986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners - View Single Post - 03 S vs. 05 base ? (helping out a potential Boxster owner :-) )

mikefocke · 11-13-2009, 05:38 AM

but if I were buying today, I'd buy the '05 base.

I had a '99 (201HP) and swear I had more fun in it than the ~250HP S because I could keep my foot into it longer and still stay legal. So to me the base versus S isn't important. Heck my 85HP 914 had enough to get me in trouble. Mine doesn't have to be bigger than yours.

I'd invite you to go to a magazine review of the '05 that cites all the changes between the '03-'04 models and the '05-08 ones.

The major differences I remember were:

Variable ratio power steering

Stiffer chassis, wider wheel alignment

Bigger brakes

Head airbags

PSM standard

Improved headlights

More cockpit room

Better positioned roll bars

So you could see better, steer better, stop better, keep the tires on the road surface better, not tip over better and be safer in a crash. But to me the difference was comfort. I could position the seat the way I want it without worrying if a rear end collision would drive my head back into the roll bar.

Plus there were ergonomic changes I liked.

Having said all that...the '03 is a terrific car. We are talking degrees of excellence here.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=6&article_id=1657

11-13-2009, 05:38 AM	#8
mikefocke Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sanford NC Posts: 2,537	I have a '01S that I'm perfectly satisfied with but if I were buying today, I'd buy the '05 base. I had a '99 (201HP) and swear I had more fun in it than the ~250HP S because I could keep my foot into it longer and still stay legal. So to me the base versus S isn't important. Heck my 85HP 914 had enough to get me in trouble. Mine doesn't have to be bigger than yours. I'd invite you to go to a magazine review of the '05 that cites all the changes between the '03-'04 models and the '05-08 ones. The major differences I remember were: Variable ratio power steering Stiffer chassis, wider wheel alignment Bigger brakes Head airbags PSM standard Improved headlights More cockpit room Better positioned roll bars So you could see better, steer better, stop better, keep the tires on the road surface better, not tip over better and be safer in a crash. But to me the difference was comfort. I could position the seat the way I want it without worrying if a rear end collision would drive my head back into the roll bar. Plus there were ergonomic changes I liked. Having said all that...the '03 is a terrific car. We are talking degrees of excellence here. http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=6&article_id=1657