purchase choice - 2003 S or 2005 2.7?
 

As soon as I sell my current vehicle, I'm ready to purchase my long awaited Boxster. As this could happen relatively soon, I'm going to be faced with a tough choice - a 2003 S, or 2005 2.7

For better or worse, it will be used primarially for city driving, with relatively little opportunity to really 'stretch its legs', so I'm thinking that the newer design, lower miles, warranty etc. of the 2005 might be a better bet, but I thought I should get opinions from the aficianados here. Thoughts?

(I'll only be considering pampered, low-mileage vehicles in either case - and find that they are at similar price points)

get the newer model, they should be in the same range power wise and money wise, but the newer one is a more refined maching, and just simply newer...althoug some people do prefer the 986 styling over the 987 like my father...
good luck with your decision, and let us know how things work out

IMHO..my choice would be the 2003 S...why? because when i was in your situation, my choice was 99' w/ 47k miles or 01 S w/ 55k miles and a price difference of 6k...I should have gone to more HP.

If you want HP = 03' S
If you want newer w/ warranty = 05 Base and just buy an "S" badge at Pep Boys :D

Well I look at it this way if your are going to go 986S look for the best deal you can find. Lowest miles and lowest price. I see no major reason to point you toward a 2003 vs. a 2000, 2001 or 2002. There's even some data that the 2000-2002 seem to be the least prone to break downs. Rather than concetration on year, Instead try to find one with a CPO. Why? well a guy on Rennlist just got a free of charge rebuilt engine from his local Porsche dealer after going in with his 02 in for a new throw out bearing. Since it was CPO they found a leaky RMS, dug deeper and found the engine needed to come out. No charge. With out the CPO they would have just told the guy he had an RMS and told him to have a nice day.

I've driven the 987 2.7 and I don't really see anything other than a marginal difference in all driving aspects. Kind of reminds of the 996 GT3 owners who feel the 997 GT3 comes at a significant price increase without a significant trade up in measureable performance. One guy I know spent a boat load on his 996 GT3, spent a boat load on top end modifications and predicts it will be a full year before there is a 997 GT3 than can go faster than his 996 GT3. Now he's talking about GT2 because he's convinced a naturally apsirated 911 can't be made significantly faster anymore while the price is creeping into full blown exotic territory.

The 987 3.4 well that sounds like a Boxster I would consider trading in my 986S for. Or a RUF supercharged CaymanS.

At the end of the day for its a question of will a $20-25K CPO 986S tip give you the same enjoyment as $10-$20K more 987 tip? THe bean counter in me says it will and you will lose less money during the depreciation of both.

p.s.
if you go with 987 get rid of those MR2 side intakes in favor of the Cayman intakes.

good feedback so far ...
 

I'm thankful and impressed that I am already getting such thoughtful feedback on my inquiry. This may serve to instantly discredit me (I hope not) but I will admit that I was focused on the '03 S because of reliability ratings / owner reported feedback published in a major national consumer magazine that claims the 03' is significantly 'better' than '02 or '04 as far as quality / expense of major repairs. The sample size they used to compile the ratings is not published with the data, but they do have many vehicles they don't publish on because they recognize the sample size was/is too small for the 'rating' to be significant. (So I was somewhat inclined to put at least some faith in these 'ratings'.

I'm prepared to spend as much as $35k (perhaps even a little bit more for the 'perfect' car), so I think I will have some good options. I tend to keep cars for a long time, so I'm not overly concerned about the immediate resale prospects. I think I'd like to have the Bose system (I like it in my current car) but am not sure what other options are considered key. Because of traffic here, and because I'd like for my wife to be able to enjoy the car too, I would prefer TipTronic (I know - another strike against me). Other suggestions are welcome .....

