Our 2016 Boxster

The 2016 Boxster GTS with a manual transmission in our garage was my husband’s first Porsche. Porsche is increasingly focused on efficiency, and the 911—and now the Boxster—has moved toward turbocharging and smaller engines. That makes the 2016 Boxster one of the last six-cylinder models, often described as the final naturally aspirated six-cylinder Boxster.(The current 718 Boxster has a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder.)

*Photo courtesy of Aitan Kai on Twitter, @ConeManLP826 .

The Day “Someday, I’ll Own a Porsche” Came True

My husband had wanted a Porsche ever since he was a student. Once owning one started to feel within reach, he was adamant: “I’m definitely getting a naturally aspirated six-cylinder model before they go turbo!” When delivery day finally arrived, he captured the moment in a blog post:

About 20 years after getting my driver’s license, the day has finally arrived. When I was younger, I always dreamed of owning a Porsche—and becoming someone who could afford one. Along the way, I often wondered if it was beyond my reach and told myself to stop dreaming about something so unrealistic.

On November 21, 2015, my new companion was born at Porsche’s Zuffenhausen factory in Stuttgart, Germany. After a long, long voyage by sea, it finally arrived in my hands. I never imagined I’d actually be able to buy one… My younger self, 20 years ago, would never have believed it.

My husband is usually so calm and reserved that he rarely lets his emotions show. I didn’t know he could write something so heartfelt. I’m genuinely happy for him—he deserves a big congratulations.

What’s His Favorite Thing About the Boxster GTS?

The 981 Boxster GTS comes with a sport exhaust system as standard, and my husband says it’s his favorite feature. Press the button—or select Sport or Sport Plus mode—and the exhaust flaps open, unleashing a wonderfully loud, soaring sound. It’s seriously loud, but he often says, “That’s a sound you just don’t get from a turbo.”

Is a Left-Hand-Drive Manual Really That Intimidating?

As for the handling, he says, “It carves through a bend, tracking the road precisely as if it’s glued to the surface. It feels just like making a perfect turn on carving skis.” I know what he means, even from behind the wheel of our Panamera. But I had to ask: “Isn’t it intimidating to drive a left-hand-drive car with a manual transmission?”

“In a foreign car, the turn-signal stalk is on the left. In a right-hand-drive car, that means you’re using your left hand for both shifting and signaling, which can make things more complicated. With the steering wheel on the left, I can shift with my right hand, and that feels more natural and secure. It’s no problem at all.”

I’ve also read that when quick, precise movements matter, using your dominant hand can be more reliable. It takes practice, of course, but keep working on those wrist movements and operating the shifter with your left hand can become second nature. That makes sense.

Why the 981 Boxster Is Such a Special Car

My husband has also put it this way:

There are plenty of cars faster than the Boxster, but I don’t know another car that delivers this much fun and makes driving feel this good. I want to keep this Boxster for as long as I can—right up until age catches up with me and I can no longer press the clutch. It’s that kind of car.

At a convertible owners’ meetup yesterday, someone apparently asked him, “Please, you have to sell me that Boxster!” He replied, “No way, this one…”—and looked pretty pleased with himself. (Laughs.)

Here’s the thing: my husband told me, “Get that ridiculous automatic-only restriction off your license before the Boxster arrives!” So about three years ago, I went to driving school with a bunch of university students and managed to get the restriction removed. But when I actually drove the Boxster around town, I stalled repeatedly on a hill start and ended up stopped in the middle of the road with my hazard lights on. The experience stuck with me, and I haven’t driven it since.

Still, I can drive a manual now, so I’m thinking I’ll set myself a goal of getting comfortable behind the wheel before the end of this year…