987 base vs 986 base is a no brainer. Get the 987. Used 987's are pretty cheap now as well. Now, if we're talking 2003-2004 S vs 987 base then the decision is much harder for most people. Price is comparable so the only only way to know which one is for you is to drive each and make a decision because it could go either way. Either way you go, you can't go wrong. Let us know how it turns out!