About to order my base 987 and a newbie, any suggested options to get.

The problem is that in Hong Kong, taxation is a nutcase and the case is already close to 100K USD. Throw in something here and there you put another 10K so I wanna spend the money on items from experienced users POV:

I am only thinking about metallic paint for sure.

In order of importance to me:

1. Metallic Paint
2. 18" Boxster S wheels

Everything else is marginal. Of course the PASM with 19" Carrera S wheels would be nice for ride and looks but they are very expensive.

The sport chrono is nice if you have the PCM but that would be a bit much.

My sales asked me to get nothing except the bose system as the base sound system is supposedly so so. Input on that?

 

Given sales tax, wouldn't it be cheaper to get a basic hifi system and then go aftermarket?

Sport Chrono is a big deal even without PCM because of the new engine map that comes with the sport button. It makes the car more responsive to the loud pedal.

AW

 

Heated seats are great in any weather < 75 degrees F. I never thought so till I bought a car that had them.

 

I'll suggest 2 items both related to safety. First the Bi-Xenon headlights, worth every penny. Second, the tire pressure monitoring system. With no spare, early warning is very important.
Paralizer

 

I'll throw in self dimming mirrors if you drive a lot in traffic.

I would also endorse TPMS as a good safety item and which will be on my next car

Sport Chrono is available without PCM in the States and I think it would really turn your Boxster into two cars - one for traffic and one for open roads and track. Worth the expense as you can't add it later if you change your mind.

With that in mind I would hold off on the 18" wheels as they are easy to add later, and you have the flexibility to go after-market, or if ride quality is a concern, just stick with 17" wheels.

 

Cja: Now aren't you glad you asked? With heated seats, Bi-Xenons, TPMS, self-dimming mirrors, and Sport Chrono, your base Boxster is well over that $100k mark. I like your base choices; the metallic paint and the 18" wheels. You could stop right there and still have a very nice car. Yes, PASM and Sport Chrono would be nice, particularly if you track or autocross in stock class. From what I've read at this forum, I wouldn't get the Bose on my Boxster because the system apparently does not give the full sound returns on the Boxster that it gives on coupes. If the standard sound were not good enough, I'd replace (as AW suggested) with an aftermarket system designed for the Boxster. I don't know if you really need Bi-Xenons. I got them to help my old eyes. I'm old, but not yet too old to check my own tire pressures and dim my own rearview mirror. You can probably guess what I think about heated seats in a sports car.

 

It may be a little vane but I love the Porsche Crest in Headrest for $270

 

I would go minimalist. Metallic paint AND 18" wheels. Nothing else. If you like expensive Porsche options, read no further. Otherwise, you will have an irresistable desire to flame me.

BOSE: not worth it. The basic stereo is barely passable, the BOSE is no better. Just listen to the engine and exhaust.

Sport Chrono: Not worth it. All it does is make the engine rev higher for every inch of gas pedal depression, and it also sets PSM threshold higher. No magic engine map or more torque or whatnot. Without sport chrono, all you need to do is have a heavier foot on the gas, and turn PSM off, and you have the same thing for a lot less. The engine will respond quicker since you are stepping on the gas quicker, and PSM will still kick in if you really get out of sorts even if it is off. You also won't have that pimple on the dash.

PASM: I've got it, but that's because I track the car a lot. I always have it set to normal on the street. If you only occasionally track the car, then it too is not worth it.

Bi-Xenons: Not worth it. I have it on the C4S, and not on the 987S. Yes, the 4S lights are somewhat whiter, have cool purple circles when seen by other cars, but is it significantly better? Nope.

Self dimming rear view mirror: Not worth it. What, your right hand can't go up and flip the mirror dimmer?

Tire pressure monitoring system: not worth it. C'mon now, you're a car enthusiast with a Porsche, not an old fuddy-duddy driving a Lexus. It's fun to check tire pressures!

Wind deflector: Not worth it. It's a convertible, for crying out loud. It's supposed to let the wind in your hair. I have it only because my wife put a gun to my head.

Short shifter: Not worth it. It's already short shifting. You want anything shorter, get a tiptronic.

Floor mats: Not.....ehhh, you may actually want that one. I have no idea why it's an option. It should be standard.

Just get the car, and drive it. You don't "really need" anything else.

 

Palting: Good job! But you forgot to dis the Porsche crest headrests. It's leather; get the Porsche crest branded in later for 1/10th the price.

 

I have to respectfully disagree with Palting on the tire pressure monitoring system. Obviously you should still periodically check your pressures. But where the TPMS is valuable is when you are on the road. It will immeadiately notify you if one of your tires drops more than 6lbs. With no spare tire and only a can of fix-a-flat, I believe it is critical to know as soon as possible about a slow leak or possible flat.
Paralizer

 

I think Palting posted that list tongue-in-cheek, but, if the TPMS alarm comes at a 6 psi loss, I think our own senses and the TPMS would be going off at about the same time. I think TPMS has two warning stages; an early warning at something like 3 psi lower than the recommended pressure, and a more serious warning at something like 6 psi lower than recommended pressure.

 

I like that no holds barred attitude. Like my cousin said, a porsche is a porsche is a porsche and you are buying a great engine. If you want gimmicks, go over and get an old man's Mercedes Benz's super cool S class... you might be more impressed with the night view system and all that but it's an entirely different market.

I drove a SLK 350 R171 and it comes standard with loads of gimmicks from cruise control to folding hard top. I am looking to change because I had a terrible experience with the declining qualities of MB. It just isn't what it is anymore... most important, my cousin said once I got behind the steering wheel and turn the key, he said I would feel like a different person.

When I was doing my test drive, I turned the key and I felt the engine noise... music to my ears and so different from what even the SLK 55 can offer. No comparison. I fell in love with it... and now I don't think I will switch back. The handling cannot compare...

So 18" and metallic paint is it... the salesman did say that the tyre pressure monitor tend to give lots of false alarms in HK because of the heat... really didn't know what he meant but it certainly did on my R171

 

They probably weren't really false alarms, but people with TPMS have been reporting that they get the warning when they start the car in the mornings when it's cool because the tire pressures have gone down several psi overnight. If they ignore the warning, the pressures will build to shut it off on the way to work. Tire pressure loses about 1 psi for each 10 degrees F drop in temperature, so those who live where the morning temperatures are cool but it warms up a lot during the day will find TPMS a stubborn task master. Also, TPMS is set to warn at a set psi below the recommended pressure, so if one prefers to run a few psi below that figure, the dang thing will pester you to death. Finally, one can imagine TPMS going absolutely nuts when you set your track tires 10 psi lower than you expect them to reach during a session on track.

 

Thought I'd have a little fun with it . My point, and I believe Jim's too, is that the Boxster, base with no options, is by itself an excellent choice.