Good options for a '05 S?

[eslai]

Originally Posted by mrsparkle

PASM seems like it would be a nice feature. I do like that the PASM is intuitive and adjusts to your driving style. If I'm not mistaken, it also lowers the car a bit in sport mode.

I think that if you get the PASM option the ride height is a little lower, but I don't think that putting PASM in sport mode changes the ride height, as that's more a function of the spring/spring perch than anything in the shock valving.

[JDanger]

Thanks for the responses. Yeah, used makes much more financial sense, but unfortunately the slight restyling and extra power did make a huge difference for me. Plus, the guys at PDE really made it sound like Porsche made the new Boxster S too good, and they're the ones who race for a living. I'd actually wait another year or two for a used '05, but I'm set on the carmon red color, which looks like it only comes up in the national used listings 1 or 2% of the time since the color was added, and that's for all Boxsters, not just the S, which is an even smaller percentage. I was thinking I'd go with white as a second choice, but even those aren't very common. Damn near all the listings are for silver, grey or black cars, with a few guards red thrown in. I figure I could easily go a few years without finding a car configured the way I want anywhere near me. Power, styling, and exterior/interior color are options I'm willing to pay through the nose for, I guess.

As for the rest, it sounds like maybe I should go for a stripped model other than the stereo. eslai, I read your review. Is the sport chrono just for the button that improves throttle response? Wait, there it is right on the website, it says it improves throttle and engine response. Well, I'll be damned. That doesn't sound like something I can live without. And the PASM just controls shock absorber dampening. That I might be able to live without. I'm not sure I like the idea of my handling characteristics changing on the fly according to a computer anyway, I'd rather it be consistent and predictable even if not as aggressively sport-tuned. I'm embarassed to say that I couldn't find this info on the Porsche site before because I only scrolled up-down, not off to the right margin. Was wondering why they were making these things such a mystery.

Thanks again for the advice.

[eslai]

Originally Posted by JDanger

Yeah, used makes much more financial sense, but unfortunately the slight restyling and extra power did make a huge difference for me. Plus, the guys at PDE really made it sound like Porsche made the new Boxster S too good, and they're the ones who race for a living.

Yeah, everyone I've talked to in the Porsche world, be they dealers, service men, autocrossers or what have all been abuzz with talk about how much better the '05 is. It's hard for me to imagine driving a 986 after having purchased the 987. Not to knock anyone here, of course--I think that's only natural, right--I SHOULD be in love with my car!

Originally Posted by JDanger

Damn near all the listings are for silver, grey or black cars, with a few guards red thrown in.

Yeah, i went with a REALLY boring color--Seal Grey Metallic is everywhere, but I did it partly because they hold value well as it's a popular color, and it's easier to keep clean than the Midnight Blue that I really really wanted. It's okay, the Seal Grey is VERY pretty...

Originally Posted by JDanger

I'm not sure I like the idea of my handling characteristics changing on the fly according to a computer anyway, I'd rather it be consistent and predictable even if not as aggressively sport-tuned.

The second I throw the car into a turn i can tell that PASM has bumped up the shock valving. It's not as unpredictable as they may make it sound. When you're driving straight, it's soft, when you're turning, it's stiff. If you want the best handling car, then PASM is worth it. If you're not going to drive like a dummy though, it's not really a big deal, IMHO.

But if you feel like you may regret not purchasing it down the road, you might as well throw the option on. Definitely take a standard and a PASM-equipped car out on back-to-back test drives!

[Adam]

The improvements on the new 987 are dually noted..however it seems all the performance perameters can be met with a 986 S that is correctly equiped with the right aftermarket parts. Put bilstein PSS9's on a 986 and it will handle every bit as good as a 987. Throw on a good set of headers and cats with some slight intake mods and the 986 S owner will have about 280hp. Unless someone absolutely has to have the new interior(or the newest of anything for that matter) it still makes more sense from a economical standpoint to buy a new untitled 04 S for around 45k-50k and spend roughly 5k more for the mods I mentioned.

[eslai]

That's the argument for buying any used car though. You can always look to the aftermarket.

Seeing as how I've played in that realm quite deeply before though, I can say that the aftermarket can also suck. Sure, you could throw nice suspension work at the 986, but it won't ride as nice as the 987 with PASM. You can throw on headers and hi-flow cats and pop in a looser air filter, but then you've got a louder car with a completely different torque curve than a 987, one that may also potentially fail smog tests (California is harsh).

Then there are those that just don't want to even come close to messing with their cars.

But you're talking about finding a new, untitled '04 986. In that case, why would you want to buy it and pump it up to $50,000-$55,000 with mods when the base 987S starts at $51,000? Does it really make sense for someone to take the resale hit on a purchase like that?

One of the things that people care the most about (as far as cars are concerned) is how their car looks. If someone has fallen in love with the 987 body style, I doubt there's much that can be said to convince them to buy a 986 instead, eh?

[Adam]

Originally Posted by eslai

But you're talking about finding a new, untitled '04 986. In that case, why would you want to buy it and pump it up to $50,000-$55,000 with mods when the base 987S starts at $51,000? Does it really make sense for someone to take the resale hit on a purchase like that?

One of the things that people care the most about (as far as cars are concerned) is how their car looks. If someone has fallen in love with the 987 body style, I doubt there's much that can be said to convince them to buy a 986 instead, eh?

I know what you mean...and I'm not saying one way is any better than the other. I'm just telling the other members of the board there is more than one way to crack an egg. Emmisions are important to some people in some states but I could care less about emmisions here in rural IL. Yes, you are right about not being able to recoup the cost of the mods put on the car....but you are taking a depreciation hit as well for every mile you put on the 987 and for every minute that goes by. In a couple years your car will be worth about 10k less than what you bought it for. And not to split hairs, but I'm pretty sure a 987 S starts at about 53k not 51k....on top of that the majority of 987 S's out there sticker at close to 60k not 50k.

[Brucelee]

" In a couple years your car will be worth about 10k less than what you bought it for."

Likely a bit higher on the depreciation estimate.

[eslai]

Originally Posted by Adam

I know what you mean...and I'm not saying one way is any better than the other. I'm just telling the other members of the board there is more than one way to crack an egg. Emmisions are important to some people in some states but I could care less about emmisions here in rural IL. Yes, you are right about not being able to recoup the cost of the mods put on the car....but you are taking a depreciation hit as well for every mile you put on the 987 and for every minute that goes by. In a couple years your car will be worth about 10k less than what you bought it for. And not to split hairs, but I'm pretty sure a 987 S starts at about 53k not 51k....on top of that the majority of 987 S's out there sticker at close to 60k not 50k.

Oh you're right, sorry, $53,000 or so. But my main point is, if you buy a new '04, you're taking a two-model-year depreciation hit immediately, then pumping it up with mods. I'd rather just buy the 987.

Most of the 987's out there sticker at close to 70k, actually--that's why I ended up ordering one...and yeah, it came out close to 60. Still, for that, versus a modified '04? Well, I'd take the former, definitely!