Just bought my 2006 Boxster S

[Carl AMG]

Originally Posted by mach schnell

it's cool to say you have an S - but I bet put up against most people in their 987 S models - i'd run parallel if not edge out in a straight run (at least up to 100).

drive it like a Porsche was meant to be driven and enjoy those extra 40hp!

I don't know how you could conclude this to be the case in a "straight run" between a S and non-S. Given the 40hp difference and the close ratio six speed of the S it would walk a non S easily. You would have to be up against a really poor driver who cannot shift to make this a reality.

[AUDIOGUY]

To S or not to S..... I drove an 05 987 prior to purchasing my 01S. I couldnt really afford the 2005 S at the time without mortgaging it so the base 05 and a pre owned S were on the list. After spending a good hour in the 987, it only took 10 minutes to know that I would be more happy in the 986 S! I definately felt the power of the S over the 987. There were so many good things about the 987 I liked... looks and interior design mainly... at the end of the day, I felt the best upgrade over my 2000 M roadster was definately the 986 S. Now I ended up with a 2001 simply because it was a 1 owner 20k mile loaded car with all the options I wanted... sure I could have gotten an 02 or 03, but I saved some money and instantly added the B and B exhaust and Evo intake before I drove it off the lot!! No buyers remorse here!

By the way, Congrats on the new ride....For the price, you did well... I was looking at the new Bmw M Roadster this weekend and it top 62K!! Way too much!

[mach schnell]

Originally Posted by Carl AMG

I don't know how you could conclude this to be the case in a "straight run" between a S and non-S. Given the 40hp difference and the close ratio six speed of the S it would walk a non S easily. You would have to be up against a really poor driver who cannot shift to make this a reality.

come on carl - first off - is the S an auto or a 6 spd? if auto, vs non-S 5 or 6 spd - no chance - S loses! If the non-S has the short shifter (OEM or aftermarket) - further destruction of the S!

next, look at the specs between S and non-S with manual transmissions. those are best condition numbers and they're barely different - especially up through 62km/h. furthermore - 40 hp is not that much (granted, coupled with increased torque - you have something). but, if you're gonna boil every race simply down to which car has more horsepower then why bother lining up - just get a bunch of math geeks together and let them nerd it out over a couple cases of rootbeer!

i've seen and/or participated in a number of lil side-by-side scrimmages where the vehicle with lesser horsepower took the cake! (can remember my friend's 4 spd reliant in high school that left a shocked look on some dumbass in a mid 60's chevelle.)

point of my rant, for the extra money that one spends on an S - essentially for a few more hp and torque and dual buttholes - you really don't get much. hmmm, maybe this way - if you're buying the car for sheer power - either in a straight line or through the curves - then the money is better directed to something like a cayman. if you're buying the car for the roadster appeal and oh, by the way, it's got power and handling to die for, then the money is better spent on the non-S.

[eslai]

I think the problem with your argument is that the boxster S has more torque and power over the entire rev range. Sure, you might be a bit better on a launch, but the short shifter isn't going to do a damned thing, and why are you comparing a tiptronic to a manual?

"...I bet put up against most people in their 987 S models - i''d run parallel if not edge out in a straight run (at least up to 100)." That's a pretty ballsy statement there, especially since you're comparing two cars that for all intents and purposes are exactly alike, other than the fact that one has more power than the other.

[mach schnell]

Originally Posted by eslai

I think the problem with your argument is that the boxster S has more torque and power over the entire rev range. Sure, you might be a bit better on a launch, but the short shifter isn't going to do a damned thing, and why are you comparing a tiptronic to a manual?

"...I bet put up against most people in their 987 S models - i''d run parallel if not edge out in a straight run (at least up to 100)." That's a pretty ballsy statement there, especially since you're comparing two cars that for all intents and purposes are exactly alike, other than the fact that one has more power than the other.

commented on short shifter b/c carlamg made mention of 987S 6spd as an advantage - well 987 can have short shifter as well. compared auto to manual b/c you never know - in fact, maybe the 987S is manual and the non-S is auto - well, then pretty much a no brainer unless you're girlfriend is driving the S and it's she's a manual-virgin!

again, are you gonna tell me that you've never seen a stock integra beat a 5.0 mustang? mustang clearly has more power - so what happened - gov't scandal???

