GT4John

Having previously owned a '14 Base C for a few years and currently own a '14 Boxster S...both PDK...I'd say the main different is the lower grunt you get below 4K with the S. If you like that, then S all the way. If you enjoy reving, I really can't tell much different in the 4K+ world between the cars. I mean, < a second to a something reasonable speed (street) wise.

kiznarsh

I'm also in LA and I can tell you when I had my 981 CS, I enjoyed the bigger brakes while carving the Malibu canyons, especially Latigo and Piuma. I haven't taken my 987.2 base up there yet but I can already tell I'll need to be more cautious on the downhill sections.

On the flip side, I expect to rev it much more and that brings its own level of fun.

These questions come up often and ultimately I think everyone adapts: spend more on an S/GTS model and use a smaller percentage of power on the streets, but enjoy other benefits like bigger bakes, or save money and just push the base car harder. Fortunately handling is outstanding in both situations, and that's always been the primary strength of the car.

bosporus

I have the base 981 (Boxster) that I got recently, and while I went into the purchase wanting to purchase a S, a long test drive and the 10k price difference convinced me that the base was the more compelling buy - unless you plan to track it, which I definitely do not. I think the real question is, whether you're a driver who enjoys riding the torque, or are you one who loves redlining it - the S is obviously more enjoyable if you're the former, else I'd go in for the base. Also, the redlining question is best answered after a test drive in the 981, not basis your experience with other cars, because this is a very eager engine, which just begs to be revved.

This car is a visceral bring, and that glorious sound and the surge of power as you redline the car is one of the key ways to have fun with it - it's far easier to have those bursts of redlines in the base than in the S. I used to drive a torque monster earlier, yet I have never missed the power in the month I've had the car. The comments about better brakes etc. may be theoretically true, but I seriously question if in enthusiastic public roads driving that'll ever be an issue for you. Also, because it seems the base is less attractive, you can grab a pretty well specced car cheap, and that is again something to consider.

Going slightly off tangent, if you do decide to go for the base car, I'd get the PDK - the car demands a lot of really quick shifts to be enjoyed well, which the PDK excels in, plus I believe the automatic covers the torque inadequacies of the engine really well. Mind you, this is coming for someone who loves manuals and have driven mostly manuals all my life.

Either ways, you can't go wrong. Have fund with you purchase

Unless you're someone who enjoys surges of torque ¿¿

though I'd posit that the car is really enjoyable even tootling around town at city speeds.

SpyderSenseOC

There's always looking back. It's part and parcel of the curse.

schell

I remember driving the base Cayman and thinking this car is as close to perfect as anything I had ever driven, and then I drove the S, for me it was worth the cost difference.

ekam

I've driven extensively lots of high HP cars like Aston DBS, 991 C4S, Superformance Cobra, etc.

I only have 370hp in my S, way less than many of the cars above but it's just enough for me.

jeffm

There are great examples of 981S's (with 40-50k miles) in the mid $30k range. $10,000 price difference??....I don't know of a base 981 that's in the mid $20's.
My point is, there are some good deals to be had. Although I don't mind the base model (had both base 986 and 997), my issue was always on the resale...much easier to sell/get value with an S version.

Take your time and look around, for a slight premium of the S, it may be better long term.

Bash Hat

gedwin

I couldn't have said this better. My exact opinion and experience. For the record, I drive a 981BB PDK, and coming from 986BB 5sp and 987.2BS 6sp.

KrisA

I registered a new account to post that I completely disagree. The PDK may be a great automatic box but to say the base car isn't enjoyable with a manual is so untrue. I disagree that you need to make "lots of quick shifts", 3rd gear in my 987.2 base Cayman is good for about 140kph if I remember correctly which is way faster than any speed limit in Canada. I wish I was rowing through the gears more but at sane speeds I'm shifting my Cayman no more than any other manual I've owned.

I love my base immensely, I'm sure an S would be great but I already find my car is too fast to really give it on public streets. A few seconds of full throttle and you're in "go to jail" territory!

Regarding price variance those stating $10,000 jives with what I found when shopping for Cayman's in Canada. I wanted a low mile mint condition 987.2 with a manual gearbox and found that base cars were typically around $40,000CAD +- $5000 whereas S models were around $50,000 +- $5000.

I've never once been driving my base thinking I made a mistake and wished I had more power. If I had a track anywhere near me and the $ to spend time on it I *might* have considered springing for an S, but I find the base 91 engined cars to be all I need.

Kayaknfly

Bash Hat

SomnoBoost

Base model. Spend that extra $10k on headers, exhaust upgrade, and the best damn tires money can buy. Then take your wife to Europe for her birthday. If you don't have a wife, then buy the best damn brakes money can buy. lol

Bash Hat

vracer

"It's more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow". That's become a cliché, but that doesn't mean it's not true. The 'funnest' car I've ever had was a 914-4 from '93, and I've had many 3-400hp cars.