2000 Porsche Boxster Convertible

Boxster looks clean, purposeful, and pure Porsche. From the front, the Boxster looks just like the 911, and in fact they share front-end sheet metal. But from the rear, it suggests a blend of a couple of ancestors from the 1950s, specifically Porsche\'s 356 Speedster and 550 Spyder. Naturally, the proportions are different between Boxster and 911. The Boxster is a mid-engine car. Unlike the rear-engine 911, the Boxster engine is mounted ahead of the rear axle -- rather than over the rear axle or behind it. This mid-engine configuration yields excellent weight distribution. Just as important, it puts most of the car\'s mass between the front and rear axles, a big asset when making rapid maneuvers; and that\'s what cars like this are all about. Riding a 95-inch wheelbase and measuring 171 inches overall, the Boxster is about 10 inches longer than the BMW Z3 and Mercedes-Benz SLK. It\'s also a bit wider, with a wider rear track. Fortunately, the extra dimensions do not translate to a weight penalty. The basic Boxster scales in just over 2,800 pounds, which is a little lighter than its competitors; the S model weighs just 55 pounds more than the base.