Car reviews oftentimes are a dime a dozen. Seems like most of the comments, conclusions and thoughts on the cars reviewed are recycled from one journalist to the next. Not so today.

I've come across a couple of reviews that are darn near polar opposites of each other. The first can't get over how crappy the top is and berates the car for not having create comforts…the entire POINT of the Spyder distinction in my opinion. The second goes so far as to call the Porsche Boxster Spyder a candidate for the best car of the year, possibly the "best-handling car in history" AND if you purchase one, quite possibly "the best decision you could make in 2010."

Joe, one of our long standing PorschePerfect.com readers, sent me a link this weekend to a Wall Street Journal review of the Porsche Boxster Spyder. The reviewer gets hung up on the canvas top and all is lost from there. Nothing about the Boxster Spyder is good enough for him.

On the other end of the spectrum is a glowing review done by Esquire.com nominating the Boxster Spyder for Car of the Year. They make some pretty bold statements about the car and it's qualities.

Both are worth a quick read. You can find each here:

WSJ.com: Porsche Boxster Spyder: A Top That Scrapes the Bottom

Esquire.com: Is the Porsche Boxster Spyder the Car of the Year?

[Image: Press.Porsche.com]

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This is just too good not to post. I'm sure most of you have already seen this, but in case you haven't, you gotta check this out. This kid, Steven Oritz, started out with an old cell phone and, through a series of trades over the last two years, ended up with a 2000 Porsche Boxster S.

If you're thinking about the guy in Canada who started with a paperclip and ended up with a house, this is the same kind of deal. Steven has done his bartering primarily through Craigslist's barter section. It took him 14 trades to end up with the Boxster. Through the process he had stuff like a better cell phone than he started with, an i-Pod Touch, MacBook Pro, 1987 Toyota 4Runner, dirt bikes and an older Bronco valued at $15,000. Someone even offered him a locksmith business for the Bronco.

I love stories like this. I find them inspiring and love to hear how people think outside the box. Of course, being the dreamer I am, guess what the first thing I did was? Yep, went to the Portland Craigslist Barter section. After about an hour of searching, I started looking around the house for things to start with. Replicating Steven's success would be a heck of a challenge and I don't know that I'd have the patience to do it. It's still fun to dream though.

Thanks to everyone who send in this story. Funny how quickly things like this spread.

[Source & Image: SGVTribune.com]

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We haven't had a Porsche Boxster video for a while. This one won't blow your socks off, but it's a great couple of minutes of a pair of Boxsters in some unbelievable scenery. If we were to base car buying decisions on the inspiration from videos, this week we'd all have a Boxster in the garage. Porsche does such a great job with their promo videos.

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We haven't had a Porsche Boxster Spyder video in a bit (I'm guessing Brad may be going through withdrawls), so I thought this would be a good start to the week. I don't know why, but I like seeing chicks driving the crap out of a car and doing reviews like this. I thought she did a great job and there's some great driving footage of the car.

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Steve, one of our PorschePerfect.com readers, sent me a link to a Motor Trend article this past week. MT decided to do a comparison between the 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder and the 2010 Tesla Roadster Sport. I have to say, this one was a bit surprising for a number of reasons. I'll admit that my first reaction was, "Crap! Can the Boxster Spyder take the Tesla?"

Even though I think you should read the article, I'll spoil it for you. First Place: 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder. In Steve's words, "Ultimately, the Boxster rocked and is a beautiful car." Exactly.

Turns out car enthusiasts love cars not just for speed, but the sounds and feedback they emit in the process of going fast. The two biggest complaints stacked against the Tesla Roadster from the video as well as the write-up were limited feedback on the track and the lack of the thrilling sound a finely tuned sports car should make.

What's interesting, though, is the fact that the Tesla Roadster has finally reached an iteration that is starting to command the attention of the big boys of the auto journalism world. The fact that MT found it to be a worthy competitor of Porsche's new Boxster Spyder pays a huge compliment to Tesla and gives us a glimpse of what's to come, not only from Tesla, but other alternative fuel/power driven sports cars to come.

The article is definitely worth reading. Watch the video too, but I'll warn you, Kim, one of the guys in the video is one boring dude on camera. That guy is a good writer, but come on, couldn't they cast the on camera crew a bit better? It was like watching that DIY 356 electric conversion guy talk about his car. Painful. Worth watching to see/hear the Tesla…and the Boxster Spyder for that matter!

Check out the video below.

Here's a link to the article: Comparison: 2010 Tesla Roadster Sport vs 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder

[Source, Image & Video: MotorTrend.com]

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Got the Tuesday blues? Fortunately Porsche is coming to the rescue. Late last week, Porsche released the Boxster Spyder Web Special on Porsche.com. As usual, the site doesn't disappoint. Take a few minutes and head over to Porsche.com or go straight to the web special through this link: Porsche Boxster Spyder Web Special.

