To 'S' or not to 'S'

[racer_d]

Originally Posted by Jacques79

What's your point? And I bet a 1997 Protege with a better driver than you can pass you in a Boxster S. But does that mean that the Protege will be more fun to drive?

And what about Ferrari drivers. Why buy a Ferrari when a great driver in a Porsche can pass it on a tight track?



I'm tired of people saying that it's not worth getting the better car because X car can be faster on a race track with a superior driver. Duh...but that doesn't mean that you won't have more fun with the better car.

There's a big difference between the Boxster and the Boxster S. Unless you're trying to prove to people that you can be faster around a race track with a less powerful car, get the S if acceleration is important to you.

Jacque my points were

1) Do you really notice the 2-3ft stoppng advantage of the S on the street?
2) Do you notice the cooling advantage of a 3rd radiator when driving on the street?
3) Do you notice any benefit to a 5 vs 6spd on the street?
4) Perhaps the Ss TQ and HP can be noticed, and is noticiable on the track when you get to about 100mph, but does the average driver discern between a 5.2 vs a 5.9 second 0-60 run? I doubt it.

I didn't say it wasn't worth getting an S. I simply said to get the "newest and best" version one could afford.

If the original poster has no intention of driving the car on the racetrack, where in my experience the base boxster has way more potential than people give it credit for, then why buy an "S"? In the 1960s, Porsche sold 30,000 912s (essentially a 911 with a 4cyl) vs the approx 10,000 911s. In the 1970s, Porsche sold 120,000 914s vs about 50,000 911s... Porsche sold another 150,000 or so 944s compared to a much smaller 911 production. For some people, even if money is not an object, having the "fastest" or "best" Porsche out there is not a requirement.

And yes, even the Boxster S is a chick car

[Topless]

They are both great cars. If you are jonesing for more power while driving a base model you will soon be jonesing for more power with the S. It never ends. It's not the car that feels weak. It's the driver.

What privileged lives we lead that so much energy is spent on which Porsche to buy while others around the world are facing genocide, famine, Aids, abject poverty, civil war etc. Be thankful for what we have.

[PSP]

IMO a much better question to ask that will potentially impact you every time you drive is not "S" or "no S", but glass or plastic rear window. It's one of the few issues that I wish I had researched better before buying my 2001.

[mn box s]

Not as pissed as I thought. Yes I have friends that drive ricers and some of them I'd rather have than a GT2... seriously. Yes even the S is a chick car and thats why to really pull the full potential of both cars lies under modifying. That is what brings most of us here (omg just like the ricers) and, problems with the type. Its porsche and we dont see as much as a lot of auto forums. Yes, I love it when I see a lady driving a nice car. Do I notice the difference between 5/6-speed cars heck yeah but mostly when Im driving my 5-speed and try to go to sixth out of habit. I do agree arguing about Porsches is better than starving, and I try not to forget that. Well that was fun we should do it again in about a month.

[Jacques79]

Originally Posted by racer_d

Jacque my points were

1) Do you really notice the 2-3ft stoppng advantage of the S on the street?
2) Do you notice the cooling advantage of a 3rd radiator when driving on the street?
3) Do you notice any benefit to a 5 vs 6spd on the street?
4) Perhaps the Ss TQ and HP can be noticed, and is noticiable on the track when you get to about 100mph, but does the average driver discern between a 5.2 vs a 5.9 second 0-60 run? I doubt it.

I didn't say it wasn't worth getting an S. I simply said to get the "newest and best" version one could afford.

If the original poster has no intention of driving the car on the racetrack, where in my experience the base boxster has way more potential than people give it credit for, then why buy an "S"? In the 1960s, Porsche sold 30,000 912s (essentially a 911 with a 4cyl) vs the approx 10,000 911s. In the 1970s, Porsche sold 120,000 914s vs about 50,000 911s... Porsche sold another 150,000 or so 944s compared to a much smaller 911 production. For some people, even if money is not an object, having the "fastest" or "best" Porsche out there is not a requirement.

And yes, even the Boxster S is a chick car

I'm sorry but you do notice a difference between the S and the non-S on the streets. .5 liters of extra displacement and more torque-horsepower accross the powerband make it noticeable.

And someone who buys a Porsche generally can tell the difference between a car that take 5.1 secs to 60 and the one that take 6.0 seconds.

We're not talking about an 80 year old grandma who's hesitating between an automatic 1994 Tercel or a Mazda 323...

[mn box s]

So they are popular even at the price of a Kia- Perfectlap. Just to clarify K=killed I=in A=auto. Anyway Ive been laid off for a little while and is why I actually waste time on this subject. Heres my idea on fun to drive I had a 00' civic Si. I won races auto cross and roadcoarse also won car shows. I have large trophies for all. I customized every thing and not gaudy like 99% of all other ricers you see. My point is I put 10k under the hood, by a little company we will call JUN... do a search, the BEST jap parts you can buy. I could of had a turbo kit and money left and had a car that was amazing fast. Instead I did what few do build an all motor Si 1.6L dynoed @ 202 whp @ 10,000 rpm. Ran it up to 12,800 rpm on a few dyno pulls but stopped making power at 10k. License plate....... RPM 10K. This has been getting to my point. Sure I have friends with 400+ whp Bmws VWs camaros you name it, fast cars. Id still rather have mine it was fun!!! Looks that made people go whhhhat Ive never seen such a cool car. Handling and stopping that rivels Porsches. Point being= As long as you have something you think is fun to drive who cares! On the other hand I did not sell my car for a non-s. And the dealer took my 00' civic in with 70k miles on trade and cut me a check on the spot for $12,400... yes at a dealer.

[hjkim550]

I am new to this site and am very glad that I stumbled upon it. Great members and a very informative site.

I had the very same dilemma last year. I was choosing between an 05 987 vs. 04 986S Silver Anniversary. Before I narrowed the list down, I test drove many Porsches. For me, the 04 986S won out because it was meticulously maintained, drove well and had lower miles than the 05 987. Rather than worrying about the differences in hp, torque, suspension and brakes. I would invest in a good pre-purchase inspection and go with your instincts. Either of them would be a good choice. Most of all, have fun with your new purchase!