These cars are so underpowered. You get in trouble with the law in 3rd gear rather then second.

Clearly not worth the money they are going for.

Mine get compliments all the time.

Still waiting for someone to say something negative or a "I guess you couldn't afford a 911" comment so I can say been there done that twice and find the Boxster to be superior.

At this point a 1997-2000 Boxster costs the same or really less to own as a new 25,000 car. People worry about the maintenance costs when forgetting about the depreciation costs.

All cars depreciate about 10-15% per year. So a car costing 25K will go down about 2500-3500 in value in a year and add in 200 maintenance.

An early Boxster costs now about 10-12K. Over the last year prices have stopped falling. They are getting so close to parts value that they may not drop further. So let's say about 500-1000 depreciation per year plus maintenance of 1500-2000 per year.

It's highly likely to cost you less to own a Boxster and the Boxster even has a chance in 15 years of going up in value whereas the new car has no chance.

Of course the Boxster has a chance of dying but that's where the 1.5-2k per years goes - it can be used to maintain and restore the car and worst case you can sell it as a roller and still be ahead.

Now this analysis doesn't work for 20-45k Boxsters that are newer.

Initially in the parking lot at work I felt guilty when folks said, "You drive a Porsche!?" so I was a bit humble and told them that my 15 year old car only cost me less than a cheap KIA, but then I thought better of it and stopped telling how inexpensive it is and just agree with their high opinion of the car.

I'm still the only Porsche in a Parking lot of a couple hundred cars and I like it that way, because my car is "Special" and I am immediately considered a serious Driver and Enthusiast!

Thanks Porsche Marketing machine!

Well, I never thought of showing off with my Boxster, it was actually quite the opposite. In that matter I never cared about other people's opinion of what I like.

Retrospectively, I knew from day 1 how special the 986 was and realize even more now, what a pearl we got. To me it is a timeless classic, probably the only PORSCHE with a wonderful and unmatched interchangeability of parts/engines and designs (996 / Cayman).
Boxster 981 OEM Hardtop? Boxster 981 Cayman Hardtop? Boxster 981 with 991 gauges? Boxster 981 with a 991 engine? Even the 987 (not to mention 997 and 991) is not as versatile as a 986.

Ergo: The 986 is the most underrated Porsche. I realized that 15 years ago, other people might realize that in 15 years to come. :cheers:

Part of the problem is that most "car guys" are totally duped by marketing spin, not entirely their fault since they never get to drive more than a few cars unless they're in that line of work of reviewing cars or go out and get certified as instructors.

Whatever marketing spin Porsche put out, the public are sure to eat up. Here's a great exmaple. The Boxster has been setting the bar in its category from day one. If four guys came along in a Z3, SLK, Boxster and S2000 no one would say "oh it's only a Z3".
Nor does is it likely that someone has ever said "oh it's only an SLK", "oh it's only an S2000". But why do people say this about the best roadster Porsche sells? And ironically the best roadster you can buy? 100% Porsche B.S. marketing spin. Which is fine, that's Porsche's job to influence the public perception. The part that amazes is how people fall for it. I think it's that same part of the brain that is easily duped into believing one political parties or dishwasher detergent is better than another.

I didn't read all the comments on the article, but quite a few were very positive reviews of the Boxster.