What option would you not skimp out on?

[new2bxstr]

As I'm looking for used Boxsters as a first-time buyer, I come across some that have Bixenon lights, some that don't, some that have windstops, some that don't. Bose, power seats, S vs. Base, the exterior color I love versus one I can live with, and so on.

What has mattered a lot, or least, to you in your Boxster ownership?

[The Radium King]

personally, i like the tees option the best.

[KRAM36]

One with a top that has a glass rear window with defrost. S over the base was a must for me too.

[tommy583]

If I was to buy another Boxster I would go with an S model for sure. The wind stop is useless in my opinion, but many people seem to like them. Glass window top is another nice option. Full leather interior makes for a nice upgrade as well. Good luck in your search.

[Redboxs]

If I could go back in time.. I'd spring for an S. But, sometimes less is more

[Porsche9]

For me the options of value are the M030 suspension and it has to be an S. If you can get the hardtop with the car that's nice option. Buying it separately is pricey as they are uncommon.

[Giller]

Depends a lot on how/where you will be driving it. Me, I only drive it on days I can put the top down, so the glass/plastic window makes no difference.
Yes, the S has more power - but the base still has tons, don't let anyone tell you different.
For me - having the BOSE upgraded system is key. I hear lots of complaints about the stereo, but the BOSE surround and amp is a very good system. Cruising around with the top down and the music up is awesome.
Oh - and the Windstop that Nine8six makes is amazing and a must for the cool factor alone! But that's an aftermarket upgrade.

[crooster]

Litronics since halogens that are not yellowed / burned are hard to find, and they look way better.

Sport Design interior looks quite a bit nicer and more modern than base in the earlier cars

[Jamesp]

Get the S, everything else will fall into place.

[kk2002s]

Options I have on my car I'd make sure I had again:
- 'S'
- Liptronics
- 18" wheels
- Cruise control (This is a must on multi-hour highway drives)
- On board computer
- Bose upgraded with rear sub-woofer
- Top with glass window (Don't have now - would like in future)
- Wind screens
Mine has the Comfort and Sport touring Packages so many of the small things came with them

[Ottacat]

There are some things that you can add as aftermarket items so they were not a priority for me. My requirements were:

S
cruise control
manual tranny
black

I would have preferred the litronics but couldn't find everything in one car.

Options I've added aftermarket:

heated seats
replaced top with glass rear window (the one I bought was an '02, would have preferred an '03 or '04)

[BIGJake111]

Yellow stitching and supple leather!


Kidding aside, litronics really do make a huge difference, slightly morbid but they will really help out on totaling out your car in the case of an accident, preventing you from having to drive around a half done rebuilt boxster.

[JayG]

no need for power seats

[luckyed7711]

After more than 2 years of looking into the idea (studying the market and local availability for the S model 2000-2004), I decided to take the plunge and go ahead and buy one. At that point I limited my search to a 2003 or 2004 S (I thought the glass rear window was worth having.)

I was very particular about my personal color choice, Seal Grey being number 1, Polar or Arctic Silver being tolerable 2nd choices. I definitely ruled out Black interior and top. Those criteria limited the available vehicles significantly, so I figured I'd settle for whatever options the car that met my other requirements came with. I ended up last October finding a 2003 S in Seal Grey, Graphite Grey interior and top with 81000 miles. It came through the PPI nicely. The dealer took care of several minor maintenance things that came up in the PPI, and I bought the car, flew up the next week and drove it 280 miles home.

It wasn't highly optioned like some, but the options it did have were nice ones in my opinion. The Xenon headlamp package, P74; the power seat package with memory, P15; the Hi-Fi digital sound, 490; Windstop, 551; and Wheel Caps with Colored Crest, 446; all very nice to have. I installed the rear speaker kit shortly after I got the car home, and the factory stereo sounds great to me.

Again, the initial thing that pinned it down for me was limiting the choice to an '03 or '04 S with the above mentioned color scheme. I also had a maximum budget which I stuck with.

