07 boxster vs 05 boxster s?
 

what is your opinon re. the better purchase: 07 boxster base 5k miles for $32k or 05 boxster s 20k miles $33k? fyi I will not race the car.

Are you going to get a PPI for both cars? One car may have been mistreated or have negative history of some kind (accident), that would make the choice easier. For basically the same amount of money I would have to go with the best pre-purchase inspection. 20K miles on these cars is nothing, I have over 237k miles on my 2001 base model, and enjoy driving it every day. The S model would be a little more fun to drive but the base model will still put a smile on your face every time you get into it.

+1 for PPI. I would go for S but that's just me. No regrets on speed that way.

The 05 will have an IMS bearing that is failure prone but can be easily replaced with the Raby version for around $2K. The 07 factory bearing is much improved but can't be replaced unless you tear the engine completely apart. You shouldn't have to worry about IMS with the 07 but should consider it with the 05.

The best car is the one that you like the best so I'd drive them both and then pick the one that you like best (assuming that the PPI's on both are acceptable).

The IMS is a problem up until 2009 so both cars are roughly equivalent.

I'd go for S for what ever the fair market value is.
I'm always amazed by people on the East Coast that keep finding Porsches 6 - 8 years ld with only 5k - 20k miles on it. That's pretty much still a new car!

IMS reliability greatly improved with the M97 engine. Porsche didn't have a strict cut over date for the M97 but it was sometime in 06. An 07 would have the M97 engine. While not totally infallable, there are significantly fewer IMS failures especially when compared to the M96.

I have a 2000 'S' and a 2007 Base I just got with 7K miles on it. Never wanted a Base because I like that kick you in the butt acceleration from the 'S' but after having the base for 3 months now I totally love it. Drive both and see which you like. A 2007 with 5k miles for 32k is one of the best prices out there, I paid 28k for mine but that's because I got it at trade value from my son who took in on trade. They were going to list it for 35k.

Let us know how it goes.

Depends on the build date; if it was built --say after Feb/05--chances are good the 05 model will have the bigger bearing. There are lots of posts on various forums with guys owning 05's finding out they have the bigger bearing and can't do the LN bearing changes without taking the motor apart.

If you're not racing, you'll still enjoy the base car; it's got enough power to put a smile on your face every time you drive it.

Everything being equal....I'd vote the newer Porsche, with less miles, and an improved bearing. I'd never buy the first year of a new model, as the 2005 was.