DRIVING a Porsche Boxster is so special it's like the first day of the holidays - or a big win on the lottery.

This superb machine reacts almost instantaneously to your every input and seems to become part of you - almost like an extension of thought.

It's just as much of an icon as the 911 - an intoxicating driver's machine that is very nearly perfect.

The way it can cover the ground in the hands of an expert is a revelation, and having been lucky enough to take one or two out on circuits - and be shown how good they are by Porsche racing drivers - believe me, I know!

These are cars made to be driven - to be enjoyed and relished, not just used.

In fact, despite them being the entry point into Porsche ownership, the Boxster and its sister car the Cayman are so good I have to wonder why anyone bothers buying the 911.

From 2012 to 2016, when the range was updated, Standard 2.7 models had 261bhp, and the 3.2 litre S had 311, while the GTS had 325.

Finally, the Spyder came with a 3.8-litre engine producing 369bhp, and was the fastest in the range, dispatching the zero to 60 miles an hour sprint in just 4.4 seconds.

But the 2.7 models are by no means slow, getting to 60 with the manual gearbox in 5.5 seconds, and in 5.3 with the PDK automatic.

The standard S brings that down to 4.8 and 4.5 seconds respectively and it should do 31 miles per gallon, while the 2.7 should do 33 with careful driving.

These are the most affordable recent Boxsters, and most should have full service history. I would be very wary of buying any Porsche without it because they need to be regularly fettled if they are to last.

All have flat six engines in the Porsche tradition, and despite those heady power outputs, there's not a turbocharger in sight.

Drive is to the rear wheels through either a six speed manual or a seven speed tiptronic automatic gearbox, and it's worth noting that the manual clutch is very heavy. Try one before you buy, and go for the auto if needs be.

Performance is mindblowing compared to almost anything else on the road and hardly any BMWs or Mercedes come close to the urge per pound.

All Boxsters are pretty noisy when pressed, with the engine behind your left ear, and although they rev superbly they don't make the sweetest sound.

But they cost far less than a 911 and have just about as much space inside, albeit with little storage around the cabin.

The handling is sublime, with a perfectly balanced chassis and superb steering that feed information to the driver. There's a huge amount of grip and if the view is good, speed can be maintained through corners in the most scintillating way. Needless to say the brilliant brakes are well able to control everything when needed.

Equipment leaves nothing lacking in standard trim and it has enough performance for 99 per cent of people.

So go on, grab yourself some Fun with a capital F, but do make sure you can afford the group 43+ insurance.

Pay about £20,800 for a '14 14-reg 2.7 manual in standard trim, or £32,400 for a '16 16-reg S PDK automatic.