Heh the finance office tells me I'm wasting my Box

[eslai]

Now hold on, the 1998 Boxster only had about 200 horses, right? I'd be more scared if a kid rolled up to the high school driving a new V8 Mustang, or a 350Z.

Back when I was in high school I remember guys rolling up with brand new Mustang 5.0's. That's the kind of car that entices impormptu stop light drag racing.

The boxster should be a nice, sporty ride, but it's not like someone just handed him keys to a deathmobile.

Enjoy the car, man. Just don't get too ballsy when you're turning!

Now, as for image though--Randall's right. I've commented on the effect of the badge before too. As long as your car is in good condition, people will still assume it was super-pricey and that you're some spoiled kid. Water off a duck's back.

[Perfectlap]

I've driven all manner of Mustang. the only people who get in trouble in those cars are bone heads. Like pulling the trigger on a .50 caliber hand gun.
A Boxster, even a 2.5 can get you into a lot of trouble. Once you get it going you start getting this false sense of security if you really don't know how to drive at those speeds. And by driving I mean actually turning the wheel past 45 degrees.

p.s.
Do the the autocross before you take a driving course. You'll learn 90% of what you will learn paying for $40 day of Autocross that you will learn paying 20X's that on a driving course. It will take longer with the Autocross because of the limited runs but as they say safe Autocross drivers make for safe track drivers.
And after one day of Autcross you will have become a 1000% better driver than the average bloke on the highway.