[racer]

If buying used and an S fits your budget, go for it. Although you already mention that a '09 Cayman S was overkill... so a newer, more powerful Boxster S will just be more overkill.

A base boxster still has what, 275hp? from a 2.7l engine? thats pretty sweet imho.

As a previous boxster owner who chose a Non-S over an S, there really is nothing wrong with the base car, as long as you don't let your ego get in the way. I hold no grudges on a base car, in part because that is where the true character of the car lies. Anyone can "tart up" a car with performance this and that.. but driving and enjoying the base model lets you know if the engineers did it right or not to begin with.

Judging by the cars in your sig, you seem to be bouncing around between old and new.. anything in the cars previously owned that you are trying to capture again? feel? sound? speed?