Hey, Sloan..I have a TIP Tranny too and i love it...on twisties, the only thing I worry about is downshifting it as long as it's in sports mode (M)..for 35k that you are willing to spend, you will get alot of option just be patience....

i don't know much about options when it comes to performance but here's what I'm going to look at:
Litronic
Bose system
Upgraded Front & Rear Bumper w/ side skirts
18" wheels

If you are going to keep the car a while I would wait and see if a 987S comes on the radar. Very few naturally aspirated Porsches given their overall production over the years have had more than 250 HP, an in a roadster its almost unheard of for Porsche.
Given the slumping Boxster sales I don't think its entirely out of the question that Porsche pulls the plug on the Boxster in the future, making those (280-300hp) 3.2 and 3.4 987s rare birds within the 1 million+ production of Porsche sports cars.
I might opt for the smaller 18" wheels if you will driving within the city allot thoug..
19" tires are not cheap...

How much of a difference is there in 2nd hand 987 vs 2nd hand 987S these days?

There have been cases where brand new base 987 (low options) have been picked up for sub $40k. Consider picking up a new 07 or 06 base 987 from remaining stock at a northern-based dealer this winter, if you're not in a huge hurry. Within a year, you should expect to see used 05 987S (without too many options) also go for sub $40k. I would get a base 987 (vs 986S), and get a 987S if possible. The 987 is a major re-design of many components (not just the engine) after learning the do's and don'ts on the 986. Either way, you won't go wrong. Good luck and keep us posted.
Z.

...or just PM edwin about his red cutie :) :
http://986forum.com/forums/boxsters-cayman-cars-sale-wanted/10618-fs-2004-boxster-s-11-300-miles-mint.html
Z.

more confused than ever?
 

As helpful as all of the replies have been, I'm perhaps more confused than ever about what to do. Naturally, I LOVE the 987S, and that would be my first choice, but they are not within the existing budget. While I'm not in a big hurry (summer here is so warm / too warm), I'm not going to 'hold my breath' waiting for the 987S to go sub-$40k, because, as I mentioned, I am looking for a pampered, low-miles car, and I don't see a 987S fitting that description going sub $40k any time real soon. Realistically, I still see it as a choice between 986 S and a 'base' 987.

Let me try to ask it this way to add a new dynamic to the discussion - what were the most important / most appreciated improvements/changes in the 987 (other than exterior styling and power?) As suggested by unklekraker, the security of a warranty and having the new design are quite attractive - and it was also observed that there were many subtle refinements/upgrades incorporated in to the 987. On the other hand, being able to get an S with all of the 'goodies' keeps the 986 in the running .... the difficulty in these choices is why I posted here in the first place, knowing that this community of owners and enthusiasts would help me think this through armed with more information. To give a little bit more insight in to my current thinking, the appeal of the 986 S is not as much about the little bit of extra power / displacement (though that's certainly good) as it is knowing that I'd be getting a vehicle with more of the options that I would like to have. I am already a little bit concerned that if I tried to get a 987 in my price range that it would be too 'stripped down', and that I'd be frustrated by that.

P.S. As suggested by z12358 I did take a look at edwin's '04 S - beautiful, but: 1) red is not my first choice; 2) I'm assuming it's not TipTronic and; 3) I'm not yet ready to buy today (obvious, since I can't even decide which model/year I want yet) - I figure it will be at least another month before I've been able to clean up / fix up and sell the current ride.

P.P.S. - Thank you to all who are taking the time to help me with this - it is appreciated.

The question is if you prefer more speed or better looks (subjective although I do prefer the 987 looks).

I am more of a speed guy and in this case I would get S (I current own an 04 986S). Not that the 987 base wont suffice but after sometime driving it might actually cause regrets - after you get used to the style I mean.

Most important factor also is not exterior looks as they look very similar. The interior redesign is what I Love in the new 987 models.

Up to you, whatever you do though you are buying one of the best cars in the world.

hey sloan, sounds like you are having a major dilemna..ease up brotha! :D
Patience is the key ;)

qoute taken on sloan;s post:
I am already a little bit concerned that if I tried to get a 987 in my price range that it would be too 'stripped down', and that I'd be frustrated by that.

-you are so right on this one
A big point on having the most option on the Boxster that you are buying are: "YOu could stay away from slippery slopes of Mod's or being bitten by mod' bugs"

Good Luck, my friend for your quest :cheers:
keep us posted!

