What choice would you guys make?
 

OK so in considering all options on future purchase, one can buy a new S, add PDK like I have to and you're up to 62K in a blink. Now, considering usable power on US roads and the fact they say a PDK base is respectable in keeping weight down, do you guys think 255 hp new car jump from the 98 2.5 is going to feel much faster? If so, one can get the sport exhaust, sport wheel, sport seats, and the design package with 19" spyder wheels painted black for less than the S with just PDK. Seems to me for the country roads I like the base might be enough car and with the added mods like lightened spyder wheels should go pretty good. As for the actual driving, the sport wheel is Ferrari (esk) and the exhaust sound would be cool, I'm leaing toward giving up power again for the other things that enhance the drive experience, what say you guys?

I could feel the difference when I went from an 01S with 250hp to my 08S with 295.

An interesting comparison would be your 08S and a 2011 base, just to see how close they might feel or not so close, by the numbers one would think your car should spank it handily.

Why do you have to have PDK? I'd never own a PDK Porsche because I like to row gears, and my cars are only toys not DD (no traffic and no city driving). Regardless if you can get a couple 1/10's faster PDK. I hear PDK is great, just not for my desired driving experience.

I'd always buy the HP now with the "S". Adding HP's to our cars down the road is VERY e$pen$ive, and suspect at best.

Buy an "S" now with the manual gear box, and when your budget allows add things like PSE, special seats and special wheels later.

Just an idea.

My left leg has permanent problems due to spinal stenosis from a mcy accident, otherwise I would have kept the car I sold.

Imho
 

Apparently I'm in the minority here, but I don't think horsepower is the be all - end all. If I wanted horsepower I would have kept my Hemi Cuda. For me, a Boxster is about finesse. More ballet than boxing. Don't know what part of NY you're talking about, but if you get up around Tupper, Saranac, or Lake Placid, then you're talking about fantastic driving opportunities that you don't need the additional HP to appreciate. The Boxster is a direct descendent of the 550 Spyder and we all know how little power that Little Bastard had. Just my take on driving a true sports car.

S, I tend to agree, I have been involved in caring for a sick parent about a year now, in fact I just returned from showering my 84 yr old dad. Point being even though I never thought I would, with no children and a glimpse of what happens if you live long enough I figure, why not? Buy a new one that nobody else ragged this time with a warranty and the options I want. Seems most Boxster buyers are into bluetooth and the bose stereo, I could care less about that. Almost nobody grabs the PSE. The opposite argument remains a used Box S is easily obtained for the same money as a new base.

Both my current ride and my previous 08 Cayman have about the same HP, and I would say it's plenty for the street. Sure, you may need an extra downshift to pass on the back roads, but so what?

Compared to your 98, I think either will feel substantially quicker.

Main reason to go with an S would be for resale potential.

Agreed!
 

schenllman is right on point:
I am perfectly happy with my 2011 Base, for me it has more than enough power to do whatever I want or need to do. I enjoy the handling and feel of the car and that wonderful intake howl :D It doesn't need to have an "S" on the trunk to make me feel better about it.

I really don't know what I would do with 50 more hp except use more fuel even in 'normal' driving.

But hey it's your choice and you are the one footing the bill, so whatever you like it's your baby!

Good luck with your decision

I'm a fan of finesse cars. I have more fun with my 2300lb 100hp car than the 3000lb 250hp car. There's something about winding out an engine for all it's worth that makes for a satisfying experience. As opposed to exercising restraint all the time because it's so easy to go fast.

The only time that I've felt the S is anything but overly powerful is on the Track, where the car is so capable that I would have liked more push out of corners.

So I would probably go for a non-S with as few options as possible.

It's such a personal choice, though. We all are looking for something different.

More fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow... check your local state laws about what happens when you get caught speeding.

In this part of town we'll get our car towed and license suspended for 7 days(along with huge spike with car insurance) if we do 50km/h over.

