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!

First, you are a lucky man! If your wife wants a Boxster you are 90% there.

Couple things to consider:

1) The 987 has more leg room for taller drivers
2) The 2006 and newer Boxster has a "smart" system for the airbags, so if you have young children this is an advantage too. The 2005 987 does NOT.

There are some great recent (and older) threads that cover your questions. Do a search and you will find a ton of great advice.

[Sloan]

I started a thread just like this to help me decide, and after all of the input that I got here, along with my own research and test drives, I selected the 986 S, and have been thrilled with my choice.

My wife was also very supportive of the purchase. I think we both actually preferred the look of the 986 interior.

Rather than try to recall all of the details, let me see if I can find it .....

http://986forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10609

here's another one that may be helpful:

http://986forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16330&page=2&pp=20

[bnordin]

I also went through the same process and purchased an 05 987. I preferred the look and room of the 987 but had no need for a 987S. The car is a blast to drive and find the 240 HP to be very capable. This car is my daily driver and gets on average 24 m/g on my commute. When people ask, I just tell them I needed an economy car! Good luck on finding the Boxster that brightens your day.

[John Y]

For what it's worth, the 2007 is rated at 245hp.

[23109VC]

the 2005 is the first year of the new "look". which I like a lot. I think the 986 looks great...but I think the 987 has a newer more modern look which I prefer...but if I was going to save a lot of money to get a 986 - still under warranty...i'd opt to save money and get the 986. I don't "have to have" a 987.

my wife REALLY likes the 987. she thinks it's a night/day difference in the look/feel of the interior..and I know if it comes down to almost equal dollars - she will want to get a 987 base over a 986 S.

I have been very happy driving my dad's 2000 base which is only 217 hp. he does have the 18" wheels, with the M030 suspension package and I LOVE how his car handles. my #1 goal is to get a car that handles like HIS. his is super stiff..you feel every bump in the road..and it corners TOTALLY FLAT..I mean I know there is *some* roll..but compared to most other cars, even other 986's I"ve driven, it feels much stiffer.

so my goal is to get a car and make it handle like his. if that means adding M030 to whatever car I buy - so be it. mabye the newer cars like 987s...or the 986S models have a suspension that is stiffer/higher performance...similar to what was coinsidered "Upgraded' when he bought his car...

i'm less concerned with power - more concerned with handling and looks and the feel of the car. i assume if i'm happy with his 217hp versino, then a 240 or 245 version..heck even a 2003 base with 228 might be more than enough for me.

i was cross shopping an s2000 at one point...and compared to THAT...anything has more torque and feels fast...

i'm going to test drive an S and see if I cant' live w/out it.

are there many things STANDARD n a 986 S that I would NOT expect to get on a 987 base?

[Quickurt]

There were many reasons for my choice of the 987. Getting an S was icing on the cake.
There were a couple of base 987's that were very, very interesting. I believe it was called sport package and it was the 2.7 base model with PASM, Sport Chrono and 6 spd in the package. PASM and Sport Chrono switch the shock settings to a little stiffer than standard S settings and also switch, among a few other things, the throttle response to a much more agressive setting. I drove a PASM S model and was not impressed because the standard S settings were very close to what it was switched to, however, my salesman is an absolute Boxster maniac and he said PASM and Sport Chrono turned the base model into an monster.
The 6 spd is wonderful, I can't stand driving a 5 spd after having the S. There's just more than an extra gear missing..........the extra ratio means they're all closer and you just can't find a corner you don't have the right gear for.
One Sport Package base was just like the S I bought, the other was white with gray top and black/gray two tone interior, which I loved. I had reservations to go to Austin, but my dealer came through with a great deal on my first choice.
See below

[Quickurt]

Damn! I got carried away with the Sport Package info and forgot the point I wanted to make.
Hurley Haywood guaranteed me I could drive the base 987 faster, safer and more consistantly than a 986 S. He said, in his opinion (I value that ALOT!), the base 987 was a superior car in every facet, and he knew I'd be buying used.

You say now that you don't need the "S"...but in about a month you will be starting threads about, "How can I get more HP out of my Base Boxster without my wife really knowing that I spent the future kids college fund?"!!!!!!

Much cheaper to buy the HP now...rather than later.

[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.