Few questions about the boxster

[Chrisw]

Well I've just got a few quick questions about boxsters...

1) Do all years come with the raising/dropping spoiler? (if no, which years?)
2) What models of the boxster come with the three spoke wteering wheel?
3) Besides engine what is the difference between the boxster and boxster S
4) I know the idea of "buy the newest you can afford"... but are there certain years in which the boxster made big jumps in proformance or styling that I should aim to get? I'd hate to think I can only afford an 02 when in 03 they made a ton of changes...

Thanks a lot guys...

Originally Posted by Chrisw

Well I've just got a few quick questions about boxsters...

1) Do all years come with the raising/dropping spoiler? (if no, which years?)
2) What models of the boxster come with the three spoke wteering wheel?
3) Besides engine what is the difference between the boxster and boxster S
4) I know the idea of "buy the newest you can afford"... but are there certain years in which the boxster made big jumps in proformance or styling that I should aim to get? I'd hate to think I can only afford an 02 when in 03 they made a ton of changes...

Thanks a lot guys...

1) the all come with the spoiler
2)2001
3)5spd vs 6spd, brakes, exhaust tip
4)2003 was a big change, more hp for each model, glass window in convertible top

welcome to the forum

[Chrisw]

2001 boxsters are the only ones that have a three spoke steering wheel?

And thanks for all the answers...

[Adam]

Originally Posted by blkboxster

1) the all come with the spoiler
2)2001
3)5spd vs 6spd, brakes, exhaust tip
4)2003 was a big change, more hp for each model, glass window in convertible top

welcome to the forum

2003 also came with a glove box, redesigned rear spoiler, added a rear air diffuser, body colored radiator/engine grills, and clear head/tail lamps Everything after 01 had the 3 spoke steering wheel.

[Chrisw]

I just looked up the different boxsters and I find HP numbers of 152 (00-02) and 160 (03-04).. That's the big jump?? 8hp??

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Chrisw

I just looked up the different boxsters and I find HP numbers of 152 (00-02) and 160 (03-04).. That's the big jump?? 8hp??

The hp bump is small but, the real difference is the variocam change. The 03 had continuosly variable valve timing where as the pre-03's had a selonoid that basically was an on-off switch. Jim made a great analogy regarding this once, he said one is like a adjustable light switch that can be gradually adjusted and the other is like standard switch that is either on or off. The improved variocam design allowed for a better torque curve and fuel economy.

[racer_d]

Originally Posted by Chrisw

Well I've just got a few quick questions about boxsters...

1) Do all years come with the raising/dropping spoiler? (if no, which years?)
2) What models of the boxster come with the three spoke wteering wheel?
3) Besides engine what is the difference between the boxster and boxster S
4) I know the idea of "buy the newest you can afford"... but are there certain years in which the boxster made big jumps in proformance or styling that I should aim to get? I'd hate to think I can only afford an 02 when in 03 they made a ton of changes...

Thanks a lot guys...

Let me try this too!

1) All years have the auto spoiler
2) Varies. I know as early a '99 it was optional on the Boxster (part of a trim package, not sure if stand alone). My 2000 has one and I believe it was part of the "sport design" package)
3) Some differences between S and Non S : Motor (3.2 vs 2.7), Brakes (larger on the S) 3rd radiator on S (hence the different front bumper cap); 6sp vs 5sp manaul transmissions; White face guages; 3 spoke wheel was standard;

4) 1997-1999 2.5l with 201hp ; 2000-2002 2.7l rated at 217hp 2003-2004 2.7 rated at 228hp; Simlar jumps for the S... 2000-2002 rated at 252, then 258iirc

In '03 they did make subtle exterior style changes (bumpers) and went to a glass rear window instead of the previous plastic version. There were likely interior trim changes as well. Also the small HP bumps.

[Chrisw]

ok, sounds good. Thanks for the help guys. Learning is fun :dance: haha

[yellowboxster01]

doesn't the S also have stiffer suspension than the base?

[vbhagwan]

Originally Posted by yellowboxster01

doesn't the S also have stiffer suspension than the base?

Yes it does. IIRC, the front is the same, but the rear is different (obviously stiffer and all that, but I don't have the details).

[vbhagwan]

The other read-between-the-lines thing is that the plastic window is bigger (better visibility) than the glass window (03 onwards, as others have pointed out above). That said, I think I'd prefer the glass with defroster if I lived in a cold climate.

2001 and above have integrated cupholders (with slight variations over the years), but for earlier models you could still get "attachments" that would clip on to the air vents. Not sure how well they work. Oh, and the base wheels on 2001 onwards were 17", but I think you'll find that almost all boxsters from earlier years have 17" wheels as well (which were optional).

[vbhagwan]

Dang it, I knew I was forgetting something. The 01 also came with a headliner in the soft-top -- better sound/weather insulation, probably also a better look than with no headliner.