In this episode (part 1 of the adventure), I drive from New York to Colorado, via Chicago and Omaha… before running into some issues in the Rocky Mountains.

The 2002 Porsche Boxster S is like that friend who shows up to a casual dinner party wearing a tailored suit—effortlessly cool and unapologetically classy. With its mid-engine layout and 3.2-liter flat-six engine, this car was a statement that Porsche didn’t just reserve its best engineering for the 911. It pumps out 250 horsepower, which in 2002 felt like a mini rocket on wheels. The Boxster S hugs the road like it’s trying to give it a romantic embrace, thanks to its near-perfect weight distribution. Driving it feels like an experience—no, an event—where every curve is an invitation to push a little harder.

Inside, it’s quintessentially Porsche: minimalist but refined, with all the buttons and knobs you need and none of the ones you don’t. The soft top is ready to drop at a moment’s notice, letting you hear that sweet engine note in full stereo. The car’s design has aged well—its sleek, rounded body still turns heads even as it gets mistaken for more recent models. The Boxster S isn’t just a sports car; it’s a declaration that sometimes, the road is best enjoyed with a little wind in your hair and a flat-six engine singing behind you.