986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners - View Single Post - Differences between Boxsters through the years

Brucelee · 01-25-2005, 05:55 PM

Here is a start!

Highlights

An "entry-level" Porsche debuted for 1997, serving as the company's reply to popularity of "retro" 2-seaters. First previewed four years earlier as a show car, introduced after the start of the 1997 model year, it was the company's first all-new model in 19 years. Named in part for the flat "boxer" (horizontally opposed) configuration of its midmounted water-cooled engine, the Boxster was a 2-passenger roadster. Porsche intended to compete against the Mercedes-Benz SLK and BMW Z3, and perhaps attract a few buyers who might otherwise fall for a Mazda Miata (which cost considerably less). Mounted just behind the cockpit, Boxster's 2.5-liter dual-overhead-cam 6-cylinder produced 201 horsepower and drove the rear wheels through either a 5-speed manual gearbox or an optional 5-speed "Tiptronic" transmission--an automatic that permitted manual shifting. A power-operated soft top and antilocking 4-wheel disc brakes were standard. Most maintenance work had to be done from the underside. The only other service access consisted of a behind-the-seats port for checking coolant level and replenishing engine oil. High-performance Z-rated 16-inch tires were wider in back than up front. The power top fit behind a hard cover. One small trunk sat at each end of the car, offering combined capacity of 9.1 cubic feet of lockable cargo space. Options included 17-inch wheels/tires, traction control, and a cockpit "wind blocker." A 55-pound aluminum hardtop also was available, as was a roof storage system for toting skis or bicycles (with the top up or down). An automatic child-seat detection system could be dealer installed.

Year-to-Year Changes

1998 Porsche Boxster: Two safety-related changes marked the 1998 season: standard door-mounted side airbags, and an optional child-seat detection system. The latter system automatically deactivated right-side airbags when a special child safety seat was installed.
1999 Porsche Boxster: Nothing of consequence changed for 1999 with Porsche's "entry-level" model.

2000 Porsche Boxster: A new high-performance Boxster S model debuted this year, while the base engine grew a bit and gained power. The base engine grew to 2.7-liter displacement and 217 horsepower (up 16). A 250-horsepower, 3.2-liter flat 6-cylinder engine went into the new Boxster S, which used a new 6-speed manual transmission and 18-inch tires (optional on the base model to replace the usual 17-inchers). The Boxster S also benefited from larger brake discs, suspension upgrades, and dual exhaust outlets.

2001 Porsche Boxster: Newly optional for 2001 was the Porsche Stability Management antiskid system. Boxster also got revised gauges, new standard electric front and rear trunk releases, softer rollbar coverings, and LED "orientation lights."

2002 Porsche Boxster: The few additions for 2002 included an in-dash cupholder in place of a clip-on, and an in-trunk emergency release.

2003 Porsche Boxster: Base engine gained 11 horsepower to 228 and S engine gained 8 to 258. A glass rear window replaced plastic in the convertible top. All models got modified front air intakes, body-color vs. black side scoops, and "smoked" plastic turn-signal lenses. Climate controls are relocated and Boxster's first conventional dashboard glovebox is added.

01-25-2005, 05:55 PM	#3
Brucelee Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 8,083	Here is a start! Highlights An "entry-level" Porsche debuted for 1997, serving as the company's reply to popularity of "retro" 2-seaters. First previewed four years earlier as a show car, introduced after the start of the 1997 model year, it was the company's first all-new model in 19 years. Named in part for the flat "boxer" (horizontally opposed) configuration of its midmounted water-cooled engine, the Boxster was a 2-passenger roadster. Porsche intended to compete against the Mercedes-Benz SLK and BMW Z3, and perhaps attract a few buyers who might otherwise fall for a Mazda Miata (which cost considerably less). Mounted just behind the cockpit, Boxster's 2.5-liter dual-overhead-cam 6-cylinder produced 201 horsepower and drove the rear wheels through either a 5-speed manual gearbox or an optional 5-speed "Tiptronic" transmission--an automatic that permitted manual shifting. A power-operated soft top and antilocking 4-wheel disc brakes were standard. Most maintenance work had to be done from the underside. The only other service access consisted of a behind-the-seats port for checking coolant level and replenishing engine oil. High-performance Z-rated 16-inch tires were wider in back than up front. The power top fit behind a hard cover. One small trunk sat at each end of the car, offering combined capacity of 9.1 cubic feet of lockable cargo space. Options included 17-inch wheels/tires, traction control, and a cockpit "wind blocker." A 55-pound aluminum hardtop also was available, as was a roof storage system for toting skis or bicycles (with the top up or down). An automatic child-seat detection system could be dealer installed. Year-to-Year Changes 1998 Porsche Boxster: Two safety-related changes marked the 1998 season: standard door-mounted side airbags, and an optional child-seat detection system. The latter system automatically deactivated right-side airbags when a special child safety seat was installed. 1999 Porsche Boxster: Nothing of consequence changed for 1999 with Porsche's "entry-level" model. 2000 Porsche Boxster: A new high-performance Boxster S model debuted this year, while the base engine grew a bit and gained power. The base engine grew to 2.7-liter displacement and 217 horsepower (up 16). A 250-horsepower, 3.2-liter flat 6-cylinder engine went into the new Boxster S, which used a new 6-speed manual transmission and 18-inch tires (optional on the base model to replace the usual 17-inchers). The Boxster S also benefited from larger brake discs, suspension upgrades, and dual exhaust outlets. 2001 Porsche Boxster: Newly optional for 2001 was the Porsche Stability Management antiskid system. Boxster also got revised gauges, new standard electric front and rear trunk releases, softer rollbar coverings, and LED "orientation lights." 2002 Porsche Boxster: The few additions for 2002 included an in-dash cupholder in place of a clip-on, and an in-trunk emergency release. 2003 Porsche Boxster: Base engine gained 11 horsepower to 228 and S engine gained 8 to 258. A glass rear window replaced plastic in the convertible top. All models got modified front air intakes, body-color vs. black side scoops, and "smoked" plastic turn-signal lenses. Climate controls are relocated and Boxster's first conventional dashboard glovebox is added.