A Long-Awaited Drive in the Boxster

The other day, I had the chance to drive the Porsche Boxster (981 Boxster GTS) again after quite some time.

Recently, I’ve mostly been driving the Carrera T delivered at the end of May, but one day my husband came home in the Boxster and said, “This is truly fun! It’s just too much fun!” He spoke about its joy as if it were the delivery day all over again, so I decided to take it for a spin myself after a long break.

So, this time I’d like to share my impressions from driving the Boxster again after a while.

1. The Stunning Engine Sound

The engine sound of the 981 Boxster GTS is simply magnificent. When switching to Sport Plus mode, the sound rising from the engine is like a musical instrument.

When accelerating onto the highway, the sound becomes even more powerful and rich. Beyond a musical instrument, it’s like a beast roaring (laughs).

The whole car is enveloped in that resonance.

This thrilling engine sound is the main reason my husband can’t let go of the 981 Boxster GTS, and I’m sure it will be the biggest appeal for anyone considering getting one in the future.

No matter how many times you experience it, the freshness and comfort of that sound stand out—it truly feels like the soul of the Boxster.

2. Smooth Ride Comfort

The moment you sit in the Boxster’s driver seat, you feel a solid connection to the road, yet the ride is soft and smooth. The Boxster absorbs road imperfections skillfully, but its softness isn’t too loose—it strikes just the right balance.

On the other hand, the Carrera T gives you an immediate sense of firmness and sure-footedness just by sitting down, and the confidence while driving might be higher in the Carrera T.

However, both cars have their own unique charm in ride comfort, each offering a distinct interpretation of what “comfortable” means.

3. Exquisite Handling

Unlike the precise, incisive handling of the Carrera T (992), the Boxster’s handling has a bit of looseness, and that looseness makes it feel exquisitely pleasant.

Especially on gentle curves along regular roads, you can drive smoothly and rhythmically.

The connection to the road is solid and stable, but the handling isn’t overly sharp or too soft to cause unease. That balance is very comfortable.

4. Surprisingly Easy Manual Clutch Operation

When I was still getting used to manual driving, the clutch felt heavy, but this time it felt like a completely different experience.

The clutch is deep and heavy, but that actually makes it easier to modulate perfectly.

You can clearly feel where the clutch engages.

On city streets, there was almost no shift shock. (Though during highway merges and acceleration, there was a slight jerk.)

One thing though, the Boxster’s shift lever is longer than the Carrera T’s, so at first it felt a bit awkward. Generally, a shorter manual shift lever makes for quicker, easier operation.

That said, this is only when compared to the Carrera T—if you only drive the Boxster, you probably won’t notice any awkwardness.

Looking Forward to a Long Drive in the Boxster

After several months away, I was reminded of the Boxster’s soft, smooth ride and its incredible engine sound that you can enjoy over and over again. What would otherwise be just a trip becomes an exquisite experience.

I reaffirmed that the Boxster is truly an emotional and fun car.

While the Carrera T is also a wonderful car, the kind of joy the Boxster offers is completely different—it speaks to your emotions so much that you can’t help but smile.

Once the season cools down a bit more, I’d love to take the Boxster on a long drive.

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