Why do I need an S and what year

[johnsimion]

Originally Posted by Stephan Silverman

I want a used Boxster and am on a limited budget. I would like to spend around $20,000.

I was told to absolutely get the S for the performance and absolutely get a 2003 or later. What do you experienced owners think? Are these important? I do like as much performance I can get from a stock car. But does the S matter that much and why a 2003?
Steve

++++++

1) If you are mostly driving to the mall on city streets and at semi-legal speeds on the interstate, or if you're out in the twisties behind an old pickup truck driving 45 mph, the base model is just as fast as an "S." In fact, an old Toyota Corolla is nearly as fast, costs less, and probably is more reliable.

2) If your wife insists on riding with you and then gets after you to slow down all the time, the base model is a better choice ... unless of course you are actively seeking divorce.

3) The dude in the next lane in the Corvette at the stop light is still going to outrace you when the light turns green, no matter which model you buy -- unless you are committed to spending several thousand dollars more to buy a bunch of speed equipment, that will void your warranty and probably make your car blow up.

4) The general public doesn't know the difference between an "S" and a base model. The base model lets you have the prestige of driving a "Porsh" for a much lower cost. Within this community, the base is the Rodney Dangerfield of Porsches.

5) If you never drive an "S," you can't miss what you never had. Ignorance is bliss.

[yelojkt]

Judging from the list of cars you have owned and your statement that the Miata was perfect just boring (which to me says underpowered) than you should go with an S. You could not mod a base to the level of an S for anywhere near the extra couple thousand you would have to pay to get an S over a base. More HP, better suspension, better brakes and more tire.

[extanker]

Originally Posted by johnsimion

++++++

1) If you are mostly driving to the mall on city streets and at semi-legal speeds on the interstate, or if you're out in the twisties behind an old pickup truck driving 45 mph, the base model is just as fast as an "S." In fact, an old Toyota Corolla is nearly as fast, costs less, and probably is more reliable.

2) If your wife insists on riding with you and then gets after you to slow down all the time, the base model is a better choice ... unless of course you are actively seeking divorce.

3) The dude in the next lane in the Corvette at the stop light is still going to outrace you when the light turns green, no matter which model you buy -- unless you are committed to spending several thousand dollars more to buy a bunch of speed equipment, that will void your warranty and probably make your car blow up.

4) The general public doesn't know the difference between an "S" and a base model. The base model lets you have the prestige of driving a "Porsh" for a much lower cost. Within this community, the base is the Rodney Dangerfield of Porsches.

5) If you never drive an "S," you can't miss what you never had. Ignorance is bliss.

very well said

[BerneseMtnDog]

For some people the extra HP with the "S" is important (although mostly psychological). I've driven both and for normal daily driving either would be fine. It's just not that big of a difference in most driving cases. IMO the biggie is to find a car with a good service history and about 50k to 60k miles or so. Whether "S" or base I wouldn't care but it needs to have a history of responsible ownership. At my age collecting horsepower isn't as much a priority as it had been 20 years ago.

As for years to look at, I personally like the looks of the 986 better than 987 but that's me. I would stay away from the 99's and older. They seem to have more problems.

Steve

[sasha055]

I did a car swap with one of my friends and here what I felt:
Cars: Mine is 2000 Base, 70K, has 18" wheels and 997 shifter
Friends car: 2001 S 55K, has a factory package with PSE (not sure what it includes) 18" wheels

We swapped cars for 2 days, both cars are daily drivers, no performance upgrades.
My impressions:
First day I was impressed! S has more low end torque (under 3k rpm) and is getting speed faster, It's noticeable stiffer which was really nice on Highway ramps, 1st gear is shorter so I didn't have to downshift to 1st when traffic was slowing down to 10mph. (with 5 speed 10mph is about 1.2Krpm which is bad for IMS)

The not so good:
- S is stiffer and it get's annoying after 1st day especially with "smooth" seattle roads.
- Maybe I'm used to 5 speed but it seems that I had to shift a lot between 2-3-4th gears it's easier with 5 speed
- S still "feels like a porsche" only after 3.5-4K RPMs, and after 4K RPMs base feels just the same (I didn't feel any difference)
- S is speeding faster and I missed that "I'm accelerating" feeling
- PSE is LOUD, and S in general is feeling louder (even tire noise)
- 997 shifter is a MUST!
- starting from a green light is kinda the same unless you rev the engine, which is fun but you cann't do it every time, clutch costs a lot.
- White gauges are very distracting

Again it's my daily driver, I don't track it so after driving S for 2 days I'm over "should've bought ans S" feeling.
My friend paid almost twice the price for his car (mine was 9k, his 17k)
Would I buy an "S" if I had the chance? YES because I'm still young and I want anything faster bigger better... would I pay more then a couple of grands for it.. definetely NO

Funny thing: my friend told me that he hates how stiff his car is after driving my base

Thanks
Sasha

[yelojkt]

Thanks sasha very well stated. You have now solidified that I will get an S. I will live with days on end of getting bounced around on city streets to enjoy the performance of the stiffer suspension on the open road, on-ramps and the track.

[RandallNeighbour]

Stephan, you can purchase a cubby and swap it out in less than a minute. Just pop the lower tray out by pulling on the sides and then reach back and pop the CD tray out forward and replace it. Sometimes, popping off the left or right knee plate (pull toward the outside of the car from the back and it will release) is necessary.

Someone else will have to inform you on the stereo head unit swap. I think the 2002 model and up is using fiber optics (the MOST system) so a simple head unit swap will probably not work, but it's certainly doable because other boxster owners here have installed very nice audio/nav systems in their cars.

[fivepointnine]

first thing I did was change the oil on my 02 S....Motul 8100...old oil was clean and filter had no particles, but I did it for peace of mind.......probably going to do the IMS with my tax return this year, already had a new clutch.

enjoy your S!!

