[rahlstrom]

Hello all,

I am new to the forum and a first time poster. I will be buying a Boxster this week after a test drive in one stole my heart and killed my planned purchase of an Audi TT Roadster. I've read articles, studied countless Car Fax reports and cruised forums until my eyes were about to bleed... I need some "owner advice" !!!

My questions is on the pros/cons of choosing between a 2003 S with ~20K miles or a 2005 base model with ~$34K miles. I've read plenty of debates between base and S in the same model year but what about the debate between 986 S and 987 base series? My budget is $29K firm and I've been lucky enough to find both models/years within my price limit.

2003 S Points
- It's an S and kicks a.. in terms of performance
- It has low miles and a classic "loving" owner that pampers it and has all service records (second owner)
- Since it's an S it's loaded (18" rims, Bose, etc.)
- No warranty
- I kind of like the funkier 986 dash/interior

2005 Base Points
- More horse power in '05 but not 258
- PSM standard
- Next generation 987 platform
- Still under factory warranty through 6/2009
- Clean Car Fax with 1 owner
- Not quite as loaded (no Bose, 17" rims, does have heated seats)
- Don't like the interior as much as the 986 but I do like the exterior changes

I should also mention that I'm a tinkerer and will most likely be enhancing the sound system, adding navigation of some sort, tweaking bits and pieces to make it "mine". Not sure which platform is easier to work on.

So, 986 generation 2003 S or 987 generation base model... What do you think?

Thanks in advance!