editors in head-to-head runoffs with the flavor of the day BMW, Honda, MB and the others. Without a doubt, Porsche got this one right.

The Boxster replaced the 968 when it came out in 1996, carrying nearly the same price tag (approximately $39,900). It was Porsche's first car developed in the new Porsche era and was the lifeline that got the company out of the sure trouble of the period. It was also the first of the new, water cooled, six cylinder engines that would follow for the next 10 years and on, in this case, mounted midship. The Boxster is said to have been styled in tribute to the early Porsche 550 racers. Although the Boxster is significantly larger and heavier than the super lightweight 550, one can see the resemblance, especially in the front and rear fender humps. Like other mid-engined cars, the Boxster is strictly a two-passenger car with the engine mounted directly behind the seats. This means top-side service access is a bit more challenging than a front- or rear-engine car. On the other hand, the Boxster is famous for its abundant storage space, sporting both front and rear trunks. With outstanding performance, style and pedigree, the Boxster was an immediate success.

From its introduction in the 1997 model year, the Boxster has followed typical Porsche model development, more evolution than revolution. The first engine used in the Boxster was a 2.5 liter six producing 201hp. This engine, identical in basic design to that used in the 1999 to 2008 911, was a water cooled flat six. Transmissions offered were the five speed manual or the Tiptronic automatic. Few changes were made to the Boxster between '97 and '99 but in 2000 the engine size increased to 2.7 liters and 217hp and the redline increased to 7200rpm. The car's interior was also upgraded this year by going to painted plastic switches and controls versus the previously unpainted versions.

2000 was also the year of introduction for the Boxster S, the high performance version of the standard Boxster. The S looked similar to the standard Boxster except for slight changes to the spoiler, the radiator inlets and the move to twin exhaust tips - and of course, the addition of an “S” on the trunk lid. The big change was in the powertrain and the brakes. The new Boxster S had a 3.2 liter engine with 250hp, a six speed manual (Vs the 5 speed Boxster) and big red Brembo brakes. Overall, these upgrades made for a very nice performance enhancement to an already great car. Many Boxster owners prefer the 2000 and newer Boxsters to avoid the potential for an earlier engine issue. Much has been written about the early engine issues that resulted from porous engine casings and an Porsche's attempt at cylinder sleeving to correct the porous engine issue. Although sleeving is an acceptable fix for the problem, some of the sleeves failed allowing it to drop into the cylinder. Not good.

Both the Boxster and S received slight improvements thru the year 2002 but the big improvement in 2003 was the move to a convertible top with a glass rear window. Previously, all Boxsters (both types) had a plastic rear window which would sometimes crease if not folded in properly. The glass window solved this issue. The 2003s also received a glove box for the first time, improved cupholders and a slight increase in horsepower, 225hp for the Boxster and 258hp for the S.


2005-2008: 987 Boxster and Boxster S
For model year 2005, Porsche updated both the Boxster and Boxster S, carrying the new internal designation of 987. Once again, evolution was the name of the game as the new Boxster retained the overall shape of the 986 but in a more muscular bodystyle. The good news was that, as great as the original Boxster was, everything in the 987 was just a little bit better. Changed were the headlight assemblies, front air intakes, side air intakes, taillights and a 996 Turbo-like front bumper. The interior was also completely redesigned for a much improved look and feel following the new 911 interior styling. But, as always, the big story was enhanced power and performance. The base Boxster retained the same 2.7 liter engine but power went from 225 hp to 240hp while the S, retaining its original 3.2 liter engine, went from 258 to 280hp. The 987 also received the variable ratio steering introduced in the new 911. The options list also increased, now offering Porsche Active Suspension Mgmt (PASM), Sport Chrono, and 19" wheels in valrious styles.

In 2007, power was once again increased, going to 245hp for the base model 2.7 liter engine and 295hp for the S via a larger 3.4 liter engine. For those choosing the automatic Tiptronic S transmission, 2007 saw new hydraulics and electronics providing more responsiveness.
Like the 1999 through 2008 911 Carrera, the 1997 through 2008 Boxsters have the potential for an engine oil leak at the rear main seal (RMS) location as well as the far less common but far more serious IMS issue. More is written on these topics in the 996 Carrera section of this model guide. Briefly stated here, one should not avoid the Boxster because of the problem because you'll be missing out on a great sports car.


