2003 Porsche Boxster Base

The 2003 Boxster is Porsche's entry-level roadster, the one that gives you mid-engine balance without the 911's price tag. It's a car that rewards smooth inputs, with a flat-six that loves to rev and a chassis that feels glued to the road. The mid-engine layout gives it near-perfect weight distribution, so it turns in eagerly and stays planted through corners. Inside, you get a snug two-seat cockpit with quality materials, though storage is limited to the frunk and a small rear shelf. The Base gives you the same mid-engine chassis as the S, but with a smaller 2.7L flat-six that's a bit less eager at high revs. Its 2.7L I6 makes 225 horsepower and returns 21 mpg combined, so it's easier on fuel than the S while still sounding sweet.