Handling
With new Bilsteins,Bridgstone Potanzas,The car feels like there is no breaking point.Steering has good feedback and lets you know when your at the edge.This suspension can handle much more horsepower than Porsche gave it.Fun,Fun.Fun.
Fuel economy
Running the hills mostly safe speeds,and an occasional sprint or push through the corners I average 25 mpg/29 hwy.I think on a long boring drive possibly 32mpg
Safety & braking
Airbags,frt. and side,PORSCHE BRAKES, what else can you say except for a lot of brake dust ( clean every couple of drives )And powerful stopping even better on the Boxster S
Materials & workmanship
Workmanship is very good,the car remains solid after 9 years.Occassional lube of door seals car has been trouble free so far.Stereo is garbage.Replaced with Alpine ,WOW.Interior is not very refined,seats marginal.
Driving position & visibility
Seat position is very good.Top down no blind spots,top up there are blind spots.
Reliability & durability
No complaints so far.Rumors of 2000 to 2008 motors have a 27 percent chance of blowing due to faulty design of a two piece crankshaft.However many ,many Boxsters have up to 175,000 on them
Front seat support & comfort
Seat is too small,does not give much support in "G" corners.Not much padding.
Controls and instruments
Headlight switch is confusing.
Insurance cost
Insurance is the same as my Corvette was,I would guess because of the high price for replacement parts.They do seem to hold a price then drop at about 4 years.
Powertrain performance
If you want to play,then the Boxster S is what you want.The base Boxster teases you with enough ,but not the wow factor for acceleration.But after driving a new Vette,not much can match that acceleration feel.