Item: Used Porsche Boxster 2012-2016
Rating: 5
Author: What Car? Team

<p>The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/tt/coupe/used-review/n814">Audi TT</a> 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.</p>

<p>The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/m2/coupe/review/?aq=BMW%20%20M2&amp;amp;type=review&amp;amp;src=SearchDropdown&amp;amp;oq=bmw%2520m2">BMW M2</a> 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.</p>

<p>The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/slc/sports/review/?aq=Mercedes-Benz%20%20SLC&amp;amp;type=review&amp;amp;src=SearchDropdown&amp;amp;oq=mercedes-benzslc">Mercedes-Benz SLC</a> 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.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/classifieds/used-cars/porsche/boxster-981-12-16">Find a used Porsche Boxster in the What Car? Classifieds here</a></strong></p>

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<p>This being the third generation model, a lot of the problems associated with the earlier cars were ironed out by the time this one appeared. Engines are generally reliable, though proper servicing and oil changes are vital, and there have been reports of issues with the quality of the paintwork.</p>


<p>This version of the Boxster has an excellent reputation for good reliability, with remarkably few reported problems, and those that have been reported being of a minor nature. Porsche as a brand finished 15th out of 32 manufacturers in our most recent reliability survey, a poorer result than we’d usually expect of the marque.</p>

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Sports

<p dir="ltr">Porsche is best known as the quintessential sports car maker, but its line-up is increasingly diverse, interesting and successful, from its SUV family to the Panamera hatchback and shooting brake and, in time, a planned family of electric vehicles.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Whatever your choice, What Car?’s testers rate the cars highly; Porsche has an unusually high percentage of five and four-star cars.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Without exception, its sports cars are class leaders or among the class leaders, standing out for combining driving thrills with surprising luxury and comfort. Likewise, its SUVs are among the sharpest handling, as well as offering high levels of practicality and quality. Meanwhile, the Panamera is a true rival to the very best large executive saloons.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Porsche also sees itself as an electric car pioneer and has already enjoyed sales success with its plug-in hybrid range. Its first all-electric sports car is imminent, signalling the firm’s intent to stay relevant for many years to come.</p>


PORSCHE

BOXSTER

<p>The Porsche Boxster is sensational to drive and beautifully built. It’s one of the best open-top sports cars</p>


Used Porsche Boxster 2012-2016

<p>It won’t be cheap. 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. All third-generation Boxsters will have been registered before April 2017’s tax band changes and will therefore attract a high annual charge due to their CO2 levels. Insurance is likewise high, with groupings of 44 and 46.</p>

<p>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’.</p>

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The Porsche Boxster is sensational to drive and beautifully built. It’s one of the best open-top sports cars 


<p>Entry to the third-gen Boxster club starts at around £25,000, at the time of writing. This will buy you a good 2012 car with an average mileage for the year and a service history, bought privately or from a trader. Expect to pay somewhere between £26,000 and £30,000 for a 2013 car with all the same criteria but bought from an independent dealer, while upping the ante to between £30,000 and £35,000 should net you a clean 2013/14 car. Over £35,000 starts to see the uprated ‘S’ model, and cars for sale through Porsche dealers.</p>


<p>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.</p>

<p><strong>Our favourite Porsche Boxster:</strong> 3.4 S</p>

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Ride comfort shouldn’t be sacrificed at the altar of handling sharpness</li> <li>Plenty of power from a melodic engine</li> <li>Handling that doesn’t come at the expense of a back-breaking ride​​​​​</li> <li> <p>Practicality is not essential but nice to have</p> </li></ul>

<p>Driving fun is right at the top of any sports car buyer's priority list, and every one of our award candidates has backroad entertainment coded into its DNA.</p>

<p>The Mazda MX-5 embodies sports-car spirit without wearing an exotic price tag, and has deservedly gained a strong following over the years. Much newer to the scene is the mid-engined Alpine A110. It may carry a name from the past, but this potent, mid-engined sports car was designed with the very latest lightweight thinking.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rounding off our shortlist, though, is a name that'll be familiar to even those to whom sports cars hold little interest. The Porsche 911 was born an icon in 1964, and the latest generation bridges the gap between sports car and supercar. Yet, somehow, it manages to preserve a distinctly civilised character.</p>

<p>This is a sports car so watch out for signs of hard use. Black smoke from the exhaust is not a good sign and check the bodywork for any dings and scuffs, keeping an eye open for any obvious replacement panels. Check the alloy wheels for kerb damage, too. Also check the operation and condition of the folding hood.</p>


<p>Those after a prestige badge and a brilliant sports car should look no further than the Porsche Boxster. This third-generation model won almost universal acclaim, from those who drove it as well as from those who merely aspired to it.</p>

<p>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. 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’. 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 option.</p>

<p>With so much right with it, there must be something wrong, but apart from its heavy-ish fuel consumption and slight meanness over standard equipment we can’t think of one.</p>

<p>New, this is a five-star car, and as a used buy, with suitably lower purchase prices and backed by Porsche’s legendary build quality and reasonable reputation for reliability, it if anything seems to make even more sense.</p>

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Used Porsche Boxster 2012-2016 review

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Used Porsche Boxster 2012-2016 review

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