Every time we have a good Cayman or Boxster here, I find myself appreciating the same things. The proportions, the driving position, the engine sitting just behind you and the way everything comes together once you find a road worth taking your time over. They are wonderfully complete sports cars, and a thoughtfully specified example still gets me looking through the photographs long after I should have moved on to something else. Jet Black Metallic paintwork, a black fabric roof, 20 inch Carrera S wheels in factory Satin Black and, crucially, the fitted Porsche Sports Exhaust. Inside, there is the Alcantara SportDesign steering wheel, heated seats and some lovely individual trim choices. It is a combination that makes sense as you walk towards her, then makes even more sense when you settle into the driving seat. The colour deserves a moment of its own. Jet Black Metallic gives the 981 a lovely depth, particularly where the light catches the front wings and the curve of the rear shoulders. The side intakes become more pronounced against the dark bodywork, and the black roof sits neatly within the shape. There is a real sense of purpose to it. Those Carrera S wheels are a big part of the appeal. The 20 inch diameter fills the arches beautifully, while the open spoke design suits the clean lines of the car. Satin Black was the factory choice here, with full colour Porsche crest centres providing a small, deliberate touch of colour. I think they look absolutely right. Then you notice the finer details. Smoked rear lights, body colour roll over bars, sports tailpipes and the silver model designation specified for the doors. These are the sort of choices that make looking through a Porsche build sheet enjoyable. Each adds something to the finished car, and here they come together particularly well. The naturally aspirated 2.7 litre flat six is a lovely engine to spend time with. There is something deeply satisfying about the way it responds as you work through the rev range, gathering energy and changing its voice as it goes. You become interested in the whole process, choosing your gear, judging the road ahead and feeling the engine respond to your right foot. For me, that is a large part of what makes this generation so important. The 981 gives you that naturally aspirated six cylinder character in a car that is comfortable, usable and beautifully resolved. You can enjoy the engine, the balance and the driving position on an ordinary journey. You do not need to save it all for a special occasion. The Cayman has its own appeal, and I love the sense of enclosure you get in the coupe. The Boxster brings something different to the experience. Lowering the roof lets the surroundings into the car and puts you closer to the sound of the engine. A road you know well can feel entirely different when you can hear the flat six working behind your shoulders. She has the fitted Porsche Sports Exhaust, the proper valved system, along with the sports tailpipes recorded on the original factory specification. That matters to me because the soundtrack is such an important part of the experience. The flat six has a distinctive voice, and being able to enjoy more of it with the roof folded away is a very good reason to choose this particular Boxster. There is a lovely moment in a car like this when the engine is warm, the road clears and you can let a gear run a little longer. The sound builds, the car settles into its stride and you remember why you wanted a sports car in the first place. That is the sort of enjoyment I look for when choosing stock for Vertex. The seven speed PDK gearbox complements the 2.7 beautifully. It makes the car easy to live with when you are working through traffic, then gives you the opportunity to take control of the changes when you want to become more involved. There is a satisfying flow to holding a gear through a bend and taking the next one as the road opens out. The mid engine layout is just as central to the appeal. You sit low, with the front wings framing your view and the engine close behind. The 981 has a lovely sense of balance, and the relationship between the seating position, steering and chassis encourages you to concentrate on driving smoothly. A good sequence of bends can be immensely rewarding without the journey ever needing to become a competition. I think that is why these cars stay with people. The enjoyment comes from so many small things working together. You look forward to the next drive because you remember the whole experience. The factory Alcantara SportDesign steering wheel is one of my favourite details in the specification. You spend every mile with it in your hands, and the shape and finish give the cabin a wonderfully sporting feel. It is a choice I would actively look for in a Boxster like this. The black Alcantara seat centres work well alongside it, with leatherette bolsters and backrests keeping the interior cohesive. The centre storage compartment lid is also finished in Alcantara and carries the Porsche crest. It is a small detail, but exactly the sort of thing you appreciate when you are sitting in the car rather than simply scrolling through an equipment list. The factory painted interior package, including the dashboard decorative trim and centre console, adds further interest. Together with the leather covered airbag module, these choices give the cabin a considered finish. There is more to this specification than the obvious wheels and exhaust. It is also equipped to make regular use enjoyable. Heated seats are particularly welcome in an open Porsche. Some of the most memorable roof down drives happen on clear, cooler days, and having that warmth through the seat makes it much easier to take advantage of them. The wind deflector is another useful addition, while cruise control makes longer journeys more relaxed. PDLS Plus headlights, with their dynamic high beam function, and front and rear ParkAssist are worthwhile features to have. The CDR Plus system, Sound Package Plus, DAB radio and factory telephone module take care of the everyday side of ownership. It is a specification with plenty to enjoy both on a favourite road and on