New 2.9L Base Boxster? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Has anyone had a chance to testdrive the new base Boxster, especially someone with a pretty stock early-generation "S"? With 6-speed standard and 255 hp in the new base 2.9L Boxster and all the suspension upgrades over the years, I would be very interested to see how it compares to the early S-models that had similar hp. Ed

It will be heavier, handle better and have the same acceleration. keep in mind that the way HP is reported in the US changed a few years ago so the 255HP for the '09 is probably the equivalent of 265HP form '04

"It will be heavier, handle better and have the same acceleration." I was wondering about that, I thought the 2003 Boxster S weighted 2911 lbs and the 2009 base Boxster weighs in at 2943 lbs, which if correct, is very close. "Keep in mind that the way HP is reported in the US changed a few years ago so the 255HP for the '09 is probably the equivalent of 265HP form '04" I did not realize that. I understood that the way mileage was reported changed, effectively lowering gas mileage estimates, but not HP. So a 258 hp 2003 may actually have a little less effective hp than a 255 hp base 2009 is that correct? I find that pretty wild, effectively the same weight for a 2003 S and a 2009 base Boxster (32 lbs more in the 2009). Couple that with six-speed manual transmission and S-type brakes comming stardard in the 2009 base Boxster. Also if hp reporting has changed, there may actually be a little more effective hp in the 2009 base compared to the 986-S series and almost certainally better handleing, more creature comforts, and better gas mileage, all for 46.6K for the 2009 Base Boxster, like I said, interesting..... Ed

Buy them now. I saw an article this morning stated that they might be going to a turbo charged flat 4. Ugh.

Before you lament, you need to consider it will still be a Porsche. I once read where one of the factory race drivers said the 924 GT was among his favorite cars...just sayin.

You can get quite a lot of power out of these newer direct injection fours. Mazda for example: "The 2.3-liter DISI engine produces 270 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 280 lb-ft of torque at just 3,000 rpm." Porsche ought to be able to top that! It's probably a bit lighter than a 6-cyl too. -james

Base curb weight on the 2000S was about 2855 lb, It's about 2950 lb in the new base model, the new car is 100 lb heavier in base form. The engine is 255-hp/214-lb-ft in the new car, 252-bhp/225-lb-ft, the old S still has more toque and will give you a little more push when you hit the gas. Acceleration, although close, will still go to the earlier S. Both cars come stock with 17" wheels, throw 18s on either one and it'll probably be slower than the other. As far as the change in HP ratings circa 2005, this was a clarification of the standardized testing for rating horsepower. Some manufacturers were testing without all accessories and under varying conditions, some weren't. For this reason, the horsepower rating effected some manufacturers and not others. Apparently, Porsche's (along with other Euro manufacturers) numbers didn't change. http://www.caranddriver.com/features/columns/c_d_staff/larry_webster/horsepower_confusion_and_resolution_column

I was disappointed to learn that the base engine doesn't have Direct Fuel Injection. I don't get that. I am likely to consider a new Boxster *or Cayman* in a year or two. It will most likely be the S. Its a Porsche with 300+ horsepower, 30 mpg on the highway AND the engine is in the right place...

Not me Mike, I have a 31 year old classic and a 1998 Boxster which will break 30K miles this year. My consumption parade is over! IMO, I'd rather work less hours and drive my older fun cars than saddle myself to enormous debt just to kiss it goodbye in the morning of a 12 hour day.... less is more...it took an economic meltdown for me to see it that way, it may be the only good to have come of this situation for myself.

Because it makes anyone who's content with a base model pay more $ for the S as the new engine will not blow up.

The base car gets the same basic redesign of the others, it just doesn't have the high-pressure direct injection system that the rest of the engines in the family get.

I've driven the new Base - it's nice. Hard to tell if the power bump is really noticeable over the 08 version (which I ended up buying due to the deal). Thinks I like most are the interior changes including BT and iPod connections. I like the new exterior design but like the 987 and 986 designs too - each has it's merits. Personally, I drove S's and bases and decided to go base. I'd like the extra kick but don't think I'll miss it 95% of the time. The 245/201 combo in my new 08 feels like enough of an upgrade over the 217/192 combo in my 02.