Hi all,

About to pull the trigger on a 987. After days of racking my brain and scouring the forums, I still haven't conclusively decided whether I want a 987 or a 987S, so I was looking for some insight for folks on rennlist.

My budget is around 45k give or take (I am somewhat flexible). I will be using the vehicle as a daily driver and forsee putting around 20k miles on it per year. I usually keep my vehicles for around 2 years and trade them in. The packages I want are Bose, Bi-Xenon, and at least an 18" wheel.

I just haven't had the time to test drive and compare the S and the base versions, so I'm looking for opinions on here. The vehicle will not be tracked (MAYBE 1 track day a year at most), and I drive "spirited" at about 5-6/10ths.

My local dealer has a leftover 06 base Boxster with about 5k worth of options that I could probably steal away for 40-42k. A few local dealers also have 05 Boxster S with <5000 miles, and have them listed for 49-50k. I'm also told that a 07 Boxster base with the "newer" engine can be add for around 1-2k above invoice.

I'm coming from an Audi 3.2TT roadster which has a fairly torquey motor (236 ft.lbs) and 250hp.

I just can't figure out whether the Boxster S is worth the premium, especially since I'll be getting a used one over a new base Boxster. I would greatly appreciate all opinions. Thanks.

 

I haven't driven either a base cayman or boxster so I doubt I am much help but I will say I am very happy with the S. I will say, even for half the money you are going to spend, you owe it to yourself to find the time to drive both and make an informed decision. If you cannot do that then I would buy an S.

 

He is right, no conclusive decision can be made about how much power is "enough" until you drive them, idealy back to back. I would cruise down to the dealership and drive one after the other, obviously the base first or the extra power will leave you wanting. Keep in mind the price difference and your initial impression of the base model.

As far as aftermarket support, should you choose to take the plunge, I typically see guys taking one of two approaches- Making base models as light as possible (no small feat I assure you!) or adding as much power as they can source to the 987S. Obviously not the only two options as a combination of weight savings and extra power are ideal- However either car can be a potent track tool and civilized daily driver.

 

Buy my car....It is VERY fast and is great car with 50K miles and already has all the best mods. This is the car that European car mag said is "one of the best looking 986 Boxsters you will ever see"..It is fast and pretty, everything I ever wanted in a girl.

Click the link in my sig for pix and a full report.

 

Ah... to be Fast and Pretty... I think it's pretty Josh.

 

The 987 base is better than the 986 base when compared to the S, but then again I owned a 986S and had no hesitation about going to a 987S either - if you get one with the 3.4l motor, you are golden, but I am not feeling bad at all about the 3.2l in mine. It's such a great car...get the S, particularly with the deals out there.