You're complicating things too much. If the market is telling you that both choices are priced similarly, then that's your answer in terms of generally perceived value. You won't get much more than that from this forum. You need to do some testing and answering work on your own to make your own PERSONAL decision that will reflect your PERSONAL preferences. Go to a dealer that has an 986S in inventory, and test drive it with the 987 back to back. See if the new 987 interior catches your eye. See if the kick from the 986S 3.2 liters matters to you more than the less fancy interior. Take your time, look at different color combos of both cars and let it sink in. Then follow your heart and pull the trigger. You can't do wrong.
Z.

torque and powerband used in city driving
 

Another consideration might be the low-mid range torque. While the base 987 has hp numbers that approach those of the 986S, it torque curve is not a broad, with its the smaller displacement. I have not driven a tip, but in most cars, auto trannys can magnify frustrations caused the lack of torque. I am not refering to standing starts, where an auto can be useful, but moving through city traffic and passing can be frustrating in a car with lower torque output and the inability to instantly select your desired gear.

It is a tough call 987 vs 986 S - But some reality helps
 

I can't comment about the US but here in the UK the reality of the market and public perception starts to kick in. I should start by saying that I recently chose an 03 3.2S with 16k miles. Mint condition although a few too many previous owners.

The main reason for choosing the car was because it was from a local performance/prestige garage. it was the right colour inside/out, it had low mileage, it was right on budget, came with a 1yr warranty, and it was an "S".

But lets get public perception out of the way. Everyone including me wanted an "S" and it doesn't matter that the standard 987 is near on performance. It is emotional, and the first question anybody asks. "Did you get an S".

The market prices higher mileage very low spec cars with 17" wheels that look poor on a 987 at a few £k more. Yes it will be 2yrs younger, the interior is so much better and performance isn't much different to a 986S, however to my eye the cars just don't look desirable enough. That is why they seem good value. A 987S is £7k more and in the slow depreciating world of the Boxster that is a gulf.

So in conclusion. I think if you find the standard spec 987 desirable and you can ignore everyone asking why you didn't buy an S (Including yourself) then it is a far better buying proposition vs an 03 986 S.

preference might be developing
 

While I have not yet had the chance to follow the excellent suggestion of z12358 of a back-to-back test drive, I've been influenced a bit both by feedback here (and particularly the most recent comments from mtch about better low/mid-range tourque in the S) and what I'm finding in the local marketplace. I'm also just not that impressed with the 'new' interior look for, as I think I've seen mentioned elsewhere, while I understand why it is viewed by many as a big improvement, to me it makes it look more like the interior of the G35 coupe that I considered and rejected long ago.

I now have my eye on a particular '04 S 50th Anniversary 550 Spyder Limited Edition with under 10k miles (w/ Tip, Bose, PSM, etc.). Current car to the shop on Tuesday for pre-sale maint. items - and I am going to get in touch with seller of the '04 to arrange a look. If anyone has thoughts about that Anniversary edition car, it would be great. Thanks. (P.S. - I would post a link to the prospective car, but I have not yet looked to see if that is permitted by the forum rules ....)

987 vs 986
 

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.

If any Boxster is going to hold its value over the long term, it will certainly be the 50th Anniversary car. Though not exceedingly rare (1953 of them were produced), it is a desirable model, which will eventually be sought by collectors. It has a number of exclusive features to include the color combination and wheel option, making it immediately recognizable on the street. In my eyes at least, the Limited Edition 986s is a better choice than a base 987. Even if you're not interested in its collectability, the decelerated depreciation should be of interest. Plus they're so friggin' cool. ;)

Cayman intakes on 987?
 

"If you go with 987 get rid of those MR2 side intakes in favor of the Cayman intakes."

I think this would look sharp (although I don't know what an MR2 is) but the dealership clerk said they would not fit directly, but perhaps could be modified to fit.

Have you seen this done? Porsche or aftermarket?
Thanks (although now I think my car less than perfect for the first time).

I chose a 987 because I figured Porsche would improve everything on a new model. I wanted better reliability, reduced maintainence, better performance. Can't find the article that convinced me, or I would share it, sorry.

