Newb researching and looking for some guidance

[Topshelf]

Hey all, new guy here. Been browsing through the forums for a few weeks now as I'm in the market for a Boxster. Trying to learn as much as I can so that once I get into this I'll be somewhat prepared. Just spent the last 3 months doing the same thing to get my wife into an 05' BMW 325xiT that she's in love with, so now it's my turn to upgrade. Anyway, I've been reading about common issues and performance specs and all that, but I was wondering if you guys could help point me down the correct path? I can't decide which route is better to take at the moment, and I haven't had a chance to test drive what I'm looking for. So here's my thoughts and where my confusion starts....

I'm looking to move up from an '03 C230k to a used Boxster. Looking at the 2000-2002 range for several reasons...price, engine choices, reliability and small upgrades makes this seem like the best bang for the buck. Whichever car I end up with has to be an automatic. Yes, I am aware that it will remove a portion of the man/machine connection, but it's a trade-off I'm willing to deal with...Just too much traffic for me to deal with shifting 5 days a week. Plus I have the manumatic tranny now have grown quite fond of it. This car will be my daily driver 12 months per year, so a second set of rims and snows tires will be acquired for the winter. Ofcourse I'd like it to be optioned out nicely as well. OK, all pretty basic stuff there. So that leaves only 2 choices then...Boxster or Boxster S? My immediate thought goes to the S. The larger engine with more hp would ofcourse be the correct choice, right? But I can get into a standard version for considerably cheaper, which makes me feel less guilty about the upgrade. I also wonder if the extra power in the S would ever be used by me. I do like to drive fast, but I'm not a drag racer. Most of the acceleration I'm concerned with would be the 30-50mph or 50-70mph numbers. I drive a lot of highway to/from work, so it's very common to accelerate hard to pass the sleepy left lane drivers that torture me on a daily basis, as well as get up to speed quickly on the ramps. Would the S with it's larger displacement and more torque be the logical choice for me? Or would I be better off picking up a nice standard version, then add a few engine mods as I go a long? Can you turn a 2.7l into an S competitor for a reasonable price? If so, do you lose drivability and reliability? Or am I being a lunatic in thinking that 217hp in a lightweight sportscar isn't enough power for daily driving? In all fairness the C230k has 190hp and the BMW has 187hp, both weigh more than the Boxster, and both are completely fine for my needs. But who doesn't want the S on their Boxster?

Well, if anyone actually read all of that and has an opinion, I'd love to hear it.
Thanks

[rick3000]

I sort off skimmed that, so sorry if I don;t answer your entire question.

I have a base and it is my daily driver. I do not miss the extra HP you get with the S, although it would be nice; the car still has more power than most cars. As a DD my 201 HP does just fine, and all I can say is that it one of the best and most versatile DD around!

[gmboxster]

From reading what you wrote I think you're primary question is base model VS the S model. I have a 98 box with the 2.5l 201 HP engine. Would I rather have the S ? Sure, but believe me the base model has plenty of power and acceleration to satisfy the conditions that you stated. From 30mph~ 60mph in 3rd gear the base will flat out haul ass, IMHO. Good luck with your decision.

[edevlin]

"Can you turn a 2.7l into an S competitor for a reasonable price? If so, do you lose drivability and reliability?"

You can pick up 25-30 hp in a 2.7L boxster making it similar in hp to an "S", but in my experience, it is cheaper to buy the car with the 3.2L engine in the first place. My modded 2.7L is wonderfully drivable and with over 70K miles on the car, 30K with mods, it has been very reliable.

Ed

[Grizzly]

I have a 2.5 with 201 horsepower that I'm quite happy with. It runs well. It's not a rocket sled, but it is very fun to drive. I don't miss the horsepower 'cause I've never had it.

Having said that, would I rather have an S? Of course...who wouldn't?

[eqs]

Do the easy thing Topshelf - do a test drive of the different variations and you will get your answer very quickly. Bear in mind there may be a lemon or two here and there, but that's what an introductory test drive can/will tell you.

I drove a 02 996 cab tip and I almost died in disgust - the pick-up was pathetic. Was it a lemon, I don't know, but it was really bad and not something I ever wanted.

So, I tried a 07 987S tip and it was better, but the off the line had too much lag, but once it was going 20 it had lotsa power. I like the off the line, and came to the conclusion that my wife would have to drive stick again if she wanted to drive the Pcar.

My just turned 14yo son set me straight. He said dad, why are you looking at tip?Here's your parameters you wrote down - and at the top of the list was "stick". Thank _od I listened to him. He's a smart little (bigger than me now) sonny.

But hey, I noted it before, everyone's different and hey, if that floats your boat ..... good on you.

Anyways, hope I was some help. Don't let anyone tell you what to do - do what makes - you - happy. Whatever, buy what you love, settle for no less.

Cheers and good luck in whatever you get

[Topshelf]

Thanks guys. Appreciate all the responses. It's interesting to hear all the 2.5 owners say that they have enough power. Between those statements and the fact that I'm happy in a vehicle with 30hp less and considerably more weight right now, there doesn't seem to be any reason that the base wouldn't make me happy. Obviously I'd love to pick up a fully loaded S, but I just don't know if it's in my price range at the moment. Hell, if it wasn't for my budget I'd be picking up a loaded Cayman S. Anywho, I had a test drive lined up for an '02 Base w/tip tonight, but it sold already. I'll try to get a few drives planned for this Saturday. Problem is finding an S tip to test. Closest one is 86 miles away.

Just a thought, since I am considering the base model, is there any reason I shouldn't atleast check out a 2.5 model? I thought I read that there were some engine issues which was one of the reasons I decided to start my search with the 2.7's.

Thanks again

[rick3000]

All Boxster's have the possibility of engine failure (RMS), but once you get past 30k miles the likely hood of it happened greatly decreases. The earlier ears (97-98) were a little more prone to this than the later years, but it can still happen to any Boxster despite age and mileage.