986S vs 987 base ?

[RandallNeighbour]

Buy the newest CPO Porsche you can afford. After the first RMS leak or engine failure you experience, you'll be thankful you're covered to 100k.

The 987 is a very different car aside from the interior. Lots of suspension changes and other stuff that make it a far better sports car to own.

The problem with a base boxster of any year is that you'll quickly become accustomed to the power and wish you had bought the S. However, I don't hear many forum members whining because their 3.2 or 3.4 just doesn't have enough torque.

Look at the torque differences, not just the HP. You feel the torque.

[fragdude]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

Buy the newest CPO Porsche you can afford. After the first RMS leak or engine failure you experience, you'll be thankful you're covered to 100k.

The 987 is a very different car aside from the interior. Lots of suspension changes and other stuff that make it a far better sports car to own.

The problem with a base boxster of any year is that you'll quickly become accustomed to the power and wish you had bought the S. However, I don't hear many forum members whining because their 3.2 or 3.4 just doesn't have enough torque.

Look at the torque differences, not just the HP. You feel the torque.

I don't think I have enough torque

I agree with Randall, the 3.2 does have a good amount of torque. Unfortunately (for you) I also agree with him when he says buy the newest car you can afford. I didn't have enough money for a 987. But if I did, I would have prolly still gotten a 986S because I know I can make it stiffer (M030) it has a 6 speed transmission (unless your car puts out prodigious power with few RPMs this is very useful) and I really like the brembo brakes. But that being said, I don't know much about the 987 except that its out of my price range it looks damn good and I like the 986 interior over the 987

[baseball]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

The problem with a base boxster of any year is that you'll quickly become accustomed to the power and wish you had bought the S. However, I don't hear many forum members whining because their 3.2 or 3.4 just doesn't have enough torque.

I agree, there are many threads where base owners wish they had more torque. But consider me someone who's very happy with the torque of my 987 base and have no need or desire to improve upon it. I realize I may be in the minority on this issue.

[MikenOH]

If i were looking at the same buying question, the first item on the list would be warranty. If I could afford a 987 that came with a warranty, that would be the car I would pursue first. The additional torque and HP in the earlier S models might be fun, but he cost of repairs on these models--in my mind-puts the warranty issue ahead of the power ratings. The reliability on these cars has improved with each year and I think the 987 models--for the most part--have been extremely reliable. Adding to that, the number of IMS failures that I've seen on this and other boxster boards--particularly in the 2000-2004 range--would give me reason for pause when considering those models. No stats on how many, but they sure seems to be showing up with some frequency as the miles go up.

I wasn't real high on the 987 styling when it first came out but have grown to appreciate it. Interior wise, this car is leaps and bounds above the '99' in comfort and and quality of materials. I've heard criticisms of "lexus like" interior styling; it does look a bit generic compared to the 986 style but it works.

Regarding the tranny, I think the base 987 5 spd has a great linkage--very smooth. Every 987 six spd I've driven feels notchy, not terrible but not quite as silky. By comparison the '99's linkage felt more akin to a VW than Porsche.

The only time I miss the S extra HP on the track going down the straight at Mid-OH and the bigger brakes which you need when you're looking at turn 7 at the end. For typical use on the street, I don't think the HP differential is a big deal. Of course, YMMV..

[Quickurt]

Believe me, you'll get used to the torque in anything.
The first few times I drove an Atlantic car I was breathless from the power (1180 lb.- 245 HP). Within a few events it was the same old thing, it needs more power.
Brian Redman said the 917/10 Can Am monsters were unbelievable. It took five weekends before they needed more power.

[bnordin]

Originally Posted by Quickurt

Believe me, you'll get used to the torque in anything.
The first few times I drove an Atlantic car I was breathless from the power (1180 lb.- 245 HP). Within a few events it was the same old thing, it needs more power.
Brian Redman said the 917/10 Can Am monsters were unbelievable. It took five weekends before they needed more power.

I guess I have an advantage over most base 987 owners as when I get the feeling that 240 HP is a little short, I unwrap by 1990 Miata STS2 car and take it for a spin. I have owned the NA since 1989 and still love to drive it. I hope the 987 hold up as well.

[renzop]

The 987 S six speed and the optional 6 speed for the base 987 are both geared weirdly. Even accounting for the different rear axle ratios, there is a bigger gap between 1st and 2nd on the 6 speed than the 5. So when folks say that the 6 speed is closer geared they are not entirely correct. The Porsche 6 speed ratios are perfect for the track, where 3rd-5th are nice and close. But the base Boxster will accelerate to 60 faster with the 5 speed than the 6.

If you doubt this, all it takes is a speed in gears calculator (lots of them on the web) and the ratios (in the back of the owners manual).

Regards,
alan

[fragdude]

Renzop your right! the transmission is geared more for the track and the for the 0-60 sprint! (with the first couple gears being longer so you don't have to change as much). I've heard that the 911 uses the same gear ratios (I haven't had the chance to check this out), so what I assumed was that Porsche put in the effort for calculating good gear ratios for the 6 speed with the 3.4/3.6/3.8 liter engines and calculated the 5 speed for the 2.5/2.7, and just said hey, 6 speed on the 3.2? what the hey! keep it the same!

Which is why I wish I had the cash for a 3.6 swap! also why if you put a 3.4/3.6 in your 5 speed you get great acceleration!

[Perfectlap]

Mileage is important. I could have bought newer but after I found my Boxster with not even 10K miles I decided no need to spend more. Best decision I ever made.
Looking back I'm not sure I would have taken such a leap of faith buying a Porsche without an extended warranty. When things go wrong on this car they go wrong in a big way. Porsches are expensive to work on and the parts are very expensive too.
But so far I've had Japanese or better reliability. Most reliable car I've owned so far. Which for Porsche and its track record is truly an amazing claim.

[Quickurt]

Originally Posted by baseball

I agree, there are many threads where base owners wish they had more torque. But consider me someone who's very happy with the torque of my 987 base and have no need or desire to improve upon it. I realize I may be in the minority on this issue.

The only reason we don't ******************** about S power is because there is no S2.