A big surprize was how great the bi-zenon lights are: stronger, brighter light by 300% (a guess, not science), and the sides of the road are illumened, not just the road ahead. A real safety feature and worth the cost.

2003 S low milage vs 2005 2.7 medium to high milage --> 2003 S
2003 S medium to high milage vs 2005 2.7 low milage --> 2005 2.7
2003 S low milage vs 2005 2.7 low milage --> 2003 S
2003 S high milage vs 2005 2.7 high milage --> 2005 2.7

IMO

Just went through this
 

Although its my first post, I'll put my $.02

I just went through this same thought process. I was originally looking for the same cars as you. An early S was my pre-drive favorite.

When I finally got around to driving a couple of cars, the 987 base was way more composed and comfortable for a daily driver. I like performance as much as anyone, but the difference made me feel much more confident in pushing the better composed car, vs. the more raw early S. Plus as you have stated, and many others, its still under warranty and its newer etc. etc.

The 10 hp difference, I couldn't feel, as the car is quick enough for me (for now). To top it off, the dealer found me an '05 base, super low miles (break in miles) w/ the options that I wanted, and a few I didn't(!) at a great price (mid 30's).

I jumped at it, and haven't looked back. These past three weeks the only problem I've had is that my face hurts from smiling so damn much :D

Jason

leaning towards 2003 S
 

Well, this purchase has not happened as quickly as I would have liked (notice the age of my inital post) but I just ordered my 'blank check' today, and will be shopping in earnest starting this weekend.

As it stands, I am leaning to the 2003 S, though the comments by djomlas and jderiansf still weigh on my mind. The one I am focused on now has 20,500 miles, Tip., Speed Yellow (matching belts - nice touch), Bose, 18" Turbo Twist wheels, and 4 new tires (subject of another post) but lacks PSM.

I thought that perhaps the delay / wait would have brought a 987 S in to range (willing to spend $35k+ for the right car), but from what I've seen, they are both hard to come by on the used market, and still very pricy ($40k and over).

Anyone want to add any final thoughts before I head out with check in hand?

You aren't really defining how much above $35k you will go for a 987S. I think a low mileage S could be had for $40k even, maybe even $39k. Keep in mind, with the 987 you have at least a year of warranty left and the newer styling.

You said it will be mostly a city driver
 

So stick or TIP?

How long are you going to keep it? Is resale important? And how does it influence the choice of color? (Resale differs by up to 20%!!!)

Are you willing to travel for the car (its still cold up north and deals are better when the streets are covered with white stuff that isn't sand)?

I've had 2 Boxsters. A '99 with 201HP and a '01 with 245. I see no difference in the fun factor.

If I were buying today, I'd definitely buy a base 987 over a 986 just for the hundreds of little improvements they made between models.

Some points of advice...drive several...don't fall in love with one (there are hundreds for sale today)..and get a PPI.

Some additional thoughts here
would apply to buying either.

Get to work, you've missed months of fun since your initial posting.

Here's a sharp one in Jax that's been for sale for a few months. Might be able to talk the owner into selling for $37. You didn't mention trading anything in. If not, you can look at private owner sales. They generally have to take less because most people want to trade something, so to entice buyers they have to price their cars for less.

Good luck with your search.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=235726990

This might be unpopular -- but its true -- $35K is too much to spend for any except the most exceptional 986S's (like a special edition). For that money, I'm buying an 987 in a heartbeat.

If you go the 986S route (I did), buy one that is flawless, low miles and minty in the mid 20's. And, get it inspected by an expert before you buy.



.

Sloan,

I have to agree with Fatmike. I just recently went through the same dilemma that you are going through right now. I had to choose between 05 987 vs. 04 986S Silver Anniversary Edition. I test drove endless number of Boxsters.... there are a lot of choices out there.... do not be hasty, do not get smitten with the one ride.

I could not tell the difference in feel (straight line acceleration) between the standard 987 and 986S. However, the 986S was meticulously maintained with low miles (28 K) and felt so much better.... crisper turn in with the ease of the short-shifter. In the end, I chose the 2004 986S Silver Anniversary, it is nice and low to the ground and the spacers fill out the fenders.

