2001 Porsche Boxster Roadster 5-spd Manual / 63k Miles on 2040-cars

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2012 TechArt Porsche 911 is visually dazzling, both inside and out

One way to ensure that your brand-new Porsche 911 (a.k.a. 991) won't look like the one in your neighbor's driveway is to give TechArt a call. The famed German tuner has rolled out its version of the latest Carrera and Carrera S at the Geneva Motor Show and trust us, it won't be mistaken for anything from the factory in Stuttgart.
Up front, TechArt has fitted its own unique two-part spoiler with integrated splitter while more aggressive side skirts adorn the rocker panels. The rear has a new lower diffuser, wrapped around the TechArt exhaust, and a large fixed rear wing (complete with an integrated third brake light). Look more closely to notice the subtle trim panels on the exterior mirrors and front headlights. The wheels are lightweight forged 20- and 21-inch alloys with matching paint on their rims.
Inside the heavily modified cabin are even more drastic enhancements (let's say TechArt has gone over the top). Don't let the aluminum pedals be a distraction as you inspect the black Alcantara and high-grade leather covering nearly every square inch. Flirting with gaudy, the dark upholstery is contrasted by vehicle-color-coordinated stitching and painted trim splashed throughout. However, the icing on the cake is an insanely thick TechArt three-spoke sports steering wheel.

Porsche Boxster spied in the buff

Porsche is preparing a significant update to its entry level Boxster convertible, and while visually this might appear to be a simple refresh, the changes are more than skin deep. Following a number of rumors, Porsche will finally make the jump to turbocharged engines on a broad scale, and it starts with this new Boxster. According to our spies, it's the larger side intakes featured on this prototype that give away its smaller, force-induced flat-four engine. The dual exhaust pipes, meanwhile, say Boxster S to us, rather than just the basic model. Beyond the mechanical changes, this marks the first time we've seen the new Boxster completely free of camouflage. We can see that Porsche's stylists – famous for revolutionary designs slowly tweaking the same style for decads on end – adjusted the look of the front and rear fascias. We like the more aggressively canted headlights, which get the same four-pointed LEDs as its big brother, the 911. The slimmer taillights are a minor improvement on the inoffensive lamps fitted to the current car, and serve to take some attention off the all-plastic exhaust surround, which is much more simply styled than the current car's. It should also be noted that the aesthetics featured on the new Boxster are very, very likely to be transferred directly onto the new Cayman. You can check out our full gallery of shots of the all-new, totally undisguised Boxster in the gallery up top. Expect to see the new roadster around this time next year, with a debut at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show likely. Related Video:

Topiary Joe sculpts the ultimate in green cars

Efficient cars are all the rage these days, but Joe Kyte has made a business of crafting some of the coolest green cars around – literally. Kyte is better known by his nickname Topiary Joe, and in addition to being a talented artist, he is also a real gearhead. Kyte has been creating topiaries for the last 20 years. It began when he was marketing greenhouse products to Walt Disney World and saw their plant sculptures. He realized that he could do that and since then, has done around 3,400 pieces. His most intriguing creations are the rolling sculptures that move and turn. Prices for those start at about $18,000 and can be as high as $30,000. While, the wheels are machine-bent, Kyte said all the other parts are done with a table vice and a Lincoln Electric arc welder. Topiary Joe is taking the Porsche (pictured above) to Palm Beach later this year to sell or says he may donate it to Porsche North America. If you really want it, the sculpture is currently on Craigslist for sale for $24,000. Topiary Joe has also had a life-long love of cars. "I was driving my first MG Midget before I was 14," he told Autoblog. He grew up in Oak Ridge, TN, where the Manhattan Project was partially developed. He says the town was full of recent college grads driving Mercedes, and he caught the bug. His automotive mentor was a nuclear physicist who taught him to repair and restore the Mercs. Kyte has completed commissions for Sandals Resort, Dreamworks, Absolut, and many more. Among his favorite creations is the Ferrari that he created at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that is now exhibited at the airport each year before the race. Check out his website for a wider look at his work.