Best Reviewed
Convertibles
- Best premium four-seat convertible 2011 BMW 3 Series Convertible *Est. $45500
- Best premium roadster 2011 Porsche Boxster *Est. $47600
- Bargain four-seat convertible 2011 Ford Mustang Convertible *Est. $27145
- Best roadster value 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata *Est. $23110
Get info about new reports and updates
2011 Porsche Boxster
Best premium roadster
- Superb handling
- Powerful
- Fuel efficient
- Two trunks give good cargo space
- Power top folds away fast
- New Spyder wows reviewers
- Soft-top only
- Options get pricey, fast
- Spyder may be too hardcore for some
- Spyder's manual top is complex
The 2011 Porsche Boxster (MSRP $47,600 to $61,200) continues primarily unchanged from its 2010 counterpart. The lone exception is the addition of the new 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder (Base MSRP: $61,200), a lightweight, more hardcore version of the Boxster that is targeted directly at enthusiasts. For a comprehensive analysis of reviewers' opinions as they pertain to the Boxster family in general, see our full report on the 2009 Porsche Boxster (*Est. $46,600 to $56,700).
The new 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder does away with the power, convertible soft top used in the standard Boxster and Boxster S models. Instead, a more complicated manual top is used to reduce weight. The Spyder is designed to be primarily a top-down vehicle, with the roof there as a backup for when weather calls for its use. The top cannot be raised or lowered without exiting the car.
Another nod to the lightweight theme is seen in the Spyder's door panels. Fabric door-release pulls are used inside in lieu of traditional handles. The Boxster Spyder's standard spec omits amenities such as a radio and air conditioning, though they can be added as options.
The Boxster Spyder's horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine is more powerful than the one used in the Boxster S, delivering 320 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy remains impressive for a sports car at 19 to 20 mpg city and 27 to 29 mpg highway, depending on transmission selection -- the same as the base Boxster. The Boxster S has the same city ratings as the other two cars, and it gets 26 to 29 mpg on the highway.
While the Boxster Spyder may be too hardcore for many drivers, enthusiast testers adore it. Sam Smith, reviewing the Spyder for Jalopnik.com, summarizes the car's dynamics by saying, "A base Carrera is not this friendly. A GT3 is not this forgiving. No 911 pivots this well. This is the best-handling car Porsche currently makes, which puts it high in the running for best-handling new car, period."
As for the standard Boxster and Boxster S, they receive minor tweaks for 2011, including standard Bluetooth and a universal audio interface. The only other changes are some new option packages and paint colors. Otherwise the two lower-tier Boxster models are primarily the same as the 2010 Porsche Boxster (Base MSRP: $47,600 to $58,000).
Standard safety equipment in the Porsche Boxster lineup includes a full complement of airbags, traction control, stability control and ABS with brake assist. Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety have crash tested the Boxster.
Our Sources
1. AOL Autos
AOL Autos provides a brief overview of the 2011 Boxster, covering the model-year changes as well as providing prices, fuel-economy info and useful specs.
Review: 2011 Porsche Boxster, Editors of AOL Autos
2. Jalopnik.com
Sam Smith falls in love with the Boxster Spyder, saying the concessions it makes in the name of weight savings and improved performance pay off. He calls the Boxster Spyder Porsche's best-handling car.
Review: 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder: First Drive, Sam Smith, June 3, 2010
An invaluable review resource, MotorMouths.com editors read and score reviews for just about every car from every imaginable publication and website. It is unique in that it also invites vehicle owners to rate the credibility of reviewers themselves -- and one must enter a valid VIN for a car being reviewed before he or she is able to rate the critic's take on it. MotorMouths.com provides links to several reviews of the Porsche Boxster, across different model years.
Review: Porsche Boxster, Editors of MotorMouths.com
4. FuelEconomy.gov
No matter which Porsche Boxster model you select, expect to see 17 to 19 mpg in city driving, and 26 to 29 mpg on the highway -- admirable numbers for a sports car. This website has efficiency ratings for all cars sold in the U.S., and you can sort by category lists, look up individual models or compare different models head-to-head.
Review: 2011 Porsche Boxster, Boxster S and Boxster Spyder, Editors of FuelEconomy.gov
With the exception of the addition of the new Boxster Spyder, the 2011 Porsche Boxster differs very little from the 2009 version, so this comprehensive analysis remains valid. Links to reputable third-party resources and reviews are included.
Review: 2009 Porsche Boxster, Editors of ConsumerSearch.com, Aug. 2009
Convertibles Runners Up:
8 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…
5 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Car and Driver…
4 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Car and Driver…
4 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…
4 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov…
4 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…
3 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…