Jim986

Over the years the Base vs S question has been beat to death, with the conclusion being get the S it’s much faster, you will never be satisfied with the lethargic Base. The 2003 Base has 229 HP vs 250 HP for the S. That’s 9% more HP. As you can see in the in the above table the S is .4 seconds faster 0-60 and .4 faster 37-62. The facts are the S is not as much faster as everyone would lead you to believe! If people want to say the S is better I’m ok with that, buts please stop spreading the lie that it’s a lot faster, because it’s not.

76FJ55

Can you please provide the facts for what "a lot faster" requires.

Jim986

A car that does 0-60 in 3.5 sec vs a car at 4.0 sec the difference is 14% faster. In my Boxster S example 6 sec vs 5.6 sec is only 7% faster. I’m not arguing that the s isn’t faster it’s just that when ever the base vs S comparison comes up people tend to overstate how much faster the S is.

fazm

The S is a better car. QED.

hth

BondJ

Won’t argue your maths but the numbers alone completely miss the point of S over base. Compared to the 3.2 the 2.7 is a buzz-box. Fun to drive hard but much harder work in the real world. Try driving both in traffic (where most of us, sadly, spend much of our motoring lives) and you’ll see what I mean. Compared to the S, particularly the last 260ps face lift model, the 2.7 lacks low end torque big time. Although it was improved throughout its model-life, it never had the smooth lugging ability of the 3.2. You’re right, the S is not much faster. But it’s a lot better

tcora

Whatever. These are 20 year old cars which would get smoked in a 0-60 by all nature of plain Jane sedans, pickups and SUVs in 2024.

BondJ

Lol. Love that old chestnut 😄 And probably true… until you throw in corners. Very few plane-Jane sedans, pickups and SUVs will stay with a Boxster on real-world roads that have twisty bits…

tcora

And the Pope is from Argentina and the sun rises in the east.

BondJ

Both clearly true in your world 🙄

mikefocke

Owned a '99 2.5 base and a '01 3.2 S. Loved them both. (But I also loved a 1.3 Alfa and a 1.6 914.)

It isn't just the displacement that is different between the base and the S. It is also at a minimum just to use the 2000 model year as an example:2000 Base

2.7Litre engine 217 HP (redline increased from 6700 to 7200)

5 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic 5 speed optional

Twin resonance induction on both 2.7 and 3.2Litre engines (new intake manifold with DME controlled flap).

S model introduced. 3.2Litre engine, increased valves sizes,.

ME7.2 Electronic Throttle System (eGas) on both 2.7 and 3.2Litre engines.

Warm up catalytic converters (now 4 converters total) for emissions on both 2.7 and 3.2Litre engines.

Gearing change on 4th and 5th gears in manual gearbox.

Tiptronic gearbox also revised to work with larger engines, temporary manual mode allowed even

while in Auto mode.

Trans-fluid to water heat exchanger added.

Suspension changes (shocks, sway bars, springs).

Manual seat height adjustment standard.

Lighted vanity mirrors standard.

2000 S model introduced.

3.2Litre engine 250 HP, increased valves sizes.

6 speed manual trans, 5 speed Tiptronic optional.

Larger brakes.

Stronger wheel bearing carriers,larger bearings, longer control arms.

Larger 17” standard wheels.

Additional front radiator grill.

Left and right radiator inlets titanium.

Twin exhaust tailpipes.

Door sill trim.

Silver look trim in door pulls, lid openers, instrument bezel trim.

3-spoke steering wheel

Cloth headliner and changes to the top mechanism.

Subwoofer speaker system option.

Popular options grouped into packages.

elgy

I have both a 2000 base and a 2000 S. What I remark the most is the pull (torque) between 2000 and 3000rpm, much more satisfying in the S.

Dog's_Life

I test drove a base 2000, automatic, fully unimpressed. Then a 2000 S. Bought it on the spot. That's the difference.

grc0456

I drive a 986.2 2.&L, so I admit bias, but have driven both. However, the OP makes a valid point. The differences between the 986.1 3.2L and the 986.2 are not as vast as many believe. No one is saying the S isn't better, it's just not night and day. The S advantages are mainly in low end torque and braking - not insignificant edges. But, the 986.2 2.7L had many updates, including the same suspension as the 986.1 S suspension. In spirited street driving, the two cars are more similar than different. The point is, both cars are very good - even til this day. I suppose it's just human nature - and definitely in the P-car world - to want to look down on the rung below. Or maybe it's just a Ginger vs. Maryanne thing....lol?

Tom R.

When I was in college back when that newfangled thing called the PC came out I studied the back of R&T. My present to myself (with a very high interest note) had to have a 0-60 time of less than 9 seconds. That was quick!
Now I am an old fart that still likes the feeling of the edge I keep thinking of the Karmann Ghia I tossed around in high school. Slide it, bump into a curb, keep going. I wasn't going fast enough to damage anything.

BondJ

Lol 😄 I get the analogy and know EXACTLY where you’re coming from! F**k I’m getting old…