2.7 liter vs 3.2 S-type?

[JP308]

I'll be real honest here about buying cars. All car purchases to me are about passion and wants, not needs. When I bought my first Ferrari I was ready to buy a 308GT4, but I new I really wanted a 308GTB, so I waited 1 more year and got the car I wanted. (It's a carb car with 4 double webbers and is more than enough). When I bought my first US car (used to live in Canada, now living in the US), I really wanted a boxster, but saved a few K and bought a 3.0 Z4. Loved it, but kept thinking about the boxster. 2 years later I finally was fed up with second guessing myself and traded the Z4 in for a Boxster. And as I said at the begining, I really wanted the S, so I waited until I got exactly what I wanted....well almost, I wanted grey and got a silver with blue interior without BOSE.....but I can live with that. If you are ever going to say....I wish I had bought the S...then don't settle, there are a lot of cars out there. I also did not want a plastic window as I lived with 3 Miata's with plastic windows...so never again. Hence a 2003 silver and blue Boxster S. As an aside...the 17" wheels are also lighter than the 18" and the 19" and I am all about lower weight, not higher HP. Besides it's easier to put the back out on skinny 17's than it is on fatter 18's or 19's. I remember my first sports car was the 93 LE miata with the black exterior and red interior with the 14" BBS lightweight wheels....now that was a great car. Buy what make you feel good inside of it and outside of it and don't settle, there are lot's out there.....and don't forget to get a PPI. Good luck

[BoxsterSbob]

The 2.7's a great car. But, the 3.2 S has bigger brakes, and the 6 speed. There's some debate on the value of the 6 speed. But, besides the larger engine I believe those are the key differences. There maybe be some wheel and tire differences, but those are easily resolved.

Either way you win.

Good Luck


bob
04'S

[986Porsche986]

Get the "S"

[timothy]

JP308, very well said

[23109VC]

options/features you should try to get:

1) litronics!

2) heated seats - I love mine. On cool evening trips with the top down, having nice heated buns makes the drive much more enjoyable!

3) the GLASS rear window. i didn't think this was a big deal when shopping/buying, but now that I am an owner and live with the plastic window, it is a PITA. it's not important enough to pass up a car that is otherwise "perfect" but if you can AVOID a pre-03 car, get 03+ to get that glass window. if it such a PITA to have to get out of the car, fold the plastic window and then get back in. if you only drive the car on a Saturday, then it's no big deal. but i drive mine to work...i take the car out at lunch, so i might put the top down in the AM to work, in the afternoon to go to lunch, and in the PM to go home. it would be SO much easier to just jump in, drop the top and GO. and not have to get out, fold it, get back in, it's a PITA. and you look like a dork fumblig with your window. next boxster I buy - NO plastic windows!!!

4) M030. you can retrofit nice suspension onto a car - but I drove cars with/wout this feature and I swear I could really tell a difference.. the car is stiffer, corners flatter and it's NOT that rough. it's very livable for commuting, but it corners fantasitc.. this feature, combined with 18s will give you car handling that truly is "on rails".

if you can get an S...get it. you won't regret extra power. trust me. I have a base and if I could switch right now and have an S, just like my car, I'd take it.

ther's nothign wrong with the base models - I love my car. I have a blast driving it. but if price was the same - and I thin in this depressed market, you really could find an S for the price of many base cars.... i would go for an S.

if you find a car you love that is a base - don't pass it up just because it doesn't have "the badge".... but if you have time to shop, and have lots to chose from, I think you could find the car you want AND get an S.

next box I buy will be a newer S model. but ANY boxster beats 99% of the other cars on the road for FUN... period. you will be happy with what you get b/c the boxster is such a cool/fun car!!!

good luck and enjoy your shopping. Shopping for clothes sucks. shopping for a Porsche is fun!!

[jcb986]

Just bought my first Boxster, it's a 2000 S. The window sticker, yep, have it, said this is a Boxster Sport S. Love it. A one owner with 67000 miles and very well taken care for.
It's Grey Metallic with Red Leather...just what the doctored ordered.

Option Class Option Unique Option Description Option Price

BSEMDL BASE Porsche Base Model 49,930.00
BDYCLR 59 Slate Grey Metallic 3,010.00
TOPCLR V9 Black Top .00
INTERI MC Boxster Red Special Leather 2,370.00
OPTION 249 Tiptronic S 3,210.00
OPTION 446 Wheel Caps with Colored Crest 170.00
OPTION E56 Small Carbon Package 2,080.00
OPTION M6M Boxster Red Floor Mats 92.00
OPTION X45 Instrument Dials-Pntd Int Clr 550.00
OPTION XME Rear Ctr Cons Painted Extr Clr 715.00
OPTION XMK Roll Bar Painted Exterior Clr 525.00
OPTION XPD 3-Spoke Str Whl-Carbon/Leather 1,505.00
OPTION P25 Boxster S - Sport Package 2,235.00
OPTION 454 Cruise Control .00
OPTION 551 Porsche Windstop (Deflector) .00
OPTION 696 AM/FM Radio with CD Player .00
OPTION P49 Digital Sound Pkg with 490 .00
OPTION Y61 Carbon/Alumimum Tip Knob/Brake 720.00
Total Options 67,112.00
Total Charges 765.00
Total Order.. 67,877.00

On top of all this it has 18" turbo wheels. I love to drive again. Oh, got for $15,700.

:dance:

[Ben006]

Originally Posted by 23109VC

3) the GLASS rear window. i didn't think this was a big deal when shopping/buying, but now that I am an owner and live with the plastic window, it is a PITA. it's not important enough to pass up a car that is otherwise "perfect" but if you can AVOID a pre-03 car, get 03+ to get that glass window. if it such a PITA to have to get out of the car, fold the plastic window and then get back in. if you only drive the car on a Saturday, then it's no big deal. but i drive mine to work...i take the car out at lunch, so i might put the top down in the AM to work, in the afternoon to go to lunch, and in the PM to go home. it would be SO much easier to just jump in, drop the top and GO. and not have to get out, fold it, get back in, it's a PITA. and you look like a dork fumblig with your window. next boxster I buy - NO plastic windows!!!

I have a plastic window, and never had to get out of the car to fold it ?
and the visibility is actually way better with the plastic window compared with the tiny glass one.
So is my car different or did the last owner changed your top for another one with a different window ? (or mine ?!)

If you can get a S, get it, suspension, brakes, engine, gearbox, everything is better and you really feel a difference ! BUT the 2.7 ain't bad

[mikefocke]

Originally Posted by Ben006

I have a plastic window, and never had to get out of the car to fold it ?
and the visibility is actually way better with the plastic window compared with the tiny glass one.
So is my car different or did the last owner changed your top for another one with a different window ? (or mine ?!)

If you can get a S, get it, suspension, brakes, engine, gearbox, everything is better and you really feel a difference ! BUT the 2.7 ain't bad

You live in a warm climate, makes a difference with the plastic window.

Many say the 5 speed gearing is better in normal driving than the 6 speed on the S.

The brakes and wheels on the base are smaller. Agreed.

The suspension is different because the rear axle mist accommodate the 6-speed's differences.

201-228HP is enough to get in trouble with. I've had a Porsche with 85 and never felt it was under powered. Neither did the cops who kept stopping me .

Many race Boxsters are based on the base model. Spec Boxsters have to be based on the 2.5.

Guess I never felt the need to play "mine is bigger".