This sporty mid-engine roadster started out with a 2.5-liter, 201-hp flat-six engine. The transmission is either a five-speed manual or five-speed Tiptronic automatic that you can shift manually. The Boxster's handling is superb, and its ride is acceptable. The engine and manual transmission are well matched and provide quick acceleration. A powered convertible soft top is standard, and is easy to operate. A quicker, 250-hp "S" model was introduced for 2000, and featured a six-speed transmission. The base engine, meanwhile, jumped to 2.7 liters.