The Porsche Boxster S cannot be reduced to one best generation. The 986, 987, and 981 use naturally aspirated flat-six engines, while the 718 S uses a turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four. A useful shortlist compares engine type, steering system, gearbox, roof condition, service history, and inspection findings.
In this guide, you’ll learn to compare Boxster S engines, gearboxes, and steering, plus the buying checks that matter for the 986, 987, 981, and 718.
Contents
- 1 Quick Summary
- 2 What the S Badge Changes
- 3 Boxster S by Generation
- 3.1 986 Boxster S
- 3.2 987 Boxster S
- 3.3 981 Boxster S
- 3.4 718 Boxster S
- 4 Generation Comparison
- 5 Driving Character: Engine and Steering
- 6 Manual, Tiptronic, and PDK
- 7 Used-Buying Checks
- 8 S versus Base Boxster
- 9 Choosing by Criteria
- 10 Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Summary
The Boxster S badge spans four different cars, not one recipe. The complete Porsche Boxster guide covers the full model history, including base cars, Spyders, and GTS editions. This page compares only the S across generations, starting with the engine.
| Generation | Engine | Power | 0-60 mph |
|---|---|---|---|
| 986 S | 3.2L flat six | 252 to 260 PS | 5.7 sec |
| 987 S | 3.2L, later 3.4L flat six | 280 PS, later 295 to 310 hp | Varies by model year |
| 981 S | 3.4L flat six | 315 hp | 4.5 sec |
| 718 S | 2.5L turbo flat four | 350 hp | Varies by gearbox and equipment |
The figures change with model year, gearbox, and equipment. The sections below cover each generation in order, then compare gearboxes and buying checks side by side.
What the S Badge Changes
The S sits above the base Boxster as a higher-output regular model. The engine difference changes across generations, and equipment can vary by year, market, and options. Compare the build specification instead of assuming every S has the same seats, suspension, brakes, or convenience features.
The decision is not simply old versus new. The three earlier generations retain naturally aspirated six-cylinder engines, while Porsche’s 718 announcement confirms the move to turbocharged four-cylinder flat engines. That engine boundary is more useful than a broad claim that one generation is better.
Boxster S by Generation
Each S generation pairs a different engine with a different gearbox and steering system. The sections below cover the defining traits and the buying priority for each, with a link to the dedicated model guide for full inspection detail.
986 Boxster S
Our Porsche 986 buying guide records the S with a 3.2-liter naturally aspirated flat-six and a six-speed manual, with Tiptronic available. Porsche rated early cars at 252 PS and later 2003 and 2004 cars at 260 PS. Renn Driver’s broader Boxster guide lists 5.7 seconds to 60 mph for the early S.
Compare a 986 S with a base car from the same model year because engines and equipment changed during the generation. The badge alone says nothing about the condition of a specific car.
Age is the central buying criterion. Inspect the fabric roof, rear window, seals, drainage paths, carpets, cooling system, suspension, tires, brakes, and service history. Identify the exact engine and production period before discussing IMS work, then route detailed diagnosis to the Porsche IMS bearing guide.
| Years | Engine | Gearbox choices |
|---|---|---|
| 2000-2004 | 3.2L flat six | Six-speed manual or Tiptronic |
987 Boxster S
Our Porsche 987 generation guide records the 987 S with a naturally aspirated flat-six and hydraulic power steering. It separates the later car at the 2009 mechanical update, when the automatic choice changed from five-speed Tiptronic to seven-speed PDK. Treat that split as a mechanical boundary, not a styling footnote.
The engine changed before the gearbox did. Porsche’s Boxster retrospective lists 280 PS from a 3.2-liter engine for the first 987 S. The 2007 update brought a 3.4-liter engine with 295 horsepower. Porsche’s 2010 US specification sheet lists 310 horsepower for the later 3.4-liter S.
A manual 987 S, an early Tiptronic car, and a later PDK car answer different gearbox requirements. Compare them on the same inspection criteria: roof operation, drainage, cooling performance, suspension play, tire condition, brake wear, stored faults, and service documentation. Verify the model year, VIN, engine, and transmission rather than relying on a seller’s generation label.
| Years | Engine | Gearbox choices |
|---|---|---|
| 2005-2006 | 3.2L flat six, 280 PS | Manual or Tiptronic |
| 2007-2008 | 3.4L flat six, 295 hp | Manual or Tiptronic |
| 2009-2012 | 3.4L flat six | Manual or PDK |
981 Boxster S
Our Porsche 981 generation guide records the 981 S with a 3.4-liter naturally aspirated flat-six and manual or PDK transmission. That engine made 315 horsepower and reached 60 mph in 4.5 seconds with PDK. The 981 also marks the S lineage’s change from hydraulic to electromechanical power steering, a fact worth knowing going in rather than a reason to prefer one generation over another.
For a 981, confirm the exact seats, suspension, Sport Chrono, exhaust, lighting, and cabin options on the build record. Inspect the roof and drainage paths as carefully as the drivetrain. A newer cabin or a longer options list does not outweigh moisture, neglected maintenance, damaged wheels, worn tires, or deferred brake work.
| Years | Engine | Gearbox choices |
|---|---|---|
| 2012-2016 | 3.4L flat six | Manual or PDK |
718 Boxster S
The 718 S replaces the naturally aspirated flat-six with a turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four. Porsche Newsroom lists 350 hp and 309 lb-ft for the US model, with manual and PDK gearbox choices. Our 718 Boxster guide covers the wider 982-generation roadster range.
