AUTO RED BOOK REVIEW: 2011 PORSCHE BOXTER SPYDER

On The Cover Review: 2011 Porsche Boxter Spyder

When referring to sports cars, the word “Spyder” usually means convertible.  But all Porsche Boxters are convertibles.  So really, this is just a special Boxter.  In this case, we’re talking about a lightweight canyon-carver; a bare-bones pure sporting machine that puts performance over driver comfort.  This is the lightest car Porsche builds, which is achieved by the use of cloth inside door pulls, carbon fiber seatbacks, and lightweight aluminum fenders and wheels, among other things.  Even air conditioning is optional if you really don’t want to add weight.  Under the hood is a 3.4-liter, 320-hp flat-six, which can propel the 3,000-lb Boxter Spyder from 0-to-60 in some 4.6-seconds.  In other words, this is one spry little Spyder.   And yet, less is more; as in, the lighter the Porsche, the bigger the price tag.  Of course, it’s always been that way.  Speed and handling cost money—even if it does mean buying less of a car to get it.