I was able to haggle down to 33.5K from the initial price of 37.9K. The seller was easily agreeable.... so I always wonder if I should have pushed for a lesser price? :o

Anyways... in one short summer I have pushed the Boxster to 31K and cannot stop smiling :D

I am a newbie but IMHO.... get a carfax history, PPI (a must from someone you trust) then go with your instincts. No matter what you choose, it is going to be a good one. Most importantly, have fun with your new ride :cheers:

thanks for the input
 

In answer to the questions: it will be a daily driver, but really just for fun, as my "commute" is about four blocks if I take the car at all. I will likely keep the car for 6-8 years - and it will be pampered and garage kept, with covered parking when I do drive to work. Color does matter: Speed Yellow or silver being first choices, would consider grey or red - others are out. As far as how far over $35k - not much, perhaps $37.5 for the 'perfect' car, but that's it - I need to leave some margin for tax, tags, title, etc..

I would much prefer Tiptronic, but will consider manual - traffic here can be terrible, and after having had an automatic for the first time with my present vehicle, I will admit that it has been a pleasure.

If you see how long I've been looking, you'll know I'm NOT rushing this, but I'll admit my patience is growing thin - as mikefocke observed, I've missed almost a YEAR of fun since I started this search. I will look outside the immediate area, but not countrywide.

Why (as of last night when I posted) was I leaning towards the 986S? Since I want Tip., I think the extra torque of the larger motor will be appreciated, I slightly prefer the styling of the 986S, all the 'goodies' that come with the S, and, as boko mentioned long ago, I will always be asked, "did you get the 'S'" ... (and in my heart, I worry that if I don't, I'll regret it.

Not to sound negative but I am having a hell of a time getting close to any of the recommended price ranges for cars mentioned in this thread.

I have been looking mostly at CPO'd cars from dealers. But my recent experience with three dealers suggest that the price ranges people are giving for 986s and 987 are not obtainable. At least not from a dealer. WHen I suggest to them that their prices are too high and make a counter offer they give me a line that they are having a great month and that is the best they can do. In a couple of cases I am looking at cars that have been on their lots at least 4-5 months!

When I check out privite sellers on online sites I find very few in my area. And those that I find also have the cars listed at high prices. Mid 30's for 03-04 986s.

Ideas?

You're not the only one
 

I agree with you peakpro, and wonder when mikefocke says there are "hundreds for sale", where he is looking. In a literal sense he may be correct, but add in my year restrictions, color choices, price & milegage preferences, and there are only a handful. The link provided by husker boxster is the first sub-$40k 987S I recall seeing, and that is from a private seller. While I'm o.k. with that in theory, in practice, interest rates are much higher when making a private purchase, and I'm already pre-approved at a great rate for a purchase from a dealer - over the life of the financing, the rate difference comes close to equalizing the higher initial price when buying from a dealer, and some would argue there is some greater peace of mind with a dealer purchase, particularly if I could find a CPO (which does not seem likely).

987 prices are much (much!) higher - another reason the 2003 or 2004 S is looking so appealing.

I paid $10K under your "target" for my 986S. 11K miles. Litronics, PSM, rain sensing wipers, rear compartment, windstops, etc. Flawless exterior, barely even a mark on the skid plate underneath...

Private seller w/tail-end of a warranty.

Keep looking.






-

Don't rush your purchase. Take your time. Test drive as many local ones as you can. Even if you don't intend on buying, it will allow you to filter out 1) Options you don't like or need - like maybe you really do like/want sport seats, or 18" wheels, or HIDs or... 2) Lets you see how Boxster owners maintain their cars (some do it well, some not so well) 3) Lets you see what wears out (interior wise) on the car 4) Will let you see how different models/options make the cars perform.

From recollection,
2005 2.7 has 240-245hp
2003 S has 258 hp

Thats only a 13-18hp difference.. Not much. Yes, the 3.2S should have more torque, which is nice, and it may weigh 100lbs or so less, but since you don't intend on tracking the car, the actual, "real world" performance difference may be immaterial.

You may also find, in your testing, that the interior of one model is preferred over the other which could sway your purchase.

