CHRIS NICKERSON

From Dream to Reality

As a kid growing up in the mid-1980s, I always dreamed of owning a sports car. The car that captured my imagination back then was the Porsche 911 Turbo—its sleek lines, rear-engine layout, and raw power made it the ultimate dream machine.

Fast forward to my late 20s, and Porsche introduced the Boxster. At the time, I dismissed it, thinking, "That's not a real Porsche." I was convinced that if I ever owned a Porsche, it would have to be a 911—nothing else would do.

But as time passed and I reached my late 40s, my perspective changed. I realized that not everyone can just go out and buy a 911, and that doesn’t mean they can’t experience the thrill of driving a Porsche. So, I started researching Boxsters, and what I discovered completely shifted my mindset.

When I test-drove my first Porsche 986 Boxster, I was hooked. The mid-engine balance, lightweight chassis, and open-top experience made it one of the most fun and engaging cars I had ever driven. I test-drove several Base models and a couple of S models, and even though some of them were over 20 years old, they still felt exciting and alive on the road.

In late October, I finally pulled the trigger and bought a 1997 Porsche Boxster S—and it has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. This section of my blog is dedicated to my journey with the Boxster, covering maintenance, repairs, and road trips while sharing what it's like to own and drive a classic Porsche.

Porsche 986 Specifications