[jwade]

I'm 35 and have had my '01 S for a while now. Love the 6 speed as I think it gives me better control of the car.

Where you live and how much you drive the car will ultimately determine your decision. I've been to SanFan and unless my car was a 3rd vehicle, I would go tiptronic. WHY? Just too many elevation changes and if you don't treat the clutch right, you will burn through them quickly due to uphill stop and go's.

The S is faster and has the better performace goodies on it than the base. Just me, but wouldn't go with the base no matter what. In fact, you may get the mod bug and do some things to enhance the already potent S powerplant.

As far as the 986 vs 987, I do love my 986S and if optioned out well, I don't think the interior looks bad at all. Full leather and other options plush it out quite a bit. I also think the exterior is a little more classy than the 987. Just more sculpted and not as many sharp angles.

And Ahhh, the seemingly controversial IMS issue.....Ok, it's an issue and I do think about it a little, but seriously, there are more than a few great fellas on this site that can aid if you were to go through one.

You can have it remedied now for $3500 or wait and your engine may blow. I'm honestly ready to flip a coin on it and either take it into one of these guys or wait until the engine blows and update completely to a new 3.6 liter motor and a little better suspension at the same time to handle the extra power.

My S is a pure "fair weather only" toy and I really don't care to get rid of it anytime soon. Not that I don't love the new Boxster's and the new level of performance they carry, but I still see too many similarities between my '01 S and the new ones. Kinda makes me wonder just how long Porsche can milk their parts department....

Either way you go, stay with the S and do some searching for the right car with the right options for the right price.