chicos

I need your guidance on this forum. I'm a Canadian that is looking to purchase a used Boxster S in the US for import to Canada (see our dollar, and our cdn msrps).

Found one with a $64,460 list (save about $13,000 off that), 1,200 miles from PAR Porsche Specialists in New Rochelle.

2005 BS

It has:

Black full leather
Bose with windstop
Bi-Xenon Headlamp package
Sport Seats
Heated Seats
19 inch wheels
Sport steering wheel
PASM
Climate control
Atlas Grey Metalic with black interior.

I'm going to use this car for some track events, but mostly touring and spirited driving.

Is not having the Sport Crono going to make much of a difference?

Is the PASM more valuable to the BS's performance than the Sport Crono?

Does anyone have any personal experience with PAR Porsche Specialists in New Rochelle, NY?

What should I have inspected on this car, carfax ran clean and I am planning on seeing this car with my own eyes and taking it for a test drive.

Anything helps....

Palting

PPI (pre-purchase inspection) preferably by another Porsche dealer can help See iof they can interrogate the computer and find out if there are any class 1 or class 2 over-revs.

The car already has PASM. There are three things a sport chrono will add. One is that more gas is fed for every unit of gas pedal travel. You can do the same thing by pushing the gas pedal more aggressively. The second is that PSM is more lenient. My opinion is hat if you are driving it hard enough that you NEED a more lenient PSM, then you can just have the PSM off and be done with it. The third is that wart on the dashboard. None of these make it worthwhile IMHO. You can do away with all three. I did.

Sounds like a very nice car, excellent choice of options. I don't have an opinion on the price, though. My only comment is that there is no shame in haggling. So long as you're ready to buy if the price is right, you can lowball anyone. If you don't ask, you don't get.

Chris C.

You will hear a lot of opinions on this one. I thought I would miss PASM and SC, but recently drove 997s at the Porsche Driving Experience with and without PASM for 2 days. I honestly don't see the value of PASM, as it was of no value on the track--it made the car too bouncy in rougher spots, and added little to the feel or handling. Some have said it makes the car too soft in normal mode and too hard in sport mode.

I've also tested 997S cars with and without the SC....cannot say I understand the need for what amounts to a twitchier throttle either, especially when trying to be smooth on the track. If you want more throttle, breathe into it...

You do get higher limits on PSM with the SC option.

YMMV, of course

mborkin

As someone who has 2005 987S with PASM, and Sport Chrono-plus--they are great on the track. Last season did 10 days at DE, trying various settings on same track and same day. With PASM and Sport setting (stiffer) on, and PSM on (always)--the car was a blast, measurably faster (3 secs. at Watkins Glen) and the handling felt just right. With this being my third Boxster since 1998--I am totally happy that I ordered the car with these options--if you are going to regularly track the car, PASM and Sport Chrono are worth the money, IMHO.

chicos

Thanks mborkin, I think I will look for a car with both PASM and Sport Crono. I'm also thinking Sport Seats, Bose, Sport Shifter, Xenons and maybe a couple other options.

mborkin

Have sport seats-worth it, xenons-definitly worth it, Sport shifter-don't have it but the standard shifter in 987 is much better than 986, had the B&M shifter in 986 but don't miss it in 987S. Bose--have it and for the money, it was not worth it, best sound yet in any of my Boxsters, but not great.

jj2

Chicos,
I am also from Canada and have considered importing from US to save $$$, but was wondering about Canadian DRL (daytime running lights) and Canadian emissions. Do you know would these be a problem?

Palting

I believe there is an easy solution to DRL. Just keep your lights on .

Seriously, I understand DRL is an easy hack. CA has the strictest emissions requirements in the world. If the standard 996 can pass there, it can pass anywhere.

Palting

Food for thought for you guys out there. A lot of Porsches end up with racing seats and harnesses. Save your money and get the stock seats and upgrade to racing Recaros later. If you plan to lower or upgrade your suspension to more track worthy ones, PASM compatible upgrades are scarce if not absent at this point.

ELUSIVE

In my opinion PASM and Sport Chrono are a complete waste of money. You can get into the car for $3K less without them.
Palting makes some great points above on the seats and suspension.

chicos

The drls are no big deal $200 or so.

I am interested in keeping the car to look stock and not ripping out the seats so I think the sport seat option is worth it.

I am getting cold feet about buying a Boxster S right away (this season) as my 04 S2000 is lots of fun, plenty of warranty and it took me 2 years of looking around before I even spent the money on the S2000. I also have less time to travel and shop around.

I am going to go to the states next month and try out the Boxster S's then I will have more info. The only Pcar I drove was an 02 911TT and I was in love...

Chris C.

Yeah, but the flip side to not getting the $780 option sport seats now is that they cost $3000 on the used market.

If and when I need an adjustable suspension, I'll seek out PSS-9s. Sport Chrono...just don't want it. (hated it in my M3 too)

Jim in St.Louis

I suggest that you sit in the sports seats before buying them. A fellow I know bought a 997 with sports seats drove it 500 miles and traded it in because of the pain in his back. I tried them and found that they pushed my shoulders forward and hurt my back too. I love the way they look but just try them before you invest. The standard seats are pretty good on my 05 Boxster.
Jim