Anyway, it took a while to find, but I got a car that I'm really happy with so far.

[BIGJake111]

It is important to note that most S cars come with a bit of kit.

As for cruise control as an option, I have never used it and have never seen anyone else use it. Maybe it's just not a southern thing?

[cfos]

Originally Posted by BIGJake111

As for cruise control as an option, I have never used it and have never seen anyone else use it. Maybe it's just not a southern thing?

Just for reference, how many trips across state-lines or vacations away from home have you taken your car(s) on? Seriously, cruise control is wonderful provided you take long trips/vacations or drive extended periods of time - or if you commute for work and drive on highways for extended periods of time... You take long trips, don't you Jake? Not a school night, of course.

I do like the Xenon, and more generally 987+, but that's my taste. Preference aside, I think I agree with most by saying test drive as many as you can and see the options for yourself, and get the best car available at the price point you want. And, don't skip on a PPI - if it is something you can get without too much hassle.

[Giller]

Originally Posted by cfos

Just for reference, how many trips across state-lines or vacations away from home have you taken your car(s) on? Seriously, cruise control is wonderful provided you take long trips/vacations or drive extended periods of time - or if you commute for work and drive on highways for extended periods of time... You take long trips, don't you Jake? Not a school night, of course.

I do like the Xenon, and more generally 987+, but that's my taste. Preference aside, I think I agree with most by saying test drive as many as you can and see the options for yourself, and get the best car available at the price point you want. And, don't skip on a PPI - if it is something you can get without too much hassle.

Yes - I love my cruise! Vital option for me - but again, depends on how you drive.

+1 on the PPI. It can never be said enough. These are 10-14 year old cars and can be quite costly to repair. Having at least some idea what you are getting into with a thorough PPI is crucial to your cost/enjoyment experience.

[Joe B]

Originally Posted by BIGJake111

As for cruise control as an option, I have never used it and have never seen anyone else use it. Maybe it's just not a southern thing?

Cruise control's a lot more useful than yellow stitching !
I doubt it has anything to do with geography; maybe it's just not a BIGJake111 thing. I wouldn't own a car without it. Not useful in the twisties, but it is wonderful to have on any kind of longer trip with more or less straight roads (we do have some of those in the west), or where you want to maintain a steady speed. You should try using it, it's addicting, although you probably don't need it to drive from home to school and back. Where I live there are 9 stoplights in a 100 mile radius, all within a town 2 miles long (Jackson, WY). Maybe it is geography...

[dbear61]

1) Cruise control
2) PSM
3) S

I use my cruise control almost every day, and can't imagine owning any car without it. Two years ago I took a 17-day trip with my daughter, whose car didn't have cruise control. When I let her drive, she didn't use it. The speed was up, down; up, down. I couldn't stand it even as a passenger. But also having towed a boat with a truck, I can say that cruise control with an automatic while towing is a very bad idea, especially in hilly terrain.

PSM I felt was important for safety.

S was important not so much for the power as for the gearing ratio on the 6-speed vs. the 5-speed on the base.

DBear

[BIGJake111]

Originally Posted by Joe B

Cruise control's a lot more useful than yellow stitching !

I doubt it has anything to do with geography; maybe it's just not a BIGJake111 thing. I wouldn't own a car without it. Not useful in the twisties, but it is wonderful to have on any kind of longer trip with more or less straight roads (we do have some of those in the west), or where you want to maintain a steady speed. You should try using it, it's addicting, although you probably don't need it to drive from home to school and back. Where I live there are 9 stoplights in a 100 mile radius, all within a town 2 miles long (Jackson, WY). Maybe it is geography...

Trips to Atlanta or Charlotte get by well enough with the foot on the pedal. For me it's just an annoying stick near my right knee haha!

As another member mentioned psm, I can vouch for TC or PSM, definitely on an S, it may be hard to cut loose in a 986, but they give you the confidence to push your limits. The little blinking TC light is like a little slap on the wrist to calm down.