[black_box]

I would advise to get the "S" model, which starts in 2000 MY. Every Boxster owner I've talked to has wanted more power, even if they think it's adequate at time of purchase. Fact is, the Boxster chassis is severely underpowered even with the larger motors and you'll know it once you start driving hard/tracking the car. There are some nasty reliability issues with 2.5 motors, but the ones that were going to be bad are mostly dead now anyway.

Much cheaper to get the better baseline motor than try to get there later on with upgrades, plus the suspension, cooling system, and brakes are worlds better. Especially out in Cali, where you can really drive the thing.