⑤ Boxster Clutch and Manual Gearbox

Our Boxster has a manual transmission, so it may not be the sort of car everyone can use as a daily driver without a second thought. But lately, I’ve been finding the Boxster’s manual controls quite easy to use (even though I used to complain endlessly about how difficult it was, lol)

The clutch in the 981 Boxster is on the heavy side—noticeably heavier than the one in the 991.2 911 GT3. But once you get used to it, the bite point is easy to find. And because the clutch has a bit of weight to it, I find it easier to make fine adjustments.

In the GT3, making a slow turn through an intersection in second gear can sometimes feel a little tricky, but the Boxster handles it with ease. When I asked my husband, he said:

The GT3 has taller gearing, and not much low-end torque to make up for it.

The Boxster is also more forgiving when pulling away on a gentle slope. There have been times when I’ve fumbled the controls and thought, “That would definitely have stalled the GT3,” but the Boxster keeps going. So around town, I find it much easier and less demanding to manage the clutch in the Boxster than in the GT3. (Though my husband says it’s just a matter of getting used to the GT3, too.)

I used to say, “The Boxster’s manual is hard to drive. The clutch is so heavy, it feels like a workout, and I stall all the time.” So who am I to claim it’s easy to drive now? lol. But it just goes to show that driving a manual is, above all, a matter of getting used to it.

The Verdict

The Boxster’s ride isn’t too harsh, and it’s easy to drive without having to worry too much. There’s plenty of room for luggage in the trunks, too, so a weekend hot-spring getaway for two would be no problem.

And, of course, the Boxster’s greatest appeal is the option to drive with the top down. Even on an ordinary errand, lowering the roof transforms the drive into something special and makes a quick trip to the neighborhood shops fun. That day, I wanted to drive with the top down, so I asked my younger daughter, “Want me to put the top down?” She stubbornly refused—“No! No!”—so we had to keep it up… lol.

The Boxster is perfectly capable of everyday duty, but these days I often need to take both of our children with me. That means I don’t get many chances to drive our two-seater, which is a shame.

It does make me wonder, “A 911 Carrera Cabriolet that seats four and has a retractable roof would be amazing… but they don’t offer a manual anymore, do they?” That’s the sort of thought that’s been drifting through my mind lately.