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2008
Porsche Boxster

Starts at:
$45,800
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New 2008 Porsche Boxster
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 2dr Roadster
    Starts at
    $45,800
    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
    $55,700
    18 City / 27 Hwy
    MPG
    2
    Seat capacity
    Gas Flat 6-cyl
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2dr Roadster S Limited Edition
    Starts at
    $59,900
    18 City / 27 Hwy
    MPG
    2
    Seat capacity
    Gas Flat 6-cyl
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2dr Roadster RS 60 Spyder
    Starts at
    $64,900
    18 City / 27 Hwy
    MPG
    2
    Seat capacity
    Gas Flat 6-cyl
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2dr Roadster S Design Edition 2
    Starts at
    $68,700
    18 City / 27 Hwy
    MPG
    2
    Seat capacity
    Gas Flat 6-cyl
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

Photo & video gallery

2008 Porsche Boxster 2008 Porsche Boxster 2008 Porsche Boxster 2008 Porsche Boxster 2008 Porsche Boxster 2008 Porsche Boxster 2008 Porsche Boxster 2008 Porsche Boxster 2008 Porsche Boxster 2008 Porsche Boxster 2008 Porsche Boxster 2008 Porsche Boxster 2008 Porsche Boxster 2008 Porsche Boxster 2008 Porsche Boxster 2008 Porsche Boxster 2008 Porsche Boxster 2008 Porsche Boxster 2008 Porsche Boxster 2008 Porsche Boxster 2008 Porsche Boxster 2008 Porsche Boxster 2008 Porsche Boxster 2008 Porsche Boxster 2008 Porsche Boxster 2008 Porsche Boxster 2008 Porsche Boxster 2008 Porsche Boxster 2008 Porsche Boxster 2008 Porsche Boxster 2008 Porsche Boxster

Notable features

245- or 295-hp engine
Manual or automatic
Head-protection airbags
New seat option for 2008

The good & the bad

The good

Handling and control
Braking response
Pedigree
Overall driving pleasure

The bad

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

Expert 2008 Porsche Boxster review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By Steven Cole Smith
Full article
our expert's take


So much has changed in sports car racing in the past 50 years or so that it’s a nice connection to the heritage to find something that hasn’t: In 1960, the 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race was every bit the critical warm-up to the 24 Hours of Le Mans that it is now, considered comparably stressful on driver and machinery due to the brutally rough Sebring road course, fashioned in part from acres and acres of World War II-era concrete left over from a military base.

As it was in 1960, horsepower rules Sebring. On paper, anyway. But because the races aren’t run on paper, things happen. Such as in 1960, when a tiny, fragile-looking, silver Porsche RS 60, powered by a 1.7-liter four-cylinder engine, beat the brutal Ferraris and Maseratis and took the overall victory at the 12 Hours of Sebring. Drivers Hans Herrmann and Olivier Gendebien were as surprised as anyone else that their little silver giant-killer won, and just as surprised that another Brumos-entered RS 60 driven by Bob Holbert, Roy Schecter and Howard Fowler was second. In third? A Ferrari, some 11 laps, or 60 miles, behind the winning Porsche.

Fast-forward to 2008. Porsche, looking for a way to inject a little excitement into the aging Boxster, has built 1,960 — as in 1960, get it? — Boxster RS 60s to commemorate the little car that could, that 550-based RS 60.

All 1,960 of them are painted GT Silver Metallic, very close to the color of the 1960 car, and you can get either a black or a red top. We suggest red, as it matches the Carrera Red leather interior so well.

Mechanically, the car is pretty much a Boxster S, with a few very minor tweaks to the 3.4-liter six-cylinder upping horsepower to 303, from 295. You’ll recall that the regular Boxster has a 2.7-liter engine, with 245 horsepower.

Porsche is billing the Boxster RS 60 as the only Boxster with more than 300 horsepower, which is certainly true, but you’d be hard-pressed to tell much difference. Porsche claims a 0 to 60 mph time for the Boxster S with the six-speed manual transmission of 5.1 seconds, and that was exactly our best time with the RS 60. We did not test top speed, which for the Boxster S is given as 169 mph. That said, as with all Boxsters past and present, this is not a 0 to 60 mph car, and the joyous noise that comes from that so-smooth engine as it approaches ultra-legal speeds can best be appreciated with the top town, stereo off, police hopefully otherwise occupied.

