Opting for a 2009 Porsche Boxster as the vehicle of choice for a weekend trip to Banff, Alberta, amidst the worst snowstorm to hit Calgary in nearly a year, may seem like a really bad idea. Perhaps even outrageous or ridiculous, particularly when your buddies are all sporting SUVs and 4x4s. But for this giddy journalist, it was all smiles.
The fact is, Porsche products, including the entry-level’09 Boxster starting at $58,400, are very capable, safe winter machines. They’re engineered to be driven, not sleep in the garage. It’s like placing a gifted child in a special ed. class. You just don’t do it, and unfortunately, most Porsche owners do exactly that, depriving their vehicles of their full potential.
Driving a Porsche Boxster in the Snow
Fortunately, Porsche Canada is working hard to encourage owners to leave the insurance running year-round, invest in performance winter tires, and take full advantage of their products’ true capabilities, no matter the weather. As Joe Lawrence, President and CEO of Porsche Canada, puts it, “There is no rule against driving a Porsche in the winter! To the contrary, a Porsche performs strongly and safely whatever the season… While visiting Porsche dealers around Canada, I was amazed to hear how many owners put their Porsches away for the winter.”
Overall, the extra 10-hp, standard 6-speed, and updated exterior styling cues are a few things that set the 2009 Boxster apart from the previous year, raising the Boxster’s‘ base model’ stock considerably, and in all the right places.
Granted, the Boxster’s rear-wheel-drive may add skepticism, but when equipped with the right tires, this mid-engine car handles astonishingly well with amazing traction control coupled with the added benefit of the 7-gear PDK transmission’s quick shifts lending more or less torque and control as needed (and for those who are still on the fence, Porsche now offers 13 all-wheel-drive models in the 911, Cayenne, and Panamera ranges). Winter driving is empowering and adds a new level to the Porsche experience, not to mention a few extra months of driving!
Related – 2013 Porsche Boxster S Review: Pure Handling, Less Emotion
2.9-Litre Flat-Six and PDK Transmission
- Engine: 2.9-litre naturally aspirated flat-six
- Output: 255 horsepower / 214 lb-ft of torque
- Transmission: 6-speed manual (standard)
- Optional: 7-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic
- 0–60 mph: ~5.4 seconds (PDK)
- Top Speed: 163 mph (262 km/h)
The 2009 Boxster’s 2.9-litre, 6-cylinder engine produces 255-hp and 214 lb/ft of torque. Paired to a standard 6-speed manual transmission with dual mass flywheel. The new double clutch 7-speed PDK version, as tested, is a $4660 option. Last years Boxster saw a 245-hp engine with a 5-speed standard tranny, so these upgrades are a welcome addition. Again, the mid-engine design equates to a well-balanced ride (not to mention 2 trunks, including a spacious one in the rear).
On the Road: Refinement and Highway Manners
Though the top was never dropped, it was surprisingly unnoticed when cruising at highway speeds en route to Banff—virtuously no noise, no vibrations or impact on handling, or other annoyances that may come with softtop roadsters; feeling more like a hardtop Cayman, for all intents and purposes (and that’s a pretty big deal for those discouraged by a convertible and the impact it may have on drivability).
Exterior & Interior Design Updates for 2009
Exterior styling is notably different than the previous year (and looks notably sexier and sleeker than the 2008 model), with perhaps the LED front/rear headlamps the most obvious. The front and rear fascias are also redesigned, lending a more refined look. The new headlights are available with the optional BiXenon Headlight with Dynamic Corning Package for $2130, as on this tester.
The interior is comfortable, remarkably spacious, and screams ‘entry-level’-nothing. As always, centre console/multimedia is laid out perfectly in a tight, limited area. Some of the buttons have been reworked from last year, and for the better.
Wheels, Winter Tires, and Setup
Standard wheels include 17” alloy wheels with 205/55ZR17 tires up front and 235/50ZR17 in the back. This tested model came with a very worthy $1690 upgraded 18” Cayman II wheel package, wrapped in Michelin Alpine Pilot PA2 winter rubber (priced separately).
Overall, the extra 10-hp, standard 6-speed, and updated exterior styling cues are a few things that set the 2009 Boxster apart from the previous year, raising the Boxster’s‘ base model’ stock considerably, and in all the right places. You may not realize this now, but the 2009 Porsche Boxster is a perfect year-round sports car—drop the top in the summer, and shred the roads in the winter. Just winterize it, slap on the right tires and you’re good to go!
2009 Porsche Boxster Price and Trims
For 2009, the Porsche Boxster was offered in two primary trims: the standard Boxster and the more powerful Boxster S. Canadian pricing started at $58,400 CAD, while U.S. buyers saw a base MSRP of $47,600 USD. The Boxster S carried a premium in both markets, reflecting its larger 3.4-litre flat-six and added performance upgrades. Options — including the seven-speed PDK transmission and upgraded lighting and wheel packages — could quickly push pricing higher.
As part of the facelifted 987.2 generation, the 2009 model introduced updated engines and Porsche’s dual-clutch PDK gearbox, helping modernize the Boxster without altering its balanced, mid-engine formula. Today, it remains one of the most approachable entry points into contemporary Porsche ownership — and, as proven on this snowy weekend, a sports car that doesn’t need to hibernate when temperatures drop.
