As some of you recall, I am expecting a new Boxster S next month but before placing my order in April, I debated between a base manual 991 or a nicely equipped Boxster S. I ended up ordering a Racing Yellow manual Boxster S with PASM, PSE, Full Leather, Sport Plus Seats and some other packages - MSRP is just under $77k.

My car is expected in August but my dealer has several 2012 manual base 991s and one 991S manual in stock. I drove a PDK Boxster S, as well as the base and S 991s, in that order yesterday. I couldn't get a real feel for the Boxster as I only took a limited drive and I am really not a PDK fan (flame suit on). I also did not want to get on the car as it had no more than 100 miles on it. I am coming out of an M3 and, from what observed, I really wish the Boxster had a little more umph. Maybe a manual will cure that.

I liked the base 991 a whole lot - the cars in stock have 20s and Sport Chrono but no PASM (msrps are in the $94-95k range depending on color and wheels). It felt a whole lot like the 2008 997.1S that I had a few years back. I loved the 991S manual (what's not to love?)- it is nicely equipped with an MSRP of nearly $114k and noticeably faster than the base car. Even with aggressive pricing though it is too rich for my blood.

The dealer is fairly aggressive on the pricing with the in stock base 911s and seems very interested in putting me in one and taking my ordered Boxster into stock (I suppose it may have something to do with the fact that their Boxster allocation is sold out until Fall). The lease program on the base 991 is actually halfway decent and the monthly is only marginally more than what the monthly would be if I leased the Boxster despite the nearly $20k difference in sticker prices.

So to the few of you who own base, manual transmission 991s, how do you like them? Have any of you had seat time in the base 991 and the new Boxster S? If so, which did you prefer? Am I crazy to hesitate over dropping the Boxster and taking the 991? I'm afraid that if I choose the base 991, once the initial excitement wears off, I will regret not getting the 991S. At least with the Boxster, I have the nice individual touches that I added to Boxster - especially PSE and full leather - which the dealer's base cars do not have.

 

I'm 1,000 miles into a 991 cab with full leather, PSE, sport seats, 20" wheels and a few other aesthetic options (red belts, crests, sport steering wheel, etc) and I love it (when I can get it away from my wife). I have not tried the new Boxster but I think Porsche has finally hit the mark with that car from what I've seen.

Before we ordered, I went back and forth on 'S' or 'base' and ultimately I chose base for a few reasons: 1. price, 2. price, 3. I thought the base would be similar to the 997C4S I had from a performance perspective.

While the car is still not fully broken in - I haven't pushed it over 5k rpm yet, I have had a few occasions where I wish I went 'S'...one was when my buddy in a 997S took me off the line (but again, I kept it under 4k rpm so it wasn't a fair fight). For 90% of how my wife and I drive it, the base is good enough. That still won't stop me from wanting a GT3 when it's released.

I don't know how you're going to drive the car, or if you have any need for the back seat (I did) but I'd recommend the 991 over the Boxster. Just my $.02. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

I have the 991S and before that I had the 997.1 non S ... both manual's ... the one part that kills me is the S is too fast ... I know that sounds crazy but with 75 mph in second and third hits over 100 mph the car is literally too fast for the street.

Sounds like a wierd complaint but I love revving out the car and playing with the gears, in my S in order to do so I am breaking law so my advice ... the 991 non S is way fast enough if not too fast.

 

I think this might bear looking into more. I always think the cost of a car is the amount you loose in depreciation and maintenance while you own it. I would look into the residual value of each even if you aren't planning on leasing it.

Also, 911s have a habit of being the best choice. I remember back in 1980 I bought a 944 in Germany (took delivery of it in the states) without having driven one. All the specs said it would be as good as a 911. Big mistake and I sold it a couple years later. Boxsters are getting closer to a 911 but there's a reason why they cost less.

Good hunting!

ChuckJ

 

I have had my Base 911 MT for only a week or so and love it. No regrets at all. I came out of a Cayman and while many talk about the Cayman performing better from a "go kart" like feel perspective I can tell you my 991 is fantastic and I wouldn't change my decision to move up to the 911. Something else...if you are on the fence now I think that it means you really do want the 991...good luck in making your decision.

