Palting

For $10K, the only real difference is the engine. The base Boxster 987 has the same suspension and brakes as the 987S, and can be optioned with 18" wheels . There are, of course, cosmetic things like the S logo, red calipers, and the twin exhaust tips. Sound system and 5-speed vs 6 speed don't matter much to me.

18" wheels are $1235 option. That brings the price difference to about $8500.

Car will do mostly fun runs to nowhere on weekends, as well as autocross and track duty.

Don't think it's worth it. What do you guys think?

bjzorn

I think actually the standard boxster has the 6 speed manual tranny as an option, also you can order the 19 inch wheels as well if you want, personally I would just get a standard boxster, change the front bumper to a 987S bumper because I like the 3 vents in the bumper and powdercoat the cailpers yellow in my option just because I like yellow

Brandon

Moogle

oh gawd, here we go again

i say go for it, you only live once. then again i'm biased.

1988carrera

The discs are slightly different, do not know how much of a difference in braking though....

Boxster : F298mm / R299mm
Boxster S: F318mm / R299mm

Just came back from Carlson Porsche, thinking of getting the base model with some options, rather than the S.

Moogle

1988, if money is the issue, i would suggest getting a stripped S, and then slowly adding options, instead of getting a loaded base.

Palting

That's what Im considering.

Hey, Moogle. You said "Not again". I can't find othetr threads on the topic. Care to point them out?

Moogle

Palting, no disrespect with my comments, but the subject has been discussed and redisucssed every since 2000 (when the boxster S came out)

here are some links to the 997 board, i cant seem to get the right keywords to pull up the boxster version.

also, the same discussion has happened on the cayenne boards.

although the cars in question are different, the general principles are the same because porsche applies the same model differentiation philosophy and similar price gaps between different models in their range.

also, feel free to browse PPBB.com they are a HUGE comunity dedicated to the boxster, a long and laborious base versus S discussion/argument happens once every 72 hours (on average)

https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...ht=base+versus
https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...ht=base+versus

Tour18

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Moogle

there you have it

ettsn

You'll notice, of course, that those of us who made the decision to get an S will suggest doing likewise, and those who opted for the base model for their own reasons will suggest that their conclusion is similarly optimal. Who's right? We all are. We clearly bought them for different reasons. If the additional power or cache or brakes or whatever isn't important to you, get the base model. For me, the extra performance was the deal sealer. Drive them both, and the answer for you will be obvious (whichever way you decide).

-Paul

Benjamin Choi

Boxster --> You shall fear the S2000

Boxster S --> You shall fear the S2000 because you paid $20K more for your car and he's more than keeping up

JFScheck

Yea, my neighbor up the street has ricer S2000 and my Boxster had no problem catching up and then passing him on the twisties and straight-aways twice now... And that’s a “Boxster” not “Boxster S”…

Na, Kinda like motorcycles… A Honda Goldwing is a nice bike, but a “Harley Electra Glide” has soul…

Palting

Nah, the S2000 is a nice car, but nowhere near either the Boxster or the Boxster S, either new or old.

Thanks guys. I'm going for the S. Bare bones, you can always add the extras later. Which brings up another question. I'll start another thread for that one.

pdutta2000

Good choice on the S. I actually ordered a Base Boxster back in 2002 and then switched it to the S. In the 986 version the S was worth the extra money cause it came with better brakes, bigger engine, upgraded interior, etc. In the 987, if all things are equal except for the engine...I'm not sure the same holds true. Can someone detail the differences between base and S in the 987?

autobahnNY

S2000..no low end torque,twitchy at the limit. After 120mph..cya.