Shadowfax

2014 Porsche Boxster S

Her name is Shadowfax. The pronoun her jumped onto the page without thought.  You just know when you know. I didn't name her, it was on the keychain that her Turo  owner handed me while asking if I had any questions. I shook my head no as my wife and I excitedly loaded our belongings in the frunk. He smiled and walked away. We smiled and didn't notice. A moment later I regretted my lack of questions as it wasn't readily apparent how to start the car. Skillfully hiding the momentary confusion from my wife, I soon stumbled upon the key insert to the left of the steering column. Germans. Feeling like a fish in a bowl and determined not to also look foolish in front of the watching strangers gathered at the airport arrivals curb, I decided to figure out the convertible top later. Twenty seconds later I found the button and smoothly lowered the top as we merged into traffic headed out of the airport. We are cool like that. 

We were in San Francisco California headed north to Petaluma on business. My wife's business. My pleasure - and kind of work. Research. First, how does Turo work? Second, what is a Porsche Boxster GTS  like to drive on California Route 1?  I still don't know the answer to the second question. In the middle of our 4 hour flight from Minnesota to California, I discovered my Turo booking had been made for March instead of February. Whoever made the booking had....never mind. I made the booking. The thing I like about travelling with my wife is that she loves an adventure! From the time we touched down and I regained cell service, re-booked a Boxster S and cancelled the Boxster GTS  reservation with the same host, and was driving  away in the replacement, an hour and twenty minutes had elapsed. That answers the first question. Turo works GREAT! I can't say enough how painless it was. Turo Tip: double check your dates. Also, make sure your host allows enough miles to do the driving you want to do.

You might expect me to say this, but I'm really genuinely glad we got Shadowfax. She is powered by the Porshe 911 Carrera's detuned 3.4 liter flat six, making 315 hp and 266 ft-lb of torque. The PDK automatic shifts to a quick 4.2 second 0-60 time, but focusing on straight line performance misses the point of this car completely. I have to say, when we were on the freeway, everything on the road towers over you, the ride is firm, but not uncomfortable, and there is plenty of power to get you out of every potentially bad situation. That said, it didn't feel overly special. I could have been in a nice Miata, or S2000, or Z4. Don't misunderstand, I knew I was driving a Porsche. It felt a little conspicuous at first. But an interstate, straight and wide, is not a Porsche Boxster's home. I would find out her secret the next day on historic Route 1.

California Route 1 stretches 656 miles from Dana Point in the south, all the way up near Leggett in the north. It hugs the coast the whole way for the most part, and is inaccessible in some parts to big trucks or large RV,s due to it's narrow, hilly, and curvy route. The part I was ready to explore began just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. First, I had to make a detour to Sonoma Raceway. 

The morning sun cast its new light over the California hills, carving shadows along every draw and crevasse, and revealing hidden beauty in each rounded curve that fades in the harshness of afternoon light. The air is cool, but the sun feels warm on my skin as I drive up the ring road around Sonoma Raceway to catch a view of the beautiful track. Parking at the highest point, I turned the car off and soaked it all in. There is something special about visiting a racetrack in person. I enjoy seeing a race, but sometimes to view the track free of cars and people is more intimate. It's like there is a secret only you share at that moment with the ghosts of all who have worked so hard to build and race there. I stayed and contemplated in the morning sun as some hot air balloons landed on the hill above me and the sounds of a driving school just beginning rose up from the track compound below. Time to go. Highway 1 awaited.

I have to be honest, The styling of the first-gen Boxster wasn't my favorite. It wasn't particularly aggressive looking or beautiful. However, this generation is different. The lines flow smoothly from the front to the ducktail spoiler at the rear with a pleasing symbiosis. It reminds me more of the 911 than not.  I like the body-colored roll hoops and center mounted exhaust tips. I like the functional air scoops at the sides. I like the sound the engine makes. I'm trying to think of something I don't like about it, but that would feel like nit-picking. I exited off Hwy 101 South on to Hwy 1 North, making my way through town and up into the hills, and that's where I fell in love. 

There was not a single moment where this car failed to deliver what I asked of her. In fact, I got the feeling she had way more to give than I had talent to ask for. If anything, on this narrow coastal road, the Boxter feels large. I think that speaks more to the road than the car. It's an epic road. I find myself smiling as I roll into the throttle coming out of another turn. I brake almost immediately in preparation for the next, hearing the engine rev match at each downshift. The road is too curvy to carry much speed, and each corner follows immediately after the next in an unending series. If you aren't climbing, you are descending, all the while turning this way and that. Gaining confidence with each mile, I push the car harder into the corners, and harder. The little Boxster gives no indication that this is even difficult. No tire squeal, no understeer, no drama. Just grip. A lot of grip. The car dances with you like it was an extension of your body. My eyes widen as I enter a corner a bit too fast that is sharper than it looks, and then I laugh out loud and pat the wheel in pleasure as we swing out the other side like it was nothing. Now I know this car is more talented than I am. Later, I hear the buzz of a motorcycle behind me so I hit the go faster pedal and spend the next few turns playing with him before slowing for a village and watching him pass me on the left. We are all here for the same reason.