Boxster vs S2000

[Jake D]

I had this debate too. I went with a boxster clearly. I drove an S2000 yesterday around the shop to pull the bumper off. It didnt impress me much even in the short ride i was in it. I thought not having a headliner was primitive.

Also not that i do it very often, but you cant beat the amount of cargo room from and back that a boxster has. I've gone on a few weekend trips with the ex and it works out great. The "her" trunk is up front, mine is in the back. I don't like how little room the S2000 has

[blue2000s]

I think the S2000 is a couple hundred pounds lighter than the Boxster. Which is a big + for sports car fans.

[ekam]

Originally Posted by blue2000s

I think the S2000 is a couple hundred pounds lighter than the Boxster. Which is a big + for sports car fans.

Not true.

Weight is 2809lbs for MY 2000. 2835lbs for MY 2005. Less than 100lbs lighter than a base 986.

http://www.autos.ca/car-test-drives/test-drive-2000-honda-s2000
http://www.autos.ca/car-test-drives/test-drive-2005-honda-s2000

Read this too, while the motor won't blow up it's hardly trouble free.

http://www.autos.ca/used-car-reviews/used-vehicle-review-honda-s2000-2000-2007

[WhipE350]

Originally Posted by ekam

http://www.autos.ca/car-test-drives/test-drive-2000-honda-s2000

The 'autos.ca' site had a 2000 Boxster 'S' review too and they listed it at $71k! What's up with that, I have the sticker for my 2000 'S' and it was $55k. Interesting.

[thstone]

"... I believe the Honda would be more reliable, cheaper Total Ownership cost for a much newer one (2006-9), but still a blast to drive."

You are correct on all counts.

However, here are the Top 5 reasons why I chose a Boxster over an S2K:

1. Boxster had better handling in my opinion. S2K wants to slide everywhere.
2. Boxster had much nicer and larger interior. S2K wasn't much bigger than my Miata.
3. Boxster had more low RPM torque. S2K needs to rev high to move.
4. I can move up the Porsche line to a 996/997 as I need/want more performance. No sports car growth path with Honda.
5. Cost wasn't a big concern (purchase or maintenance)

[Overdrive]

Sorry that my post isn't a contribution, as I don't own and have never planted my butt in an S2000 (yet)...

I just wanted to say that I've actually enjoyed reading this so far, and I'm glad the members on here have enough decency to not turn it into a flame session against one of Honda's better accomplishments of late. Overall very good, objective comments from membes who have owned or otherwise experienced both cars.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by thstone

"... I believe the Honda would be more reliable, cheaper Total Ownership cost for a much newer one (2006-9), but still a blast to drive."

You are correct on all counts.

However, here are the Top 5 reasons why I chose a Boxster over an S2K:

1. Boxster had better handling in my opinion. S2K wants to slide everywhere.
2. Boxster had much nicer and larger interior. S2K wasn't much bigger than my Miata.
3. Boxster had more low RPM torque. S2K needs to rev high to move.
4. I can move up the Porsche line to a 996/997 as I need/want more performance. No sports car growth path with Honda.
5. Cost wasn't a big concern (purchase or maintenance)

Why do you need to own a Boxster before you buy a 911? But following your thinking, Honda made the NSX up to 2005. Although I don't think you have to have owned an S2000 to buy one.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by blue2000s

Why do you need to own a Boxster before you buy a 911? But following your thinking, Honda made the NSX up to 2005. Although I don't think you have to have owned an S2000 to buy one.

Sorry, I just meant to say that part of my thinking was that a used (cheap) Boxster was an easy way to try the Porsche owners experience and if I liked it, then I could easily upgrade to a higher performance (and more expensive) 996/997 later.

Mainly I was trying to avoid sinking a big investment into something that I'd sell in 6 months for a big loss if I didn't like living with it.

But there is no sensible reason why someone couldn't go straight into a 996/997. Many people do that all of the time.

[ekam]

Originally Posted by WhipE350

The 'autos.ca' site had a 2000 Boxster 'S' review too and they listed it at $71k! What's up with that, I have the sticker for my 2000 'S' and it was $55k. Interesting.

Canadians always pay more on sticker, also back then it was $1 USD = $1.5 CAN.

We still pay more now at our dealers but lots of owners are buying from the US and have them shipped here.

[WhipE350]

Surf, did you post this same question on a Honda forum...if so I would love to read..send us the link.

[surf40]

Originally Posted by WhipE350

Surf, did you post this same question on a Honda forum...if so I would love to read..send us the link.

Here is the link to a S2000 forum. I posted pretty much the same question there.
I even posted some of your comments over there, and they thought you guys had a fair assessment of the differences. You’ll see that pretty much everybody came to the same conclusion as you guys here at 986.

Enjoy!

http://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/878653-s2000-vs-boxster/

[Perfectlap]

Reading those comments there seems to be a belief that a pre 987 Boxsters are on par with S2000's on performance. I don't think they are very familiar with the Boxster S. My local autocross like most others classify the cars on power to weight ratios. Base 2.5 and 2.7 Boxsters were grouped with the S2000.
Boxster S 3.2 and 3.4 987 were one class above running against the standard 996 3.6 Carreras and some of the older 993 Carreras. I regulary saw lap times from Boxster S (3.2) that at least matched and often beat the higher horsepower Carreras. Probably due to the fact that they didn't have long straights to make up ground against the more nimble Boxsters.

At any rate very few of those S2000 owners seem to have first hand knolwedge of any Porsches. So if I were you I would focus on what they like about the S2000 and not so much what they don't like about a car they haven't even driven. The best advice is from someone who has driven both in a track and autocross setting which I presume you are looking to do at some point.

by the way, the Boxster is not the "lowest" Porsche. An base Cayenne is the cheapest Porsche you can buy. Also, the Boxster sets the bar in the roadster category. I don't think there any other Porsches that can say the same.