Inside, the seats are comfortable and supportive, the one-button power top easy to use. The RS 60’s construction quality was superb, with no squeaks, rattles, uneven seams or irregular panel gaps. As with all Boxsters, the front and rear trunks provide plenty of luggage room.

So what else is new with the Boxster RS 60? Not as much as you might want for a collector model. There are unique stainless-steel door sills, a slightly modified instrument cluster, a different gearshift lever, slight modifications to seat upholstery and a minor tweak to the taillights. Nowhere on the outside does it say that this is an RS 60. Still, since fewer than 800 of the 1,960 cars will be coming to North America, Porsche doesn’t seem to think there will be end-of-the-year discounts on the RS 60, and we agree.

Sentinel Automotive Editor Steven Cole Smithcan be reached at scsmith@orlandosentinel.com.

2008 Porsche Boxster review: Our expert's take
By Steven Cole Smith


So much has changed in sports car racing in the past 50 years or so that it’s a nice connection to the heritage to find something that hasn’t: In 1960, the 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race was every bit the critical warm-up to the 24 Hours of Le Mans that it is now, considered comparably stressful on driver and machinery due to the brutally rough Sebring road course, fashioned in part from acres and acres of World War II-era concrete left over from a military base.

As it was in 1960, horsepower rules Sebring. On paper, anyway. But because the races aren’t run on paper, things happen. Such as in 1960, when a tiny, fragile-looking, silver Porsche RS 60, powered by a 1.7-liter four-cylinder engine, beat the brutal Ferraris and Maseratis and took the overall victory at the 12 Hours of Sebring. Drivers Hans Herrmann and Olivier Gendebien were as surprised as anyone else that their little silver giant-killer won, and just as surprised that another Brumos-entered RS 60 driven by Bob Holbert, Roy Schecter and Howard Fowler was second. In third? A Ferrari, some 11 laps, or 60 miles, behind the winning Porsche.

Fast-forward to 2008. Porsche, looking for a way to inject a little excitement into the aging Boxster, has built 1,960 — as in 1960, get it? — Boxster RS 60s to commemorate the little car that could, that 550-based RS 60.

All 1,960 of them are painted GT Silver Metallic, very close to the color of the 1960 car, and you can get either a black or a red top. We suggest red, as it matches the Carrera Red leather interior so well.

Mechanically, the car is pretty much a Boxster S, with a few very minor tweaks to the 3.4-liter six-cylinder upping horsepower to 303, from 295. You’ll recall that the regular Boxster has a 2.7-liter engine, with 245 horsepower.

Porsche is billing the Boxster RS 60 as the only Boxster with more than 300 horsepower, which is certainly true, but you’d be hard-pressed to tell much difference. Porsche claims a 0 to 60 mph time for the Boxster S with the six-speed manual transmission of 5.1 seconds, and that was exactly our best time with the RS 60. We did not test top speed, which for the Boxster S is given as 169 mph. That said, as with all Boxsters past and present, this is not a 0 to 60 mph car, and the joyous noise that comes from that so-smooth engine as it approaches ultra-legal speeds can best be appreciated with the top town, stereo off, police hopefully otherwise occupied.

Inside, the seats are comfortable and supportive, the one-button power top easy to use. The RS 60’s construction quality was superb, with no squeaks, rattles, uneven seams or irregular panel gaps. As with all Boxsters, the front and rear trunks provide plenty of luggage room.

So what else is new with the Boxster RS 60? Not as much as you might want for a collector model. There are unique stainless-steel door sills, a slightly modified instrument cluster, a different gearshift lever, slight modifications to seat upholstery and a minor tweak to the taillights. Nowhere on the outside does it say that this is an RS 60. Still, since fewer than 800 of the 1,960 cars will be coming to North America, Porsche doesn’t seem to think there will be end-of-the-year discounts on the RS 60, and we agree.

Sentinel Automotive Editor Steven Cole Smithcan be reached at scsmith@orlandosentinel.com.

Available cars near you

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 23 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.4
Interior 4.7
Performance 5.0
Value 4.5
Exterior 5.0
Reliability 4.5

Most recent

  • Time of your life owning the Boxster.

