Going to buy a Boxster no doubt about it. But, from discussion boards to professional reviews it would seem that the Boxster S is vastly superior to the reg. Boxster. That a reg. Boxster is hardly worth the purchase. I've driven the Boxster & thought it fantastic but have not driven the Boxster S. I can (barely), afford a new Boxster but should one go for a pre-owned S model instead? Any insights appreciated!

glenn

 

First you can't go wrong either way. If you are comparing the price of a new boxster vs. a used S here are some pros and cons.

new 03 boxster:

pros: new car, new car warranty, updated 03 styling (slight), you have your choice of colors and options

cons: you will take new car depreciation as soon as you drive it off the lot, under powered compared to the S

Used Boxster S:

pros: big $ savings (you can pick up a very low mileage nice 2000 or 2001 S for low 40's), might even get a hardtop or fancy aftermarket wheels or other add ons with the car for nothing or close to it, big availability of used cars to choose from, styling almost the same as the new models(very little difference to the untrained eye), more horse power than the regular boxster, 6 speed gear box vs. 5, usually the S comes standard with more options

cons: used car, less of remaining factory warranty, may be harder to get the exact optioned car you want (even though there are tons on the market, just look at ebay and autotrader), search takes way more time and effort than ordering new from the dealer.

I am sure others can think of more things to add to this list. If it were me I would save the money and buy a used 00 or 01 S. There are tons to choose from and if you want an upgraded or modifed car you can always save $ by buying an already modified car (by addition of gt3 nose or something like that) rather than paying retail plus installation for all of the add ons.

If you are not into or need more power ( for example you never will track the car or only want it because it looks cool and sporty or it will only be a boulevard cruiser or you are not the type to be pushing the car to it's limits) then you might be perfectly satisfied with the regular boxster and there are tons of those available used also at even bigger savings. The remaning term of the Porsche warranty goes with the car to the new owner and remember if you really want more protection you could always find a car with a transferrable extended warranty or purchase one yourself. Check with a dealer to verify the terms length and extended warranty options.

Good luck and like I say you can't go wrong because any boxster is a great fun and beautiful car!

 

The standard Boxster is a fantastic performing car. It does everything very well. I also think it is an extremely great value, for the performance you get, compaired to the other roadsters out there(Z3, SLK, etc..).

Yes, the Boxster S is better. Hence the $9000.00 difference.

My question....What are you going to use it for? Everyday driver? Track/Autocross car? Weekend goto dinner car? Occasional use only?

If you drive hard, floor it all the time, corner at high speeds, etc..go for the Boxster S.

If not, the Boxster is no slouch.


Good Luck....

 

Have a 2002 Boxster. Use it for driving around and on trips. Can hardly open it up here in Maryland. Can't imagine how much I would be holding back with an S. It has put the FUN back in driving.
When you get yours, you will wonder what you did with out it.

 

Interesting question, exactly the same one I just finished answering for myself about a month ago. I agree with Scott that you cannot go wrong either way. However, I do disagree that there are plenty of Boxster S examples to choose from. Maybe in Texas there are a lot, but in Southern Cali, my selection was very limited. Most of the S's that I found ('00 or newer) were very high priced. Just a couple thousand less than the new one.

One thing you might want to consider is a new '02. There are still some on the lots (both dealers here is San Diego have a number of them) and dealers, along with Porsche really want to get rid of them. I didn't even have to ask for a discount on mine. The saleman offered it like 5 minutes into our conversation. So you might be able to get a new one for the price of a good used.

Like everyone else said, you should consider what you want to do with the car. I'm sure a couple of the guys are going to throw this out there, and it's something I wish I had considered. Getting an older Boxster and modifying it to what you want. There are a couple guys here that have put 996 engines in older regular Boxster's. Not to add more complication to the equation, I know the decision can be hard enough. But you might be able to get a good example Boxster for $25-30K put another $10-15K into and have a car that's faster than S. If you are going to track the car you may want to consider this option. However, if just want a daily driver this may be the solution you are looking for.

Anyway, if I have a vote, I would say scour the dealerships for new '02 with the options you want. The dealer will most likely be willing to take the hit on the depreciation for you. You get all the benifits of a new car at the price of a used.

