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

[socratic]

This may be a oft-asked question and possibly hotly debated. I'm looking for a used Boxster (my first) and people have been providing lots of great advice on my "Must-have Options" thread.

But whether or not to get a "S" is probably the biggest choice and is a tough one. Primarily because in Canada there seems to be quite a higher premium for an S.

First some context. Unlike some of you, I haven't been used to really fast cars. The fastest vehicles that I have owned have had C/D (Car and Driver) 0-60 times of about 7.6 seconds. I think that the 2.7 of 2000 and higher non-S Boxsters should handily beat that already (right?).

Is there any other "material" benefits of the S other than some straight line performance increase and some additional cachet? [Note, having a Porsche of ANY kind is enough "cachet" for me. ] Does the S handle any better? Is the S more luxurious?

Here in Canada, it looks like having the S adds about $7000 to $8000 USD (converted from about $9000 CDN) to the value of a fairly new Boxster.

If the non-S Boxter is already "very fast", maybe I don't need to spend $9000 CDN to get the same thing only "wicked fast".

Let me know what you feel are the advantages of the S.

Thanks.

[Perfectlap]

is this a daily driver? or a sunday ride only?

I love my S but if I had to drive it more than than 2 miles a day I would be a poor man after all the trips to the gas station.

[socratic]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

is this a daily driver? or a sunday ride only?

I love my S but if I had to drive it more than than 2 miles a day I would be a poor man after all the trips to the gas station.

Just a weekend or "fun" car. The daily driver is the SUV.

[Jeannot]

Does the S really eat up so much gas compared to a SUV? or compared to the base.
Considering that Porsche sells 2 base for 1 "S" and that second-hand buyers "tend" to look for the "S", the delta in price will remain, but you'll get your money back at the end.
They are both cool cars, the base is as much fun...I just wanted a S because I could not get used to the idea to have less HP in a Porsche than in my previous car.
Good luck with your choice, whatever you buy will give you plenty of smiles

[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.