Budget GT3 RS Slayer: The Secret Porsche Everyone's Missing Out On

More than just a budget option: the Boxster Spyder’s appeal

The original Boxster Spyder debuted in 2009 as the pinnacle of the 987.2 Boxster and was priced around $62,000, which made it quite accessible for most consumers. To this very day, the 987.2 is such a compelling drive. Being tagged as the lightest Porsche on the market for its time, the Boxster Spyder is more like the Mazda Miata. Well, not quite similar, literally, but you get my point.

To keep things light and agile, Porsche added aluminum door panels, removed the electronic roof mechanism to a completely manual setup, added carbon fiber bucket seats, removed the air-con system, replaced the door handles with flaps, and more. Although most of the deleted features were available as options, Porsche didn’t care about how practicality would be lost without cupholders and storage compartments. Nevertheless, the legacy automaker from Stuttgart managed to deliver the experience of an open-top sportscar that’s closer to the 911 GT3 RS for a lot less.

Performance prowess: punching above its weight

With the GT3 RS, Porsche has strived to offer an uncompromising driving experience, taking you one step closer to a race car. Thankfully, that’s also the case with the Boxster Spyder. The only difference is its price will not make a hole in your pocket. For maximum driver engagement, both cars feature naturally aspirated, high-revving flat-six engines, standard manual gearboxes, and stiffer chassis setups.

Identical to the Boxster S, the 987.2-generation Boxster Spyder also packs the same 3.4-liter naturally aspirated direct-injected boxer engine. However, the latter produces 10 horsepower more, totaling 320 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual gearbox comes as standard, sending power to the rear wheels only. The stick comes with a heavier clutch but should be the go-to choice. Nevertheless, you can look for examples with the seven-speed PDK automatic gearbox option if you’re looking for convenience.

Surely, the horsepower and torque figures aren’t that impressive by today’s standards, where a 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder under the hood of the Toyota GR Corolla produces 300 horsepower. However, in the real world, the Spyder offers usable performance you can manage on the road.0-60 mph in five seconds, or 4.6 with the PDK. Top speed? 166 mph, with the cloth roof down. These are impressive numbers, especially for a rearwheel-drive sports car.

Taming the curves: a thrilling driving experience

There’s no doubt that the 911 GT3 RS is superior to the Boxster Spyder in terms of handling. The former comes with enhanced aerodynamics and is primarily meant for track use, whereas the Boxster Spyder is designed to provide you with driving pleasures, mostly up in the Canyons rather than on the race track. Having said that, some key features make the Boxster Spyder, just as impressive as the 911 GT3 RS. First is its mid-engine layout. Unlike the 911’s engine, which hangs in the rear, the Boxster Spyder’s mid-mounted powerplant offers balanced weight distribution, which aids its handling, even without the added aero and chassis tech of the GT3 RS.

Additionally, the 987.2 Boxster Spyder comes with a tuned suspension setup that’s been lowered by almost an inch to improve cornering stability, four-piston front brake calipers with 12.5-inch rotors up front, 11.8-inch rotors at the rear, and lighter 19-inch wheels. The lighter wheels mean less unsprung mass, which also aids in handling. Does the convertible top affect the Boxster Spyder’s performance? Well, with the roof on, the fastest you can go is 126 mph to prevent the ragtop from flying off. Nevertheless, the Boxster Spyder is best enjoyed with the wind in your hair and that naturally aspirated flat-six.

Value proposition: affordability without compromise

When you consider the price difference between the 987.2 Boxster Spyder and the 911 GT3 RS of any generation, it is pretty significant. If you check out some of the listings available for the 911 GT3 RS on CarGurus, you won’t find an example priced below $180,000. Low mileage examples of the 992.1 generation model can set you back nearly $500,000.

On the contrary, if you check Classic.com’s market overview of the Boxster Spyder the average price over the past five years was around $66,000, while the maximum price paid was $111,111. So, the price-to-performance ratio of the Boxster Spyder is way better than the Porsche 911 GT3 RS.

There’s no way we’re biased about the 987.2 Boxster Spyder. The 911 GT3 RS, be it any generation, is far superior when it comes to raw performance. However, the 987.2 Boxster Spyder offers better value and a similar engagement, thanks to its high-pitched naturally aspirated engine, a manual gearbox, and a stripped-out interior.