I test drove a 2.5 and it was awesome but the 3.2 was even more lively and spirited and I did not want to give that up or feel like I needed to upgrade someday.

Now that I know more I realize the 2001 3.2 with dual row bearings in the IMS was one of the more robust engines I could have chosen so I feel it was the best choice in my price range.

C'mon guys - the S model is streets ahead on specs....

1) Bigger engine = more power and torque.
2) Bigger, more efficient brakes with ventilated rotors.
3) Big Red Brembo brake calipers - worth the entrance cost alone.
4) Six speed gearbox.
5) Third radiator - extra coolant and cooling for the engine.
6) Larger oil cooler.
7) Far nicer silver / white dial cluster.
8) Bigger 17" wheels and corresponding tyres.
9) Much better resale value.
10) Much bigger head 'cos it says S after Boxster....

What more do you want??

Already have a S and never drove a base... :D

997 GT2 RS :D


I can appreciate both cars for what they are and still contain my lust for power.

Who could answer such a question? At what price? In what condition? What mileage? What year? Most importantly, how much money do you have to spend? Without such information, you might as well be asking people whether they'd rather have a brand new 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari or a rusted out 1967 Volkswagen.

I would keep my base as even if I buy another porsche ill probably keep her. I hardly drive now a days so no I wouldn't trade it in. Maybe for a cayman.

You should be having fun no matter what boxster you are driving .
If you're not having fun , you're doing it wrong ;)

:D

I have to agree, its a lot of value and the premium in the second hand market is not so big that you can't swing it.
Personally for the track the base car is plenty. For the street however you are far better off With 250hp as cars on the road today have a lot more power than they did 13 years ago. The extra power is usable in highway merging and in overtaking mini vans and SUVs holding up the rest. And of course very rare D-chunk failures in the 3.2's.

And for track/autox I will say that at this weight a car at 240hp or more seems livelier off braking and out of slow corners. Anymore power and then its a bit like the car is driving itself. 240-300 is the sweet spot IMHO. But the early Boxsters were light so they don't need it to be quick.

Drove both 2002 base and S back to back brand new at the dealer...I liked the base better.

1) aura and sounded better
2) felt more torque at very low revs
3) much preferred the black dials than the silver ones in the inside
4) the base actually has a wider track than the S. (bet you guys didn't know that)

The only trade up I would do would be a boxster Spyder.:cheers:

No third radiator on the Boxster S. It can be upgraded to that because of the hole already cut out of the bumper though. This can be easily fixed with a nice muffler on the base. Like Ian said, you should be having fun no matter what. :D:D

Not correct - all S models have the third radiator fitted as standard.......

I'm thinking I should have purchased an S.

255 hp is starting to get dull.

And I'm kind of missing a clutch. Never thought I would say it, but now I'm kind of missing it . . .

Only tiptronic trans cars have the third radiator. My 2005 S is a 6-speed and there is no third radiator.

Don't know about 987 but my 2000S has 3 radiators.

I would like a 97 with jakes 2.9 HP upgrade, and maybe a single turbo. Would have to upgrade the brakes and suspension but you could probably buy one pretty cheap these days.

And my own 2001 S has the third radiator fitted from new....;)

You have a very rare car. S models came stock with 3rd rad.

Personally think a turbo would be a very bad idea. It will ruin the throttle response and linear power delivery and probably spoil the noise a bit too.

How could you sell your 19999 Boxster ? It hasn't even been made yet. :cool:

I bought my 1st (of 3) Boxster s' after driving my bothers base boxster. The 2.7 felt (at least to me) very anemic - like it wanted to let loose, but just couldn't. The S is just a different animal.

For the record, my bothers 2.7 has 98k, the original ims, and hasn't given him any issues. My 2000 S has 2 engine failures due to ims (1st covered by porsche, second, hoping to get some love from settlement). Hope that helps.