Used Porsche 718 Boxster (Mk4, 2016-date) buyer’s guide: sublime to own and cheaper than you’d think

Verdict

As an entry-level Porsche model you could be forgiven for assuming that the market is awash with second-hand Boxsters, but these two-seat sports cars are a lot rarer than you think, and really good ones will only get harder to find as time goes on. But it’s worth seeking out a Porsche 718 Boxster of your own, because ever since the original model was unveiled in 1996, this has been a landmark car. It’s a sports car that turns every drive into an adventure, an experience that’s nothing less than sublime. Even better, if you buy a really good example and look after it, you’re likely to find that low depreciation means it’s nothing like as costly to own as you might think.

This year marks three decades since the original Porsche Boxster was launched. It’s a car that transformed Porsche’s balance sheet while also altering the sports-car landscape. Sublime to drive and beautifully built, it was still relatively affordable, just as its successors have been.

That includes the Mk4 (718) edition that arrived in 2016, which had four cylinders for the first time, rather than the six there had always been before. The result was a car that was lighter and more agile than before, but still ferociously quick.

Used - available now

2016 Porsche

Boxster

50,500 milesManualPetrol2.7L

Cash £25,990

View Boxster

2016 Porsche

Boxster

50,000 milesAutomaticPetrol2.7L

Cash £25,995

View Boxster

We were impressed as soon as we drove the 718 Boxster, and then Porsche introduced a six-cylinder version that was even better. Now the Boxster Mk4 has been axed, but its desirability isn’t diminished, so here’s what you need to know to buy your perfect example.

History

The fourth-generation Boxster was launched in January 2016, two decades after the original model was unveiled. The 296bhp Boxster had a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, while the 345bhp Boxster S version came with a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine.

Launched in October 2017, the Boxster GTS had a 360bhp 2.5-litre engine, while the 296bhp Boxster T that arrived in December 2018 was a driver-focused entry-level variant that was lighter than standard, sat 20mm lower and was fitted with adaptive dampers.

The Boxster Spyder that was introduced in September 2019 packed a 414bhp 4.0-litre naturally aspirated six-cylinder engine; this same powerplant was fitted to the Boxster GTS 4.0 that was launched in January 2020, in 388bhp form. The Boxster 25 Years that arrived in January 2021 marked a quarter of a century of production and was based on the GTS 4.0; it was limited to 1,250 units worldwide.

On the road

There are many reasons why you want a Boxster, but this is the key one. Any correctly maintained and properly set up Boxster is fabulous to drive, from the weighting and feedback of the controls to the scintillating performance. Ride comfort is amazing considering how sharp the handling is, too.

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The six-cylinder engines are smooth and sound superb, while the four-cylinder units are torquey, frugal and lighter. So both engines have their pros and cons and it’s the same for the transmissions; both manuals and autos are ultra-slick, and chosen purely based on personal preference.

Which one should I buy?

Even the slowest Boxster, the 2.0-litre edition, can crack 170mph and do 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds, while the Spyder can do 187mph and 0-62mph in 4.4 seconds. The six-cylinder versions are glorious, but the 2.5-litre S model has the perfect balance of poke and poise, even if it doesn’t sound as lovely as a  4.0-litre edition (for which you’ll pay a very hefty premium).

So we wouldn’t steer you away from any 718 Boxster derivative, because if you’re buying one to use on a regular basis, no version will leave you disappointed, whatever the engine or transmission combination fitted.

If you’re buying as a collector, it’s the halo models that you should home in on, because although you’ll pay significantly more to buy one of these, the chances are that it’s also these variants that will hold their value the best in the future.

Alternatives to the Porsche 718 Boxster

The Boxster does have rivals, but none is as well rounded. The BMW Z4 is good to drive and built to a high standard, for example, but it feels rather ordinary in comparison. That’s also true of the Audi TT, which has its engine in the front, like the BMW. So does the Mazda MX-5, which is tremendous fun to drive and relatively practical. While it’s also very reliable, it’s in a different league to the Porsche in terms of build quality.