 

I think I do want the 991 over the Boxster but am afraid that I will regret getting the base and not a S but the price difference on the base and S cars that are in stock at my dealer is just about $20k. For a weekend toy that I intend to keep short term, I can't financially justify the difference. Is the base car without all the toys enough? I ordered full leather, PASM and PSE on the Boxster. I am really looking forward to PSE and I think its the one item that I will miss if I went with a base 991. Of course, the 991S in stock has it.

 

I agree with you on the price difference between the base and S being hard to justify from a financial standpoint. I would prefer the S, ofcourse, but am struggling with price v/s performance. I know you can argue both sides, and I wrestle with it every time I build one online. For me though, as I don't really plan to track the car I don't think the benefits of the S would be a requirement for me. PSE is a must for me though, I love that sound!

 

I am contemplating taking the base car and swapping out to an aftermarket exhaust - Should be far less than 20k.

 

Its hard to imagine you would be completely happy with a Boxster given the above, especially owning a previous 997. OTOH you have specced the Boxster with just what you want and the options are so expensive. May be tough choice...
J

 

I "plan" on getting a base and getting all those little options that put a smile on my face. I did that with the Cayenne S versus Turbo and could not be happier. The price of our optioned S was maybe 1-2k within the starting price of a Turbo. I really think that S is now just too fast for the street to truly enjoy the complete revs of all the gears. I enjoy working a car to get it going and love hitting the top end revs.

The new Boxster is nice but its just not 911 nice!

 

Just put my money down on the base 991, 7 speed manual. Its Guards Red with black standard interior, sunroof, Premium Pkg, Bose Pkg, 20" Carrera S wheels in Platinum, and Sport Chrono. After pontificating all weekend, my decision was essentially made once the monthly lease quote for the nearly $95,000 911 came in only $37/mo higher than the $77,000 Boxster S that I had on order due to a 4% higher residual and a smoking discount on the in-stock 2012 991. At that point, it was a no brainer to go with the 911. My dealer also has a nicely equipped black 991S in stock but I can't justify the $325/mo premium over the base car. Picking it up Wednesday!

 

I have a 7spd base car which I now have 1100 miles on. I traded in a 997.2 base car on it. If I could go back in time and have my old car and money back I would do so in a heart beat and instead trade it in on a 2012 GTS. Of course I can always trade my 991 but I am loathe to take the financial punishment for doing so after such a short time. I really dislike the artificial sound symposer. I really just want to hear natural exhaust sounds not piped in intake noises. Don't get me wrong it is a very comfortable car and gets a lot of attention from the ladies so if you are a single guy 991 is the way to go, however, if you don't care what anyone thinks or about having the latest model and just want a pure driving experience get a GTS and don't look back. I wish I had.

 

You know can disable the sound symposer by plugging it up. Let me know if you need the link. I plan on getting PSE and seeing how I like it with or without the SS.

Joe

 

I would get what you really want. Stick to your first choice...

 

I too got out of a 997.2, and if I had to do it all again I might have kept my old car. But a few days into the 991, my answer to that question was definitely keep the old car. Now a week later its maybe.....Perhaps in a month or so it will be "over my dead body".

I like the sound tube to the intake. Its not fake like BMW's M5 soundtrack. I miss the burble just cruising around town and I miss 25 mph being an event. But at the end of the day there are a host of improvements in the car that cannot be ignored. Everything has been brought up to date. The headlight switch, wiper blades, roof switch, parking brake etc etc... What I don't like ironically (since I'm 6'5") is the excessive knee and elbow room in the interior. Its way larger than it needs to be. They could have widened the front track and then brought the doors in to keep the interior more intimate. It would have looked very aggressive- like factory flared fenders. I miss the super-light bobbing front end, the steering feel and the sound of the engine around town (I had sport exhaust on the 997.2).

I'm also wondering whether these pirellis that are on 99/100 991s are the most aggressive feeling tire? I'm guessing the pilot super sports (had em' loved em!) will give more feedback and greater precision to the steering.

I'm loving the car, but for slightly different reasons than I loved the last one.

DRP