03-04 S or 05-06 base boxster?

[mikefocke]

and the base 2.5L '99 was more fun than the 3.2L '01S simply because I could put my foot to the floor longer.

I'd buy the '05 base and change the IMS immediately with the LN kit as part of the budget.

But this is you so ask yourself if handing is what you are after or are you always gonna want more oomph in which case the S makes sense for you.

http://sites.google.com/site/mikefocke2/modelyeardifferences

[Perfectlap]

I think the 03-04's were heaviest Boxsters ever built. I don't think that will result in too big a difference in the throttle dept but something to consider.

As a general rule they say to avoid the first run fo a re-design until its had a proper shake down. Those 04 and 05's haven't seen big miles in big numbers but they're getting there. I'd say wait until your budget gets a little bigger and go for an 06-07 987 S. Unless someone on here can point you towards a flaw. Definitely swap out the IMS with LN unit before you spend a dime on anything else.

But on looks I still prefer the fried egg headlights which were actually raced right from the Boxster/Carrera parts bin.

[Highlow]

All I can really say is this:

Drive both and make your decision.

The 987(new model) is much much much more refined than the older 986 model. The 987 is a luxury sports car while the 986 is a straight sports car, its rough, relatively fast, sexy, and is a pure drivers car.

It should be noted however that I have only driven a 987 PDK and a 986 6-speed, so that is where my comparison comes from.

[jacabean]

i would skip 05 and 06 S models and try and get the 07 08 S with the 3.4 i am also seeing 09 base models with the 2.9 255 h.p. and PDK in the low 40k range , still up there but something to consider . no I.M.S to deal with.

[Banana S]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

I think the 03-04's were heaviest Boxsters ever built.

... Source?

[Johnny Danger]

I am partial to the "S" model when it comes to any iteration of the boxster. Putting IMS issues aside, I think that any low mileage, well kept 986 or 987 "S" would prove to be an exciting vehicle for anyone to own. If your the type who likes to modify/upgrade their vehicle, then there are plenty of early "S" models going for shy money out there that can easily be "tuned" to meet or exceed their counterparts.

[Cloudsurfer]

Originally Posted by mikefocke

and the base 2.5L '99 was more fun than the 3.2L '01S simply because I could put my foot to the floor longer.

I'd buy the '05 base and change the IMS immediately with the LN kit as part of the budget.

But this is you so ask yourself if handing is what you are after or are you always gonna want more oomph in which case the S makes sense for you.

http://sites.google.com/site/mikefocke2/modelyeardifferences

Can't update the larger IMS bearing used from 05-up as the bearing OD is larger than the hole you would pull it out through.

As to the cars, you'll find that there are two camps- one camp who loves the 986 cars, and one for the 987s. I fall into the 986 camp. They're more of a purist (if that word can really be used on a modern car, excluding true exotics) car than the 987s. The 987 is certainly more refined, but somehow not all in a good way. I guess the best way I can describe is that getting into a 986 or 996 (I'm looking for a Turbo at the moment) feels like getting into a "different" or "special" car, while getting into a 9X7 feels more like getting in a "normal" car, almost like a Honda. The interior, in particular, though of better materials, is much more mainstream than the 9X6 cars were.

Between the two, if you decided that you wanted a 987 S, they are great cars, but I would hold out for a 3.4 car, and then really, with the 987s, I'd want a Series II car, but those have not dropped into affordability yet (at least by my definition).

[mikefocke]

986

'97-'99 original base only 2.5
'00-'02 updated with 2.7 base and 3.2 S
'03-'04 updated with many changes but basically same engines as '00-'02

987

'05 2.7 and 3.2 S pretty much same engines as '03-'04 but new body
'06-'08 2.7/3.2 introduced IMS design that requires case cracking and replacement of entire $$$$ IMS assembly rather than just the bearing
'09-'10 IMS-less design with 2.9 in base, 3.4 S IMS-less DFI

To quote Charles directly when I asked him what 987 to buy if you were planning an LN IMS bearing change:

"It would definitely be the MY05, as it can be replaced. Most MY05 cars should be single row, but we’ve had a handful (maybe two) that had double row bearings, much to our surprise!

The MY06-08 cars cannot have their IMS bearings serviced unless you tear down the engine completely and, as we’re starting to hear of MY06-08 failures more commonly now, I think it’s best to stick to something you can service. Unless… a car was purchased with the intention of purposefully going in and building up a larger engine, and in that case, it doesn’t matter. We have an upgrade for the MY06-08 IMS, but engine has to be split like previously mentioned."

[jditom]

Great information!
Do you know when in 06 the change happened? All 06-08 can't be serviced normaly or late 06? Is there a way to tell when looking at a 06 car to buy?
Thanks

Originally Posted by mikefocke

986

'97-'99 original base only 2.5
'00-'02 updated with 2.7 base and 3.2 S
'03-'04 updated with many changes but basically same engines as '00-'02

987

'05 2.7 and 3.2 S pretty much same engines as '03-'04 but new body
'06-'08 2.7/3.2 introduced IMS design that requires case cracking and replacement of entire $$$$ IMS assembly rather than just the bearing
'09-'10 IMS-less design with 2.9 in base, 3.4 S IMS-less DFI

To quote Charles directly when I asked him what 987 to buy if you were planning an LN IMS bearing change:

"It would definitely be the MY05, as it can be replaced. Most MY05 cars should be single row, but we’ve had a handful (maybe two) that had double row bearings, much to our surprise!

The MY06-08 cars cannot have their IMS bearings serviced unless you tear down the engine completely and, as we’re starting to hear of MY06-08 failures more commonly now, I think it’s best to stick to something you can service. Unless… a car was purchased with the intention of purposefully going in and building up a larger engine, and in that case, it doesn’t matter. We have an upgrade for the MY06-08 IMS, but engine has to be split like previously mentioned."

[clickman]

Originally Posted by jditom

Great information!
Do you know when in 06 the change happened? All 06-08 can't be serviced normaly or late 06? Is there a way to tell when looking at a 06 car to buy?
Thanks

If I were you I would assume all '06's require a total rebuild to upgrade the IMS. I.e. limit your search to '05 max. If I were you I would buy a well-maintained 03 or 04. Just my opinion.

[Quickurt]

I much preferred the 987 base over the 986 S but ended up with a good deal on a certified 987 S, sooooo got the best of all worlds, in MY opinion. That's just like.. well, you know what I mean.
A VERY serious consideration for me was getting into a certified car. With the current economic climate, you should be able to find a certified 06/07 base for a price that is really best, once you figure in the TRUE value of that certification.
You may also want to watch for the Sport Edition base that has the 2.7 engine with the S model 6 speed and PASM. Someone above mentioned one. I was looking seriously at one in Dallas, until my local dealer figured out how few cars they had sold in Nov. '08 and gave me a call, with an offer I couldn't refuse on mine.
Then they economy took a nose dive and I had paid too much, anyway!
I think this entire eco melt-down was my fault....because I finally decided to jump off that Boxser cliff!!

The best advice is still, research your ass off, see if you can get both for weekend test drives and take your time making sure you get the best car for YOU.

Kurt

[davemon]

Drive a handful of Boxsters. Your stomach will tell you what feels right. I drove a few before picking my tuned '04 (gasp) base. I love it. It has more guts than a stock base, honestly looked like new condition, the exact color scheme I wanted, the exact upgrades I wanted and a price point lower than the S and lower than the 987. It was exactly what I wanted and it was obvious when I saw it.


At some point, if you look long enough the car will choose you.

The price, color, year, model, options, condition will all come together.