[eslai]

Originally Posted by mach schnell

commented on short shifter b/c carlamg made mention of 987S 6spd as an advantage - well 987 can have short shifter as well.

compared auto to manual b/c you never know - in fact, maybe the 987S is manual and the non-S is auto - well, then pretty much a no brainer unless you're girlfriend is driving the S and it's she's a manual-virgin!

again, are you gonna tell me that you've never seen a stock integra beat a 5.0 mustang? mustang clearly has more power - so what happened - gov't scandal???

Carl mentioned the 6-speed not because of it having shorter shifts (it does not), but because of the shorter gears allowing it to take better advantage of the power band.

Your comparison of an Integra versus a Mustang is a very bad one. Again, the Boxster and the Boxster S are just about the same car--the only real difference in a straight line is that one has more power throughout the entire power band. A Mustang and an Integra have totally different torque curves and driver skill would be a much larger factor.

I take umbrage with your statements only because they're far too all-encompassing--stating that you'd beat most 987S owners with your stock 987?! Wow, you are... confident...

[mach schnell]

Originally Posted by eslai

Wow, you are... confident...

eslai - i'll take that as a compliment - most people misconstrue my confidence as cockiness, which it is not.

in all reality - this forum represents a small majority of boxster owner's nationwide. i've seen my share of mid-life crisis'rs and trophy wife's cruising around in their boxes - my (over) generalization, then, that "most" drivers would be easy to beat is based upon some of the other folk i see grannying around in their porsches.

since none of us (on this forum) have mullets and don't wear def leppard shirts i can say with relative 'confidence' we won't be meeting at ol county line road to race for pink slips!

and, i agree with dbth - the guy bought the car (like i said before, when the car of your dreams is before you, everyone else's opinion is yada yada yada), so enjoy it and don't worry about S or non S.

[eslai]

Originally Posted by mach schnell

i've seen my share of mid-life crisis'rs and trophy wife's cruising around in their boxes - my (over) generalization, then, that "most" drivers would be easy to beat is based upon some of the other folk i see grannying around in their porsches.

Awww c'mon--you weren't really talking about people like THAT when you were saying your 987 could beat most 987S in a straight line were you? That totally doesn't count!

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by mach schnell

eslai - i'll take that as a compliment - most people misconstrue my confidence as cockiness, which it is not.

in all reality - this forum represents a small majority of boxster owner's nationwide. i've seen my share of mid-life crisis'rs and trophy wife's cruising around in their boxes - my (over) generalization, then, that "most" drivers would be easy to beat is based upon some of the other folk i see grannying around in their porsches.

since none of us (on this forum) have mullets and don't wear def leppard shirts i can say with relative 'confidence' we won't be meeting at ol county line road to race for pink slips!

and, i agree with dbth - the guy bought the car (like i said before, when the car of your dreams is before you, everyone else's opinion is yada yada yada), so enjoy it and don't worry about S or non S.

Hi,

I'd be careful with the wisecracks about Mullets. You don't want to incur anyone's wrath on your Boxster...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[Carl AMG]

Originally Posted by eslai

Carl mentioned the 6-speed not because of it having shorter shifts (it does not), but because of the shorter gears allowing it to take better advantage of the power band.

At least eslai understood what I was getting at...

Sorry...I guess I took it as obvious that I was talking a standard manual transmission car; 5spd versus 6spd. The close ratios of the 6 spd will keep the car in the meat of the powerband easier than a 5 speed. Of course you can order a 6 speed on a non S but, regardless of the transmission (5 speed, 6 speed or Tip) or short shifter or not, I stand by my statement that an S will beat a non S in a straight line contest.

If you want to bring in the equation a moron for a driver who can't drive with their foot to the floor in a straight line and/or shift a manual transmission you're right. However, that wouldn't make me feel great about the power of my car or my driving skills. But remember we are talking about one driver deciding on a car with more or less power for more or less money.

I doubt anyone is buying any Boxster for it's power or straight line prowess. It's certainly about the handling and open top fun for me. Given that I have a couple of other very fast cars and autocross/track my cars, the power of the car (even the S) is a negative point for me compared to some rivals. The chassis is so wonderfully competent that it could certainly handle an extra 50 hp over the S. I certainly wasn't going to pass on 40 more HP from the factory but it would certainly depend on someone's financial situation and their personal opinion on the cost/benefit ratio of the extra ponies (and 6 speed, bigger wheels and brakes, etc.)

I'm personally waiting patiently for a nice aftermarket header/exhaust combination to add some more ponies to my S but some of us are seduced by power and some of us aren't. Buy the one that is right for you, enjoy it and don't look back.