2001 Boxster S with a 5-spd?
 

Hey guys, a buddy and I just went halfsies on a 2001 Boxster.

I’m very confused though. My understanding is that the base Boxster had a 5-speed manual, and the Boxster S had a 6-speed.

If you run the VIN on our car, it comes back as a 2001 Boxster S. Along with that, the giant emblem on the back of the car says Boxster S.

I haven’t crawled underneath it yet to look at the engine code.

Question: Is it possible that we have a Boxster S with the 3.2L engine that also has a five speed? Is that even a possible combination?

I think it’s a lot more likely that someone just slapped an “S” badge on the back, but I just thought I’d ask.

Regardless, we are excited for our new 986! Just trying to figure things out.

It's not likely that it came from the factory like that, but after 20 years or so in the wild, just about any combination is possible. If your VIN checks good, you have the S model chassis, but the emblems and trim can be swapped out easily. If it had a failed engine or transmission, either or both could have been swapped.

Is reverse forward and left, or aft and right?

LHD car as I'm in America - Reverse is towards the passenger and towards the rear.

So right and back.

odd -- check to see if its got a front center radiator. Also check the coolant hose diameters from engine to front of car.
A center radiator can be added -- but few folks would bother swapping to S coolant hoses.

The water/oil intercooler would be different too (top of engine)

Another difference would be a headliner to the convertible top.

No 3.2 (i.e. S) that I know of came with a 5-speed. And the 6 speeds are generally better trannys so
the likelihood of needing a replacement is much lower.

That's the 5-speed then. Personally I've had a few combinations. A 2000 S model that had a 2.5L engine, S model center radiator and bumper on a '99, and a trunk lid from an S that was on an '01 base.

The taller oil cooler can be an indication, but for example: I just put an S model oil cooler on my '97 2.5L engine. Finding the engine serial number is the best was to know what engine it has.

Maybe someone threw in a cheap 5-speed to fix the six speed 2nd gear pop-out? Not the smartest solution, but you never know.

Would not be a simple swap as the half shafts and uprights are different. I would check the engine number to see what it says...…….

So I'm gonna be that guy (sorry, just trying to cover all bases, haha). But its not just a 5 speed shift knob right? [emoji6]

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Lol. I mean, it's a 5-speed shift knob, but considering reverse is in the bottom right I would assume it's the 5 speed. if it was the 6-speed reverse would be in the top left, correct?

Sounds like I need to climb underneath and look at the engine serial number. I appreciate all the responses.

Your are correct. Bottom right for 5 speed. I was just being an @ss. Lol.

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If the fifth letter in the vin is an A then it's a base. If it's a B it's a S.

That makes it a lot easier. VIN First 5 are WP0CA, so it’s likely a base chassis with the 2.7L and the 5spd, which makes a lot more sense.

Looks like someone just wanted to make it an “S” so put the emblem on the back I suppose...

Thanks for your help guys. I’ll still glance at the engine # next time I’m under the car.

Yikes. I hope you didn't pay 3.2 / S prices

Definitely not.

That's Porsche option code 666 - Faux S Model.

Where did you run the vin and get back that the vin was for a Boxster S?

There's the question.
And is it TITLED as an S?
That would indicate some nefarious shenanigans in its past.

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Think my non-car-guy buddy ran the ViN and said it was an S. Lesson learned lol.

I think it’s on the up and up. Just someone wanted to fake like they had an S. Title is clean as far as I can tell.

Originally, shouldn't an S have red brake calipers also?

And what colour is the Instrument dial background? Black is base and white is S.

Base has a lower top speed from memory but I can't remember what they are in miles.

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Careful. My base has a white gauge cluster. Either it was an option or someone swapped it out on mine.

Very valid point. I didn't consider the possibility it was an option (or could have been swapped) !

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Iceman, Door sills will say "Boxster S", "batwing" console emblem will be "Boxster S", Brake disks will be larger and drilled along with red calipers. A lot of those things could be changed to deceive, but some changes could be innocent owner up-grades to a base model. Unless someone has access to free or reasonably priced used S model parts, it is unlikely they went through the trouble/cost of adding these. Why would they? Evil intent comes to mind. LOL. Emblem parts are easy to buy and add. If a previous owner added an "S" to the trunk without replacing the "Boxster" script, it would be slightly off location. Good luck and enjoy your car. If it has a 3.2 and six speed manual with the S model brakes it won't matter while your driving it.

White dials were an option on the 2.5 when new (as were a lot of other options available
as standard on the S) so not necessarily a good indication.