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2005
Porsche Boxster

Starts at:
$43,800
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New 2005 Porsche Boxster
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 2dr Roadster
    Starts at
    $43,800
    18 City / 26 Hwy
    MPG
    2
    Seat capacity
    Gas Flat 6-cyl
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2dr Roadster S
    Starts at
    $53,100
    18 City / 27 Hwy
    MPG
    2
    Seat capacity
    Gas Flat 6-cyl
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

Photo & video gallery

2005 Porsche Boxster 2005 Porsche Boxster

Notable features

Redesigned for 2005
240- or 280-hp engine
Manual or automatic
Head-protection airbags

The good & the bad

The good

Handling and control
Performance, especially in Boxster S
Braking response
Pedigree
Overall driving pleasure

The bad

Top-up visibility
Rough ride on harsh pavement
Price, when options are chosen

Expert 2005 Porsche Boxster review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By Mark Glover
Full article
our expert's take

On life’s automotive menu, I’ll always think of the 2005 Porsche Boxster S convertible as the New York strip steak. Stick with me here; it’s going to make perfect sense.

When was the last time you were in a fancy restaurant and nearly gagged when you saw the filet mignon listed at $50? Although that is a prime cut of meat and perhaps exquisitely prepared, many of us simply cannot stand the thought of dropping half-a-hundred on a six-ounce portion of food.

And then you spot the New York strip steak for $30 – a comparative bargain, yet still providing a filling, delicious experience for the veteran steak eater. So it is with the Boxster S. It’s not a $90,000 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet or a $440,000 Porsche Carrera GT. Yet, you still get much of Porsche experience behind the wheel of a Boxster S with a starting price of $53,100.

And that experience includes whiplash acceleration, monorail-like handling and the option of blissful open-air motoring on warm Northern California days.

The Boxster S in my hands for a week listed at around $61,500, most of the extra cost ($3,200) wrapped up in Porsche’s technologically wondrous Tiptronic S transmission. The German automaker pioneered clutchless manual shifting. In its current evolvement, it’s a marvel.

The Tiptronic S gearbox can function as a basic five-speed automatic, which will rip you around with plentiful authority because it is hooked up to a 280-horsepower, flat-6 engine driving rear wheels and only about 3,000 pounds of hardware.

But snap the center console-positioned shifter one click to the left, and you are in manual mode with no clutch to dance upon. Now, you can zip up and down the gears via buttons on the steering wheel, feeling every bit like a world-class race car driver.

Response from the engine is dramatic. Accelerations are not firm run-ups but see-you-later blasts. Thankfully, heavyweight disc brakes at all four corners can tame the Boxster’s energy in an instant.

Given what the engine puts out, the Boxster S is equipped with a seriously sport-tuned suspension. The good news is that it holds the car in a rock-solid grip on hard corners taken at high speed. The bad news is that you feel every single highway imperfection in your spine.

Potholes and speed bumps are to be feared in the Boxster S. And for this reason, some passengers and drivers don’t like it. Those who do like it accept the bumps and love the handling. It’s a sports-car thing.

How does it look? Like a $100,000 piece of machinery. No Mercedes, no Lotus, no Bentley drew as many stares as the tested Boxster S. Paint a number of the sleek, low-riding droptop, and most would figure it for purpose-built racer.

Naturally, there are some drawbacks to this styling.

I thought folding my 6-foot-4-inch frame into the cockpit was a problem, but it was no worse than passengers who settled on falling backward into the right-front seat after several failed attempts to dive in nose-first.

Taking a long trip in the Boxster S? Better pack light. There’s 5 cubic feet in the front and 4.6 cubic feet in the back of the mid-engine car. Think overnight bag and a briefcase.

That mid-engine configuration also takes some getting used to. The rumble from the power plant massages your thighs much of the time, and engine fluids are added via receptacles in the back under the trunklid.

One surprise was rear vision, which I expected to be terrible. It’s not, thanks to a clever, nearly trapezoidal configuration in the convertible’s rear window. A glance in the rearview mirror offers a perfectly aimed, clear view of what’s going on behind the Boxster’s exhausts.

Blind spots on the side are another story. Look carefully before changing lanes – and make sure fellow motorists can see you. At only 51 inches high, it’s easy for a fast-moving Boxster S to get lost in a sea of high-riding vehicles.

All in all, this most-impractical of cars is a very enjoyable, horsepower-laden toy within the reach of budgets that might not otherwise allow even a second’s consideration of a Porsche.

It’s not rare, but it’s certainly well-done.

Porsche Boxster at a glance Make/model: 2005 Porsche Boxster S. Vehicle type: Two-passenger, mid-engine, rear-drive, two-door convertible.

Base price: $53,100 (as tested, $61,480).

Engine: 3.2-liter flat-6 with 280 horsepower at 6,200 revolutions per minute and 236 foot-pounds of torque at 4,700 rpm.

EPA fuel economy: 18 miles per gallon city; 26 mpg highway.

Transmission: Five-speed Tiptronic S with overdrive and clutchless manual-shifting feature.

Brakes: Power four-wheel, vented discs with anti-lock and other braking-enhancement features.

