[Perfectlap]

03 Boxster S is a good choice. You get a glass rear window with that one and some nice body changes to the rear.

The Boxster and Miata are both rear wheel drive, nicely balanced, sit low (stock) and have nice and loud high revving engines.

The Miata is a little more fun to toss around because the BoxsterS is soooo predictable and so well behaved. Its very German, it does everything its supposed to do and nothing more or less. But on the downside is that with the extra 100 HP over the 1.8 Mazda, even though the BoxsterS is extremely forgiving, you won't be getting away with Mistakes in the Boxster like you can with the Miata. In that respect starting off in a Miata is excellent and since you've already learned all of the fundamentals with the Miata moving up to the Boxster should be much easier than someone learning everything for the first time with a $50K Porsche.
The biggest difference is the tali happy nature of the Miata. Fun in my book because with experience you can really manipulate that and boy what fun that is.
THe mideninge dynamics of the Boxster put an end to all that oversteer.

if you go with the 03 call warranty direct or try to extend your Porsche warranty before there is a lapse in coverage otherwise they'll be unlikely to extend coverage. Maintaining this Porsche isn't so bad but its the unexpected repairs that will kill you. As far as Porsches go this car is as reliable as any they have built so far.