Should I buy 2003 S or 2005 (986 or 987)?

[rahlstrom]

Hello all,

I am new to the forum and a first time poster. I will be buying a Boxster this week after a test drive in one stole my heart and killed my planned purchase of an Audi TT Roadster. I've read articles, studied countless Car Fax reports and cruised forums until my eyes were about to bleed... I need some "owner advice" !!!

My questions is on the pros/cons of choosing between a 2003 S with ~20K miles or a 2005 base model with ~$34K miles. I've read plenty of debates between base and S in the same model year but what about the debate between 986 S and 987 base series? My budget is $29K firm and I've been lucky enough to find both models/years within my price limit.

2003 S Points
- It's an S and kicks a.. in terms of performance
- It has low miles and a classic "loving" owner that pampers it and has all service records (second owner)
- Since it's an S it's loaded (18" rims, Bose, etc.)
- No warranty
- I kind of like the funkier 986 dash/interior

2005 Base Points
- More horse power in '05 but not 258
- PSM standard
- Next generation 987 platform
- Still under factory warranty through 6/2009
- Clean Car Fax with 1 owner
- Not quite as loaded (no Bose, 17" rims, does have heated seats)
- Don't like the interior as much as the 986 but I do like the exterior changes

I should also mention that I'm a tinkerer and will most likely be enhancing the sound system, adding navigation of some sort, tweaking bits and pieces to make it "mine". Not sure which platform is easier to work on.

So, 986 generation 2003 S or 987 generation base model... What do you think?

Thanks in advance!

[Norminhouston]

I am probably prejudiced since I own an '03 S. However, that would be my choice. I would not trade my '03 S for an '05 Base for the same money.

[racer_d]

If you are a tinkerer and like the 986 interior better, get the 986. Its not like you were asking us to make a "hard" choice you know.. they are both great cars!

What did you think after driving them both?

[rahlstrom]

Originally Posted by racer_d

If you are a tinkerer and like the 986 interior better, get the 986. Its not like you were asking us to make a "hard" choice you know.. they are both great cars!

What did you think after driving them both?

They both were great in the turns and very fast. With the '05 going up to 240 HP there is only an 18HP difference and both are plenty quick for me. I'm thinking mnore about long-term value and reliability. The '03 got some knocks from Consumer Reports but I don't trust a ton of what they write about cars.

[racer_d]

Originally Posted by rahlstrom

They both were great in the turns and very fast. With the '05 going up to 240 HP there is only an 18HP difference and both are plenty quick for me. I'm thinking mnore about long-term value and reliability. The '03 got some knocks from Consumer Reports but I don't trust a ton of what they write about cars.

Value? Yikes. These are Boxsters. Not much drops in depreciation faster than a Boxster. My guess is that in 3 years, these cars will be worth 1/2 of what you pay for them now. Sad, but likely.

Reliability? again, you only "hear" from those with problems and hardly ever do people post/brag about how trouble free their cars are. I am quite confident that either model will have some "issue" if you own the car long enough.

[Bob O]

I haven't driven either model, or obviously neither specific car, but there's an old adage about buying a Porsche.. buy the newest model you can afford. The warranty on the 05 is worth a LOT in my opinion. To get the same coverage in the 03 you'd have to spend an additional ohhhhhhh 3K or so for an aftermarket warranty. (I assume an aftermarket warranty is available after the original factory warranty runs out??? I bought mine before the warranty expired, so I really don't know)

I personally don't like the newer interior at all. I prefer the curves and overall appearance of the 986 interior, but there are "millions" of fans of the 987 interior, so take my opinion for what its worth! If the two are in comparable shape and have had equally adequate attention paid to maintenance, (and that fact can be proven) I'd have to go with the '05, just because its newer, has the warranty and two years' worth of improvements from the factory. Just MHO. (On the other hand.. you probably can't go wrong with either choice!!!) Good luck and have fun.

Bob

[borisboem]

Kind of luxury choice. First try them both good.

It depends of what u want. Easy riding on sunny days or speeding nicely, which is probably a little bit easier here in Europe then in the States.

I had a 2.7 and later the S, and i was choicing for the power,

But any choice is Ok, good luck
Boris