2019 Porsche 911 GT3 RS First Drive
How do you improve on a car that is already punching well and truly above its weight? The 2016 Porsche 911 GT3 RS was a machine that, in our testing, utterly vanquished two of my favorite track-oriented sportscars, the Mustang GT350R and Dodge Viper ACR. There and elsewhere, the GT3 RS easily stood toe-to-toe with nearly any track-focused car on the road, including those costing many times more. So where do you go from there? Well, if you're Porsche, you start with the usual: more power. That's never a bad first step, but a laundry-list of minor tweaks, additions and refinements create a new GT3 RS that has all the reassuring character and terrifying speed of the previous generation yet somehow offers even more of both. 187,500 GT3 RS is the purest, most track-focused flavor of all the two-dozen variations of the current Porsche 911, and for the 2019 model year, it's even better than ever.
How Much Does the Porsche Boxster Cost? 59,000, putting it on the high end of the lower range. Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Porsche dealer. Which Is Better: Porsche 718 Boxster or Porsche 718 Cayman? The 718 Cayman is basically a coupe version of the 718 Boxster. They have the same features, posh cabin, engine and transmission options, and chassis. The Cayman is a little more rigid, but the two cars handle and drive similarly for the most part. The Cayman also has a lower starting price than the Boxster. Which Is Better: Porsche 718 Boxster or Mercedes-Benz SLC? The Mercedes-Benz SLC is a two-seat roadster that carries a lower starting price than the Boxster and comes with a power-folding hardtop. It has a similarly powerful engine lineup, including a high-performance AMG model. The SLC's cabin is incredibly nice, and it has a larger trunk than the Boxster.
The Porsche is far more agile, but the Mercedes holds its own and offers a great ride quality. In the end, the Boxster is the better sports car, but the SLC is an attractive value for those looking for a luxury convertible. You have three engine choices in the Boxster. All three are turbocharged four-cylinders, and they put out 300, 350, and 365 horsepower. This Porsche accelerates quickly and feels powerful with any engine, but the two most powerful turbo-fours take things to a new level. The 300-horsepower engine darts from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, and the 365-horsepower engine does it in just 3.9 seconds. The Boxster gets better fuel economy than some competitors, though it still trails the class leaders by a little bit. It earns an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. 150 more per year on gas in the Boxster. Even among sports cars, the Boxster stands out for its nimble handling, excellent balance, and sure-footed feel.
It's incredibly fun to drive and more than a match for any winding road. While some athletic cars provide a stiff ride, the Boxster鈥檚 ride is smooth and serene. How Many People Does the Boxster Seat? This roadster seats two people. The seats are supportive and comfortable, and most adults will have plenty of head- and legroom. It's also easy to find a suitable driving position because the seats are highly adjustable. As with most two-seat cars, the Boxster does not have any LATCH connectors for installing car seats. This Porsche features a great interior. The cabin is sleek and attractive, and there are soft-touch materials throughout. The Boxster鈥檚 cargo space is split into two trunks because of its midengine design. Yet, you can't carry large items because both trunks are small. The front trunk has 5.2 cubic feet of space, and the rear trunk has 4.4 cubic feet of space. Standard features include a power-folding soft top, automatic climate control, and an infotainment system with a 7-inch touch screen, Bluetooth, a six-speaker sound system, and satellite radio.