Given that Porsche’s online configurator offers countless options, it’s easy to lose oneself in Porsche’s multitude of personalization options, from colored seat belts to leather-wrapped steering columns, and end up with a five figures’ worth of extras. We did just that when building out a new 2017 718 Boxster S, which despite dropping its classic flat-six engine for a turbocharged four?and gaining the 718 name and 35 horsepower, for a total of 350 ponies?also runs $3900 more than last year’s Boxster S. In the spirit of the price increase, and for a change of pace from our purist, nearly option-free long-term 2014 Porsche Cayman S, we went nuts on an imaginary 718 Boxster S. How nuts" We added just shy of $25,000 in options?to a car with a base price of $69,450.
MODEL:
Porsche 718 Boxster S (base price: $69,450)
Before options are slathered on, Porsche’s 718 Boxster S arrives with plenty of good stuff. There’s the 350-hp, turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four engine (making 50 more ponies than the base 718 Boxster’s 2.0-liter four), a six-speed manual transmission, power-operated soft top, self-deploying rear spoiler, power heated side mirrors, LED running lights, LED taillights, Bi-Xenon headlights, and 19-inch wheels. Baked-in essentials like a wonderful chassis, talkative and knife-like electrically assisted steering, and a firm brake pedal are a given?we haven’t driven the 718, but it’s essentially a warme...