986 Non S owners

[davemon]

Looking at wiki the '02 base is 228 HP, '00 S puts out 249 HP, '02 S 255HP. My car had some tuning done by the previous owner, I would really like to cruise in an 00 S and then an 02 S and see how close my base comes to the S. Also I have heard sentiment that the 5sp is a better transmission, so it may be possible that a 2.7 base with some performance mods is more desirable or ate least more fun for my purposes than a 6sp S. But again, I'll have to see what my butt dyno tells me and how much my face hurts from grinning like a fat man at a hamburger buffet.

Regardless, I'm extremely happy with my 2.7L. Mulling over UDP and possibly upgrade the plenum.

Problem about HP is that you never want to go backwards. How ruined would I have been if I started out the sportscar endeavor by getting the 996 Turbo cab?

[RandallNeighbour]

I have a lowly 2.5 and it's a tad underpowered for city driving but more power than I know what to do with on a track or the Tail of the Dragon. In fact, if I lived near the TOD I'd never yearn for a larger motor in my car or a Cayman S or 911.

I must say though, when I get into the boxster after driving my BMW 550i with a beast of a V8 in it that goes like stink even though it's a heavy sedan (0-60 in 5.0 seconds flat) I am left feeling a little underwhelmed with the power of the 2.5.

What I try to do is remind myself of the TOD and track time when I cruise around town in the boxster. It's just not designed for city driving.

[Boxtaboy]

Originally Posted by davemon

Looking at wiki the '02 base is 228 HP, '00 S puts out 249 HP, '02 S 255HP. My car had some tuning done by the previous owner, I would really like to cruise in an 00 S and then an 02 S and see how close my base comes to the S. Also I have heard sentiment that the 5sp is a better transmission, so it may be possible that a 2.7 base with some performance mods is more desirable or ate least more fun for my purposes than a 6sp S. But again, I'll have to see what my butt dyno tells me and how much my face hurts from grinning like a fat man at a hamburger buffet.

Regardless, I'm extremely happy with my 2.7L. Mulling over UDP and possibly upgrade the plenum.

Problem about HP is that you never want to go backwards. How ruined would I have been if I started out the sportscar endeavor by getting the 996 Turbo cab?

An 02 base has 217hp.

[davemon]

Originally Posted by Boxtaboy

An 02 base has 217hp.

I did get that number from wiki and a few other sites have posted that as well fwiw. Looks like some sites got it wrong.

Carspecs:
'04 228HP
'02 228HP
http://www.carspecsdirectory.com/Porsche.htm

CarGurus
'04 228 HP
'02 217 HP
http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Specs-c3393-2002-Boxster.html
http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Specs-c3386-2004-Boxster.html

Wikipedia
'04 228 HP
'02 228 HP
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_Boxster


Regardless, I'm with the OP, curious how much a difference there is in an '00 S, '04 S and a 2.7L with some quality performance tuning.

[Ruby]

I've tried the 987 S but not a 986 and while nice felt the biggest difference in first. I've had my '03 for almost two years and really haven't felt an overwhelming need for more hp.
The prior owner had chipped the engine and upgraded the exhaust. While I have not had it on a dyno, my mechanic said it felt more like an S than a base. Maybe way I didn't feel a big difference.
Recent article I read believe in Excellence compared the base to the S and had a hard time justifying an additional $10 for the S.
I love working the gears and feel I have to a bit more than I would in an S. My base is lowered with H&R springs, skirts, spoiler, seats from a 911. Also replaced radio with Nav unit., speakers and amplifier.
She is my queen and would have a hard time parting with her even for an S.
The spread in horsepower in nominal and my base has more than enough torque for driving.

BTW, I drop into Jack Daniels every now and again and your right they have a ton of cars most of which I believe are way over market. They continually call me to "upgrade" my base but other than a '06 S that was white with coca interior and top that I drooled over nothing has swayed me from my "base" baby.

Burt

[lbrown2009]

there was a carrera with the cocoa interior on the showroom floor also, very nice