97-2001: What are the MUST HAVE options?

[Jeannot]

Hmmh. I believe you CAN have a tip in an S, as a saw some.
Automatics "a la tiptro" are a pure sacrilege in a Porsche IMHO.
It is slow, uses more fuel, castrates the engine and removes 50% of the driving experience this wonderful car provides.
I live to match the revs, heel and toe, exit the curve nicely and properly, because this is what this car is about....and while the tiptro is easier in the traffic, it is a TOTAL pain on mountain roads...
Some people will tell you go for the manual mode on the tiptro when driving mountain roads...but it's a joke. It's no Maserati cambiocorse, no BMW SMG II, no AUDI DSG. It's AWFUL !!!!
My $0.02

[wetstuff]

You'll save about the same $3K the first buyer paid for more the Tip. ($6K net loss...) My wife, luckily for me, would not have an automatic in 'her' Porsche.

Outside of P-dealers, most car dealers don't have a clue what is on the car. They only see that it's on the lot for 60+ days and want to make it GO AWAY - or are Crak-happy with Saudi pricing. "There is virtually no price difference between a stripper (later years have Leather, Air, etc...almost all have 'Sport Package') and a well loaded car". I quote myself because I took the time to find this out. You can save about $5-8K by buying a std vs. S. (a base 2002 w/low miles in St Louis sold for $24k in Dec)

One of the options I like, that may be handy out by you, is the Auto-dimming mirrors that come with 'rain sensor'. It's like a silent, third passenger who's only job is to turn the wipers on when the windshield is wet. ....it's strange to have it change the frequency as needed rather than the typical metronome settings. Cool bit.

The search can be fun too.


Jim

[Brucelee]

As a dealer, I would answer you this way on a used Porsche"

The S is preferable, for your own use and resale. More torque in everday driving is appreciated, the gas mileage is close to being a wash.

The Tip is actually a fine trans, this is certainly a personal preference issue. Tips are very easy to sell on a used Box. You will likely pay about a grand more on a used Tip, don't pay any more. Blue books says so.

The sport package is a nice option, which brings with it the upgraded stereo, cruise, rear package shelf and the wind deflector kit. These are all useful things and the SP should pretty much be on any used car. In other words, you should DEDUCT about a grand if it is not. BTW- if you have the package shelf, you can tuck speakers back there!!!!!!!!

The rest of the options get more rare, the more common ones being 18" wheels, Sports Touring package etc.

Hope that helps.

And GOOD LUCK!

[QporscheQ]

I would highly recommend the 18" wheels, or at least plan on putting them on later. IMO it make the car look $20K more expensive and way sleeker.

[Brucelee]

Ditto on the 18s. It is MUCH cheaper to buy the car with them on than after.

[RandallNeighbour]

My 02 cents' worth:

The traction control on my car is quite helpful, especially in slick weather (fresh rain over oil-laden asphault when it's been 90 degrees out that day)

The upgraded stereo system is a must in my mind. If it has no door speakers, keep looking the upgrade path without them is very, VERY expensive and you'll wish you had found one with more speakers.

Get an S. I have a 2.5 non-S and wish I had held out for the 2000 S I dreamed about.

Tip or Non-tip for me meant the difference between me enjoying the car and my wife driving it FAR more than I and ignoring my demands to keep it out of grocery store parking lots. She has no passion for cars and could not care less if they're abused in parking lots. So no Tiptronic for me

More than anything that's been shared, what you must look for in a used Boxster is a car that has been cared for throughout its life. Mine was neglected and while I snagged it for 15k, it's taken 6k to get it in shape, including a transmission swap. So, my bottom line is this:

Buy a Boxster S with some factory warranty on it and find a good independent Porsche repair facility to fine-tooth comb over the car and pick at every flaw it has before you buy it. Then take it back to the sales person and tell them to fix everything on your list and you'll buy it. Basically, force Porsche to repair and replace anything wrong with the car before you buy it, and then take it back as often as you possibly can to drain the life out of that warranty. Oh yeah, not to scare you off, but if you're offered a warranty the dealership sells you for the years and miles after the factory warranty expires, seriously consider it. You'll probaby be glad you did.

[BuffaloBoxster]

My 2 cents:

1) The windstop is a must.
2) I would have really looked a bit harder for heated seats if I had known what I know now. They will extend the amount of top-down time you'll get.
3) If you are an audio afficionado, none of the stereo systems will thrill you IMHO, so I would not pay extra for any of them. Aftermarket is the only way to go I think. But the uplevel system with the door speakers gets you ready for the upgrade.
4) At least 17" rims if you're not buying an S.

[Adam]

Litronics are a very desirable option as well and one to definately look for.

[Perfectlap]

the price difference between a new S and the standard engine is big.
In the used car market the difference is not so big.

Its really the only way to go, When I was searching I never looked at anything but an S.

aside from that my must have's were:

1-Silver paint & Red interior (classic Porsche)
2-6 six manual ( I hate the very notion of paddle shifters and tip tronic, it has ruined motorsports).
3-Not sure if the brakes on the S are different than the standard, if so
that's another must have.
4-Litronics, I really don't understand why this wasn't a standard option. A car name like Porsche should never leave the factory with lesser lights than a Honda.
5-Factory windblocker and the rool hoop screens (way too expensive new)
The upgraded stereo, with the windblocker its perhaps the best top down audio experience ever.
6-Wheels are a personal choice. I like BBS so I wasn't getting around that upgraded.

But the best option is LOW MILEAGE. My 2000 S came with 10,000 miles.