986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners - View Single Post - 03 S vs. 05 base ? (helping out a potential Boxster owner :-) )

northern986 · 11-13-2009, 10:16 AM

Thanks to all of you who took your time to share your experiences
and thoughts !

I've test driven an 03 S and it was a blast and the car fits me
well. I have only sat in an 06 base. At the time I wasn't considering 987 so I didn't ask to test drive it (well, didn't want to ask the sales to move 3-4 cars to get the Boxster out of the lot

). Like many of you suggested, the best way to find out
is to test drive one. I will visit a dealer who has a 06 base this weekend

ehanauer, you are probably a good owner to ask about, in your opinion, the improvements in handling characteristics since you owned 986 for 10 years !
Have you driven the 986 S?

crios I was considering that. Unfortunately the 06 pricing is out of my range at the moment. However, if I had my heart firmly set on a 987 I may be entering a new game of "get the 05 now or wait for several months for the 06 price to come down".. Do you have any reference on 06 being more reliable than 05? Just curious. (PS, the midnight blue is the color I want. nice shot !)

jmatta my friend

I like the 986 interior, despite of the materials,
I find its curves flow very dynamically and speak SPEEEEED to me better.

mikefocke, Thanks for the references. I agree that we are talking about degrees of excellence here.

Dave S., Interesting situation in Colorado.. We are in the process of moving back to Vancouver, BC and the insurance on the vehicles there are $$$$. I should get a quote on insurance cost on 986 vs. 987 as that would be factor in the long run. Do you have PSM? That's one must-have option on my list as
it's our 2nd car and will be driven most of the pacific northwest fall/winter days.

BeachBum, The gear box is one of my consideration. Although 6-speed
(w/ PASM) is available in 987 base I only find a few pricy examples. I will test drive the 5 speed 987 and see how I like it.

Adam. Thanks ! That's one fine 986 S you have (with the museum grade 5-star garage to host the beauty !).

944boy. How do you like the PASM ? How well does it work on street (vs. track)? Have you driven the 987 without PASM in comparison?

husker boxster, I am fairly short ( 5' 6") and 986 fit me very well. Once I test drive the 987 I will find out. Yes, there are several nice examples of 987 in the sunny Bay Area and Texas. I probably won't be able to make a trip down in the next while as we are in the process of moving north to Canada. I will see

(PS. very nice Fall colors to complement your limited edition !)

jacabean, Thanks... hence my debate..

11-13-2009, 10:16 AM	#12
northern986 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Seattle Posts: 7	Thanks to all of you who took your time to share your experiences and thoughts ! I've test driven an 03 S and it was a blast and the car fits me well. I have only sat in an 06 base. At the time I wasn't considering 987 so I didn't ask to test drive it (well, didn't want to ask the sales to move 3-4 cars to get the Boxster out of the lot ). Like many of you suggested, the best way to find out is to test drive one. I will visit a dealer who has a 06 base this weekend ehanauer, you are probably a good owner to ask about, in your opinion, the improvements in handling characteristics since you owned 986 for 10 years ! Have you driven the 986 S? crios I was considering that. Unfortunately the 06 pricing is out of my range at the moment. However, if I had my heart firmly set on a 987 I may be entering a new game of "get the 05 now or wait for several months for the 06 price to come down".. Do you have any reference on 06 being more reliable than 05? Just curious. (PS, the midnight blue is the color I want. nice shot !) jmatta my friend I like the 986 interior, despite of the materials, I find its curves flow very dynamically and speak SPEEEEED to me better. mikefocke, Thanks for the references. I agree that we are talking about degrees of excellence here. Dave S., Interesting situation in Colorado.. We are in the process of moving back to Vancouver, BC and the insurance on the vehicles there are $$$$. I should get a quote on insurance cost on 986 vs. 987 as that would be factor in the long run. Do you have PSM? That's one must-have option on my list as it's our 2nd car and will be driven most of the pacific northwest fall/winter days. BeachBum, The gear box is one of my consideration. Although 6-speed (w/ PASM) is available in 987 base I only find a few pricy examples. I will test drive the 5 speed 987 and see how I like it. Adam. Thanks ! That's one fine 986 S you have (with the museum grade 5-star garage to host the beauty !). 944boy. How do you like the PASM ? How well does it work on street (vs. track)? Have you driven the 987 without PASM in comparison? husker boxster, I am fairly short ( 5' 6") and 986 fit me very well. Once I test drive the 987 I will find out. Yes, there are several nice examples of 987 in the sunny Bay Area and Texas. I probably won't be able to make a trip down in the next while as we are in the process of moving north to Canada. I will see (PS. very nice Fall colors to complement your limited edition !) jacabean, Thanks... hence my debate..