The 6th Year of Our 981 Boxster GTS

Our Boxster just passed its second inspection this November. Until now, my husband used to say things like, “I wonder if the time will come to part with the Boxster someday…” But as he’s driven it more, he’s discovered new joys and charms, kept up with maintenance, continued the extended warranty… I think he’s finally decided to keep it for the long haul.

That said, he rarely drives the Porsche on weekdays to commute. Because, as he says, “It’s a waste to rack up mileage on the commute,” he uses his Note e-POWER NISMO S for work.

But even without driving it much on weekdays, the mileage keeps climbing… which makes you wonder just how much he’s driving it on weekends…

Recently, after the Boxster’s inspection was done, my husband took it to work for the first time in a while. When he got home, he said:

The Boxster is amazing, seriously awesome. On the highway home, I switched to Sport Plus mode and deliberately downshifted one gear at a time from 6th to 5th, 4th, then 3rd before flooring it. The roar of the engine was incredible and felt so good. Honestly, this car’s sports exhaust is the best!
I almost want Porsche to name the option “Ascension Exhaust” (laughs).
The ride is smooth and easy to handle, the manual controls feel like an extension of my own hands and feet — it’s just perfect!

He sounded as thrilled as if the Boxster had just been delivered, but I couldn’t help but laugh.

That’s because I’ve heard this exact speech from him dozens of times before.(Being from Kansai, I’d love to say it’s thousands of times, but that might be pushing it a bit, haha.)

When I said, “You say the same thing every time (laughs). It’s like a broken record, always discovering the same things as if for the first time, and it cracks me up,” he replied:

Yeah, I know that myself (laughs). I get it, but I’m just an idiot who gets amazed every single time. When I drive the 992, I feel like, “Compared to the solid feel of the 992, the Boxster’s suspension is a bit too soft, huh?” And when I drive the GT3, I think, “The Boxster handles well, but it’s not quite at that level.” But once I’m back in the Boxster, I’m like, “This is it, this is the best!!“

He said that with a laugh.

It’s a matter of personal taste, but the engine sound of the 981 Boxster GTS really is something special. The other day, when I drove the Boxster all the way to Hokuriku, I found myself grinning ear to ear while listening to the engine roar echoing through an empty tunnel on the Maizuru Expressway as I downshifted and accelerated.

The Boxster is definitely a car that makes you feel happy while driving and naturally brings a smile to your face.

How the 981 Boxster GTS Feels After Its Inspection

After its recent inspection and maintenance, the Boxster is in even better shape. When I asked my husband for his thoughts, he said:

This time, since we also replaced the spark plugs and battery, the engine revs more smoothly and lightly than ever before. It’s truly a joy to drive.
It’s not the sharpest or most powerful Porsche, but the lightness of the revs and the sound are just right. When you turn on the sports exhaust, it delivers a satisfying volume and thrilling sound even in the usual 1500–3000 rpm range.
In short, it’s moderately underpowered but with a great sound, plus outstanding ride comfort and handling. That’s what makes the 981 GTS so enjoyable even in city driving. I’ve driven many different Porsches lately, but every time I get behind the wheel of this one, I think, “What a great car.“

The more you drive a Porsche, the more you discover its charms. Amazing. I hope I get to drive it at least once more before the year ends!