2012's The Good 12 - Porsche Boxster Spyder

PORSCHE BOXSTER SPYDER

As if it wasn't enough that the Porsche Boxster was one of the best cars in the world to drive, in Spyder form, it's also one of the best at which to gander. 

We're nearing the end of the line for the current, second-generation Boxster. The Spyder, therefore, is not long for this world. A person who regularly adopts glass-half-empty characteristics would have to acknowledge that there is nothing wrong with this car. In the common parlance of positive people, that means it's perfect. 

The Porsche Boxster Spyder is perfect.

True, the Kia Rio costs less. The Nissan Juke consumes less fuel. The Chevrolet Suburban carries more people. The Jeep Wrangler comes with both a soft top and a hard top. The Volkswagen GTI offers German performance for less. But it's the fact that those other cars do other things well that so aptly highlights the Boxster Spyder's perfection. This car almost looks silly doing anything but driving.

Don't get groceries in a Boxster Spyder, because people will see it sitting in a supermarket parking lot. Don't let your new Boxster Spyder be seen anywhere within ten miles of home - we'll all know you didn't drive far enough. If you have a car like this, one that begs to be driven, one that asks for nothing else and provides little else, please just drive it. Fast and far.

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Engines: 320 horsepower; 273 lb-ft from a 3.4L boxer six-cylinder

Base USD/CAD Price: $61,800 / $70,500

City Fuel Economy: 19-20 miles per gallon

It's Not Actually Perfect: The Boxster is sparsely equipped by intention. There are certain options you may require, of course, but others you may not: the dreadful $3140 cream white paint comes to mind. Should automatic climate control cost $1760 in a car that costs $61,800? Should heated seats be a $525 option when, in Canada, they're standard in a $15,595 Kia Rio?

Sales Stats: Porsche says low inventory has hurt Boxster sales of late. Though the range has the lowest base price of any Porsche, the Boxster doesn't have the mass market appeal of a retractable hardtop nor the benefit of rear seats. Therefore, the Porsche is routinely out-sold by the Audi TT, BMW Z4, and Mercedes-Benz SLK. Monthly and yearly sales figures for the Porsche Boxster range can be viewed here.

The Good 12

BMW 3-Series - Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon - Chevrolet Suburban
Ford F-150 EcoBoost 4x4 - Ford Focus Titanium Hatchback - Jeep Wrangler
Kia Rio 5-Door - Land Rover LR4 - Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

Nissan Juke - Porsche Boxster Spyder - Volkswagen GTI

The Bad 8

Acura RL - Chrysler 200 Convertible - Ford Explorer EcoBoost
Honda Crosstour - Lincoln MKS - Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet
Nissan Versa Sedan - Toyota Corolla CE

The Good 12 Rules