Owned both an '01S and a '99 base, actually preferred the base! Loved them both. Neither was my first sports car nor my first Porsche. But they were both by far the best of both categories. Mine were economical to operate (lucky) once I had the PPI and resultant maintenance done.
Dozens of pages on buying a Boxster of the 986 vintage
here. Includes model year differences, best and worst features, etc. One man's opinions.
Good luck.