As mentioned, yes, there are litterally hundreds of Boxsters on the market. Remember, more than 200,000 have been built and about 1/2 have come to the us. Sure, you may struggle to find a particular year, but the search can be nearly as much fun as the acqusition.

Be adventurous. Once you decide on the Model/year you want, look outside just South Florida, or Florida.. maybe the perfect one is sitting in Arizona, or Colorado. Traveling to buy a "new" car can be quite fun too.

Not to rain on all "550 Anniversary" fans, but it seems to me, over the years, the only Porsches that seem to "gain in value" in 20 years are those who have a genuine performance advantage vs the regular model.. and usually have a lighterweight (ie RSA, Clubsport, RS type models).

At this point in time, I would not buy ANY boxster with thoughts of value appreciation.

Hundreds available
 

When I want to know what a reasonable price will be for a car (a question I get asked perhaps every other day as people read my guide to buying a Boxster) I immediately do the following...

I go to www.cars.com (only because it is both national and because it has a good search engine that allows me to locate only a specific model year).

I use their advanced search of used cars.

I pick my Porsche Boxster and model year and add that I want to see "all" miles from my zip code. I want to see the pricing all over the country to get the largest sample.

When I do that, I could get well over a thousand Boxsters of all model years or generally 100+ of any given year. So when I say there are hundreds available, there are many hundreds because cars.com is only one of the advertising sites, there must be a dozen others and, while there is some duplication, there are cars unique to each site.

So yes there are hundreds of Boxsters out there for sale right now.

I then throw out the 5 highest and the 5 lowest prices. That leaves me with a middle range...it omits the cars with the halo effect (its mine so it must be worth more), those where the dealer has too much invested in the car, and those with some history problem such that they are being dumped.

Once I figure out the mid range, I look at where a specific car is located. The prices posted are asking prices. But who pays asking price? You expect a bigger discount during a time when there will be no local buyers for convertibles because the weather is just too cold. But you always expect some discount...say 5 to 10% lower than asking. 15% in the winter unless that has already been priced in.

Porsche cars are ones most people own until their circumstances change. They get married, get divorced, have kids, lose their job, get deployed, etc. So there are always more cars for sale than other makes. Both of mine were 2-owner-before-me cars with the average ownership being 18 months. Both had been owned in multiple states. Both have been lots of fun and few problems.

One I bought in the first blush of spring. One I first saw when it was covered with snow and salt and I had to move the snow shovel to even sit in the passenger seat. Guess which one I got the better deal on.

I recommend stopping someone who owns one and asking them if they know of any cars or local sources. Look in the local classifieds or craigslist.org. Drive a few. Then decide.

Sloan
 

There is a guy with a national reputation for his knowledge of Boxsters in Florida who is very wired into the scene and who has a business which, among other things, does an excellent PPI. He does everything from preparing a racing Boxster to producing products for Boxsters to conducting tech training sessions at national Boxster get-togethers.

Pedros PPIs

I highly recommend him based on reports from people who have used him. He is very well known on PPBB , another Boxster forum.

Get in touch, let him know what you are looking for and then use him for the PPI. He may know of a car that is just right. The site has a picture of his forms so you can see the type of inspections he does.

thank you mikefocke
 

TO: mikefocke. I appreciate your thoughtful responses, and I already did as you advised and expanded my search. I stand corrected, in that in a literal sense there are 'hundreds' of Boxsters for sale, however when I narrow back down to ones I would actually want, not so many. I think I have a decent idea of the price ranges - I've been searching for long enough now that I have a sense of what is 'right', the possible exception being the value of some of the more obscure options, and whether the 2004 550 special editions are worth the premium many of their sellers seem to think they should command.

Thank you as well for the information on Pedro's garage. He is very local to me, so that could be an excellent resource.

I am hoping to get out to look at at least two cars this coming weekend - the 2003 S with about 20k miles, 18" wheels w/ NEW tires, Tiptronic & Bose (but no PSM) that I mentioned a few posts ago, and a 2004 base with 8k, Bose, Tip. (again, no PSM) that looks absolutely spotless. Asking for the 2003 S is 32.5 (I got the sense they would take $30k) and asking for the 2004 is $28.6k. I will report back on my findings if I make it up to see both of them.

