986S vs 987 base ?

[23109VC]

this may have been asked a million times..

i've got my wife on board to get a boxster. we are starting to think that we would be wiser to get a newer CPO car vs an older less expensive one from a private party o third party dealer... the CPO will have some peace of mind.

i'm trying to keep my budget close to low-mid 30s. that rules out newer S model cars for th emost part.

i have seen certified 986S cars in the high 20s and low 30s.

i have also seen 2005 base model 987 base models in the mid 30s... depending on how badly a dealer wanted to move a base 987, and depending on how optioned it was and what kind of mileage - it's possible i could find a nice 987 base for a similar price as a 986S.

as far as hp goes - it looks like the 2000-2002 S models are similar. 2003-2004 have similr power. then it went up again in 2005-2006, and again in 2007.

the hp rating for a 2007 base is 241 - not quie as high but almost as high as a 2002 S model.... but as far as the rest of the car - there may be too many other differences that make one or the other superior.

i read one thread on anothe forum where someone said they had a 986 and went test drviing a 987 and they felt the newer cars were "softer" and not as sporty. having never driven a 987 not sure if that is BS or what. can't imagine that his true...

anyway - given the improvements and changes that were made year over year - where is the best "bang for the buck"?

for what it's worth - my wife really likes the updated interior of the 05+ models. i think they look better too - but i don't mind the 986 interior at all either.

thanks!