I'm about to order my first Porsche, a 2013 Boxster S. The car is going to be used primarily for weekend driving and some commuting. I don't anticipate tracking the car at all. In general, I'm an aggressive driver. I've already decided that I want a manual transmission rather than the PDK. I decided on 20 inch wheels (I was surprised that the "stock" wheels on the new Boxster S are 19", and that all other choices at 20"). I'm debating adding on PASM -- I think this is the first year it's available on the Boxster. So here are my questions:

1. I've read several people report that on the Cayman, 19" wheels create too harsh a ride without the PASM, and I assume that this will be even more of a concern with the Boxster 20" wheels. Is that a fair assumption?

2. Should I be worried about the fact that the PASM lowers the car 10 mm? I'd hate to always be concerned that the car was going to bottom out on driveways and speed bumps. And will the 1 cm lower significantly change the look of the car?

3. I understand the the regular, non-PASM suspension is somewhere in between the two suspensions of PASM in terms of stiffness. PASM in "sport" mode may be too harsh for daily driving. But will PASM in "normal" mode be too soft?

3. Should I get the power steering plus? My salesperson recommended it, but a lot of what I've read suggest that it will make the car feel "soft" at slower speeds.

4. I had originally ordered front and rear Park Assist, but now I'm having second thoughts, only because of the appearance. Is it a mistake not to get it?

5. Does anyone know if these cars are going to have Bluetooth Audio?

Unfortunately, I won't be able to test drive the car before ordering. I've driven several Boxsters, Caymans and 911's, in all different option combinations, but this is still requiring a lot of imagination. Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer me, as I cope with these champagne problems. I've never been so excited about ordering a car!

 

PASM- Porsche Active Stability Management has been available on the 987 Boxster since at least 2005. Just an FYI. And while lower by 10mm that is not as low as many modded cars with PSS9's and Pss10's suspensions, so I don't think you'll have any issues.

 

My 2008 has PASM. Aggressive, nothing more aggressive than Porsche's PDK, just less work.

 

Recall none of us has driven the car yet.

Nor do we know on what kind of roads you'll be driving on. Nor what the traffic on your commute will be. Nor do we know what kind of parking you'll do.

The bigger the tire the more rigid the sidewall, the heavier the wheel/tire, the more expensive the tire, the less crush space.

How much of your driving will be top down? How flexible is your neck? How tall are you and how well will you see the corners? Until you sit in one you won't know how valuable the parking assist will be. Only time mine was hit in a parking situation it was because the other driver couldn't see the low body and backed into my rear.

Read all the reviews you can to help with those order sheet adjustments you can still make. Or wait till there are people who have taken delivery and can give you the opinions that are right for them. Then you will still be faced with figuring out if they are right for you.

Good buying/driving.

 

Park assist on a Boxster? Seriously? So much for the Boxster being a reincarnation of the 550 spyder.

 

I have a 2010 Boxster S with 18" wheels and no PASM. I commute 60 miles a day in it and also track the car. I've been to a PCA Tech Tactics event that went over the new Boxster so I have some understanding of the new car. In response to your questions, IMO:

1. Like the 911, the diameter of the entire wheel has increased on the new Boxster. Given that, I would assume that ride on the 20" wheel in the new car will be similar to the 19" wheel on the current car. The bottom line is that (to most people) the larger wheel looks better, but has a slightly harsher ride. I would make the decision based on the condition of the roads where you live. If you have smooth roads, go with the larger wheel. If you have unavoidable potholes (like I do in the Northeast), go with the smaller (the larger wheels will bend easier if you hit potholes due to the shorter tire sidewalls).

2. Don't worry about ride height with PASM.

3a. I would get the PASM. It's nice to be able to stiffen up the suspension, especially if you want to do some more aggressive driving. I wouldn't worry about it being too soft in "soft" mode -- never heard anyone complain about that.

3b. I wouldn't get the power steering plus, which is designed to minimize steering effort during parking. Waste of money. The steering is perfectly compliant at slow speeds.

4. Park assist? Come on. This is a sports car, not a minivan.

5. No idea.

Apart from that, I personally would order the car as "sporty" as possible, leaving off unnecessary do-dads like power steering plus and park assist. This means I would get the 20" wheels (assuming you have smooth roads), the PASM, and the Sport Chrono Package, and I would definitely consider the Torque Vectoring (which comes with a mechanically locking rear differential). I wouldn't get the ceramic brakes because the normal brakes are great and you won't want them if you decide to track the car a little (which I would recommend).

Congratulations on ordering a new car!

 

+ 1 to the above.
I'd add a Full Leather option and not forget the leather console details etc. Don't go mad with the leather scheme but nothing makes for a nicer drive experience than a nice interior. Heated hard back sport seats are always a nice touch...
I recall optioning my wifes MY00 Boxster..... back in the day the leather options covered Porsche's choice of hard plastics.
The new 981 Boxster is so much nicer ... Good Luck.