The Porsche Boxster is the go-to affordable Porsche to buy for most people because it offers a really dynamic driving experience at a relatively affordable cost, at least regarding the brand it belongs to. There were quite a few Porsche Boxster models throughout the years and some of them are better than others. So, what was the worst year for the Porsche Boxster?
The worst Porsche Boxster year is 2003 as it manages to accumulate the highest amount of flaws and problems that arise throughout the car’s lifetime. The 2003 Boxster is the worst and that is a fairly well-known fact among Porsche enthusiasts. The 2000 Boxster is also fairly problematic, and so is the 2002 model.
The Boxster is a 2-seater mid-engine mounted compact sports car which sounds like a recipe for a lot of fun. However, if you are interested in buying one, you have to pay close attention to the overall state the car is in order not to waste your money.
Therefore, be sure to avoid these three model years as they are by far the worst Boxster years you can get. The Boxster is actually a reliable car for the most part, especially newer Boxster models, so that is where most of your attention should be focused on.
2003 Porsche Boxster
The 2003 Porsche Boxster is typically known to be the worst Boxster model yet because it suffers from the highest amount of problems and was part of three serious recalls. The 2003 Boxster suffers from many electrical issues such as issues associated with the exterior lighting, the stereo, the A/C, and the navigation system.
The engine itself is also a huge gripe as it often experiences issues with rattling, annoying noises, and even shaft bearing failures. The bearing issue is likely the worst one of them all because it is really difficult, time-consuming, and expensive to fix.
The 2003 Boxster has so many problems that it tainted the entire reputation of the 1st gen Porsche Boxster. The 2003model also has issues with the cooling system, various fluid leaks, and countless problems that occur on a smaller scale.
2000 Porsche Boxster
The 2000 Porsche Boxster is also one of the worst Boxster model years you can get for more or less the same reasons as the 2003 model. These include issues with the engine, the electricals, the fuel system, engine cooling, leaks, and issues with the exterior lightning which also increased the chances of ending up in an accident.
The 2000 Boxster was also part of various recalls and is still considered a fairly unreliable Porsche. Another issue worth mentioning is when the oil starts leaking into the cooling system directly. This ultimately leads to a water pump failure and issues with the water drainage system because the control unit also gets wet.
The engine itself is known to suffer from a lack of power from time to time which can be traced to countless engine-related issues. Some 2000 Boxster models also suffered from complete engine failure which is obviously a really serious issue.
2002 Porsche Boxster
The 2002 Porsche Boxster suffers from not nearly as many problems as the 2000 and 2003 models. However, the problem with the 2002 model is that it predominantly suffers from the engine and transmission-related issues which is enough for the car to be in the top three worst Boxster model years of all time.
In addition to this, the 2002 Boxster also suffers from electrical issues and was part of the same recall associated with exterior lighting issues. The engine itself sometimes suffers from bad IMS bearing issues which are known to cause lots of headaches for Porsche owners. Moreover, the 2002 Boxster also consumes a lot of oil due to leaks throughout the system.
The NHTSA also says that the 2002 Boxster suffers from various engine cooling issues which could cause the car to overheat and cause detrimental engine damage. The transmission system is interconnected with lots of brittle and low-quality cables that were known to break really early on and cause all sorts of failures with the transmission.
FAQ Section
Why do people buy the Porsche Boxster?
The reason why so many people are interested in buying the Porsche Boxster is that it offers a great driving experience, attractive looks, and a desirable badge at a reasonable price. The 911 is a lot more expensive than the Boxster in every generation while some even argue that it drives a lot better than the 911.
Besides this, the Boxster is actually a decently reliable car beside a few rather vulnerable model years. Therefore, buying a Boxster gives you the ability to enjoy a premium badge, a high-quality interior, a dynamic driving experience, and good looks. If you also add the ability to take the roof down into the equation, it’s no wonder why so many people love the Boxster.
Which Porsche Boxster model should I buy?
The two best Porsche Boxster models are undoubtedly the Boxster GTS and the Boxster Spyder. These two are best because they come with the best engines with the most power and a naturally aspirated construction. This ensures a linear power delivery that is known to be the best recipe for a Boxster/911 in general.
The Boxster GTS is the high mid-range model which means that it comes with most of the features you’d expect from the Boxster while the Boxster Spyder is the top-end model with all the bells and whistles. If you are not a huge fan of convertible cars, you should also consider the Porsche Cayman Coupe.
Is the Porsche Boxster better than the Porsche 911?
The Porsche 911 is the better car out of the two because it offers more of everything. The 911 is the staple Porsche sports car and is likely going to stay that way for quite a while. However, there are people that do prefer the Boxster over the 911, most of those people are die-hard mid-engine supercars fans.
Either way, the 911 is the better car in pretty much every aspect. It is better-looking, faster, more powerful, more luxurious, more practical, and a lot more popular.