Just my $0.02,
/mike

 

After reading this thread, I can see your dilemma. If you believe some, your choice is between 'poseur boulevardier'(2.7) or 'man's sports car'(S). This, of course, is asinine. For my part, the biggest difference is the torque. If you want more low-end push, then the 'S' is for you. If you like to shift and work at keeping the engine speed up, you won't be disappointed in the 2.7, despite what the "experts" say.

I'll just leave you with a couple of thoughts:

The three biggest lies in the world are "I'll respect you in the morning," "The check is in the mail," and "I'm a great driver." For every ten people that tell you they actually use the performance difference between cars, nine and a half are lying. Most drivers aren't good enough to get all they can out of a 2.7, let alone an 'S.'

Consider the source. Everybody will try to justify their own purchase. (including me) You're not going to find anyone who paid 60K for an 'S' and then say it was a bad idea. You might as well call yourself Diogenes.

And this from Excellence magazine:

"It's hard to argue with more power and a better gearbox, but the base model offered all of the Boxster S's sweetness with only a little less speed--for a lot less money."

Good luck, and stop bagging on my car!



(01 2.7)

 

Simmonsg,

I've been tracking a mildly tweaked 993 for about three years - so you know where this perspective is coming from.

I've driven a regular Boxster on the street, and have taken two BoxsterS cars out on the track.

I wouldn't touch the regular Boxster; I'd get too frustrated w. the lack of low & mid range torque, and low overall power. The BoxsterS I have a lot of respect for, it's a great car.

I consider the regular Boxster to be the modern equivalent to the early 944 cars: great chassis, not enough engine to match.

YMMV, IMO, etc etc etc.

 

Brickerson,

I notice you have made your first post to these lists and first let me say welcome aboard.

But I do want to make comment regarding your post. I have reread this thread in light of your post and found no one making the comaprison in the terms you made it ("'poseur boulevardier'(2.7) or 'man's sports car'(S)". I think maybe you drew a conclusion that is not there.

The question that Glenn posed was: "I can (barely), afford a new Boxster but should one go for a pre-owned S model instead? Any insights appreciated!"

In response since I had just gone thru the same thought process and purchase experience in May of 01 I shared my own experiences and thoughts. In return you label those who shared with your condesending reference to the so called "experts". No one claimed any expertise. I certianly don't, but I do have some experiences to share with Glenn and I did.

To me it is a no brainer: you can get more car for less money buying a used S rather than buying a new regular Boxster. Simple as that. Again were talking spending less $ but getting more car. Who can argue with that.

Remeber that the article from Excellence magazine that you quoted from was the comparison of two NEW models, as a result, the cost difference between the two had the S costing more. The question Glenn asked was a comparison between a New Boxster and a USED Boxster S. In that comparison I recommended he consider getting an S which is more car for less $. If Glenn had been laboring over the purchase decision of a NEW Boxster over a new S then the Excellence article would be right on point.


As to your statement that we are all lying ("For every ten people that tell you they actually use the performance difference between cars, nine and a half are lying..") I say; first, no one spoke of their driving ability and second, bull.

I agree you should consider the source. I regularly push my Porsches to the limits of adhesion in track events, do you? At the time I bought my S it was a 3rd Porsche car in addition to a track dedicated 944 Turbo that I used for PCA (GT3) and SCCA (ITE) club racing and an early 911 that I used for PCA DE's and Time Trials. In addition I am a driving instructor at my local PCA region driving events. So I do have a little bit of experience and I do know the performance difference between the S and the regular Boxster.


[quote]Originally posted by brickerson:
<strong> If you believe some, your choice is between 'poseur boulevardier'(2.7) or 'man's sports car'(S). ...despite what the "experts" say.

For every ten people that tell you they actually use the performance difference between cars, nine and a half are lying. Most drivers aren't good enough to get all they can out of a 2.7, let alone an 'S.'

Consider the source. </strong><hr></blockquote>

 

Thanks all for your replies. Everyone made great points and the used S option now looks very appealing. But even if I can not acquire the S (because I will have to lease the used S as well which may prove difficult), I will very much be content with the 2003 Boxster as a 2nd best option. I just can't wait until I get one in my drive way!

thnks again,

glenn

 

This is your idea of a welcome?

