Critical Options

For a 987:

1) Windstop
2) Heated Seats
3) Sport Chrono
4) Manual Trans

All 987s have PSM (Porsche Stability Management) which is also critical to consider if you are looking at the 986s too.

Lots of "nice things to have" but very few are critical.

[renzop]

Here's what I bought when I ordered my Boxster last year:

PASM [Critical to me]
Sport Chrono [Critical to me]
Sport 3 spoke wheel [Critical to me - can't stand Y wheel]
windstop [Wish I hadn't wasted my money - never use it]
18" wheels [Nice to have but should have gone with 17" and bought aftermarkets]
Model Designation Delete [Hey, its the only free option!]

Options that are worthwhile that I did not order but might have if I was not so cheap:
Heated Seats
BiXenon headlights
Sport Buckets - the real ones because they weigh 22lbs less than stock

Options that are a waste (IMHO):
Full leather
Any of the wood, alcantera or aluminium trim
Aero pieces
PSE
Any radio options
PCM
Adaptive Seats
Auto climate control - its a 2 seat convertible for gosh sakes
Extra cost colors - They make you pay extra for paint?????
Tiptronic or PDK - unless I had lots of stop and go driving to do
Porsche Crests on anything - I will not pay to advertise for Porsche
Floor mats - aftermarket is cheaper and better quality
Wheel spacers - after market is cheaper if you must
Auto dim mirrors - how lazy are you?
Rain sensor - how lazy are you?
Hard top - get a Cayman

[Lil bastard]

Personally, windstop (top is NEVER up), maybe a wheel pkg.

A Sports Car is supposed to be minimalist, not some Luxo-cruiser!

I would skip ALL the rest and get one of these Best Option

Best bang for the buck... and it's 'portable' !

[Mike_Yi]

I never keep the windstop or the screens in my car. They are most effective when the top is down and the windows are up. I will NEVER drive the car like hat, so they don't do much good.

If I were buying an early Boxster, it would be the 18" wheels.

Later 986s, S version.

Anything newer than that, I don't know.