To 'S' or not to 'S'

[pcar-yvr]

What I am really amazed with is the quality and thoughtfulness of the responses! Thanks (and do keep 'em coming).

Awesome forum you got here - look forward contributing as an owner rather than from the outside looking in.

Purchase is just a few weeks away when my wife is out of town. Pix will be forthcoming.

[Sammy]

If I had the guts I would buy a high mileage, non-S, drop a 3.4 in it and then make the appropriate mods to the suspension and the brakes. The S seems to be an off-the-shelf happy medium of what I wish I could have and what I perceive the base as being (key word being "perceive").

As seen driving with Randall and NickCats, I don't think the difference is as big as I thought it would be. NickCats autocrosses quite a bit with me and he is only a few seconds behind me which I think is primarily the difference between my R compounds and his tires. Randall, and the other base models, held their own at last years Tail of the Dragon trip.

When I originally bought my car I was looking at a base model but fell in love with the white face gauges, six speed (worthless in my opinion) and the bright red calipers.

To sum it up if I can't do what I mention in my first sentence I would probably opt for the S simply due to my perception of having more power, awesome brakes, a few styling cues, and the fact that the S is on the rear trunk.

[PWebRPH]

Thought long and hard about it myself.... went with the S.... couldn't be happier.

[Jacques79]

I have never driven a non S Boxster but I have driven a base 987 Cayman and wasn't impressed with the engine mated to the 5 speed transmission. The acceleration felt very dull.

In contrast my 2000 Boxster S pins me in my seat in the first few gears. This is probably due to the bigger engine and more torque along with the 6 speed tranny that allows different gearing.

I am extremely satisfied with the acceleration of my 2000 Boxster S, and I have owned such cars as the Honda S2000, a 2001 BMW M Coupe (315HP) and a highly modified Subaru WRX.

The price difference in the used market between a clean S and non S isn't really big...what's 2000$ more over 4-5 years worth to you? IMHO the HP difference vs the difference in price is in your favor...

You'll kick yourself if you don't get the S!

I use my Boxster S in every day city driving and the extra low end torque really helps zip in and out of traffic, along with those spirited highway runs where the engine feels like it can pull forever!

[Back2DTM]

986 non S and S , of course get the S

987 non S and 986 S will be a diffterent story.

[Lucky]

While shopping for my Boxster, I drove as many as I could including 986, 986S, 987, & 987S. The two "S" models were great. The base model 987 was very close behind the 986S in terms of feel and performance.

There are two main reasons why I prefer the S models -- torque and the 6sp. The 6sp tranny shifts much nicer than the 5sp (in my opinion). The torque for the larger engines in the S models is very obvious and makes for a much more responsive throttle in typical driving.

Buy the S.

Best advice I can offer is to drive as many cars as you can. Even if they aren't ones you think you may buy. Use dealers for this, since they often have several different years, models, and equipment levels in stock. You'll quickly learn to tell what a Boxster should feel like. Then when you find the perfect one (in terms of color, equipment, etc.) you will be able to feel right away if the car is at top health (in terms of engine, tranny, suspension, shifting feel, etc.).

In my shopping, I found 30k mile cars that felt like crap and 60k cars that ran and rode much better. I ended up buying a 92k mile car that felt absolutely perfect (and had only 25k on a replacement engine).

[saaber]

Originally Posted by Lucky

While shopping for my Boxster, I drove as many as I could including 986, 986S, 987, & 987S. The two "S" models were great. The base model 987 was very close behind the 986S in terms of feel and performance.

There are two main reasons why I prefer the S models -- torque and the 6sp. The 6sp tranny shifts much nicer than the 5sp (in my opinion). The torque for the larger engines in the S models is very obvious and makes for a much more responsive throttle in typical driving.

Buy the S.

Best advice I can offer is to drive as many cars as you can. Even if they aren't ones you think you may buy. Use dealers for this, since they often have several different years, models, and equipment levels in stock. You'll quickly learn to tell what a Boxster should feel like. Then when you find the perfect one (in terms of color, equipment, etc.) you will be able to feel right away if the car is at top health (in terms of engine, tranny, suspension, shifting feel, etc.).

In my shopping, I found 30k mile cars that felt like crap and 60k cars that ran and rode much better. I ended up buying a 92k mile car that felt absolutely perfect (and had only 25k on a replacement engine).

Pcar - this is good advice on all points especially about the feel of the car. Don't forget the pre purchase inspection as others have probably already said.

[Perfectlap]

^funny thing is I have gotten into the habit of skipping 5th gear. Seems like I always need either 4th or 6th but rarely 5th.

[jderiansf]

Originally Posted by Back2DTM

986 non S and S , of course get the S

987 non S and 986 S will be a diffterent story.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

That's my story.

I looked for an earlier 986 S. I drove one, and liked it, but i felt the suspension a bit rough (it very well could have been the age of the 986). IIRC, it had 40k miles and was in decent condition.

Then I drove a 987 base. Acceleration, braking and handling were on par or better than the 986S, but the suspension was far mor compliant (w/ 17s). Then the dealer found me an 05 987 w/ 19s and the right set of options and I was hooked. The lower profile tires sharpened the steering response (but harshened the ride). Another plus was that the suspensions are the same with the 987 base and S.

I've put approx 5k miles on the car since May, and have loved every one of them. I used to think that I wouldn't be happy with anything but and "S", but I am wrong -- happily.

Jason