• Four-cylinder models are economical
• But the six-cylinder models aren’t
• All cars swill fuel when driven hard

What are the running costs?

The Porsche Boxster’s four-cylinder engines are turbocharged, which means they’re more powerful yet more efficient than the six-cylinder units found in previous versions of the car. Porsche says the 2.0-litre Boxster can return up to 31.7mpg, while the 2.5-litre Boxster S can muster 29.4mpg.

The six-cylinder Boxster GTS is, obviously, less efficient returning a best-case scenario figure of just 28mpg. The track-ready 718 Spyder RS is even thirstier, with an official WLTP fuel economy figure of 21.7mpg. And remember – these figures assume you’re driving gently. You can easily slash all four engines’ economy figures into the teens by driving them hard.

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We don’t really see the importance of fuel economy with the Boxster, though, because it was never designed for fuel economy. It was designed to turn petrol into speed and noise – and every version of the car does that exceptionally well. If you’re worried about fuel efficiency, then perhaps the Boxster isn’t the car for you.

Servicing and warranty

Porsche’s service intervals are unusually long for a performance car. The company recommends you take the Boxster, Boxster S and Boxster GTS for a main service every two years or 20,000 miles. The 718 Spyder RS also has a two-year service schedule, but the recommended maximum mileage is shorter at 12,000 miles. In any case, if you plan to drive your car hard, it’s worth scheduling some extra oil changes to ensure the longevity of your engine. It’s cheap insurance.

Porsche’s standard warranty covers the 718 Boxster for three years after you buy it. Every model also features a three-year paint warranty and a 12-year guarantee against corrosion.

Reliability

• Quality materials and meticulously assembled
• Engines built to high engineering standards
• Not completely infallible, though

Porsches have long been built to exacting standards – and the 718 Boxster is no exception. The fact there are used cars for sale with close to 100,000 miles on the clock is testament to Porsche’s reliability. If you maintain it properly, there’s no reason to suggest the Boxster will let you down.

Even Porsche makes mistakes, though. The 718 Boxster has been subject to three recalls over the past seven years, so of which are more serious than others. Some cars delivered in 2016 have a minor fault with the air bag control unit, which can be fixed with a software update.

However, 74 cars built in 2021 were fitted with engines containing sub-standard connecting rods – and those cars needed to have their engines replaced. Happily, Porsche footed the bill for all the recall work. If you’re buying used, it worth checking your car has had any recall work completed.