2008 S or 2009 base boxter

[dpaqu]

Drove my friends 996 C4S and can't stop thinking about it. . think a Cayman might be more my style. I've got two questions right now.

Is the boxter/cayman harder to work on then the 996?

and

I can get a 2008 Boxter S with 45K miles for the price of a 2009 Boxter base with 32K both for around $28k. What would you do? Mostly street and a few autocross events.

[BRLuecke]

I have the 2007 S Cayman. I think the 2009 is the 1st year that the IMS is no longer an issue.
The S is a little faster and I think has more brakes.

[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

Above member makes a great point, if possible avoid the earlier models where there's a chance of IMS bearing failure.

[mikefocke]

the 2009 and decide if it was enough engine for me. I've often posted that of the '99 and '01S I owned I preferred the smaller engine because I had more time with it before I was at my limits and the legal/safety limits. And even preferred the 85HP 914 to them both and drove it harder. But it is a personal preference thing. Yours may be different.

Do consider getting a Pre-Purchase Inspection from a mechanic who truly knows Porsches so you know what the car's immediate needs will be.

[DAK911]

I agree about the "IMS" issue...no worries (about that) with the 09.

[mikefocke]

Don't lump all three different designs together. Not saying it couldn't fail, just that it is 90% less likely than other designs.

[Dkennel]

There really is no right or wrong answer to your question. IMS can be a problem on the 987 if the car has one...you cannot upgrade the IMS on the 2008 model. As said before the 09 base will not have that issue. If that is your biggest concern then that’s your answer. If you want to have maximum 0-60 neither the Boxster S or the base will satisfy your appetite. If it is about the fun and enjoyment of driving either one will be great cars. There is more differences than the IMS. I would get the nicer car. The one that looks better, has the options you like.
First Boxster I ever test drove was a base model 986. I have an air cooled 87 Carrera, the 986 drove great! I had no complaints about not enough power, top down, great engine sound...the Boxster I ended up buying was a 987 special edition RS 60, essentially a Boxster S. It is faster, handles great, but IMS could be a problem, I can live with that.
There are lots of Boxster around, research the cars, prices can vary tremendously.
Two final thoughts, buying used you should check how many previous owners, who owned the car, how did they drive. Base model 987.2 was probably not raced or driven real har, but you never know. I would prefer a one owner maintained 987 S over an abused 987.2.
In the end neither one are rockets, it is much more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.