^Depends on which S you're talking about, 250hp is not a lot but 310hp is ... that's more than the NSX.

I guess I don't look at 310 as "big" H.P. yet. As with everything, opinions vary. :)

If you want to talk about overwhelmed, my first track experience was in a Formula Ford. Same power/weight as a new "S", but with scary cornering speeds!

drove a '99 carrera, did not feel much if any faster than my Boxster S

For all its years of production the standard Carrera didn't cross over the 300 HP mark until about 5 years ago.

The U.S. 1999 BMW M3 E36 had less power than 986S. The most a non-turbo BMW engine had ever had until 2000 was 343 HP.

I always scratch my head when people say the BoxsterS was underpowered in 2000.
Actually even now, for the chasis it's way more power than most driver's can handle once the steering is actually used.
You'll losee 250 HP in a second if you're not up to it. I'd say car like a 150 HP NA Miata are closer to the 'benign power' category.

People are always confused by hp numbers and power/weight ratio.

1997 986 weights 2750lbs ... now it's closer to 3200lbs. Gained 110hp but also 450lbs!

Wow, 97s are even lighter than I thought, I really thought the Boxsters started out around 2900-3000 even back then. If what ekam says is right then it's not too different in weight than my Corolla...

now if I could just get 201hp to the crank of the Corolla...:rolleyes:

ekam that is exactly why I was wondering how 255 feels in the base Boxster, however, I read this

Benefiting from the weight savings, the Boxster Spyder tips the scales at just 2,811 pounds. It's the lightest vehicle in Porsche's road-going lineup (176 pounds lighter than the standard Boxster S) That puts a new S under 3000 and the base too. 2987. Additionally, you can order the boxster spyder 19" lightweights and reduce rotational mass and corner weight.

Curious if you all think the S holds its resale value a bit better than the base & that might argue towards a used 'S', especially to enjoy the performance difference. Well, that's part of the way i'd rationalize it anyhow!

I have not found that to be true. They start out more expensive and you'll pay more for them. Resale percentages seem to be the same around here.

My '98 base was a great first Porsche. My current 2KS is a lot more fun because it has more of everything and does it a little better. I had both cars at the same time for about 7 months. Side by side the S out performs the base. 2 things I like about the 2.5 L base. You can not beat the exhaust sound. It is perfect, hands down. The base did get 30 to 33 mpg on the highway.

I agree, I see 5 base models for sale for every S model.

Amazing that 19" wheels are now considered optimal sizing for an "RS"

make sure you post pics in the Yellow Boxster thread...

According to the excellence magazine article they really have the suspension on the Boxster Spyder cherried out. Whether it would be an absolute waste on a base model I really don't know. If you keep the base wheels at 17" it cuts a lot of dollars off the quote. I have a taste for the turbo wheels which are $3,600 more, that's a lot of cheddar for wheels.

Found a clean speed yellow 2002 Boxster S
 

50K miles on it. Clean as a whistle. Loving it.