Suspension type: Independent, MacPherson strut-type with gas-pressure shock absorbers front and rear.

Cargo volume: 5 cubic feet in front; 4.6 cubic feet in rear.

Fuel tank: 16.9 gallons.

Curb weight: 3,053 pounds.

Front track: 58.5 inches.

Rear track: 60.2 inches.

Height: 51 inches.

Length: 171.6 inches.

Width: 70.9 inches.

Final assembly point: Uusikaupunki, Finland.

The Bee’s Mark Glover can be reached at (916) 321-1184 or mglover@sacbee.com.

2005 Porsche Boxster review: Our expert's take
By Mark Glover

On life’s automotive menu, I’ll always think of the 2005 Porsche Boxster S convertible as the New York strip steak. Stick with me here; it’s going to make perfect sense.

When was the last time you were in a fancy restaurant and nearly gagged when you saw the filet mignon listed at $50? Although that is a prime cut of meat and perhaps exquisitely prepared, many of us simply cannot stand the thought of dropping half-a-hundred on a six-ounce portion of food.

And then you spot the New York strip steak for $30 – a comparative bargain, yet still providing a filling, delicious experience for the veteran steak eater. So it is with the Boxster S. It’s not a $90,000 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet or a $440,000 Porsche Carrera GT. Yet, you still get much of Porsche experience behind the wheel of a Boxster S with a starting price of $53,100.

And that experience includes whiplash acceleration, monorail-like handling and the option of blissful open-air motoring on warm Northern California days.

The Boxster S in my hands for a week listed at around $61,500, most of the extra cost ($3,200) wrapped up in Porsche’s technologically wondrous Tiptronic S transmission. The German automaker pioneered clutchless manual shifting. In its current evolvement, it’s a marvel.

The Tiptronic S gearbox can function as a basic five-speed automatic, which will rip you around with plentiful authority because it is hooked up to a 280-horsepower, flat-6 engine driving rear wheels and only about 3,000 pounds of hardware.

But snap the center console-positioned shifter one click to the left, and you are in manual mode with no clutch to dance upon. Now, you can zip up and down the gears via buttons on the steering wheel, feeling every bit like a world-class race car driver.

Response from the engine is dramatic. Accelerations are not firm run-ups but see-you-later blasts. Thankfully, heavyweight disc brakes at all four corners can tame the Boxster’s energy in an instant.

Given what the engine puts out, the Boxster S is equipped with a seriously sport-tuned suspension. The good news is that it holds the car in a rock-solid grip on hard corners taken at high speed. The bad news is that you feel every single highway imperfection in your spine.

Potholes and speed bumps are to be feared in the Boxster S. And for this reason, some passengers and drivers don’t like it. Those who do like it accept the bumps and love the handling. It’s a sports-car thing.

How does it look? Like a $100,000 piece of machinery. No Mercedes, no Lotus, no Bentley drew as many stares as the tested Boxster S. Paint a number of the sleek, low-riding droptop, and most would figure it for purpose-built racer.

Naturally, there are some drawbacks to this styling.

I thought folding my 6-foot-4-inch frame into the cockpit was a problem, but it was no worse than passengers who settled on falling backward into the right-front seat after several failed attempts to dive in nose-first.

Taking a long trip in the Boxster S? Better pack light. There’s 5 cubic feet in the front and 4.6 cubic feet in the back of the mid-engine car. Think overnight bag and a briefcase.

That mid-engine configuration also takes some getting used to. The rumble from the power plant massages your thighs much of the time, and engine fluids are added via receptacles in the back under the trunklid.

One surprise was rear vision, which I expected to be terrible. It’s not, thanks to a clever, nearly trapezoidal configuration in the convertible’s rear window. A glance in the rearview mirror offers a perfectly aimed, clear view of what’s going on behind the Boxster’s exhausts.

Blind spots on the side are another story. Look carefully before changing lanes – and make sure fellow motorists can see you. At only 51 inches high, it’s easy for a fast-moving Boxster S to get lost in a sea of high-riding vehicles.

All in all, this most-impractical of cars is a very enjoyable, horsepower-laden toy within the reach of budgets that might not otherwise allow even a second’s consideration of a Porsche.

It’s not rare, but it’s certainly well-done.

Porsche Boxster at a glance Make/model: 2005 Porsche Boxster S. Vehicle type: Two-passenger, mid-engine, rear-drive, two-door convertible.

Base price: $53,100 (as tested, $61,480).

Engine: 3.2-liter flat-6 with 280 horsepower at 6,200 revolutions per minute and 236 foot-pounds of torque at 4,700 rpm.

EPA fuel economy: 18 miles per gallon city; 26 mpg highway.

Transmission: Five-speed Tiptronic S with overdrive and clutchless manual-shifting feature.

Brakes: Power four-wheel, vented discs with anti-lock and other braking-enhancement features.

Suspension type: Independent, MacPherson strut-type with gas-pressure shock absorbers front and rear.

Cargo volume: 5 cubic feet in front; 4.6 cubic feet in rear.

Fuel tank: 16.9 gallons.

