A driver's paradise
Thanks to these new engines, the Boxster is once again a formidable cruiser. Porsche came up with a route for us that is extraordinary for

(Photo: Amyot Bachand)

sports cars: the Tail of the Dragon. Imagine 318 curves on a distance of 17.7 km (11 miles). We traveled its length in a Boxster, and came back up the same route in a Boxster S. What a driving delight. While the Boxster is quite capable, the S is clearly superior, thanks to its passing power. In both cases, I could deactivate the PSM system (for Porsche Stability Management) which includes traction control and anti-lock brakes, and allows the car to better negotiate tight curve exits, hairpins and S-curves. Turn after turn, we become one with the car. Even my passenger had fun. We had the impression that we were aboard a roller coaster. We also had the opportunity to drive on a split-lane route to try out the car at very high speeds (at our own risk, of course). We can confirm that these cars are very stable at speed.

Roadsters above all

(Photo: Porsche)

There is no hardtop-convertible Boxster; Porsche wants it that way, since the ragtop is very tight and leak-free, and because the top mechanism can lower or rise it in 12 seconds, even when the car is moving at speeds up to 50 km/h. In addition, a hard top would use up trunk space, which wasn't what the manufacturer and customers wanted.

High desirability
I drove the Boxster in 2005 and kept fond memories from it. The same goes for the 2007 models. Their increased horsepower and torque give

(Photo: Porsche)

them more punch. They keep all their excellent driving qualities and offer a good level of comfort. I preferred the S version for its passing power and its 6-speed gearbox. However, I wouldn't hesitate to choose the base Boxster, even if you have to row a bit more through the gears to keep the same pace. With the S, the curves come up very quickly; with the regular Boxster, we have a little more time to prepare for them. The asking price for these sports cars is quite high, but compared to the competition, they offer more storage space and more satisfying dynamic qualities. Check out the photo gallery for numerous pictures of the Tail of the Dragon!