[racer]

Does your 13K budget include about 15% "extra" that the car will need or you will spend once bought? 13K car.. plus local takes and registration.. maybe it needs some new tires.. or you want to upgrade something? see where I am heading?

Buy the "best, newest" example you can afford.

Spend some time reading up on the issues that Boxsters experience.

I had a 2.7, year 2000 and it was fine. I regularly was quicker at AX events than the 250hp boxster S's.. just saying.. you don't "need" an S, but the price delta between the two makes getting the S the likely wiser choice.

Get out and test drive some, even those you might not buy, simply to see how they can vary. Many boxsters are multi-owner cars with various levels of maintenance performed. Some are 1-2 owner cars. Some have full leather.. others have ripped worn out seats or tops.