"S" regrets? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

larryshomework · 02-16-2007, 03:14 PM

I'm sure this has been discussed ad naseum but I couldn't locate a specific thread.

I'm looking at a non-S (2002) but it is out-of-state. No good options locally for a test drive so I'm debating how bad my "S-envy" will be!

Those of you with 986 non-S's --- do you have S regrets? If you were to do it again, would you buy non-S or hold out for an S?

Some background on my situation - I prefer the look of the non-S (gauges, door handles, tail pipe in particular). This will be a second (weekend) car. Daily driver is 05 BMW 330i ZHP. Likely will do some Drivers Ed events locally (Barber Motorsports Park) and outside chance of some autocross.

dharrisonwu · 02-16-2007, 03:24 PM

I have a 2002 Non-S. No regrets whatsoever. That thing kicks ass and the torque is unbelievable in 2 - 4th gears.

Boxter · 02-16-2007, 03:37 PM

I have a non "S" and I have no regrets...but given the market I'll bet you'll find what you want if you're patient. There is always another deal to be had.

wanna986 · 02-16-2007, 03:42 PM

I held out for an S and certainly don't regret my decision- BUT, unlike you, I much preferred the S subtleties you mentioned. You have to buy what you like and, remember, you can buy a supercharger to bridge the power gap if you have the need for speed.

jinijazz · 02-16-2007, 03:43 PM

As a previous non-S 986 owner, I never regreted. This does NOT mean you don't want more power. You quickly get used to the power you car offer and want more. But same is true with S. 00 986-S with 250hp is enough? What about 2003 S with 258hp? Do they regret not having 06 987-S with 280? or 07 987-S with 295hp? It's not about "S-regret", but more about never ending "more power" struggle.

Boxster is all about fun and handling. Your base Boxster can give you plenty of these. Spend your money on driving ed etc and enjoy the every bit your Boxster can offer. I'm pretty aggressive driver but never felt I fully enjoyed what my previous 99 is capable of.

blinkwatt · 02-16-2007, 04:04 PM

There is no end to wanting more power.

Some people have blazingly fast 996TT but yet even they do work to give their cars 700+HP....IT DOESN'T END!

70Sixter · 02-16-2007, 04:27 PM

The non-S is a very nice car. Had there been a 6-speed 2.7 I mighta gone for it. But the brakes and 3d radiator put me into exclusive S territory. Still the non-S is a wonderful car. Go for the best you can afford and you cannot go wrong.

scottiesan · 02-16-2007, 04:32 PM

If you have a chance of test driving both the S and non S. Chances are, you will
likely choose the S model.

hts · 02-16-2007, 04:58 PM

you sound like the kinda guy that if he doesn't get it, he's likely to have S envy.

:dance:

i'm also debating the two cars and whether or not the .5 second performance difference is really worth $10k (I know there are other factors that are included in the $10k premium, but to me, it's really mostly about the .5 second).

blinkwatt · 02-16-2007, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hts

i'm also debating the two cars and whether or not the .5 second performance difference is really worth $10k (I know there are other factors that are included in the $10k premium, but to me, it's really mostly about the .5 second).

Go with a base with the 6-spd option. I beleive it's around $2k for the option,but oh man if only I had the extra gear on my 99'.......too bad it wasn't a option then.

SD987 · 02-16-2007, 05:30 PM

I'm guessing you will. If you drive a ZHP, then it's pretty clear you wanted an e46 M3 but needed four doors, and ended up getting the "top" version of the 330i.

The difference in performance/times between the 330i and the ZHP is about the same as between a 986 vs. 986 S, so if you cared enough to purchase the ZHP before, you'll probably wish you'd purchased the S if you don't.

Not to mention a 986 base would be slower than your ZHP in a straight line (and maybe the curvy ones), which doesn't sound like good qualities to have in your "fun" car.

Adam · 02-16-2007, 05:37 PM

Bottom line....get the best car you can afford.

jpog · 02-17-2007, 11:12 PM

I don't know where you are in Alabama, but I am in Huntsville and considering selling my 2002 S to facilitate a 997 upgrade.

I'd be glad to let you test drive the car regardless of whether you chose mine or another. At least you'd have an idea of whether or not the differences are worthwhile. PM if you'd like. -Greg

Quote:

Originally Posted by larryshomework

I'm sure this has been discussed ad naseum but I couldn't locate a specific thread.

I'm looking at a non-S (2002) but it is out-of-state. No good options locally for a test drive so I'm debating how bad my "S-envy" will be!

Those of you with 986 non-S's --- do you have S regrets? If you were to do it again, would you buy non-S or hold out for an S?

Some background on my situation - I prefer the look of the non-S (gauges, door handles, tail pipe in particular). This will be a second (weekend) car. Daily driver is 05 BMW 330i ZHP. Likely will do some Drivers Ed events locally (Barber Motorsports Park) and outside chance of some autocross.

j.fro · 02-18-2007, 07:56 AM

I had a 99, and when that car was totalled (rear-ended

), I found a 2000 S in my budget. What a differece! The S is much more car. Because the 99 didn't have as much torque, it required a bit more throttle to get her going, particularly when starting on a hill. The S is not like that at all. I can practically let the clutch out at idle and she won't stall. It's so much easier to drive in traffic. As well, the S brakes better and feels a bit tighter through the suspension. The trade off has been a bit of gas mileage. The 99 regularly got 26-28mpg. The S gets 22-24. I'm happy to pay a bit extra at the gas station.

kelly1005 · 02-18-2007, 03:51 PM

I bought a non-S without ever driving the S. Why? Mostly due to "value". I had the cash to buy an S, I just chose not to.

The non-S is good enough for what I'm going to do with it (weekend drives on the coast, top-down motoring with the wife, spending Saturday afternoons in the garage fiddling with it, etc). If I was still auto-crossing or running track days I would have gone for a S without hesitating because I would kick myself for not having that extra power, better handling, etc. Since I have no plans for that, the added expense wasn't worth it for me, and I focused on finding the exact car I wanted with the exact options I wanted (and didn't want) and never looked back.

As a total aside, I drove a Mitsubishi Evo IX the day before I bought my boxster. I cross-shop some odd car combos.