2004 S2000 vs 1999 Porsche Boxster : thoughts after test drive

[ghoonk]

Originally Posted by ralegen

I was in love with the s2000 not knowing anything about the possibility of me ever owning a porsche. I test drove atleast 3 s2000 while pretending I would buy one. A new s2000 back then (and even now so) costing what? $30K+? Not worth it. I see way too many of them on the streets now, and I think that owning one is not as glamourous as owning a porsche. Despite the problems we have in our boxsters, I think it's still worth fixing (maybe to a certain point).

Oh and I HATED ALWAYS HATED, the dash in the s2000. Always disappointing whenever I even saw the newer models, because it was always the same!!! One din for stereo??? What's that tachometer? I just hate the cheap computerized look of it. Ours has a more sporty look, and I'll have to admit that I purchased my 2.5 with the sports package; which undoubtably came with the white gauges.

Admittedly, I'm pretty much ok with the S2000's dash, and I absolutely adore the shifter, and love the way that every control is within fingertip-reach. Build quality isn't shabby, but the engine doesn't doesn't sound as creamy as the flat-6. And the fact that the S2000 has to be driven hard doesn't help either.

I'm sure it would have performed a lot better if I had properly launched the car, but hey, that's not how I drive every day, and that's where the Boxster shines.

Side question: Some people believe that the Boxster is a much better-balanced car compared to the 911. Assuming that I have an extra $30k to spend, should I get the 3.6l block from the 997 to replace the original 2.5l 986 block, or should i consider getting an M3 convertible?

Has anyone here driven the E46 M3 convertible and the Boxster? How do they match up for daily driveability, what do you love and hate about each?

[Perfectlap]

For racing the S2000 is awesome. But most people who own this car will never venture to the track or autocross to see it in its "natural habitat."
THe s2000 is probably the most represented car up here in the north east at local autocross clubs. Several members own an S2000 strictly for track/autocross use.

In many ways its the benchmark for top down sportscars; value, reliability, excellent steering and shifting and decent braking.
It's a rare example of front engine car where the engine actually sits behind the front shock mounts giving it a very nice feeling in the turns.
But at the end of the day its a Honda and loses some of its appeal.

For daily driving I would definitely choose the S2000 over my Boxster S.
You can cruise in the S2000 and save some money on gas and the fact that its
a Honda doesn't scare you when you start racking up miles. Its a blue collar sports car and not a garage queen like my Boxster. I intended to make the S2000 my in between the Boxster and Miata car but I like the little 1.8 Miata so much that I held onto to it three years longer than I intially intended.
I'm sure if I bought the S2000 I probably might never have traded for the BoxsterS. Some people hate the motorcycle engine in a roadster concept but some looove it. different strokes.

[Brucelee]

I would not choose the S2000 for a daily drive. Without any torue down low, I would be frustrated indeed.

Harsh ride too!

For everyday driving, I really like the Box S with the six speed.

[Perfectlap]

LOL
that's because you are power guy! You guys want all the power all the time!

The s2000 lack of low end torque is weird but I guess the intent was to make it feel like you were driving a civic for the daily commute and then when you put your foot on it on the highway the 9,000RPMS start screaming.

Also for daily driving I don't think the BoxsterS six speed is ideal at all.
Well certainly not compared to the bolt action rifle precise movement of the S2000 gear box. That's one piece of engineering that was made to be used ALLOT.
Snick snick Snick. There is not a better shifter in car world today.

Rowing gears in the clumsier Boxster gearbox on a daily basis would get tiresome.
Installing the Short Shift will only make it notchier which isn't really a solution but just changing the flavor of the problem.

But I'm sure many a motorist wish he had a BoxsterS for his daily drive!
I guess if cost is no object I would definitely drive the BoxsterS every day too.

[ljd-924se]

i'm surprised no one has mentioned adding vortech's popular intercooled supercharger kit to an s2000. for less than $5K, it adds 100 hp and 60 lb-ft of torque, which supposedly shows up early in the powerband and reduces the amount of revs needs when just cruising. it seems to be a very attractive solution to the 'peakiness' of an otherwise great car.

[Perfectlap]

60 pounds more torque still seems a bit low specially with that much more power.
And those things (SC's) really put mighty wear on the drive train.

[Brucelee]

"Rowing gears in the clumsier Boxster gearbox on a daily basis would get tiresome.
Installing the Short Shift will only make it notchier which isn't really a solution but just changing the flavor of the problem."

With more torque, I don't need to shift that often. Moreover, I can skip gears if I want.

The linkage on the Boxster is far from sloppy but yes, Honda does have the linkage issue handled for sure.

[cplus]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

<...snip...>
But I'm sure many a motorist wish he had a BoxsterS for his daily drive!
I guess if cost is no object I would definitely drive the BoxsterS every day too.

You hit the nail on the head. I gave a lot of though to commuting on my Falco or finding another bike before buying the Box S. Ultimately, I didn't want to deal with wearing dress clothes under leathers or a Aerostich suit - especially in the summer months when it can get to be 90-95. Plus, commuter traffic in the Tri-State area can be rough; maybe not as bad as LA or Houston, but motorists here aren't used to sharing the road.

Nah, I'd rather jump in the Box, put the top down, put on some music and enjoy the ride.

As for the S2000... nice cars but if they have all-in-one binnacles as Honda's Odyssey, I'd run screaming for the hills. It's on of the few things I truly hate about the family Odyssey. You would think Honda could have put a bit more R&D effort in that part of man-machine interface. Just my $.02.

[ghoonk]

I guess there's a certain charm and class to the Boxster that I just don't feel from the Honda.

You guys are right. It feels like a 'normal' car when revs are kept low, but at 6000 rpm, the engine feels like it is going to explode. And I still don't feel the power. Also, it takes so long to get to 6000 rpm, I'm usually at the next traffic light before I get a chance to really get into the groove.

It probably makes a sane ride for everyday driveability, like a Civic, but it's missing the X-factor that the Boxster has -- to me, that's the fact that it's a Porsche (I keep telling myself that the creaks, groans and rattles add 'character' to the car), and the V6 sounds beautiful at high revs (I should not have ventured into the 5000 rpm and up zone; now I'm addicted to the sound), and the silkiness of the engine there.

FWIW, my boss just bought a 1992 Porsche 968. Had a spin in it yesterday. Needs some minor work, and the sports exhaust has the rasping note when lifting off the throttle, but otherwise, it's a beautiful car (and in Barney purple too). Feels especially well-balanced

[Brucelee]

The 968's looks made it an instant classic IMHO.

LOVE the coupe!