S or Base?
03-16-2019, 09:42 PM
#1
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
S or Base?
So I currently have my 996 listed on BaT. I have my eye on a couple Caymans (assuming my car sells). I Turo’d a Boxster S last weekend and that thing was a little rocketship in the canyons. I haven’t driven a base model or a Cayman of either variant for that matter yet. Is there a big difference in power and the character of the car with the 2.7L engine? There’s a $10k difference in the used market between a base and S.
The car car will be for weekend fun in the Socal twisties 95% of the time. Will a base suffice??
The car car will be for weekend fun in the Socal twisties 95% of the time. Will a base suffice??
03-16-2019, 10:14 PM
#2
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There's a reason why the base is $10,000 less than an S. It's not only the HP, it's the added torque. I have the 981S, put cargraphic headers on it, and love it in the canyons and on the straights!
03-16-2019, 11:01 PM
#3
Rennlist Member
Drive both and decide. The base and the S in these cars are like siblings that are very close in age... but with slightly differing personality traits. Hard to explain, it's a package thing really. Try 'em and the cars will tell you which you prefer.
Good luck!
Good luck!
03-16-2019, 11:16 PM
#4
The base requires you to downshift and get the revs up for scoot. The S is far more powerful up and down the range. But it's a personal preference thing. I enjoy the base and would be happy with it. I just enjoy the S more. ;-)
03-17-2019, 12:30 AM
#5
Rennlist Member
I've had my Cayman S about a month now. I had a base Box in 2000, the first year they had "acceptable" hp. I found it very 'zippy' with a bit more than adequate power, BUT I have been spoiled with more horses, my just released daily driver, & my other toy car both have 375. I tried the base Cayman, & it just didn't do it, so I had to buy an S.
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03-17-2019, 09:18 AM
#8
Rennlist Member
Both great cars, only you can decide if the base has enough oomph for you. One justification (which I used) to buy the S is that it'll retain a good chunk of the premium compared to the base when you go to sell it, in all likelihood.
03-17-2019, 10:45 AM
#9
981 S has better brakes - larger front rotors and rear air deflectors.
With PDK, S FDR is lower, 3.62:1 vs 3.73:1 for the base to compensate for less torque.
V6
With PDK, S FDR is lower, 3.62:1 vs 3.73:1 for the base to compensate for less torque.
V6
Last edited by Voyager6; 03-17-2019 at 01:00 PM.
03-17-2019, 11:21 AM
#10
Rennlist Member
I owned a base 981 Cayman with a PDK and really enjoyed it. The engine being smaller really liked to rev and, as mentioned previously, I had to drive it in manual mode to keep the revs high and access the power band. Super fun car and miss it!
03-17-2019, 07:05 PM
#12
Well, just to give a counter opinion, I don't agree at all. I drove both and found them both equally engaging. Different, of course, but equal fun. I'm guessing what you're referring to is the need to wring the base out more and therefore shift more often?
03-17-2019, 09:46 PM
#14
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