Ekam, That isn't my concern, clearly it's not top end when the base is above 160. If anything I wish they made it a rocketship to 80 and it could top at 125 for all I care. It seems to me we buy these cars then attempt to find every extra hp we can, there is something to be said for buying the hp from Porsche in the first place. However, even with a slight weight gain the torque on the base went from 191 to 225 and the hp from 201 to 255. With a fast shifting seven speed that should be a fast car. This is my last one win, lose or engine explosion so it's either swing for the center field fence or forever hold your regrets.

You'll attempt to find every extra hp you can on EVERY car... because there's always a faster car out there!!!

It's not called a modding bug for nothing.

If you're so fixated on horsepower I suggest you get a GTR. :)

It just doesn't matter Ghost. Flip a coin, pick out a car and drive it well. Be satisfied with whatever choice you make. They are both great cars.

Would I own a Cay S? Sure maybe someday. I have driven several of them and I do love the car with PDK. So many cars, so little time. Until then I thoroughly enjoy my little 13 year old base 2.5L pea shooter every time I drive it. If someone suggests that my car somehow doesn't measure up, it is just a reflection of their own insecurities.

Ekam, it's not about hp and thanks but the GTR is ugly imo. What it's about is acceleration and as I said making a decision on what will be the last P car I buy. Also, the S motor is direct injected which should give it great torque in the midrange. It would be a lot easier if these cars were ubiquitous on lots so I could drive both but from what I can see on autotrader no Porsche dealer keeps a hearty inventory. You have to buy it and know you will love it because it's a Boxster. PS Topless, I loved my 98' it sounded awesome with headers and ss exhaust, I understand your admiration, I like the 986 body. They say the 987 improves handling, that would be cool, even though it feels very crisp in the 1998 already.

My wifes 2.5 and my 3.6 are like night and day. There is no replacement for displacement. Sure the 2.5 is a superb driving car but the 3.6 is a superb driving car that is like a caged animal that kicks you in the kidneys and doesn't let up. Go for the S with PDK, you only go around once, spoil yourself, you won't regret it.

As much as like boxsters, if your considering spending 60k+ on a vehicle, then I would consider this one . :)


Ferrari : 360 Ferrari : 360 | eBay

I had both my '98 2.5 and my 2K 3.2S at the same time. You will and do notice the 50 HP difference. When we test drove '05 and '06 bases models with 40 HP more then the '98 2.5 we noticed it quite a bit. The answer is: Yes, 40 or 50 more HP in a Boxster is very noticeable.

Yeah just like how everyone here is getting an absolute deal on a $5k boxster right? ;)

Johnny, key distinction, the car I would be buying will be under warranty, I've done some reading on cars like the one you posted, a scheduled maintenance can be 10K and on some Ferrari models scheduled maintenance requires engine out.

A buddy of mine just bought a 997 turbo modded with 550hp, PCCB, and aftermarket warranty in the 60s.... I would go that route every day of the week over most anything out there right now, especially a new boxster.

Then again, if you were open to used, you could also do a 1-2 yo boxster and save a bundle of cash and have a wonderful car.

Certain that it is, ferraris are expensive to maintain . However, 10k is well beyond any regular service requirement . Also, the engine does not have to be remove on the 360 like other models .

Ghost - If the 255hp in the new Boxster is anything as fast as the 250hp in my 2000 'S' it will feel wonderfully fast. I have to agree with schnellman, if you are driving the twistys in NY you'll have a blast with the base. I've been driving a friends Cayman 'R' a lot recently (330hp) and if I wind it up at all I'm going so darn fast I have to brake to not get my license taken away. My car and the Cayman 'R' feel so different, mine is more raw and the Cayman so refined (truly a pleasure to drive)...if the new base Boxster feels the same it would be a pleasure to drive even with 75 less hp.

Good luck with your choice! Have you checked out any used 2009 'S's?

Whip, I'm keeping all my options open, 2009 S models with exceptionally low mileage can be had at reasonable prices when you contrast them against new. A certified car would save a ton and the savings could be put back into extending the warranty. I will know by February whether this is a possible move in my life, just in time for prime drop top negotiating season.

The point I wanted to make and others have also said is that you will feel 40-50 extra hp. But after you buy the new vehicle, that level then becomes the norm and you quickly forget how much faster it is than your previous car. So the bottom line is if you feel a Gen 2 base fills your needs, go for it.

