Welcome to Car Corner! The dead of winter is not exactly the hottest time of the year for car makers to wheel out their newest models, so in lieu of that fact I've decided this week is the perfect time to take a look back.  2007 (well fall of 2006, if you want to get technical) is the ten-year anniversary of the Porsche Boxster, a car that has been revolutionary for Porsche. In the past Porsche has made many attempts to build a car as successful as the legendary 911. Anyone remember the 944, 928, 968, and dare I even mention it, the 924? Well if you're reading this column than you probably know that none of them measured up. However, the Boxster has defied that trend. The numbers for Boxster sales have been so good, that in 1998 with Porsche's main plant at full capacity Porsche had to have some built in nearby Finland.  

 Porsche uses a numbering nomenclature for their cars, for instance, although all 911s are 911s, they have different model numbers. The current 911, is the 997, the generation before was the 996. Boxsters are no different, the first generation was the 986, and the current is the 987. The Boxster received its inspiration from the 1953 550 Spyder and the 1948 356 roadster. The Boxster has evolved quite a bit over the years, and gotten several power plant changes, along with adding the "S" model, which comes with a larger motor. However for this column we're going to look at the 1997 Boxster, the one that started it all. 

 Now that you know most of the back story let's get right down to it. The 1997 Boxster came equipped with a 2.5 liter, 201hp boxer six motor, bolted to a manual five speed transmission or an optional five speed automatic tiptronic transmission.  Since an auto is no fun, I drove the manual version. The ride is definitely firm. The '97 model has the stiffest suspension by far. Later models are a bit softer, but don't misunderstand me, their handling was not compromised in the least. The '97 is relatively heavy weighing in at over 3,000 pounds, so don't expect to win too many drag races. But that really isn't what the car was built for. 

 We all know that the world is not flat, or straight, so this car was built for a practical world. I have never felt a car handle so smoothly, there is virtually no body roll. The four-way independent suspension holds the car tight to the road every time. A lot of the Boxster's handling attributes can be attributed to the mid-engine design. With the engine seated nicely between the axles, the weight is correctly distributed, and most of the car's weight gets pushed out to the outside of each tire. 

 The slim-fitting, sport seats fitted to every Porsche, are the best I have ever felt. They hold you around the tightest of bends, but are not as restrictive or uncomfortable as your typical racing seat, which can be uncomfortable to anyone even a little overweight. 

 The Boxster has a great stereo, but you won't be using it too often, as the engine sound coming from the finely tuned German power plant behind, is truly a beautiful symphony of automotive prowess combined with years of racing history. 

 The car even borders on practical, as far as roadsters go. By utilizing a mid-engine design, the driver is rewarded with dual trunks. This provides plenty of room for enough of what ever you'd like to carry (minus 2x4s and mattresses). 

 The Boxster is an absolute driver's car. The steering is very responsive, and as with all mid or rear engine Porsches, communicates very well with the driver. Overall, I have to say the 1997 Boxster is truly a masterpiece. Although it lacks straight line, slingshot speed compared with modern sports cars, it more than makes up for it with its astonishing handling, wonderful interior, and truly beautiful looks and sounds.