03 s vs. 99 boxster(no s)..dumb question?

[kriss]

ok so I am new to boxsters. I drove an 03 boxster s with 34,000 miles,1 owner,serviced every 5k with the ims replaced at 21,800 miles for $22,577. I was also going to look at a 99 boxster,1 owner with 21,000 miles,with service records no ims replacement. that asking price should be thousands less. so first is the price for the 03 s fair? second, I haven't driven the 99 yet( it is 2 1/2 hours away) but are there huge differences between the 2 cars? it may be a naive question but I have to ask.thanks.

[mikefocke]

Big difference, no.

[JTP]

Originally Posted by kriss

ok so I am new to boxsters. I drove an 03 boxster s with 34,000 miles,1 owner,serviced every 5k with the ims replaced at 21,800 miles for $22,577. I was also going to look at a 99 boxster,1 owner with 21,000 miles,with service records no ims replacement. that asking price should be thousands less. so first is the price for the 03 s fair? second, I haven't driven the 99 yet( it is 2 1/2 hours away) but are there huge differences between the 2 cars? it may be a naive question but I have to ask.thanks.

You need to find out who replaced the IMS and with what part. If replaced with a Porsche IMS bearing, it will likely need to be replaced again.
I would go with 03-04 over a 99 if you can find one for a good price. 22,577 seems high. Is it an S model?

[ProjectM96]

I have driven the S and I own a 2000 Base($9700 with 78,000 miles)

97-99 Boxster's had some reliability problems with the engine. So if you are going with any Boxster, the year 2000 or later is the best choice.

As for the difference between base and S.

Base 97-99 has around 200HP while the 00-2003 has 217-225HP.
The fastest recorded 0-60mph I can find is 6.1 seconds. Some car testers get 6.1 and some get 6.6 seconds according to car&driver and motor trend and other magazines.

The S model has around 250-260HP. If I remember correctly, the 0-60mph is somewhere around 5.7 seconds.

Both reach 155mph. I think the S goes about 5mph faster.

The S model also has larger diameter rims and dual exhaust.

So the difference in performance is not that big.

A 2003 S model will run you about $20,000-23,000 so it is priced right.

If you have the money, go for a newer S model. They are reliable cars.
The cost to modify a base model to get as much power as an S model will cost the same as buying an S model from the beginning. It is expensive to modify.

If you don't have the money and go for the base, don't worry. The base is still a fun car and is still quick. Just look for 2000 and newer.

[Johnny Danger]

Regardless of what variant it may be, I have a great appreciation for boxsters . However, I disagree with the notion that there's little that differentiates the S model from the base, or vise versa . In fact, based on engine displacement, exhaust configuration, transmission, suspension set-up, braking systems, wheel fitment ect .... they're both very different purpose built vehicles. Its up to the individual to decide what his or her goals and aspirations are . Both vehicles are designed to satisfy the driving enthusiast in all of us. However, if pure performance is your focus, and you have future plans to upgrade and modify your vehicle, there's a substantial cost factor between the two . Especially, when it comes to increasing horsepower . At some point the equation starts to look like this 1 hp = $1000 .