Bring a Trailer Bargain of the Week: 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder
While it’s not exactly cheap, the Porsche 718 Boxster isn’t just the brand’s entry-level model. It’s Consumer Reports’ best-rated sports car and one of the best four-cylinder sports cars on sale today. The earlier versions earned similar praise in their day—only today, they’re priced at more affordable levels. Even, on occasion, some of the special models. One of those models, a 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder, is this week’s Bring a Trailer bargain pick.
The Porsche Boxster Spyder is a sharpened lightweight ode to an icon
Over the years, Porsche has released a number of cars that would later become icons. And we’re not just talking about the 911. In the 50s, Porsche was still mostly known for its Beetle-based 356. And while it was fairly successful on the track, the German automaker wanted to enter a purpose-built race car.
That car was the Porsche 550 Spyder, Petrolicious reports. For the time, it was a fairly-advanced car, with a space-frame chassis, aluminum body, and 4-wheel independent suspension. The mid-mounted flat-4 engine developed 135 hp, which is a lot for a stripped-down, 1200-lb convertible, Hagerty reports. And unfortunately, it was too much for James Dean, who famously died behind the wheel of his 550 Spyder.
Since then, the ‘Spyder’ name has become an important moniker for Porsche fans. And in 2011, it returned on the Porsche Boxster Spyder, Car and Driver reports.
Although significantly heavier than the 550, the 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder is 176 pounds lighter than the contemporary Boxster S. In fact, it was the lightest Porsche available at the time, Automobile reports. That’s partially thanks to aluminum doors and rear deck lid, lighter wheels, lightweight door panels, carbon-fiber bucket seats, and a manual fabric top.
The other part of the weight savings comes from less equipment. In the spirit of the 550, the 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder came standard without A/C or a radio. Though if you wanted, you could add them back. Other weight-saving features include a smaller fuel tank and an optional lithium-ion battery.
The 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder isn’t just lighter than the contemporary S model, though. It rides lower than that car, Autoblog reports. It also has stiffer springs, firmer dampers, and upgraded anti-roll bars. And its 3.2-liter flat-6, rated at 320 hp and 273 lb-ft, makes more power.
The 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder on Bring a Trailer
The 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder currently listed on Bring a Trailer has the optional 7-speed PDK instead of the manual.
However, while that adds weight, it actually makes the convertible faster, as does the also-installed Sport Chrono Package. This adds launch control, adjustable suspension, active exhaust, and multiple driving modes. With all that, the Boxster Spyder goes 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds, Automobile reports. That’s 0.2 seconds faster than the standard Boxster S.
Like all 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyders, this example has a restyled front air dam and a rear lip spoiler. This model also has the optional audio system.
The current owner also installed a 911 GT3 brake master cylinder, upgraded brake fluid, and replaced the rear brake pads. Bring a Trailer reports the oil was changed recently, too. And while the Porsche Boxster Spyder’s paint has been touched-up, it also features a clear stone-guard film on the front bumper.
What makes it a bargain buy?
As of this writing, this 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder is listed on Bring a Trailer at $19,750 with 3 days left in the auction. And it has roughly 18,000 miles on the odometer.
That’s a significant discount from its original MSRP, which started at roughly $63k, Motor Trend reports. It’s also noticeably cheaper than the average Bring a Trailer Boxster Spyder price, which hovers in the $40,000-$60,000 range.
This 2011 Boxster Spyder is more expensive than the average Bring a Trailer Boxster. The upcharge, though, is worth it, MT reports. The Spyder is sharper, more visceral, more special than the standard car. Yes, the top is more difficult to put up and down. But it’s not a rebel without a cause; it’s meant to make you smile.
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