Hi Everyone,

I have a thread started already on my questions on the Boxster 987 but I thought this comparison would benefit more people so I decided to give it a new thread.

So basically, if you had to choose between a Boxster 987 first generation S and a 987 second generation base, which one would you go for and why? All second hand of course.

technical specs would be much appreciated if you're savy on such matters.

Thanks a whole lot in advance.

 

Base 987.2. 9A1 engine is superior.

Also, Gen 2 fixed stupid things like power steering failures, oil ingestion, oil starvation, etc. Mind, these are just relevant to tracked-hard cars.

 

I ended up choosing a 987.1 S for several reasons.
1. Low miles were important on my budget.
2. Absolutely wanted the extra ponies that the S brings.
Ended up with and 05S, 18K miles, $10K in options and super clean. Probably could've bought an 08 Base, low miles or 08 S with 50-60K miles for similar price, but again a low mileage car was important to me.

 

2009 or better means no IMS.

'nuff said

 

Also has bigger brakes and a better suspension. Personally, I would always go for the S over the Base. It also depends on which year of 987.1 S as it started with the 3.2l and got the Coxsters 3.4l later.

 

I did exactly the same thing, almost bought an 09 Base with PDK, but after driving a few gen 1 S's, I ended up with a low mileage 07 S with a six speed. Lots of reasons, the sound, the extra acceleration etc, but mostly it just made my smile wider

 

Given the fact that I'm trying to track my car more and more, I might have been better going with a base .2 model.

 

What is that behind your car!!

 

Looks like a 996 Cup, unless I missed a joke there..

 

996rsr

 

gen11 has the improved motor and it is claimed that a base gen11 pdk is faster than a gen1 s

 

The base gen11 sure doesn't feel or sound faster, I drove both back to back. Much nicer interior though.

 

If I went for a 2005-2008 Boxster, I would only go for a 987.1 that had the IMSB ugraded. I'm not sure how many of those there must be, probably very few.
Otherwise a 987 or 997 Carrera with an IMSB that can NOT be replaced without cracking open the engine (hugely expensive) is one to avoid. Sure those bearings are improved but no bearing lasts forever. So basically these cars have absolutely no plan B for a sealed bearing in an engine, an inherently bad idea. I would need a severe discount to opt for that situation. And an engine without an IMSB is not without its own set of issues as well see Flat6 Innovations thoughts on this topic. Sometimes to fix one problem you create other new ones.

A 987.2 S model is the best option. Always go for the S. It's less to do with the extra power and more to do with some of the cost-savings short cuts that Porsche take when anything is offered as a base model. They've got a history of making pound foolish decisions, even on the GT3's.

 

A 09 S is 48-50k in the market I am in, got my 07 S for 33k with less than 40,000km's. I'll change the oil lots and as they say "Drive it like I stole it". All moving parts fail eventually, I have 198k on my 97 BMW 328is and all I have done is change the oil and put lots of tires on it. Read the BMW threads and you will hear about all the VANOS issues, bad Cats and expensive electrical issues.
Hope I am as lucky this time

 

Testdrove 987.1 S and a 987.2 base back to back. 2005 w 40000 miles vs 2009 w 30000 miles. The 987.2 was more expensive, but the S was just better and more fun...
Needless to say got the S with a 2 year warrenty...