Newbie needs buying advice

[etarasoff]

Thanks for the tips. Did any of you guys buy a base and ultimately regret it? The last sports car I had was a 914 twenty years ago. So, even a base Boxster will seem very quick by comparison. I've driven both a base and S but dinot in any sort of conditions where I could really "test" either. S definitely had a little more pickup but both seemed fast to me.

[wvboxst3r]

I went with the base and it works for me. I don't race it and there is no wear that I can really use anymore. Maybe go from stop light to stoplight a second faster but the base is fine. I have the larger wheels and drilled rotors so from just looking it is tough to tell the base and S apart. I do not regret buying the base and would do it again.

[vitaminC]

Originally Posted by etarasoff

Thanks for the tips. Did any of you guys buy a base and ultimately regret it? The last sports car I had was a 914 twenty years ago. So, even a base Boxster will seem very quick by comparison. I've driven both a base and S but dinot in any sort of conditions where I could really "test" either. S definitely had a little more pickup but both seemed fast to me.

If they seemed the same in your drive, than you'll probably be happy with either. The S definitely has more grunt, but really both are plenty quick for public roads. The S also has better brakes and better resale value. Cost to maintain is likely the same for each.

If there's nothing on the market today that catches your fancy, just wait a bit longer. There's tons out there, and once Spring really gets going there will likely be many more hitting the market.

[recycledsixtie]

I have a 2001 Boxster base and never even considered an S. Why? Did not need any more power, better fuel mileage. Am not racing it. Likely less $$$ than an S. Like the above poster says, take your time, try out lots of cars and when u decide get a PPI done. Ask for repair receipts and history. Be patient!

[2003S]

Originally Posted by etarasoff

Thanks for the tips. Did any of you guys buy a base and ultimately regret it? The last sports car I had was a 914 twenty years ago. So, even a base Boxster will seem very quick by comparison. I've driven both a base and S but dinot in any sort of conditions where I could really "test" either. S definitely had a little more pickup but both seemed fast to me.

I drove both, and the price premium for an S wasn't enought to scare me away. Just took me longer to find one I wanted - the '03 glass rear window and PSM were requirements for me, I drive it year round in Chicago....

However the 987 base I drove was certainly more than enough car for me - i probably would not end up with a 987 S.

[NoGaBiker]

Originally Posted by etarasoff

Thanks for the tips. Did any of you guys buy a base and ultimately regret it? The last sports car I had was a 914 twenty years ago. So, even a base Boxster will seem very quick by comparison. I've driven both a base and S but dinot in any sort of conditions where I could really "test" either. S definitely had a little more pickup but both seemed fast to me.

I knew I would always regret having a base while the S existed. That's just me. Some people are like that, some aren't. No logic to it. I'd be fine having a Carrera S even though Turbo, GTS, GT3 and GT2 are above it in the heirarchy, so I can't explain about needing the Box S. And I'd choose a 987S over a Spyder, even though the Spyder is more hardcore.

So I bought a new S back in 2004 and have never, for one second, regretted that decision. I suppose if I had been making payments on it every month and figured out what the extra was costing per month, and that was a hardship, I might have regretted it. But it was a one-time payment for me, and whether it was 53k or 63k was soon forgotten. But the car's essential S-ness is there every day.

[impboy]

While you may be hesitant to buy an older low mileage car, make sure that main oil seal is not leaking. Along with the suggested PPI, you should be fine.

I did exactly that with my '01 and it's been awesome with very little maintenance costs. And just another FYI...as the economy still is bad/recovering, people get rid of their toys and a Box is usually in that category. Be patient and you'll find someone who needs to unload their "toy" for a great price.

Good luck!