the journey getting there. With 63,388 miles recorded, full specialist and independent service history and our own major service now completed, the maintenance deserves its share of the conversation too. The attraction of the car brought her to our attention; the work behind the scenes is part of preparing her for somebody else to enjoy. For me, this is a very appealing way into 981 ownership. The colour has presence, the wheels suit the shape, the steering wheel is the one I would want to hold and the exhaust gives that flat six an opportunity to be heard. I can already picture the first proper drive. Roof folded away, heated seats on if the weather calls for it, and a route chosen with rather more interest in the corners than the arrival time. This Boxster comes with full specialist and independent service history, and that is an important part of her appeal. When you are choosing a car like this, the maintenance record should sit alongside the specification in your thinking. The wheels and exhaust might start the conversation, but the history helps you understand the car you are considering. My background is in the workshop, and I still care deeply about this side of the business. I want to be able to explain what has been carried out, distinguish between routine servicing and more substantial work, and give the next owner a clear account of our own preparation. With this Boxster, we have completed a major service at the current mileage. That includes the filters and spark plugs detailed below, together with a brake fluid inspection. It is work that deserves to be recorded properly, because these are the things that support the experience you are buying the car to enjoy. The existing history accompanies a car that has now covered 63,388 miles, with our own major service forming the latest part of her maintenance story. There is value in being able to sit down with the history and understand the work behind a car. Servicing is part of ownership, and on a Porsche I want that conversation to receive proper time and attention. We will happily go through the available records with you when discussing the Boxster. Fresh engine oil and a replacement oil filter form the foundation of the work. The air filter has also been renewed, along with the pollen filter for the cabin ventilation system. The spark plugs have been replaced as part of the major service, and the brake fluid has been inspected. I want the next owner to know exactly what that description means. These are the individual items we have carried out, presented clearly, so you can understand the preparation behind the car as well as the specification fitted to it. The photographs show why this colour combination works so well. There is a lovely depth to the Jet Black Metallic paint, with reflections following the shape of the bonnet, wings and doors. The black fabric roof and Satin Black wheels carry the theme through the car, while the Porsche crests bring a little colour into the detail. The overall presentation is purposeful and cohesive. The 981 has a particularly good shape from the front three quarter angle, where you can appreciate the rise of the front wings, the low nose and the side intake behind the door. This specification makes the most of it. Inside, the Alcantara seat centres, SportDesign steering wheel and matching crest embossed storage lid give the cabin its character. The painted trim adds interest without overwhelming the layout. It is a pleasing combination of materials and finishes. Our condition discussion extends to the practical details as well. Tyres and brakes form part of the checks we work through before handover, and we are happy to explain their condition alongside the rest of the car. The brake fluid inspection is included in the service work listed above. Viewings are by appointment so there is time to look properly. Walk around her, examine the details, sit in the driving seat and ask the questions that matter to you. Choosing a Porsche should be an enjoyable process, with room to become familiar with the actual car. The original Porsche record also includes code 09971, Custom Tailoring Zuffenhausen. This records an individual special order entry, although the extract does not identify the particular item to which it relates. The Porsche Sports Exhaust is confirmed as fitted equipment. Sports tailpipes are separately recorded on the factory specification; whether the valved exhaust was installed originally or subsequently has not been established. Our wider handover process includes a mechanical inspection, checks of the car’s functions and a road test, together with attention to tyres, brakes and the details that matter in everyday use. Professional detailing and final presentation complete that process. I care about the workshop side and the presentation equally. A car should be enjoyable to look around, but the preparation needs substance behind it. That means being clear about the work completed and taking the time to discuss the car properly with its next owner. On a black Porsche, careful presentation also allows you to appreciate the shape and finish. Inside, attention to the Alcantara, trim and the surfaces you use every day helps the cabin feel ready to be enjoyed. Vertex is personal to me. I choose the cars, take an interest in their specification and history, and want to understand what makes each one worth owning. This Boxster appeals to the enthusiast in me. The 981 shape, naturally aspirated flat six, fitted Porsche Sports Exhaust and Alcantara SportDesign steering wheel are things I would enjoy every time I used it. The major service reflects the attention I want the mechanical side to receive as well. We work by appointment so you have time with the car and a proper conversation with us. You are welcome to ask about the history, preparation, equipment or the practicalities of ownership. Those conversations are part of what I enjoy about this business. A complimentary 12 month warranty is included, subject to the policy terms and cover applicable to the vehicle. Finance, part exchange and nationwide delivery are available, and we can talk you through the arrangements that suit you.