Boxster S vs. Base

[mylamb]

I bought a 986 S and have no regrets. I test drove SEVERAL to make sure I was getting the one that I really wanted.

1998 Silver 2.5
2001 Lapis 2.7
2001 Meridian Metallic 3.2
2002 Black 3.2
2003 Black 2.7
2006 Silver 2.7
2001 Silver 3.2 (bought)
2002 Black 3.2 (very clean but priced too high)

Funny - I couldn't find much difference at first between the power going from Base to S, but once I got back into a base, I could feel the power deficit. Make any sense? I think the 986 vs. 987 debate is a different matter entirely - apple & oranges. But all advice appears to be that if the cash is there to be spent, the newer car is the one to get. I wasn't sure about the S vs. Base until I started asking around. I spoke with service techs at 4 dealerships in IL & 1 in MI and 2 Porsche specialty shops - all said that the S was the way to go for a stock car & if I wanted to make upgrades (I think they were thinking of REVO software.)

Now as for the apples vs oranges debate... I may be the only person on the planet who (even though I LOVE the look & quality of the 987) would not choose a 987 base over a 986 S. I just wasn't impressed with the power delivery (yes, I know the HP is almost identical.) I never said I was sane! Price was undoubtedly weighing in on my decision - there was about a $14K difference in the pre-owned 987 & my 986 S. Now if Loeber just "happened" to have a spare Arctic Silver 987 S that they needed to give away... my pops would be finding that 986 S in his driveway as a Father's Day gift!

[2000SoCalBoxsterS]

This seems like a self evident question.

Why are there so many posts about increasing HP? If base and "S" owners all would like to increase HP then why wouldn't anyone want to start with more HP to begin with by buying an "S"?

It simply a matter of budget not whether someone likes the Base versus "S". The "S" starts you off with more HP and a better braking sysytem (from the 911) and a better handling suspension setup. Who wouldn't prefer that?

[Soetekouw]

I bought the 2007 Boxster S and have no regrets. I didn't want to make the same mistake with the Boxster as I did with my 2005 BMW Z4; bought the 2.5L while I could have bought the 3.0L.

2 years later and at a great big hit on depreciated value, the Z4 was traded in for the larger engine Boxster (maybe that is not a bad thing). Either way, If I would have bought the larger engine (3.0L) in the Z4 originally, I probably would of held on to the Z4 for a little longer and received more value of my purchase.

[Middle Age Crazy]

I too bought a 2007 Boxster S and did not test drive or consider the Base. I have always bought the highest performance version of any sports car when possible so there would be no regrets. I have never modded a car to increase power, primarily because I figured I would never see a return on that investment at time of resale (perhaps even a loss) and I typically do not keep any cars past 3 years due to boredom. Had I not been able to afford the S I likely would have bought a used 1996/97 993 Turbo or a 993 Cab, something I considered briefly before coming to my senses and buying the new Box. Always wanted a 993.....repair costs scared me away.

[raddoc]

I had a 2005 slk 350 which went away due to early engine failure and MB being total a-h's, but that's a whole 'nother story. After driving the base Boxster, the S , C4 and C4S , I felt that the 2007 BoxS had the best fun/$ ratio. It's easy to spend much more, yet end up without a lot more car or significantly better performance. I'd only consider the base if most driving is in the city or $$$ is a constraint.

[YellowJacket]

Agree with those who have said that this is 100% about budget.

There is no denying that the S is better, and there is no denying that the S is more expensive, all else equal. And the fact that you're buying a Boxster as opposed to a Civic implies that there is part of you who cares about either performance or status (I hope it's the former in most cases!). In both cases, the S holds the edge. So the question is whether it's worth the extra money. And I imagine that's as much or more about personal budget than it is about anything else.

I bought my non-S in college when $25k was a lot of money to me. Had I instead bought today, I probably would buy an '03 S. Had I instead bought it today AND had I not gotten married last year, I'd probably buy a new S. So it's budget/priorities that kept me out of the S, not some bizarre preference for exactly 201hp.

