[rondocap]

I think many of us on here are car enthusiasts, and I define that simply as one who pays extra attention to cars and enjoys driving - sometimes for no particular reason but just to drive.

I've always liked trying different cars. I think perhaps this passion started accidentally - my first car years ago was an older, used Mercedes C280 W202 - but it was the "sport" model, with a few extra things here and there. That made me start to love driving. At first, I followed the path of wanting more power - got a used S55 AMG, which had plenty.

Then, as it got to 180k miles (I drive a lot!) I decided to turn it in on a MK6 GTI. It was DSG, and this car was a revelation to me - not particularly fast, but it was the best handling car I had owned up to date and was very nimble, plus it was the first time I was interactive with a car's transmission. As much as I enjoyed the car, a few shortcomings like poor build quality, front wheel drive constant wheel spin, and being 2 doors made me want to change it fairly quickly.

Next came my BMW 335i sedan, which I still own. To me, this car is the perfect combination of the GTI and S55 that I had; nimble, handles well, but still powerful and comfortable. The torque on the highway and elsewhere is amazing. Note that this car is also, like my previous cars, an automatic - it has paddles and a pretty fast transmission.

Just a preface - I really don't care what brand a car is. I get cars based on their performance, appeal to me, and things of that nature. It just so happens that the best cars in the world are also from the more exclusive brands, like BMW, Porsche, etc.

I always had a desire to own a manual car, and obviously if it was a Porsche that made it even better. So, in I went with a 2001 base in great condition. It was sort of a test, a gamble if you will. I just wanted to try it, and I figure I could just turn around and sell it as it's not that expensive if I did not like it. A temporary idea, if you will.

At first, it was awkward mainly due to the reason that I had only sporadically driven manual cars - so this was really my first. Not much pleasure in the first month here; just constant practice to get better.

Many stalls in traffic, sweaty hands and fogging up the windows as a line of cars honked behind me whilst I stalled 2-3 times. This happened too many times in my first month, but I kept at it - driving it on every occasion. Oh, not to mention the rattles and noises that would come out too. Certainly not refined compared to the BMW - which by this time, felt like a Rolls Royce compared to the Boxster in all regards.

But, I kept on, because I knew the process was rewarding and eventually I would need to first master my own skill before I could start to really enjoy the car. I started with trying not to stall going to 1st from a stop, that was my first priority. Next, came smooth shifts throughout the gears. 3rd, came learning how to downshift and rev match. Lastly, heel -toe which I can do by rolling my foot to the gas, and it seems to work pretty well.

As I learned these - I got to be more comfortable driving the manual aspect of the car, and started to pay more attention to how the car actually felt. Over 5k the engine is glorious, and while no where near as fast as the BMW - it is somehow more exciting. So much more visceral.

How can I best describe it? All of the controls in the car feel amazing while driving. The steering is great, shifting from one gear to the other feels great to the touch, and the progressive way the engine makes power just feels so natural. The BMW, while still great and better in some respects - starts to feel a bit artificial compared to the purer driving experience in the Boxster.

I had my eyes on an M3 in the future - but now I have shifted my attention towards these cars. My 01 base is so satisfying that I am even afraid of getting a newer Boxster - even an S - and not having the same purity. My fear is compounded by the thought of a 911 Carrera - as much as I like it, will it really be as fun to drive as this base, no frills Boxster?

To sum it up, this is where I am at in my journey. I feel the Boxster has made me a better driver, more skilled, and more aware. Now I view cars differently. A performance car for me is no longer one with just power (Like my S55 was), but it is one that communicates every aspect of driving to you in a lively manner.

This little car caught me by surprise. I think it is pretty much how people love the Subaru BRZ that came out recently - cheap, but offers that old school driving experience.

I used to read about it - but now I am experiencing it and am starting to know what it feels like.