Riding the Boxster GTS After Several Months

One recent Sunday, since my mother-in-law was able to watch the kids, we went to the Royu Driveway in the morning, and then decided to head back there in the Boxster for about an hour in the afternoon.

I thought, “Wow, it’s been a long time since I last drove the Boxster,” so I checked my blog and realized it had actually been half a year.

…Seriously?! (ﾟдﾟ)!!

At first, my husband drove, but when I got behind the wheel of the Boxster again, I was surprised at how smooth the ride felt. Maybe it was because I had driven the GT3 earlier that day, but it felt incredibly smooth for a sports car. Also, compared to the GT3, the noise on regular roads was much quieter.

On the other hand, after driving the Panamera, the Boxster’s ride feels much stiffer and noisier, so depending on what car you’ve been driving (either just before or regularly), your impression of the next car can change drastically. (This is probably why test drive reviews can be so tricky.)

Boxster GTS @ Royu

After passing the toll booth on the Royu Driveway, my husband and I switched drivers.

The moment had finally arrived.

Actually, that morning I had driven the GT3 a little, but I was completely overwhelmed. While I didn’t stall repeatedly, I could barely manage starts and shifts, and the GT3’s intensity totally swallowed me up, so I ended up driving as slowly as if I were in a regular car (-_-).

Plus, it had been half a year since I last drove the Boxster—would I still be able to? I told myself, “But I drive a manual BMW 320i almost every day, so I should be fine!” and got into the driver’s seat.

The clutch was still as heavy as ever. After adjusting the seat and steering wheel, I opened the roof and put the Boxster in open-top mode. I clicked the gear lever a few times to practice and somehow felt like I could drive this time. I slowly started moving forward, and…

…Oh! I managed to start moving safely!(Though I guess it’s a bit silly to celebrate just starting the car every time, haha)

Before, I couldn’t grasp where the clutch engaged or the feel of the biting point, but this time I understood it immediately. I guess that’s the result of daily practice.

I shifted up to second and third gears, and unlike before, I was able to drive more by feel than by overthinking.

…Looks like I can really drive this!

Switching to Sport Plus mode with auto-blip ON, I raced up the twisty roads of the Royu Driveway. Every time I downshifted before a corner, the Boxster’s roar echoed with a “Vroooom Vroooom!!”.

This is insanely exhilarating!

Usually, I always stop at the Higashi Rokko Observatory after climbing the Royu mountain road, but this time I kept going and pushed the Boxster further. Entering a long straight tunnel, I shifted up through fourth and fifth gears while listening to the engine’s revs.

The Boxster GTS’s engine sound echoed throughout the tunnel. With the roof open, I could feel the Boxster with my whole body more than ever.

Wow!! This is the best!! (ﾟ∀ﾟ)!!

Overcome with emotion and excitement, I shouted,

What the heck! The Boxster is such an amazing car!! Why didn’t you tell me sooner!

My husband replied,

No, no, I’ve been telling you for four years that it’s an amazing car! And you’ve gotten a lot better at driving. It feels like the Boxster is finally opening up to you.

That’s right. I’m not fully there yet, but I felt like “Well, I’ve finally reached the starting line, haven’t I?” and that the Boxster had somewhat accepted me.

Still, driving the Boxster with the top down feels unbelievably good…

My husband’s mentor, wata-san, often goes on long tours across the country, driving thousands of kilometers at a time, yet still says, “It feels so good, I still want to keep driving.” Before, I couldn’t understand that at all.

I thought he was crazy. But this time, I finally understood that feeling.

You want to keep driving, endlessly, forever.

While thinking that and feeling the wind, greenery, and the Boxster’s engine sound with my whole body, I was suddenly overwhelmed with emotion and almost brought to tears.

Oh no, I’m about to cry, tears are coming…!

My husband excitedly said,

Right?! You want to cry, don’t you?! The Boxster really is the best car! Mina, you finally get it!!

Honestly, from an outsider’s perspective, this must look like a conversation between two total car geeks… (-_-)

But that’s how deeply moved I was. By the way, here’s a video of that drive (I’m still bad at clutch control and half-clutching though):

今日の午後は、芦有ドライブウェイをボクスターGTSで走りました。ようやく、ここまでMT運転できるようになりました。オープンでボクスターを運転中、楽しすぎて、ほんとに涙が溢れそうに感動して、興奮した変な声が入ってます。#芦有ドライブウェイ #ボクスター #MT #ボクスターGTS #MT女子 pic.twitter.com/Lfh6jiEnMP

— Mina-Porsche Blogger (@Mina_Panamera) July 21, 2019

Heading Home in the Boxster

After about two round trips, we stopped at the Higashi Rokko Observatory before heading home, where we unexpectedly ran into a BMW owner who is a Twitter follower I had met that morning.

We laughed and chatted a bit, saying, “We think alike, huh?”

Grateful for the encounter, we headed home. (I got nervous thinking someone was watching and stalled the car when starting off, haha)

It’s been almost four years since I got my manual license, started driving manuals, and the Boxster came home. During that time, I often had my parents watch the kids so I could practice, but I just couldn’t drive it. For a long time, I thought, “It’s impossible. I’ll never be able to drive the Boxster.”

In fact, the title of my previous Boxster article was “Will the day come when I can master the Boxster?” (laughs)

ボクスターGTS(MT)を乗りこなせるようになる日は来るのか？-Vol.5

But then I decided, “This won’t do!” I bought a BMW 320i manual and practiced every day for about two months. Finally, I can drive the Boxster GTS (though I’m not fully mastering it yet).

Honestly, I’m so happy.

No matter your age, being able to do what you couldn’t before and feeling your own growth is truly wonderful. I never imagined that after 35 I’d keep challenging myself every year, but I believe age doesn’t matter for challenges, so I hope to keep trying new things.

By the way, I’m planning to debut on YouTube soon, so please look forward to that too.