2009-Today: 987 Boxster and Boxster S
Although the outward appearance of the 2009 Boxster and Boxster S was little changed from the outgoing 2008 model, much changed under the hood. The big news was that the Boxster S received the already highly respected direct fuel injection (DFI) engine, now with 3.4 liters and 310 hp. The base model retained the original design engine but now with 2.9 liters of displacement and 255 hp. The manual transmission for either model was now the 6 speed. And now either model was available with the new optional PDK (Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe) automatic transmission. The PDK is the first Porsche transmission to use new double clutch technology. It's essentially a manual transmission that selects the next gear via the second clutch provding seamless automatic shifting. Once again, an already fantastic sports car just got better....again.

2011-Today: Boxster Spyder
Just when it seemed that the Boxster could not get any better, along comes a Spyder. In cooking terms, if you sauteed a Boxster S, the remaining reduction would be a Boxster Spyder, nothing but performance. It is the essence of driver involvement, something the Boxster was already really good at. More specifically, it's a Boxster S with more power (+10), less weight (-177lbs) and a lower (-10mm) and stiffer suspension. The weight savings come from some different material choices but more so from the removal of the radio, air conditioning, cup-holders and the power folding convertible top. Some of these items can be optioned back in but the top is replaced with a 2 piece fitted tarp that stretches from the windshield to the rear of the car. The Spyder also uses aluminum doors and non reclining seats for additional weight savings. It uses the same 3.4l engine as the S but tweaked for the extra 10hp coming in at a total of 320hp. In terms of unbiased validation, Car and Driver chose the Spyder as the Best Handling Car in the World for less than $100k. Not too shabby a hallmark.


2006-2008: Cayman and Cayman S
2006 marked the arrival of the long awaited coupe version of the Boxster- The Cayman. Immediately hailed as the best handling Porsche ever, the Cayman gained instant respect for its performance and its looks. Under the skin, it's a Boxster chassis, engine, variable ratio steering, suspension and brakes- all great news. But courtesy of the fixed hardtop, this car is everything the Boxster is but with significantly increased rigidity. In short, it is likely the best sports car in the world. The Cayman S was the first introduced with a 295hp, 3.4 liter flat six. It is well understood that Porsche will never allow the Boxster or Cayman's horsepower to match the 911s of the day but it's close (325 hp for the 2006 base Carrera). The base Cayman followed shortly after in 2007 with the 2.7 liter engine producing 245 hp. In addition to stellar handling, the Caymans retain the fantastic sounds of the Boxsters. Just something special about that engine mounted only inches from your ears. Wide open throttle above 4000 RPM is a goose bump inducing shriek. Similar to the 987 Boxsters, options include PASM, Sport Chrono, 19" wheels and lots more. And without the need to leave room for a folding top, the Caymans offer double the rear trunk space of the Boxster. The front trunk spaces are identical. The only downside to the Cayman is the price. It's more expensive than the equivalent Boxster yet without the softop. Depending on optioning, the price of a Cayman S can approach that of a near equivalent Carrera. In summary, the Cayman is the hardcore brother to the Boxster.


2009-Today: Cayman and Cayman S
Like the 2009 Boxster S, the 2009 Cayman S received the already highly respected direct fuel injection (DFI) engine, now with 3.4 liters and 320 hp. The base Cayman model retained the original design engine but now with 2.9 liters of displacement and 265 hp. The manual transmission for either model was now the 6 speed. And now either model was available with the new optional PDK (Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe) automatic transmission. The PDK is the first Porsche transmission to use new double clutch technology. It's essentially a manual transmission that selects the next gear via the second clutch provding seamless automatic shifting. And like the Boxsters, an already fantastic sports car just got better....again.


2011-Today: Cayman R
And like the 2011 Boxster Spyder, the 2011 Cayman R takes the already great Cayman S and distills out an even better sports car with the same recipe- more power, less weight and better handling. The weight goes down by 121 lbs by deleting the radio and the A/C, adding aluminum doors and non reclining seats and going to super light 19" wheels. Power is up by 10 hp to 330 using the Cayman S 3.4l engine with a bit more tweaking of the exhaust/intake design resulting in freer revving engine. And the suspension is lower by a full 0.8 inches. The best just keeps getting better.