[husker boxster]

97-04 Boxsters are 986s while 05-present are 987s. There's a bit of difference between the two. The exterior of a 986 is sexier but the interior of a 987 is bigger and nicer (less cheap looking plastic). So while you're trying to decide between base and S, you should also consider 986 vs 987. Oh yeah, you get more HP in a 987 vs 986 across the board.

If you decide to go base instead of S, be ABSOLUTELY SURE you're OK with the HP. Boxsters are not easy to add HP to unless you spend cubic dollars or pounds or Euros. You can spend thousands of dollars on headers, exhausts, and intake plenums and only gain 20HP. A base Box is certainly a capable car but many have bought one and immediately feel buyer's remorse for not getting an S. It's an expensive decision, make sure you get it right.