Curb weight: 3,053 pounds.

Front track: 58.5 inches.

Rear track: 60.2 inches.

Height: 51 inches.

Length: 171.6 inches.

Width: 70.9 inches.

Final assembly point: Uusikaupunki, Finland.

The Bee’s Mark Glover can be reached at (916) 321-1184 or mglover@sacbee.com.

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
4 years / 50,000 miles
Corrosion
10 years
Powertrain
4 years / 50,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
4 years / 50,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
13 Years / 124,000 miles
Basic
2 years / unlimited miles after new-car limited warranty expires or from the date of sale if the new vehicle limited warranty has expired
Dealer certification
111-point inspection

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Consumer reviews

4.8 / 5
Based on 36 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.4
Interior 4.7
Performance 4.9
Value 4.7
Exterior 5.0
Reliability 4.5

Most recent

  • Most fun yet practical car

    I have had 3 Boxster s over the years and this one for over 10. Loved every minute driving it. Great pick up and handling plus two trunks to allow for hauling things. A real head turner. Just need to maintain it for it to keep running well. I'm only selling mine cause we moved down a dirt road and its too rutted for a sports car. I got it for a great price, so letting it go for thousands less than it's blue book.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    12 people out of 14 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Terrific handling

    Exemplary handling and driving experience. Well built and not costly to maintain as one might think. Lots of luggage space and creature comforts. Driving position and weight of controls is reference for many sports cars.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Massive performance for the price

    Car has amazing performance for the price. Comfort wise it is a bit lacking in the bells and whistles. Acceleration, braking, turning - incredible for the price.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    3 people out of 5 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Quality, Performance, and Reliability are great!

    Most fun possible! The feel, the sound, the balance are fantastic. I owned this car for 8 years. I can’t imagine another car that is more fun.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Careful of this year models IMS bearing issues

    Always wanted a Porsche. After purchasing was informed of the IMS bearing issues on this particular year, fortunately I had a later model 2005 that had the larger bearing and only needed slight modifications $1000 the full fix is around $3g. If it isn't modified there is a good chance of trashing the engine, $20 to $25g overhaul. All good now.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • fast, sporty, agile, sleak lines

    had a few sport cars..porsche, vette, triumph, bmw. Vette was the fastest but plastic interior except leather seats. Triumph was old school. BMW is fast and stylish and maybe the leader with the Porsche next. Porsche and Triumph are about the same size interior wise..need to be under 6ft tall..
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Best handling car at any price!

    Even as a daily driver, super fun to drive. Zip in and out of traffic. Easy to park. A real head-turner. Mine was solid reliable after 70K miles. Electric convertible top makes raising and lowering a snap. And that engine is soooo sweet a sound. Likes to be driven hard and doing so doesn't use more gas. I'm getting 25 mpg around town. My 2015, a 2nd gen "987" model, is even more refined than the 1st gen. Great handling, brakes, steering, acceleration, and sound. The flat 6 boxer engine sounds like stereo when hitting the gas. And this Porsche has both a front and rear trunk. Very cool. Highly recommended
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Bucket list Porsche

    I've always wanted this car since the first time I seen one. I told myself I would get one one day and after waiting over 10 years I finally decided to purchase one. I can't believe I waited so long down this car, but now that I have it it has been an absolute joy to drive everyday from highway to downtown traffic top up top down the cars amazing on all aspects. I couldn't afford the 911 but I feel like this was definitely a good compromise and well worth the value for what you're looking at there's a lot of different options but this one checked all the boxes. Best of all is I got the cross owning a Porsche off my bucket list, and I highly recommend getting yourself one!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Very reliable.

    I have been very pleased with the vehicle. Service and performance are great. Extremely happy with the vehicle. 5th Porsche over the years and very happy with it.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • very reliable and a dream to drive

    this car met all my expectation. It is very reliable, its body design is beautiful and for a convertible it is very quite in the road
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Classic Beauty

    Love it......... Classic and timeless style. I recently purchased a 2005 with 30k miles that is in the utmost pristine condition. Enjoying the 5 speed manual transmission, smooth gears with lots of torque. Very affordable luxury sports car.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • very good sports car.

    very good performance car from the pinnacle of German engineering. very good to use as a every day car. Loved driving it every day I'll definitely miss this car when I am selling it.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No

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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2005 Porsche Boxster?

The 2005 Porsche Boxster is available in 2 trim levels:

  • (1 style)
  • S (1 style)

What is the MPG of the 2005 Porsche Boxster?

The 2005 Porsche Boxster offers up to 18 MPG in city driving and 26 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 2005 Porsche Boxster?

The 2005 Porsche Boxster compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 2005 Porsche Boxster reliable?

The 2005 Porsche Boxster has an average reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2005 Porsche Boxster owners.

Is the 2005 Porsche Boxster a good Convertible?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2005 Porsche Boxster. 88.9% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.8 / 5
Based on 36 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.4
  • Interior: 4.7
  • Performance: 4.9
  • Value: 4.7
  • Exterior: 5.0
  • Reliability: 4.5

Porsche Boxster history

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