Lets talk about options
 

They add perhaps 10% of their value to the selling price so they are almost ignorable in the pricing equation, but they can be important in why you buy a car.

Here is what I'd like in my car:

Litronics because you need to see as far as you can at night
Porsche Stability Management (PSM) because I'm no longer a trained in emergency situations driver
Windscreen because it makes driving with the top down possible in a wider range of weather/speeds.
Heated seats for the same reason.
18" Carrera Wheels because I like them and they are light contributing to better handling via unsprung weight minimization
On Board Computer just because it breaks up the long trips to fiddle with it.
Cruise control so I can take long trips
Any Old Radio because Becker radios (including Bose) are so crappy I'd want to put in a good sound system with MP3/IPOD/BlueTooth (Not amped up, I value my ears, just good reception) and better speakers.
Storage box above engine so I could mount rear speakers there)
Michelin Rib tires (because they are great summer tires in all summer conditions)
In your location, a light color like silver or white with a light interior.
A top with a glass rear window.
My choice of transmission (I like the TIP but some don't).

Things I wouldn't value from Porsche:
GPS because theirs is crappy and updates aren't available any more.
Any radio gear because theirs is crappy.

Here you go Pierre....simple mod and it requires you to change the boxster insert to a cayman insert....really easy, getting the vents off is another story....

btw.....987, better styling in my opinion, much better interior in my opinion and I test drove an 05 G35 and I don't recall it looking anything like my 987.....

I agree racer_d,

I do not think that my 550 Anniversary will hold its value any more than any other 04 Boxster S. As you know, over a thousand of these were sold in the US in 2004, out of a production run of 1953. (not a very limited limited edition :rolleyes: ) The difference between the stock Boxster S and the 550 Anniversary is so miniscule. 6 HP difference, spacers for a wider stance, short shifter and lowered ride height. The main reason why I bought mine was due to meticulous maintenance and right price.

Sloan..... looks like you are getting excellent cars for very nice prices. You know what I paid for mine. Make your purchase, get out there and post some pictures. :cheers:

A little late to the thread, but some of my thoughts;

-You are allways best to buy the newest car you can afford in good condition.
-In the real world the base boxster (espesially the 987) is very quick and unless your a hp junkie you will not feel let down
-Porsche never releases a worse version of a car, and the 987 is a step forward over the 986 in all areas

-all that said I would never trade my 986 's' for a base 987, but I am a track junkie and have done a lot of work to my car....

Marc

helpful comments
 

Thank you all for your input. Let me briefly respond to a few specific comments (in no particular order).

Super66 - I did not mean to say the G35 and 987 interiors looked the same, only that, to my eye, the 986 felt/looked more Porsche, the 987 trending more to the Japanese style - not that there is anything inherently wrong with that, just that my preference was perhaps more 'old school'.

mikefocke - you have excellent options, almost all of which I agree with & would like to have (though I've used the heated seats in my current car only a handful of times - remember I'm in South Florida - the land of eternal heat). I had not heard that the Boxster's Bose system is so poor - the one in my current car is good (not great, but quite good) and I've learned from my own personal experiences that if I can avoid having to install a bunch of aftermarket stereo equipment, I'd like to. Is mikefocke's rather negative opinion of the Bose system widely held? Anyone else want to weigh-in on that?

racer_d - I would not buy the Anniversary edition with any fantasy that it would actually appreciate in value, I do like them though (asthetics and standard 'options') and would hope that if I did get one, it might not depreciate as much as a 'standard' car over the 6-8 years I am likely to own it. That said, I have not found any on the market right now that are under consideration, and neither car I want to see this coming weekend is the special edition.

Finally, a clarification addressing the price comments - I am not seriously looking at any 986 S' for $35k or more (they are all less - like asking $32k and change) I just said I would spend that much or a bit more for my 'perfect' car, and I guess I meant a really exceptional 986 S or a 987, but as I mentioned, I've only seen one 987 S under $40k, and as of yesterday, a day after husker boxster gave me that lead, it's gone ...