Options and Opinions
 

Thanks to the link Bmussatti provided in my other thread, I've spent last night and this morning going through the nation's entire inventory of new and used Boxsters. Have run across some enticing possibilities. However, I am unsure of some of the options listed (my 01S is relatively naked), so I was hoping for some insight. Also have a few questions. Here goes:

482-TPMS ?

475-PASM I see PSM and traction control are std on 06 & 07 but what is the difference between PSM and PASM?

PPA & PPB These are listed as Preferred Pkgs, but what do you get with them?

639-Sport Chrono w/o PCM What is PCM? And what do you normally get with the SC option beside a big clock in the middle of your dash?

Other than 15 addl HP, is there anything different with the 3.4 engine vs the 3.2? Are the same design flaws built into the 3.4 (RMS, etc)?

My original plan was to buy an 05S next July when my house is paid off. Then the 06S in NOLA showed up and I figured I could swing it. Now 07s are starting to creep in. Maybe someone better get me to an intervention.

I am using the 2007 order guide to answer your questions, for a Boxster S:

PPA- Preferred Package- Colored wheel caps, self dim mirrors and rain sensor, Bose, heated seats, floor mats- $2,190

PPB- Preferred Package Plus- all of the above, plus Bi-Xenon, power seats, cd changer- $4,995

TPMS- tire pressure monitoring system- standard equipment

PASM- Porsche Active Suspension Management- 10mm lower, active management of the suspension firmness- $1,990

PSM- Porsche Stability Management- standard (like traction control) AKA- please save me!

PCM- Porsche Communication Management- mainly navigation $3,070 and $3,275 for PCM extended

Sport Chrono- (option code #640) remaps throttle response (25% faster throttle response) and adjusts PSM to allow more driver imput- meaning you can get more sideways! $920

the 3.4 has slightly better torque and improved MPG's (about 1).

Husker, you need to get a Boxster brochure and a dealership should be willing to e-mail an Order Guide to you too.

Hope this helps.

I agree with Bmussati.

Study up and learn the abbreviations/acronyms so you don't get a car with something missing on it that you really want like PASM if it were my car OR you could spend a lot more than intended if the opposite were true. I would never buy a car with PCM (navigation) because: it is extremely expensive, I wouldn't use it, rated poorly by reviewers, I know where I'm going in most cases, I have a Garmin in my company car I can switch over.

Researching, looking for the right car is the fun part.

On the base boxster (non-S), PPA does not include Bose, but PPB does.

Here's the brochure:
http://www.porsche.com/all/legends/downloads/BoxsterModelBrochure.pdf