1999 Porsche Boxster

1999 Porsche Boxster — Black on Grey, 5-Speed Manual, Clean Undercarriage

The 1999 Porsche Boxster represents something Porsche had not attempted since the 914: a purpose-built, mid-engine, open-top two-seater designed from a clean sheet. When the 986-generation Boxster arrived for the 1997 model year, it was not a parts-bin special or a trimmed-down 911. It was engineered specifically as a roadster, with the engine mounted behind the driver and ahead of the rear axle — the ideal placement for balanced, predictable handling. By 1999, the Boxster had already proven itself as one of the most capable driver's cars available at any price, and Porsche had worked through the earliest production teething concerns. That makes a well-preserved 1999 example a particularly sensible choice for a buyer who wants genuine Porsche driving character without the premium attached to later variants.

The base Boxster in 1999 used a 2.5-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine producing 201 horsepower. That number may sound modest by today's standards, but the Boxster weighed roughly 2,800 pounds, and the engine sits amidships — giving the car a near-perfect 50/50 weight distribution. The result is a car that responds to driver inputs with an accuracy that larger, heavier sports cars cannot match. The Boxster S, which arrived for the 2000 model year with a 3.2-liter engine, gets most of the enthusiast attention, but the 2.5-liter car with a manual gearbox is the purist's specification. It is lighter, simpler, and every bit as engaging on a twisting road.

This specific car is finished in black over a grey leather interior and equipped with the 5-speed manual transmission — the correct combination for anyone who wants to use the car the way Porsche intended it to be driven.

Key details
Interior: Grey
Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
VIN / chassis: WP0CA2984XU627916

Offered by Skyway Classics, 10420 Portal Crossing, Bradenton, FL 34212. Taxes, title and fees not included.

Photos courtesy of Skyway Classics.