Palting

For $10K, the only real difference is the engine. The base Boxster has the same suspension, brakes, and can be optioned with 18" wheels . There are, of course, cosmetic things like the S logo, red calipers, and the twin exhaust tips. Sound system and 5-speed vs 6 speed don't matter much to me.

18" wheels are $1235 option. That brings the price difference to about $8500.

Car will do mostly fun runs to nowhere on weekends, as well as autocross and track duty.

Don't know if it's worth it. What do you guys think?

scott63

I just went through this myself....

The brakes on the S are different. The front rotors are increased in size from 11.73 inches to 12.52 inches. As you said, you also get the six speed transmission which can only be had on the base Boxster with PASM. You also get white faced instrument dials, the twin pipe exhaust, 18 inch wheels and sound package plus.

The price difference is $9,300 but once you subtract the $1235 for the wheels and $715 for the sound package and $690 for the six speed (difference between the PASM option available on the S and the sport package option available on the base boxster) you get $6660. For the 40 HP and the larger brakes and a few other goodies, I went for the S.

Chris C.

If you can afford the S, the hp and brakes alone are worth the extra $$. HP on a Porsche is not cheap, moreso in the aftermarket

Edit: I say "if you can afford it" as no, for street driving the extra braking and hp is truly not necessary, it's still a wonderful sports car. But I would want to have the extras...helps on resale, too, so it's not money wasted.

ELUSIVE

Palting -
I went through this same exact dilemma...and what it really came down to is that I love sports cars and sports driving and if I didn't get the S i'd regret it because I really wanted the extra power. I'd say that if the extra $$ is within your price range to go for it.

Additionally as Scott mentioned above the Brakes between the Boxster & Boxster S are different. Not only are the front rotors bigger but the brake system is what they call "Power-Boosted with a larger brake master cylinder among other things". I got this from the 2005 Boxster and Boxster S Product Information Guide. Oh and the discs on the Boxster S front and rear are 4 mm thicker than the discs on the Boxster.

The Boxster S also gives you leather stitched door armrests and center console.

My vote is go for the S.

Renquist

Here in the UK the S gets extra braking power, 3.2 engine, 6 speed gearbox, part leather interior, bigger wheels, third "speed hole" in the front and twin exhausts over the 2.7.
And some other bits like different coloured dials and vents.

I chose the S (extra speed hole swung it for me )

Sean

Both are great sports cars. If you can afford it, you'll not regret getting the S. I've heard of several people moving from a base model to an S, but never the reverse.

Tour18

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Bodhi

I just test drove both. Get the S if you can swing it.

The regular boxster felt anemic next to the S. Plus, the six-speed shifter was a bunch smoother.

Better overall car in my opinion.

Palting

Thanks, guys. I'm getting the S. Bare bones otherwise, which brings up another question. I'll start a new thread for that one.