[SD987]

Anyone know if the insurance of the "S" is more or the same as the base model?? Seem like it would be more.

When I switched from an 05 base to an 06 S, the difference was marginal. Less than $100/6 months.

In my experience, a new Box is a surprisingly cheap car to insure.

[YellowJacket]

Originally Posted by SD987

In my experience, a new Box is a surprisingly cheap car to insure.

I had the same experience when I insured mine. Coming from BMWs, my insurance went WAY down, even though the car was more expensive. I was told that since the rates are based on claims history, the demographic and disposition of the average driver plays a more significant role even than does simply power, cost to repair, etc., and that Porsche drivers are among the better drivers (definitely moreso than BMW drivers).

[Perfectlap]

when it comes to power its mostly in your head, particularly with Roadsters.
My last car was a well modified 1.8 Miata with barely 160 hp. But it was very light so it launched from a stop in almost the same seat of the pants feel as my 3.2
Almost an additional 100 HP yet it didn't feel like a sinificantly faster car. When I went up another 100 HP and drove a 350 HP car (911S) that too didn't feel significantly faster. 0-60 times for all three were seperated by a few blinks of an eye.

THe big difference is felt when you are already moving, like merging or passing cars. In that context the difference is more than perceived. You're simply going to get past that SUV quicker with more power.
When it comes to power in general I think we have all conviced ourselves that we need more. But you end up getting used to that extra power just like the last car.
Its like a woman's diamond ring, sooner or later someone with a bigger rock will walk into the room, so why bother trying to be king of the heap? Its better to concentrate on other qualities like color or clarity or in sports car terms handling and braking.

[porsche986spyder]

I wanted to buy an "S" model, but thought the insurance would be higher than that of a base model. Now I miss the performance of the "S" but figured I could add more performance mods to my base and perhaps make it even better than an "S' model. That was my way of thinking, since I like to modify my cars that I buy. Although there seems to be more available upgrades for the "S" than there are for the Base model in aftermarket parts. So I wish I had waited for the "S" now that I consider both options for performance upgrades. I guess I can always do an engine swap for a 3.2 Ltr. which is what I will wind up doing one day. Anyone know if the insurance of the "S" is more or the same as the base model?? Seem like it would be more.

[TriGem2k]

Originally Posted by Middle Age Crazy

Had I not been able to afford the S I likely would have bought a used 1996/97 993 Turbo or a 993 Cab, something I considered briefly before coming to my senses and buying the new Box. Always wanted a 993.....repair costs scared me away.

A used 993 Turbo Today is STILL worth more than a brand new Boxster S and a whole lot harder to find in excellent condition. I have been looking for a 1997 993 Turbo S for the past year. The price on that ranges from 90k-170k depending on condition.

[Middle Age Crazy]

Originally Posted by TriGem2k

A used 993 Turbo Today is STILL worth more than a brand new Boxster S and a whole lot harder to find in excellent condition. I have been looking for a 1997 993 Turbo S for the past year. The price on that ranges from 90k-170k depending on condition.

Not in my neighbourhood here in Canada. A while back I could have bought a "decent" 1996 993 Turbo (not an "S" - they are huge bucks here too) for $85,000.00 Canadian Dollars. My 2007 Boxster S window sticker was $99,000.00 CND. In Canada the base MSRP for a Boxster S is $77,300.00 and the rest was options I added (see sig below). It was not just the purchase price but rather the fact the 96' would have no warranty and at 80,000kms (50,000mi) it could potentially drain the bank account big time in maintenance and repairs. Still love that car though!

I agree nice ones are hard to find and an "S" even more so.

As a side note, right now there is a 1996 993 Twin Turbo for sale in Toronto at AutoForum with an asking price of $74,900.00 Canadian Dollars. It has 137,000kms (85,000mi) on it though and I have no idea of its condition.

There was a 1997 Turbo "S" listed about 2 months ago but I see it is gone now. The asking price was something like $170,000.00 Canadian but it had really low kms and sounded like new. Still a ton of money.

(TriGem2k, your private message folder is full.)