The differences between the 2002 and 2003 Boxsters are relatively small, the important ones being an increase of eight horsepower, a glass rear window in the convertible top that replaces the old plastic one — about time, catching up to the Miata — and a change to the exhaust system delivering a crisper more Porsche-like sound from the 6-cylinder motor.

The motor sounds really great with the top down. The introduction of the glass rear window changes the profile of the soft top a little, and the muffler tail pipe looks a little different. Cosmetic changes include making the interior console look more like the 911 and using a different color for exterior light lenses.

The 2003 Porsche Boxster will rev the engine of driving enthusiasts.

Driving either car for up to four hours through the Quebec countryside was sheer joy. With its mid-engine configuration this is probably the world’s best balanced sports car, better than the Porsche 911 series whose rear engines can lead to loss of rear wheel adhesion at the absolute cornering limit.

Local Canadians were entranced with the Boxsters, young people examined them when they were stopped for fuel or drinks, and Canadian drivers waved when passed by an aggressive screaming Boxster S.

Driving on the Formula 1 Mont Tremblant race track with professional driver Hurley Heywood and his buddies was a heart-racing kick. First the pro rode as a passenger, advising the writer driver on what to do — “accelerate hard,” “brake NOW,” “turn in,” etc. The Boxster did absolutely anything asked of it, and without histrionics. It was on the track that the extra 33 horsepower from the Boxster S engine was really noticed. Instead of 110 mph on the main straight, it was 120 mph, and braking came earlier and was harder.

When the pro took over it was white knuckle time. Hurley threw the Porsche around at unbelievable speeds, demonstrating first that this car is unflappable and second that the journalists didn’t even get close to testing the Boxster’s limits.

The 2.7 liter, 225 hp flat six engine in the base Boxster seems to have enough oomph for most drivers on the freeway or San Diego County’s back roads. The Boxster S, with a more powerful 3.2 liter, 258 hp engine and larger brakes and wheels, costs $9,000 more than its basic counterpart. This moves the $42,600 base price up to $51,600.

Pages of options are available for either model — too many to list here — but suffice it to say it is remarkably easy to increase the car’s price by $30,000 for owners who really want to doll it up with designer stuff; i.e. special leather, knobs, wheels (up to $4,215 for the best), brake calipers, interior, navigation system ($3,450) and polar metallic silver exterior paint ($3,050).

Owners give the Boxster a good rating, 8.5 out of 10 in the Carpoint owner survey.

The factory warranty is four years or 50,000 miles and the EPA estimated fuel consumption is 17 city/26 highway with the optional $2,700 Tiptronic automatic transmission, and 20 city/29 highway for the Boxster with the standard five-speed manual, and 18 city/26 highway for the Boxster S with the standard six-speed manual transmission.

The wind in your hair, the lovely sound of the flat six motor, the lustful looks, the affordability, the great local friendly Porsche club and the absolute unflappability of this car on any road at any speed is a seductive package for many sports car buyers that previously couldn’t think of affording a Porsche.

For a test drive, talk nice to the folks at Pioneer on Miramar Road. For a workout at Mont Tremblant, you’re on your own.

Motoring since 1952, Austin Lynas has owned 54 cars and at one time raced mini-sedans in England. An aerospace engineer, he was instrumental in developing the anti-skid systems used in British military aircraft that preceded today’s ABS systems. Lynas can be reached by e-mail at osten@aol.com.