    I have owned 2 Boxters. First one was a 2001 S series. Currently own a 2008 Base model. These cars are just fantastic to drive. Both were Triptonic. The exterior update on the 2008 is perfect. Only 47,000 miles on it. Bought the car with 34,000 miles on the odometer. Near mint condition. One tip for new owners is to change oil and filter every 5,000miles. I have a great mechanic who specializes Porsches and Land Rovers, I have both. Saves me me big $$$ over dealerships cost costs on repair. Follow the maintenance ‘schedule and you will have a blast. My wife and I love driving through New England with the top down. God I love the car….
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    6 people out of 6 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Probly one of my best handling cars

    It's a great weekend car to go out with and enjoy the Sun,, I don't know how would drives in the rain nor the snow causes never had it out in bad weather..
    • Purchased a New 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
    6 people out of 6 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Dry clean car with extremely low mileage

    Being used as weekend fun car. Best condition I have ever seen for age of car. The exterior and interior car showed ver little wear. We plan on keeping car for long time, trying to keep mileage low.
    • 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
    4 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Perfect sports car for all

    I currently own this car and everytime I walk inside my garage it brings a smile to my face. It is a 5 speed manual and grips to the road effortlessly. This is the perfect car for its price, mainly because it?s quick, good looking, and is a blast to drive. Because it?s a boxster, it is a convertible, and that is a great luxury during the summer that makes this car so much fun to throw around and have some fun with.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    5 people out of 5 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Best daily driver sports car you can buy.

    Handling is excellent. The Tiptronic shift means no clutch and fast shifting for best torque. More fun than a go cart yet it gets great gas mileage and is more comfortable than a Lexus.
    • Purchased a New 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 4.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Most Fun Car I Have Owned

    Great car overall and super fun to drive everyone should own one of these cars atleast once in their life. Has great handling and other features. A true image of german engineering.
    • 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
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Wonderful Car. Best sports car I've owned

    Was always parked our front by the Valet! Loved seeing it out front! Head turner. Was in more than 1 high school home coming queen presentation!
    • 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
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Fun car when not in shop

    I think this car has all the right aspects of a fun sports car/date night car. However, there is always something going wrong with the car, which becomes a money pit of pain and inconvenience driving a rental car not on the Porsche's level.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 1.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Lov this car.

    This is a great car. I would highly recommend this vehicle to all my friends and family. Would recommend Mattie imports for anyone looking to buy.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Most fun car I Ever Owned

    Plenty of power. Excellent handling. A little hard to get in and out of. Plan on garaging in the winter if you want it to continue to look good. A little expensive to get repaired. So recommended that you learn to do simple repairs yourself.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    0 people out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Amazingly fun sports car

    I daily drive this car and it makes me smile everyday. The two trunks make is surprisingly practice as well. I can take it to the grocery store, an autocross, and cruse around with the top down. Overall just a fantastic car. My vehicle has the 19" Carrera Classic Wheels with the PASM sport suspension, which results in a pretty harsh ride. The PASM suspension is amazing for taking corners, it's like a big go cart, and the 19" rims look phenomenal.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • What can I say....FUN!!

    The Boxster is the most fun I have had driving in a long time. Have owned many vehicles in my life and this is one of my favorites. Like everyone says the handling, braking and overall joy of driving are unmatched in a Porsche. Yes the maintenance is pricey but well worth it. My car is base Boxster with low mileage (14k) and has enough power to keep things interesting.
    • 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

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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2008 Porsche Boxster?

The 2008 Porsche Boxster is available in 5 trim levels:

  • (1 style)
  • RS 60 Spyder (1 style)
  • S (1 style)
  • S Design Edition 2 (1 style)
  • S Limited Edition (1 style)

What is the MPG of the 2008 Porsche Boxster?

The 2008 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 2008 Porsche Boxster?

The 2008 Porsche Boxster compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 2008 Porsche Boxster reliable?

The 2008 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 2008 Porsche Boxster owners.

Is the 2008 Porsche Boxster a good Convertible?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2008 Porsche Boxster. 95.7% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.8 / 5
Based on 23 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.4
  • Interior: 4.7
  • Performance: 5.0
  • Value: 4.5
  • Exterior: 5.0
  • Reliability: 4.5

Porsche Boxster history

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