First of all, I did not claim that someone LITERALLY said the choice was between man's sports car and boulevardier. I'll stay away from confusing metaphors if that's a problem. But how would you characterize the following statement? (Which, incidentally, I find condescending.)

"you never will track the car or only want it because it looks cool and sporty or it will only be a boulevard cruiser or you are not the type to be pushing the car to it's limits"

I drew a perfectly logical conclusion from this, as would most people: 2.7 if you want to look good, S if you intend to drive it. If you didn't intend this, fine, but I can only comment on what you wrote, not what you might be thinking.

Glenn began his post with "But, from discussion boards to professional reviews it would seem that the Boxster S is vastly superior to the reg. Boxster. That a reg. Boxster is hardly worth the purchase."

This is what I responded to, and renders the Excellence quote, and the reference to "experts" directly on point.

As to my comments about drivers--OK, so you're one of the people that can appreciate the S's expanded limits. I'm not, and I admit it. I don't track my car, and as far as I know, I've never come close to its limits, which are far beyond what I'm going to see on a public road. I do drive frequently and agressively in the mountains around where I live, in addition to looking sporty and cruising the boulevards. Call me crazy, but I think that profile is a lot closer to the vast majority of the 25,000 people who buy a Boxster every year.

If a driver isn't able (or willing) to use the extra capability, then, really, what's the diff?

And you have some nerve calling people condescending without being able to spell it.

 

[quote]Originally posted by brickerson:
[QB] If a driver isn't able (or willing) to use the extra capability, then, really, what's the diff?[QB]<hr></blockquote>

I agree. I thought that was the point I was making: "If you are not into or need more power ( for example you never will track the car or only want it because it looks cool and sporty or it will only be a boulevard cruiser or you are not the type to be pushing the car to it's limits) then you might be perfectly satisfied with the regular boxster..." I guess you stated it more clearly.

 

Either car will delight you every time you take it out. You can't go wrong with ANY Boxster. I loved my 2.5 and they way it howled over 5k.

One of the best things about the Boxster is the interchangability with other Boxster models and aftermarket parts. You can upgrade brakes when you are ready. You can also swap larger engines (3.2's and 3.4 and now 3.6's) & trannys down the road as well.

I started with a 1999 2.5 and first major upgrade was a 3.4 with hi-performance cams. Now I'm back to saving for a 6 speed.

I have found that there are a lot of parts around from wrecks if you troll the Porsche salvage yards and you can get some great deals on eBay as well.

So like I said you can't go wrong either way.

 

I had the same dilemma about 1/2 year ago but it was between a brand new Boxster or Boxster S. I ordered the reg Boxster because I needed a everyday car that runs smoothly and of course with the money issue. The S is a bit more stiff than the reg. But now that I have the reg Boxster, I wish I had ordered the S because I don't feel the reg has that much power (it could be just I haven't push it yet. I can't really put it over 4500 rpm till I have 2000 miles under the belt) plus more importanly I am getting a 2nd car so the Boxster or a Boxster S will not be my everyday car. It's a stick so it's going to be a bit more stiff than tip. BTW, I had a 99 Boxster prior to this one.

 

Just a thought, but You can buy Boxster for the street & drives and take the remaining money you would have spend on a boxster S and buy a 944 have it race prepped and run as fast or faster than a stock boxster S at a race track. You can have both... Or a single Boxster S that you have to worry about it getting beat-up at the track.

Just my $.0002 ... Flame away
<img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />

 

I own a lightly modded '87 951. I drove a standard Boxster (Tiptronic) last week. I found the performance of the standard Boxster lacking, refined and lovely though the car certainly is. I was very impressed with the rigidity and responsiveness of the chassis in particular.

I have no doubt what I'd do: if the money were the same, I'd buy the Boxster S (admission: never having driven one). When I bought the 951, it was certainly a better car than I was a driver. It still is, but my abilities have improved. And of course, as I get better, I keep looking for more performance out of the car. I haven't found the 951's limits yet; I'm pretty sure I'd feel frustrated by the standard Boxster pretty soon.


My 2 cents. <img src="graemlins/icon107.gif" border="0" alt="[icon107]" />