2001 Boxster S with a 5-spd?

[Iceman1183]

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.

[78F350]

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.

[78F350]

Is reverse forward and left, or aft and right?

[Iceman1183]

Originally Posted by 78F350

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.

[seningen]

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.

[78F350]

Originally Posted by Iceman1183

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

So right and back.

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.

[78F350]

Originally Posted by seningen

... And the 6 speeds are generally better trannys so
the likelihood of needing a replacement is much lower.

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.

[JFP in PA]

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...…….

[GLImages]

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?

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[Iceman1183]

Originally Posted by GLImages

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?

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

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.

[GLImages]

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

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[itsnotanova]

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

[Iceman1183]

Originally Posted by itsnotanova

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.

[TRP]

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

[Iceman1183]

Originally Posted by TRP

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

Definitely not.

[husker boxster]

Originally Posted by Iceman1183

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

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

[TRP]

Originally Posted by Iceman1183

...
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.
...

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

[maytag]

Originally Posted by TRP

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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[Iceman1183]

Originally Posted by TRP

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

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.

[rexcramer]

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