[mikefocke]

I own a 986S and have owned a 986 base. Both with TIP as I was driving in dense city traffic to and from work. Not my only car, just my preferred car.

The 1999 base had 201 HP, the 2001 S has 252. Significant difference? Not in any normal driving. I'm sure there is a measurable difference, but either car exceeded my driving ability (and in my youth, I used to race on some pretty demanding tracks).

I've also owned a 914 that must have had around 100HP and I could have as much fun in it as in the S. Ditto the little Alfa 1300CC. All these roadsters gave the open air fun feel.

Is there a difference..sure there is. But I drove the Alfa 1300 at over 100 MPH and was amazed how smooth it was getting there. I still remember the time I went to pass a big truck and looked down at my speedo as I completed the pass and read triple digits. You don't have to have a big engine.

I've only driven the base 987 a couple of blocks. The comfort improvement in the seats and in the seat placement relative to the roll bar (my torso is tall) were significant. I just felt that it handled crisper (it was a base stick) and was a significant improvement all around. I preferred the look of the 986 but the difference wasn't that much and it is a personal preference.

Now to me, I wouldn't spend the $20k it would cost me to upgrade (I'm not rich). But if I were buying at the same price, I'd take the 987 base with reasonable equipment (heated seats, etc) over a 987 with more options (because some of those options became standard on the 987).

The 987 base has more HP than either of my other 3 cars. I think it would get you there.

Buy the choice is yours ... go drive them both. Either will be a fun car.