Here are some of my favorite things on the site:

1. Pull strap navigation. I've always been fascinated for some reason with the pull straps Porsche uses in it's RS and lighter versions of it's cars. They just look cool and seem so minimalistic. Once you're in the web special, click on the red pull strap to move through several of the focus pages.
2. Unleashed video under Experience. This is some sweet footage. I especially love the moving shots where the car is coming up on the camera. Definitely watch this video in full screen with your face closer to the screen. It's pretty cool.
3. Technical Data page. I love how they have all 3 Boxster models side by side to compare specs between them. Gives you a good sense of how the Boxster Spyder stacks up against the Boxster S, which is the next closest model performance wise.

All in all, I'm really excited about the Boxster Spyder. I think it promises to be a significant model that will further legitimize the Boxster's place in the Porsche lineup. Can't wait to see Brad's in person!

[Source & Pictures: Porsche.com]

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I woke up this morning to a teaser comment from John over at PorschePurist.com. It was a short comment that said: "Ryan, You'll want to check out my site in about 30 minutes… ." Wow! He wasn't kidding! I jumped over to the Porsche Press site and found some gorgeous pictures and a full press release giving some juicy details on the new PORSCHE BOXSTER SPYDER!!!

John made a couple of interesting comments that you'll want to read on his blog and he has more pictures up on his site. He alerted me to the news, so I want share some love and leave a few things for you to discover on his site. While you're there, sign up for his site updates. He has great info and some very interesting posts. The Boxster Spyder post is here: 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder.

Here is the press release in full:

ATLANTA – November 5, 2009 – Weighing in at just 2,811 lbs., the new 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder will be the lightest Porsche available – from a company known for lightweight, proficient sports cars. This new mid-engined roadster represents the true, purist form of the sports car – agile, powerful, open and efficient. This third Boxster model will join the Boxster and Boxster S and will make its world debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, December 2, 2009.

The newest member of the Boxster family stands out from the other versions of Porsche’s mid-engined roadster. Its low-slung, lightweight soft top – when closed – extends far to the rear to protect the driver and passenger from bright sunshine, wind and weather. This top, when combined with extra-low side windows and two striking bulges on the single-piece rear lid, provides the Boxster Spyder with a sleek silhouette reminiscent of the Carrera GT.

2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder: Light, Powerful, Purist Roadster to be Introduced at Los Angeles Auto Show

The Boxster Spyder features a 3.4-liter six-cylinder engine with Direct Fuel Injection upfront of the rear axle. Maximum output is 320 horsepower (hp), 10 hp more than the Boxster S. The combination of 10 more hp and 176 pounds less weight than the award-winning Boxster S, plus an all-new sport suspension that lowers the Boxster Spyder 20 mm, a lower center of gravity, a standard limited slip differential, and exclusive wheels provides the kind of driving dynamics that back up the unique look. Aluminum door skins and lightweight interior door panels from the 911 GT3 RS contribute to the weight reduction.

When equipped with Porsche-Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission and the Sports Chrono Package, the new Spyder, using Launch Control, accelerates from a standstill to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. Top track speed is 166 mph – with the roof open.

Fundamentally, the entire Boxster family is the successor to the legendary 550 Spyder and RS 60 of the Fifties and Sixties, all sharing the same mid-engine roadster concept. Low weight and supreme agility combine to provide outstanding driving pleasure.

In 2004 and 2008 Porsche produced limited editions of the Boxster bearing the additional name Spyder, honoring the 550 and RS 60. In contrast, the new Boxster Spyder is a regular, but specially developed and upgraded production model as compared with the Boxster and Boxster S.

2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder: Light, Powerful, Purist Roadster to be Introduced at Los Angeles Auto Show

The 2011 Boxster Spyder goes on sale February 2010. U.S. pricing is $61,200.

[Source: Porsche Cars North America]

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I didn't realize this was out, but there's some great footage of the coming Porsche Boxster Speedster on both the track and on the street in Germany. Here are the anticipated quick specs:

• Various aesthetic changes including twin "power domes"
• Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB)
• A tuned version of the 3.4-litre flat six engine currently found in the Boxster S
• Around 320 hp
• Revised suspension set-up giving the car a lowered stance

I'm a sucker for pretty much anything Speedster related. I'm excited to see this model come out (provided the rumors are actually true).

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The Internet was abuzz late last week with reports and spy shots of a coming Porsche Boxster Speedster. It appears the car has a redesigned front bumper, new side intakes and a larger rear spoiler. You also have the usual speedster "hump" over the retracted roof (at least based on the pictures I've seen).

As for power, it's anticipated the Boxster Speedster will use the current 3.4 liter flat-six currently found in the Boxster S. That will give the car around 320 hp. A new suspension will give the car better stability at high speeds. Be interesting to see if Porsche ends up beefing up the powerplant a bit. At the very least, given that Speedsters are usually devoid of many creature comforts to save weight, performance should be improved even with the same Boxster S engine. Other features to be included are new alloy wheels and Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) technology as standard equipment.

The Boxster Speedster is expected to make it's debut to the world at the LA Auto Show in early December. Everyone is hoping for a 2010 model year.

Check out MotorAuthority.com for more spy shots of the car.

[Source & Picture: MotorAuthority.com]

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