Seeing that you are located on Cape Cod...

1) Heated seats - wife/girlfriend will love it.

2) Wind Stop - wife/girlfriend will thank you for keeping their hair neat.

3) 3M Clear Bra - when you hit the pot holes in the roads in Mass. this will protect the paint from chipping when gravel flies up when exiting the pot hole.

Saw a few other posts here which reminded me - manual transmission was a must-have option for me.

Heated seats were the one thing I insisted on when I bought my first (and so far only) Boxster. My wife thought I was nuts, and now she won't even get in to a car without heated seats.

The wind stop makes a big difference as many have said. Litronics (HID) are great, and probably work better if a factor option than installed after the fact. Porsche 997 OEM short shifter. ROW M030 is greatest option, but has to be done afterwards on US cars since we're not ROW. OBC and cruise control can be added, but nice to have from the factory. 18" wheels and colored crests for looks. Electric memory seats so the outside passenger mirror dips down in reverse is really useful. If you can swing it, the Porsche crest in the headrest really makes the car unique and special

If I were getting a new car (fat chance...) basic options would be

Heated Seats
Litronics
Limited Slip Differential

Ed


:)

It's unique and special until someone checks the same box on the order sheet. :p

TRACTION CONTROL
TRACTION CONTROL
TRACTION CONTROL

Dunno why these cars dont have it for a year 2000 model

Glad I have heated seats and the wind deflector tho :D

I feel your pain. I honestly think Porsche has more options for their cars than any other manufacturer. I had the same overwhelmed feeling when I started looking. For me, the top ones were:

S-model
Traction control
Heated seats
18" or + wheels
6 speed manual
Sport supension

But I really wanted "everything" if you know what I mean. In the end I got a special edition model which came pretty much loaded up with almost every option from the start. It significantly reduced the the things I had to decide. You might consider looking at one of the special edition cars if you decide you are an option whore like me. :)

Good luck!

So true. I'm an option whore too....sorry, just cannot help it.

I can't believe someone actually said PSE was a waste in an earlier post. They obviously have not had the pleasure of running down the road wide open...

Minimal options for me if ordering a new one:

Red / Beige all over again - just a color combo you cannot stop looking at..
New series Litronics w/ cornering capability
PASM
PSE
Sport shifter - Sorry PDK people, 6 speed is just too nice to have
Full Leather - power seat package
Dark wood package
Sport Chrono w/ nav (plus)
19" Carrera Classic wheels
Bose audio

So basically an updated version of what I already have...Still would be tough getting rid of mine though....Just a fantastic car. I do like the advances of the new direct injection fuel system and the current 0-60 time. Those numbers are so good, why go up to a turbo??

I guess if you don't care about a cars sound at all perhaps PSE would be a waste. However, I think it adds a lot to the overall driving experience. When I got my PSE I thought it was expensive, but after having it a while I think it's fantastic and probably the best purchase I've made. :D

I thought the same, but once I made the plunge, it was well worth it. Looks awesome too on the earlier models.

Couple the PSE to the fabspeed by-pass pipes and it really roars!!!!

If I hit a lick, I'd probably at this point go ahead and add their headers too just to complete the madness....

Ask about keys. It's expensive to get more.

Here is my few cents (I live in Waltham so I have been through that)

1) And most important! Car must come from a person with a garage (even better two garages), who has an SUV or something to drive the winter. As you may know all cars become junk around here because of diving on salted roads. Make sure that the owner loved his Porsche.

2) I would say don't mind the stereo, buy something without heated seats (it's a guaranty that the car was not driven in winter). What ever stereo option Porsche has you will find yourself wanting to upgrade to an aftermarket (GPS head unit, better amp, new speakers...)

3) If you can get an older Boxster 1997-2000 with a 3 spoke wheel, clear headlights and rear compartment. Go ahead and buy it. To me it means that the owner loved his Porsche.

4) The most expensive mods that you would like to do are: larger wheels (18" at least), 3-spoke wheel and headlights. The price to do these competes with the price of an older Boxster (ok ti doesn't :-), but these are extremely expensive compared to the price of the old Boxster).

Except for the wheels I just described my Boxy :-))) .