purchase choice - 2003 S or 2005 2.7?

[Sloan]

Thanks Hops - that's just the kind of practical info. I was looking for. I'll also probably spend much of my time listening to the motor and not the stereo, so the 'good enough' Bose system will most likely suffice for me. I'll pay extra attention to it this weekend when I look at the 2003 S that has it (the guy with the 2004 will be in CA this weekend, so I'll have to wait to see that one).

Pilot - I'm a big fan of great brakes, and will confess to also loving the appearance of the drilled rotors and red calipers of the "S", so another point in the "S" column.

[Sloan]

Angman - I am finding very few used 986S' with PSM, so as much as I agree with your assessment, and as much as I would like to have it, I am coming to recognize that if I am only willing to buy a car with everything that I want, my search that has already been going on in earnest for about 9 months could just keep on going with no end in sight.

Unfortunately, I'm seeing litronics even less frequently than PSM. I know this will sound funny to many of you, but Fort Lauderdale (and almost all of South Florida, for that matter) is so built-up, and the area so light polluted, I don't think I can recall the last time I had to drive on a truly dark road. Accordingly, as much as I would like to have litronics, I don't think it should qualify as a 'must have' for me.

Note - the one and only 986S that I have found with almost all of the options that are being urged here is listed for $40k, and does not have the one option that I may move in to the 'must have' category, Tiptronic. I think fatmike is got the only one that fits the bill, and he says even $35k is too much to spend ...