OK... I guess it's time to put up or shut up!! When I first put my deposit down back in May of '96, I fully intended on buying a Boxster. More recently, I've decided that I'm leaving San Diego for San Francisco, and I figured that "The City" would eat a car like that for lunch!! So... since deciding to move to San Francisco, I've been heading away from buying the Boxster. Until...

On February 28th, I FINALLY got around to driving one!! The Porsche dealer (Salvadore) had been calling me about driving their demo, but I kept putting him off!! Maybe I knew what would happen if I drove it!!?! Finally, I scheduled a drive. WOW!!! WHAT A CAR!! It had a VERY solid, smooth ride for a small car, felt great on the freeway, was nimble and responsive in the city, and holds on pretty well when you break the back tires loose!! With the top down, the wind noise was not bad at all, in fact, it was quieter than when I have the sunroof open in my Prelude. At first, I thought the car felt a little underpowered. I think that's because it's a 24-valve flat-six, with 4 valves per cylinder. Not to say that my Prelude is faster or more powerful, but it is "torquey-er". The Boxster has smoother power, because of the 4 valves per cylinder. BUT... I figured out just where the Boxster shined as soon as I got it up over 5000 RPM!! All of a sudden, the exhaust started to sing this perfectly tuned GROWL, and the engine moved into a different world. It was like finding a whole 'nother set of gears!! In the power band, the Boxster was ANYTHING but underpowered!!

So... now what do I do??!? Salvadore called me the other day and said that I'm now #5 in line, and I can order a car now for May production!! Decisions, decisions!!! I've decided to wait until after I go to San Francisco this weekend on Housing Scouting Expedition II, to see if I'm able to land a place with a garage. If I don't get a garage, I won't get the Boxster. To leave a car like that on the street would be unthinkable (not to mention downright STUPID)!! Also, I'll have to see just HOW much deeper rent in San Francisco is going to dig into the old pocketbook before buying such a pricey toy. I guess I ought to find out what it would cost to insure my toy, too. I'll keep ya posted...