VitaminC makes a good point about resale value. Gen 1 base Caymans (esp with Tips) have really dropped in value. You can get an 08 base for about the same price as an 06S. If you're going to keep this car for 10-15 yrs, it probably doesn't matter. But if you get the 4 or 5 yr itch, it's something to consider.

Ghost - Talking about cost, the pricing on these is all over the place. I was looking at used ones last night at the local dealership, the difference in the Base to 'S' price is most interesting. There is a beautiful red 2010 base with 10k miles for $42500 then right beside it a 2006 'S' with 34k miles for $38,000. That 2006 seems way over priced though I think it had Nav and Bluetooth which the base doesn't seem to have.

Whip, I like the dealer rep at my place just fine but their pricing is off IMO. They have a RS60, 2008 is the year I think of that car, @ 39,900 might have been 49,900 but I think it was 39, it has a chip right in the center of the hood they tried to fix like any of us would instead of taking it to their body shop and shooting the entire hood. The 911 cabrio they have is @ 79,900 I think it had 20K on it and was an 09, again seems higher than a bigger city. I'm going to give the kid a shot as he let me drive my first pdk but I also intend on doing my homework to make sure I get a respectable no trade deal on whatever car I decide to buy.

if you do go for a new car at least wait for the all new model . regardless of all the speculation it is going to be a better car all around.

Unless you like sports cars, that is...

I would say give yourself the option of seeing what the 981 has to offer, but I'm a bit split on answering your question, Ghost.

One one hand, I say ~250hp is plenty for the street, and is a nice spot to land for a car that doesn't weight 4-5000lbs. Our cars are right around 3,000-ish, and regardless of what type of transmission is doing the work, the car's going to move. You'll have your civility and liveability for everyday driving, and enough grunt to get things moving when you need to overtake on the highway or when you want to get into some aggressive backroads.

On the other hand, as you've expressed that this is your last P-car purchase, the other side of me says if you're gonna go, might as well go big. A Boxster S, again regardless of what's driving it, is going to be a blast, and if you felt like spoiling/indulging yourself, why not go for it? For that matter, you could set your eyes on a Spyder if you don't mind literally having a rag for a top.

From what I've seen of your thought process, you have found a way to set up a base with options you'd like to have to where you'll be quite happy with it, and ring in under or at the price of an S. To do the same to an S would likely land you in higher cost territory than you would want. Anyone's going to feel a 50+hp difference unless they have no senses, but if the majority of your driving isn't going to make use of that potential, as many of the owners of garage queen Porsches will not, then go for a base with the options you want and be satisfied.

Besides, when gas hits $6-$7/gal, you'll be doing the slightest bit better at the pump than the guy with an S. :rolleyes:

That is what I always tell my son. The only reason to buy a new Porsche is to option it the exact way you want, from color to options. I did that in 2006 with a Cayenne, exactly the way I wanted. Later when I added the Boxster S to the family I bought it used as it was very close to what I would order myself BUT still not the same (I would love it to have full leather interior, dashboard included what most Boxsters do NOT have). If this will be your last P car, go for what you want option wise. I have to agree HP is not everything.
Oh and if I were you I would add European delivery to the package! Picking up your brand new Porsche at the factory in Germany and driving it around Europe on vacation is an once in a lifetime experience. I would easily trade 30HP for that. :eek:

Cheers!

CR

European delivery is an expensive add-on compared to the whopping DISCOUNT one gets when taking European delivery from BMW, Mercedes, or Audi.

Man, that pisses me off.

But I still dream of ordering a turbo Euro delivery and breaking it in on the Nurburgring :)

Hey Ghost,

I think I am reading you in this manner...last Porsche you will own, order it EXACTLY the way you want it! It is an exp none other than to have a car made to your specs.

Do you know the feeling you get when you add a mod, and "yeah, that is me, I did it." Well imagine a whole car...it will feel like you built it!!!

I ordered my 02 Box and 06 C6 Z51 exactly the way I wanted them, and those are still my two favorite cars thus far!

Sometimes buying a car can be too much of a $ thing. Have fun buying one, drive the piss out of it, and have a smile bigger than ever.