To "S" or not to "S"...

[Brucelee]

Here in the US, the diff in price is less, perhaps 3-4K. Moreover, the S is an easier car to re-sell so you make most of this back at resale time.

Simply put, this is a personal preference issue that no one can answer for you. I recommend driving both and deciding what you want to spend you money on.

I have never had one of my customers come back and tell me that wish they had purchased the base model.

Either way, it is great car.

[BuffaloBoxster]

The standard Boxster is plenty quick. I guess it depends on how much a performance junkie you are, and how interested you are in straight-line speed. Both cars handle great, so if that's your thing then the base Box will do you fine.

[Perfectlap]

depending on which standard Boxster you are comparing to an S, 40-60 additional horsepower is plenty difference to affect gas mileage. Not necessarily because it consumes more gas but because if you like sportscars you will be using that extra power. I can go through 1/4 tank without even blinking on jaunt into NYC which includes going on a highway where there is literraly no speed limit(only two lanes on a elevated highway) for ten miles and then the crazy 'lanes mean nothing' traffic once into NYC. Here in the city the traffic lights are timed in sync and almost encourage you go fast to keep the flow moving in waves.
Those yellow cabs have no chance against my S in third gear. Just don't put gas into your any where near NYC, its marked up 20-30 cents a gallon.

p.s. if you have the funds for the S don't even hesistate, you will regret it later.
"The Boxster S ($50K) and the Carrera GT ($600K) are the most balanced cars Porsche has an offer"-an Excellence contributor.

[Pilot2519j]

The Boxster S without doubt would be the better of the two. Bigger engine advantage in performance and quickness. I use mine daily for work 10 miles each way and I love it. The brakes of the S are the same as in the 911 there are no better brakes than that. Therefore the equation comes down to price. Which in the use market can be not much difference. Make the investment and you will not kick yourself in the pants later on with the proverbial line I should have.
Gas mileage wise both are pretty similar and in short trips nothing is economical. Over 20 miles to a gallon is normal and in the highway even better.

[Adam]

Don't forget about the six-speed tranny from the 911(save us the speech 6-speed haters). The S also has an extra radiator to deal with the with heat of the 3.2L and a few other things that add some extra poundage over the 2.7L.

[wetstuff]

....after a six week journey to find the 'right' car, I bounced back/forth between. My wife would have been perfectly happy with a base 5-speed. She didn't care about option codes, Litronics... "'S.. "What's that?", etc. It came down to colors for her.

I was the tech-nerd that wanted all the tricks/toys. She now takes some pride at the hospital that 'she' has the tweaked Porsche...even tho' she'll never drive it more than 30% of its potential. Cachet works too. ...and as the rest of this 2001 car; it came at about 50% of the first lessor's cost.

Either for driving or polishing, there is no wrong answer.


Jim

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by Adam

Don't forget about the six-speed tranny from the 911(save us the speech 6-speed haters). The S also has an extra radiator to deal with the with heat of the 3.2L and a few other things that add some extra poundage over the 2.7L.

I believe the suspension is also beefed up with better sways and harder coils.

[Adam]

This is true in the 00-02 boxsters. The 03-04 base boxsters have the same suspension setup as the S models.

[Stryke]

I'd never consider a non-S myself. With that said, consider buying mine, it's for sale!