Porsche Boxster (Germany, 1993-2003)

Porsche introduced the first generation Boxster, which is best known as the 986, in late 1996 as a 1997 model. The word “Boxster” is actually a combination of the car’s type of engine, ‘boxer’ (horizontally mounted), and its convertible type of body, ‘roadster’.   The 986 Boxster has been produced at the company’s plant in Stuttgart, Germany. It has been also allowed by contract to be built by Finnish carmaker Valmet Automotive a facility in Finland.   In 2003, styling and engine output was upgraded on both variants. In 2004 the 550 Spyder 50th Anniversary Edition was released with a production run of just 1953 cars.

The 986 Boxster was released with a 2.5-liter engine, which was used until 1999. From 2000 onwards, this model was available with a 2.7-liter unit. A Boxster S variant was introduced in 2000 as well and given a 3.2-liter engine.   Depending on the variant, the first generation Boxster is available with manual and automatic 5-speed transmissions, as well as a 6-speed manual unit. This is a rear-wheel drive car.

Unit steel frame.   Platform
  Suspension
  Steering Variable power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering.   Brakes Vacuum-assisted vented disc brakes all around with ABS.

The Porsche Boxster is a 2-door convertible conceived by designer Harm Lagaay, being the first vehicle he designed with a roadster bodywork from the beginning. Regularly, all Porsche convertible models departed from the hardtop version.   The Boxster’s aesthetics have been greatly inspired by Porsche’s earlier roadster models, namely the Spyder, the Speedster and also the Porsche 550 Spyder. The Boxster went through minor body revision in 2003, in which one of the differences was the replacement of the plastic rear window with a glass one.

Car and Driver magazine has included the Porsche Boxster 986 in its annual Ten Best list from 1998 to 2003.