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

[northern986]

First of all, Hi to everyone here, as this is my first post

Well, ever since I had the luxury of borrowing an 02 Boxster for a week 2 years ago
, thanks to my dear friend who went out of country for a week and needed
a ride to/from the airport, I had experienced how this roadster would
enhance my life dearly.

Financially it didn't work at the time, but now things are lining up a bit better
so I am in the market for one (and my first Porsche to boot).

I have been looking at 2003 S, as it's the latest of the great 986 with all the enhancements.

At the time I didn't consider 987 at all, as they were too new and too $$. However, now days I found examples of 05 base model in the same price range as a well-optioned 03 S.

I prefer 987's exterior over the 986's, but like 986's interior design better.
Performance and driving dynamics should be fairly comparable in numbers, at least on paper.

I was advised to buy the latest Porsche I can afford, and I am leaning towards getting the 987 base.

Any owners out there who were in the similar situations and found good reasons for choosing a 986 S over 987 base ( or vice versa) ?

Thanks in advance for any comments.

[jacabean]

in my opinion the newer the better even if it is a base 987

[husker boxster]

There's only 12hp difference between the 2, so that's a push.

Most people like the interior of the 987 and the exterior of the 986. Interesting turn around that you like the opposite.

How tall are you? 987s are friendlier to tall people than a 986.

If you decide to go 987, it might be worth a trip to San Fran to hunt for a couple of days. A quick look through Craigslist shows quite a few inexpensive 05 & 06s.

Good luck with your decision and purchase. It's a great time to buy.

[944boy]

I was at the same decision. I found an 05 base and once I drove it that was it. Mine has the PASM and the 6speed. The six-gear was one of the main things I was after. I have not regretted one of the 24,000 miles I've put on it.

-Greg

[Adam]

Hello Northern986, welcome to the board! I'd recommend driving both models because depending on the person and your tastes it could really go either way. This has been a heavily debated topic in the past so search the archives as well and you'll find numerous opinions, but like I said buy the one that you like and you can't be wrong.

[BeachBum]

I have an 03 S and love it. I have driven the base 05 and in my humble opinion the engine doesnt have as nice of a growl. I am also a fan of the 6 speed of the 03 S vs the 5 speed. I like the interior better in the 987. So I guess I am adding nothing to the conversation as it is up to personal preference.

Greg

[Dave S.]

I bought an 03 S about a year ago. I'm a cheap SOB and live in Colorado where they charge personal property tax on your yearly license plates. One of the reasons I went with the 03 S was it had the features, like glass back window and glove box, was the first year for those important updates, and was way cheaper to insure and register each year. The 03 and 04 are essentially the same, but all things considered, I'd rather have an older one as every year gets you a reduced cost to own.
It's a 5th car for me and I only use it for pleasure driving on nice summer days. I figure I'll have the car for 20 years or so and only considered very low mileage cars to start with. My 03 S had just over 14k miles on it so it was practically new and it was less than 1/2 the price of a new one at the time. For me, think I made the right decision.

Dave S.