If you don’t mind a coupé, we’d steer you towards the Lotus Emira or Alpine A110. Both are well made, mid-engined and dynamically superb. But if you’re not bothered having about a fixed roof, why not think about a Porsche Cayman?

Prices

Just one in 10 Boxsters comes with a manual gearbox, but the PDK transmission is highly regarded, so values of manuals and autos vary very little. Only a small proportion of Boxsters have a six-cylinder engine

You can buy a used Porsche 718 Boxster via our Buy a Car service, with prices starting from just over £33,000.

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What to look for

Reliability

It’s hard to find any fault patterns for the 718. Most of these cars are cherished and low-mileage, with problems more likely to be down to abuse rather than any manufacturing faults – recall glitches aside.

All the gear

At first all six-cylinder Boxsters only came with a six-speed manual gearbox, but from September 2020 they were available with a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission, at extra cost.

History lesson

Connect the car to an official Porsche PIWIS computer before buying, for a diagnostics check. It’ll tell you if the car has been clocked, if there are any active fault codes, and if the engine has been over-revved.

Durability

Tyres typically last up to 20,000 miles and cost around £250 each to replace; brake pads should last 20,000 miles, while clutches normally wear out after around 60,000 miles.

Interior

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The Boxster’s cabin is another of its highlights, because it’s superbly made, intuitively designed and the driving position is spot on, with plenty of seat adjustment. All versions are two-seaters only, but that allows for two boots to boost practicality: one up front rated at 150 litres, and one behind the seats, which has a 130-litre capacity.

Running costs

Boxster running costs aren’t bargain-basement, but they’re not ridiculous either. The service interval is set at every two years or 20,000 miles, alternating between Minor

and Major, priced at £455-£720 and £680-£1,020 depending on model; four-cylinder cars are at the lower end and six-cylinder models at the upper end. PDK gearboxes need fresh fluid every six years, at around £800, but there are no cambelts to replace. Insurance groups range from 45 to 50; most Boxsters are in groups 48 or 49, so don’t expect cheap cover. Road tax for Boxsters registered before April 2017 costs £265-£345. It drops to £195 for later cars, but until it’s six years old you’ll also have to pay the £425 expensive-car supplement. The Boxster’s fuel consumption is pegged at 29-30mpg, while the Boxster S is rated at 28-29mpg.

Recalls

Porsche has issued 12 recalls for all generations of Boxster, seven of them for the 718. The first came in March 2019 due faulty airbag sensors; the third came in August 2019 because of faulty airbags. A month before that, Boxster Ts were the subject of a campaign due to door-mounted speaker problems.

Recall four was in February 2020, prompted by petrol leaks from the high-pressure fuel line in the engine bay. The fifth action was in April 2021, when new engines were needed in some Boxsters made between January and April 2021.Recall six came in December 2023, to address rear spoiler glitches. The most recent campaign was issued in June 2024, because some PDK-equipped Boxsters could roll away if left in Park, if the handbrake wasn’t engaged.

Driver Power owner satisfaction

The 718 Boxster hasn’t appeared in our new or used Driver Power surveys, but Porsche has appeared in our Brands poll on numerous occasions, where it has usually done very well. Its last appearance was in 2024, when it came fourth, while in 2021 and 2022 it came first.

There are just two 718 Boxster owner reviews on CarBuyer.co.uk. Neither respondent seemed at all impressed, so scouring owner forums before buying an example is very much advised.

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Used Porsche Boxsters for sale

2016 Porsche

Boxster (2012-2016)

50,500 milesManualPetrol2.7L

Cash £25,990

View Boxster (2012-2016)

2016 Porsche

Boxster (2012-2016)

50,000 milesAutomaticPetrol2.7L

Cash £25,995

View Boxster (2012-2016)