[Boxster101]

Originally Posted by Stephan Silverman

I want a used Boxster and am on a limited budget. I would like to spend around $20,000.

I was told to absolutely get the S for the performance and absolutely get a 2003 or later. What do you experienced owners think? Are these important? I do like as much performance I can get from a stock car. But does the S matter that much and why a 2003?
Steve

No one "needs" an S. However, often men with small.... oh, never mind.

[Ghostrider 310]

Originally Posted by Boxster101

No one "needs" an S. However, often men with small.... oh, never mind.

The only reason I see is torque, the feel of acceleration, I'm sure direct injection makes an S a rocketship. As far as the reference, most people will tag you for that just having the keys, model is moot.

[WhipE350]

Well done Stephan, yellow is classic for a Boxster, it was my original choice but all the good ones kept getting away. Have you posted pics?

Ghostrider - definitely drive both if you are looking at the newest models. I was looking at 2009 and newer ones myself and just assumed I wouldn't buy anything but an 'S', however now I'm beginning to think the new base models might be quite nice. If you do test drive let us know your thoughts.

[MileHighBoxster]

YOU TOOK 11 MONTHS TO BUY A CAR? Man that would have been unbearable to me. Good buy. Congratulations. You can add iPod connection to your radio. If you're driving the Porsche like you should be, you should not be on the phone - bluetooth or not!

[Ghostrider 310]

Originally Posted by WhipE350

Well done Stephan, yellow is classic for a Boxster, it was my original choice but all the good ones kept getting away. Have you posted pics?

Ghostrider - definitely drive both if you are looking at the newest models. I was looking at 2009 and newer ones myself and just assumed I wouldn't buy anything but an 'S', however now I'm beginning to think the new base models might be quite nice. If you do test drive let us know your thoughts.

I'm with you on this, 255 hp used to be the S motor output, and as another poster put it how fast can you go? My 2.5 with headers and underpulley felt damn fast, seems a 2012 base should too. You can get some cool stuff with the savings too like a sport exhaust and 19" lightweight wheels, I'm thinking about this too, but will likely look for a used S, not for top end but for the feel of acceleration you should get from 320 directly injected ponies.

[johnsimion]

Originally Posted by Boxster101

No one "needs" an S. However, often men with small.... oh, never mind.

I think you went a little far with that one. It's all in how you use the car. You need an "S" if you are tracking it or trying to impress other Porsche owners. The "S" model could blow my doors off in a drag race or on the track, but so what, I don't drag race or go to the track. Personally I don't know very darned many Porsche owners who do. Many talk, few act. On the streets where I live, my base Cayman is every bit as fast as an "S" any place I drive within the speed limit. In fact, it doesn't even matter because some kid in a Corolla will always go faster than you on the highway just because I won't risk a speeding ticket. Waste of money for an "S." For me, that is. YMMV.

[MileHighBoxster]

Originally Posted by johnsimion

... On the streets where I live, my base Cayman is every bit as fast as an "S" any place I drive within the speed limit. In fact, it doesn't even matter because some kid in a Corolla...

True. My S is just as fast as every other car doing 55, 65, or 75. No need to impress anyone but me. There are plenty of cars on the road faster than mine but, I am currently undefeated in races with Vipers, AMG's, Cobras, Z06 Vettes and Chevettes............because I don't race any of them.

[stephen wilson]

"To S or not to S"........is an entirely personal decision, there is no right or wrong. I chose a base model because I wanted a newer, lower mileage car, at a given price point. If cost wasn't an issue, for me, H.P. is like money; you can't have too much of it!

[Perfectlap]

I'v always thought this argument is backwards. for the track or autocross, the 2.7 and 2.5 engines are more than enough power to get you into the same trouble that a 3.2 and 3.4 will land you in.

For real world situations, like overtaking cars on the merge lane, getting past a minivan with some nearly 300 HP engine and the improved S brakes (same as on the Carrera) could be the difference between avoiding a near miss accident -- an insane number of accidents would be avoided if the driver had just one extra second to react. I see more benefits to the extra power and braking on the street than most realize, granted they are also great in competition and instruction.

Originally Posted by johnsimion

I think you went a little far with that one. It's all in how you use the car. You need an "S" if you are tracking it or trying to impress other Porsche owners. The "S" model could blow my doors off in a drag race or on the track, but so what, I don't drag race or go to the track. Personally I don't know very darned many Porsche owners who do. Many talk, few act. On the streets where I live, my base Cayman is every bit as fast as an "S" any place I drive within the speed limit. In fact, it doesn't even matter because some kid in a Corolla will always go faster than you on the highway just because I won't risk a speeding ticket. Waste of money for an "S." For me, that is. YMMV.

[WhipE350]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

I'v always thought this argument is backwards. for the track or autocross, the 2.7 and 2.5 engines are more than enough power to get you into the same trouble that a 3.2 and 3.4 will land you in.

Good point! I know if I start tracking I'll want to start with less power, probably will keep me out of a ditch

[SeanZ4]

I'm sorry for the off-topic post: I have a friend who is trying to sell his '01S in speed yellow, with 61k, brand new top, litronics, etc. He's not on this forum. He's restoring a 356, so he's selling the Boxster to have the interior restored in the 356 or something??? (jk!) Just thought I'd throw it out here on this forum because he's asking an extremely low price for this car. If I didn't have one already, I'd buy it myself!

[fivepointnine]

I cant believe some people think the S rides rough....does not ride any stiffer than my BMW X3....matter of fact, with my tax return its getting coilovers! People dont realize just how quick a "S" is, from the stop light not that many cars short of a Vette will match you (and I bet you will keep up with an early C5) The top gear acceleration on the highway is amazing to me