What's the ACTUAL 0-60???
 

Hey folks. I'm considering trading up to a 2003 S model, from my 97 Base. I've been trying to get a sense of the increase in kick by looking at 0-60 stats. The trouble is I'm seeing a full second difference in different reports...

zeroto60times.com rates my 1997 @ 6.5, and Wikipedia @ 6.7
zeroto60times.com rates the 2003 S @ 5.0, and Wikipedia @ 6.0

That second discrepancy is why I'm asking...there's a BIG difference between .5 seconds faster, and 1.5 seconds faster!
I'm hoping a 2003 S will give me the kick my base model is missing, and will push me back in my seat more like my 1989 C4 used to do.

Thoughts?

The S model with some higher flowing muffler (Top Speed with 2nd cat delete) gives you a faster throttle/engine response and more G's in the acceleration.

Its a big improvement over the 97 base that will bring a big smile.

My S had an even more dramatic improvement in throttle response when I went to the 2nd cat delete.

I have not measured the difference but its like the throttle would apply HP more gradually before the 2nd cat delete, but afterwards the power would come on immediately and more vigorously and you feel more G's indicating that the actual acceleration rate is greater.

I had to start taking it more easy on the pedal as tire spin/burning rubber would occur if I just floor the pedal now.

I think that in 6 seconds I would be at more than 70mph.
I believe the 5 seconds to 60 sounds about right.


I'll have to video the process and see what the times are like now.

How good are you at launching? Zero to sixty times are pretty worthless unless you have launch control ...
What tires
What are the road conditions

Do you want the zero to 60 from perfect weather best tires / best possible take off?

My 03 will throw the passenger back into their seat on acceleration but not like a gt3 will ;)

2003, Porsche manual says 5.4 seconds manual
6.1 tiptronics

Top speed 177mph versus 167
Red line 7200rpm

There are some great threads on this subject. Woody (itsnotanova) posted the below one;

http://986forum.com/forums/performance-technical-chat/53067-pictorial-differences-between-base-s-model-boxster.html

In the long run, IMHO, you can't go wrong with either. The S may be faster but I can guarantee you that if ThStone (Tom) was in a base 986 and I was in a built 986 S he would clean my clock. Fast cars are one thing, skill to use that power is another.

Honestly where the S really feels different is on the highway. The torque difference is why the car feels different.

The 2.5 has a lower red line but revs quicker making it feel roughly as fast.

I had a 99 2.5 tip with the base of all base model 16 inch wheels. That actually made for a very fun go kart like experience.

I now drive a 3.2 S with turbo twists and a 6 speed. The S is quicker, you get more of a push back in your seat sensation, you find yourself being rather illegal anytime you wind out third gear.

However, the 2.5 does have a fun factor with how you can just floor it and let it rev which outside of Gs and what the speedometer says, does feel a bit more quick, particularly 0-50 or so.


I think the two cars are a lot more then a base and a S same as how a Boxster is a lot more then a budget 911.

The cars have different feels from one another. However, one may not be worse then the other.

As the saying goes.....
 

...it's more fun driving a slow car fast, than a fast car slow.

Thus endeth the lesson.

Here's a good read on the 03S. The article states 5.7. Aside from the speed difference between what you have now, hopefully this gives you an idea of some of the other benefits of trading up.

"S" Is For Sweet(er); The New 2003 Porsche Boxster S

Wow, I'm glad I own one of those (2003 S) :D!

...but it's the most fun driving a fast car fast...
and THUS endeth ;)

Thanks for all the info, guys. I'm going through it all now.

I absolutely agree...there's nothing at all wrong with a base Boxster...My 2.5L is the most fun car I've ever driven, and part of that is due to the extra work it takes to tap into it's power. But I do miss the raw kick my C4 and Cayenne S had...like being pushed by a bully.

Great concise answer that directly answers my question. Thanks.

I like the Porsche recommended 15k oil change and 30k oil filter change interval. :rolleyes: