⑤ Boxster / Clutch Operation

Our Boxster is a manual transmission, so in that sense, it might not be the easiest for everyone to use casually every day… but lately I’ve felt that the Boxster’s manual operation is actually quite easy (even though I used to complain it was really difficult, haha).

The 981 Boxster’s clutch is on the heavier side. It’s noticeably heavier than the 911 GT3 (991.2). However, once you get used to it, the bite point is easy to find, and the heavier clutch actually makes fine adjustments easier.

Also, with the GT3, sometimes it’s a bit tough to slowly turn a corner in second gear at an intersection, but the Boxster handles that with ease. When I asked my husband, he said,

The GT3 has a taller gear ratio and, on top of that, the low-end torque is a bit weak, I think.

Also, when starting on a gentle slope, if you hesitate a bit, “That would definitely stall the GT3” but the Boxster holds on. So when driving around town, the Boxster’s clutch operation is clearly less demanding and more forgiving than the GT3’s. (Though my husband says it’s just a matter of getting used to the GT3.)

I used to always say, “The Boxster’s manual is tough. The clutch is heavy like doing muscle training. It stalls all the time.” So it’s funny that now I’m saying it’s easy to drive… haha. Basically, manual driving is just a “matter of getting used to it,” I realize again.

Final Thoughts

The Boxster’s ride isn’t too stiff, and you can drive it casually without much worry. It can carry quite a bit of luggage in the trunks, so I think it’s perfectly fine for a couple to take a one-night, two-day hot spring trip.

Also, the real joy of the Boxster is being able to drive with the top down. Even in everyday use, opening the roof instantly transforms the experience into something special, making even local shopping trips enjoyable. That day, I wanted to drive with the roof down and asked my younger daughter, “Want me to open the roof?” but she stubbornly refused, saying “No! No!” so I couldn’t open it… haha.

The Boxster is perfectly practical for everyday use, but for me right now, since I often travel with my two kids, it’s a shame I don’t get many chances to drive the two-seater Boxster.

Thinking about that, I sometimes find myself daydreaming, “A Carrera Cabriolet that seats four and has a convertible top would be amazing… but there’s no manual anymore, huh…” these days.