Choose the 718 S by its engine, gearbox, roof condition, equipment, inspection results, and price relative to a same-year base car. GTS and Spyder comparisons stay with the broader model guides.
| Years | Engine | Gearbox choices |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 onward | 2.5L turbo flat four | Manual or PDK |
Porsche Boxster S Generation Comparison
| Generation | Engine boundary | Automatic choice | Priority check |
|---|---|---|---|
| 986 S | 3.2L flat six | Tiptronic | Age and IMS check |
| 987 S (pre-2009) | Flat six, hydraulic steering | Tiptronic | Service history |
| 987 S (2009+) | 3.4L flat six, hydraulic steering | PDK | Service history |
| 981 S | 3.4L flat six, electric steering | PDK | Equipment and condition |
| 718 S | 2.5L turbo flat four | PDK | Same-year alternatives |
Used-market pricing moves too fast for a durable published figure. The table sticks to boundaries a buyer can verify: engine, steering, gearbox, and what to check first.
Driving Character: Engine and Steering by Generation
The engine boundary is simple. The 986, 987, and 981 S use naturally aspirated flat-sixes. Porsche lists 309 lb-ft for the US 718 S turbo flat-four. Drive both engine types before deciding which response and sound you prefer.
Steering splits at the 981. The 986 and 987 S use hydraulic assistance, while the 981 and 718 use electromechanical assistance. If steering feel matters to you, compare healthy examples back to back rather than judging either system from a description.
Manual, Tiptronic, and PDK
Every generation offered a manual. Tiptronic is the torque-converter automatic used on the 986 and early 987, while PDK is the dual-clutch transmission introduced with the 2009 987 update. Our PDK vs manual guide covers the control and use differences in more detail.
Inspect the transmission that is actually fitted. Check clutch operation and shift quality on a manual, and confirm maintenance evidence and consistent behavior from cold to warm on an automatic. Do not describe Tiptronic as durable across all cars or equivalent to PDK without vehicle-specific evidence.
Used-Buying Checks
Even the newest Boxster S here is several years old, and the oldest is over two decades old. Age-related wear on rubber, plastic, and electrical parts applies across every generation, not just the 986.
Operate the roof through a complete cycle. Inspect the fabric, rear window, header seal, side-window contact, storage area, drains, carpets, and luggage compartments for wear, staining, or moisture. Repeat part of the road test with the roof closed and confirm that windows, mirrors, climate controls, seats, and infotainment work.
Check interior usability too. Cabin design changed substantially from the 986’s analog controls to the 718’s touchscreen layout. Every generation has luggage space in front and behind the engine. Bring the bags you actually travel with and confirm that the car fits your routine.
Review dated service invoices rather than a summary statement. Check tires, wheels, brakes, cooling performance, fluid leaks, suspension play, underbody condition, previous paintwork, and diagnostic results with a Porsche specialist. Use the NHTSA recall lookup for a VIN-specific US campaign check.
IMS concern should stay bounded. It applies to particular early water-cooled engine designs, not every Boxster S, and an “IMS done” listing needs an invoice that identifies the parts and work. Later cars still require normal mechanical, roof, chassis, tire, and brake inspection.
S versus Base Boxster
The S is not automatically the right car. A base Boxster shares the same basic mid-engine roadster layout but uses a lower-output engine. A well-maintained base car with full service history can be a better buy than a neglected S. Condition matters more as these cars age.
Choose the S when its extra output matters to you. Choose a base car when its condition and total budget make more sense. Either way, run the same roof, drainage, and service-history checks before paying for the badge.
Choosing by Criteria
A 986 S is worth pursuing only after pricing age-related work and confirming its exact engine and bearing generation. Compare 987 versions by the 2009 engine and automatic-gearbox boundary, plus the condition of the exact car. The 981 S suits a buyer who wants a flat-six with a newer cabin. The 718 S fits a buyer who wants the turbo engine and the newest platform.
Those are filters, not rankings. Match cars by gearbox, roof condition, seats, options, service history, inspection findings, and total budget. If the fixed-roof alternative is also on the list, the Cayman vs Boxster guide covers that body-style choice in full.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Porsche Boxster S cost?
Boxster S prices depend heavily on generation, condition, mileage, and service history, and listings shift too fast for a fixed number to stay accurate. Check current listings for the generation you want, then budget separately for a pre-purchase inspection and any roof, cooling, or IMS-related work it turns up.
Are Porsche Boxsters fast?
Yes. Published figures in Renn Driver’s generation guides put the 986 S at 5.7 seconds to 60 mph and the 981 S at 4.5 seconds with PDK. The 987 changed during its run, while the 718 S figure depends on gearbox and equipment.
What car is the poor man’s Porsche?
The Boxster is sometimes dismissed with that nickname, but it is a Porsche-engineered mid-engine roadster rather than a substitute for a 911. Judge it by its layout, condition, engine, and fit for your driving, not by the insult.
What are common problems with the Boxster S?
Problems are generation specific rather than universal. The 986 and pre-2009 987 S models carry IMS bearing risk tied to their M96 and M97 engines. Every generation needs its fabric roof, drains, and cooling system checked for age-related wear. A Porsche specialist inspection identifies what is actually wrong with the specific car.
Which Porsche Boxster S generations use a flat-six?
The 986, 987, and 981 Boxster S use naturally aspirated flat-six engines. The 718 Boxster S changed to a turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four.
Should I buy a manual, Tiptronic, or PDK Boxster S?
Choose by use and condition. Manuals use a clutch pedal, Tiptronic is the earlier torque-converter automatic, and PDK is the later dual-clutch option introduced with the 2009 987 update.
Images: 2003 Porsche 986 Boxster S by Free Photos and Art, CC BY 2.0. 987 Boxster by OWS Photography, CC BY 4.0. 981 Boxster by OSX, public domain. 718 Boxster S by HJUdall, CC0. Via Wikimedia Commons.
