Slightly used gen 1 S, or new gen 2 non-S?

[getting there]

That is the question. Opinion: experts??

[Brucelee]

You need to narrow your question down a tad, no?

[Stryke]

Here is a general answer to a general question. I would not consider a non-S period, ever! I feel they are both underpowered so the non-S would be a dog for my liking.

Other than that do what makes you happy.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by getting there

That is the question. Opinion: experts??

If I was torn between the two I would take myself up to the dealership, test drive both, and then decide and make a purchase. Seems like the most logical thing in my book. Just my 02

[03box]

I drive a standard '03 Boxster and it is definitely not a dog. I drove the standard and S version before deciding on the standard. I did not feel the slight performance gain in the S was worth an extra 10 grand for my purposes. I sold my 350Z to get into a Boxster. Neither the standard or the S has that kick in the paints feel you get when you punch the throttle on a Z. But the Boxster is a better balanced, more fun to drive car than the Z ever was. Power isn't everything.

Adam is right. Go to dealer and drive both. Then decide for yourself. You can't go wrong with either model as far as I am concerned.

[Brucelee]

ON a used S, you can get a lot of car for relatively little money. The first two years depreciation on a new S will kill you!

[Adam]

Even brand new 04 S's can be had in the upper 40k range. I know what I'd do.

[Pilot2519j]

I would opt for the S rather than the regular. Has more standard options: better brakes, more horses are the main reasons. Neither are dogs and both are quick and handle super great. I would favor it more for the brakes which are the 911 brakes stops you and a dime.

[Perfectlap]

If you are asking about buying a 986 S (3.2L) vs. 987 (2.7L)
I would say don't buy a 987 they have ugly headlights.

seriously, it would depend on how much you can get the 986S for.
If its not a serious mark down I would go for the newer car. I would look at
the likely depreciation of the two. My take is that you take less of a hit with a very popular used car. The pool of buyers is inevitably larger for people looking to spend 25-35K than those looking to spend 35-45K.
I got my 2000S for 30K with 10,000 miles last fall. Its my hope that it will be quiet some time before it get down to $20K. Historically I've never put more than 10K miles a year on my cars so hopefully that will help out over the next four years.

From a performance standpoint the power of the new Boxster is close to the old S model so you won't be making a huge swing either way in that department.
And I strongly feel that neither the S or the standard are underpowered.
Take both to a Porsche driving school and when you set the absolute quickets lap possible in either, then tell me you need more power. The Boxster is sportscar not a drag strip car, there is more than enough power to get you into trouble.
A friend of mine used to race junior formulas with a current f1 driver and he recently told me that this professional driver sent his father a new Mercedez compliments of the team. After driving it he STRONGLY noted that its 500+HP should not be sold to the general public. Even if you are only intending to drive in straight lines you need to master the power you have before you complain about not having enough ooomph.

[scycle2020]

Originally Posted by 03box

I drive a standard '03 Boxster and it is definitely not a dog. I drove the standard and S version before deciding on the standard. I did not feel the slight performance gain in the S was worth an extra 10 grand for my purposes. I sold my 350Z to get into a Boxster. Neither the standard or the S has that kick in the paints feel you get when you punch the throttle on a Z. But the Boxster is a better balanced, more fun to drive car than the Z ever was. Power isn't everything.

Adam is right. Go to dealer and drive both. Then decide for yourself. You can't go wrong with either model as far as I am concerned.

the new box s is faster and feels faster than the 350z to all speeds....i did a same day back to back test drive and the car magazines confirm my seat of the pants impressions

[Adam]

Originally Posted by scycle2020

the new box s is faster and feels faster than the 350z to all speeds....i did a same day back to back test drive and the car magazines confirm my seat of the pants impressions

The Z may feel faster than a S because it has alot of tq, but it's also a tank compared to the boxster. We all know the S is faster.

[PDX-986S]

An option to consider is a new '04 S. I bought one in Feb. '05, and found that dealers were desperate to get rid of them. I paid $46k, with numerous options (18", carrera whls, bose, xenon, tiptronic, and more).

[Adam]

Very nice buy^. Good job.