My vote is (obviously) for the 987. Screw resale and all that crap. You are buying a car to drive, right? not as an investment. I purchased mine new and picked my options rather than buying someone else's construct. Having said that, aside from the "S" designation and engine, what options do they each have? Is there something important to you (since you will be driving it)? Are there specific cars you have in mind or you just looking generally?

On resale value...
I'd venture to say that over the next, say, 4 years a 05 987 would easily keep up with (if not outperform) an 03 986S of equal present value.
Z.

Same predicament
 

Test drove them both 2yrs ago, the verdict 987 base (cross drilled brembo brakes are standard).

Based on how much everyone recommends the car they have, it sounds to me like you can’t really go wrong with either one – they are both fantastic. Drive them both, buy the best one you find, and you should be very happy either way. Welcome to the club.

Thanks for all the replies. I really need to drive them both back to back on the same day. I have driven the 986, 986 S, and 987 S. I can't remember the 987 S being much more powerful or refined over the 986 S but then again the drives were several months apart. I am leaning towards the 986 S since it seems to be $4-5k cheaper than a 987 base and $9-10k cheaper than 987 S, It seems to be a better value for what you are getting.

I really like the Black/Black on the Boxsters. There are two things that bother me about the 987s. First is that the side intake grills are not body colored. On the 986, they are body colored which I like. This can be corrected by a body/paint shop. Second is the wheels. The optional 18" Carrera wheels on the 986s are really nice. I really don't care for the 18" or 19" wheel design on the 987s but that can be changed....but that is more $$$ as well.

I am going to try to drive both back to back to see what I really think. Please keep posting your opinions.

Kan-O-Z