03 S vs. 05 base ? (helping out a potential Boxster owner :-) )

[944boy]

I've had no out of the ordinary problems with my '05. At 77,000 + miles I say that if something was to go wrong, it would have. I also expect to replace things solely on the fact they will wear out from use (switches, bushings, etc).

As for PASM, I was not keen on getting it when i was looking. But now that I have it, I love it. For the street it is taught without being too harsh with the button off, and with it active it becomes kind of jarring but the handling when in a corner is flat out impressive. The handling even on "eh" tires is still excellent. And on the track I was harassing a Cayman S with a good driver for most of a session. I was having enough fun to chunk HTRZIII's quite badly and vaporize stock brake pads (much better with Hawk race pads).

My only concern is when they finally let go, the cost of replacing one or all the units might be horrendous. I may just go with coil-overs when that day comes. But for now, I'm keeping them.

The only 987 I drove without PASM was a tip, but it also had sticky tires and an auto-x alignment so there was not much of a comparison. The 03S I drove had coil-overs, and the 1999 base did not have the confidence that the 987 has. So I do not have any direct experience. I can tell you that at the nation PCA meets, the PASM equipped cars were cleaning house at the auto-x.

[northern986]

Originally Posted by 944boy

I can tell you that at the nation PCA meets, the PASM equipped cars were cleaning house at the auto-x.

Thanks for sharing the experience with PASM. This is helpful.
The PASM option would be a luxury for me as the used 987 with PASM are rare and $$, and I am deciding between a well-optioned 03 S or the "inexpensive" 987 out there. Nice to know it does work as designed, since who knows where this path will lead me into

[clickman]

My $.02, when I bought my MY01 base in 06, I didn't care if it was the base or the "S". The move into a Boxster was such a quantum jump up from what I had. It might be the same for you with respect to 03S vs 05 base.

With the 03 you are getting a MY that has had most of the kinks worked out of it (set aside $ for the IMS refit). And it has the glass rear window, which to me fixes the biggest non-mechanical downer of the 1st gen cars. I hate doing the chop.

I think you'll be happy as long as the 03 is in good shape (get a PPI in any case).

[HDManny]

When I was looking for a Boxster, I had two choices here locally. An 03 S 5sp and a 03 base with a tip, the S cost 5k more than the 03 based and had 1k less miles. However the base model had PSM, Heated Seats, 17 inch wheels (with colored crests), yes the S has a bigger engine and brakes but that's all. I purchased the base for 5k less and more options. But in the end, it's about what you feel is right for you and whichever you select, I hope you enjoy it.

[Brucelee]

Later is better.

Go for the 05!~

[Keith Newby]

I have a 2000S and had an opportunity to drive a friends 08 Caymen with the 2.7 recently. After the 70 mile drive we both felt the difference in torque produced by these engines. We both felt we needed to run the Caymen in a lower gear to produce the acceleration delivered by the S. Keep in mind that I spent a lot of time driving a 1967S and the 3.2 seems to deliver the driving experience I was used to. The 2.7 not so much. I too prefer the early Boxter interior / styling...again more of a tribute to the early 911 cars in my opinion.

Just my take.