Great write-up and great car. Best luck with it.

If I had to buy a vert the BS would be top of my list.

Could you explain what the "remote integrated key" is?

Things I'd like about the new BS:
1) titl/scope steering wheel
2) more interior room (than the S2000)
3) stablility/trac control
4) TQ (I've heard about this thing called TQ)
5) head air-bags
6) looks
7) mid-engine
8) top and top-cover when open
9) can upgrade various interior options

Things not to like:
1) it costs $21K+ more than a S2000
2) Could use a 3.6L (maybe down the road)
3) not crazy about the gauges
that's about all I can think of not to like.

 

Very nice. Once you get accustomed to it you will find yourself trying to put the key in on the left side in every other car you drive.

I don't get your throttle response comment though. There is nothing more direct than a cable. All of the wire systems I have driven have less response.

 

Ben, do you have to un-do the top latches like in the S2000 or just hold a button down? Can you drop the top with the key fob?

My friend has a SLK350 with a trick top. But over-all too much of a luxury car for me I'd rather have a Porsche but both are great.

 

That's why I was asking about if they have a true "key-less" system, just push a button w/o any key in the ignition. I hate that left-side key crap.

Really in the future push-button key-fob in pocket should be the norm. Just waiting for it to take off.

 

Rai, what I meant by "remote integrated key" is just that the remote fob and ignition key are in one a la new Honda Accord key. I have always feel that newer MY S2000 got shafted for not having one while Accord does.

The is one center latch - very heavy-duty and easily to operate. It tucks away very cleanly and flushed that non-owners wouldn't even know it is there. It's a one button operation after that.

Can't drop the top w/ key fob. Although you can lower or raise the top at speed up to 35 MPH (electronically regulated). If you go over that speed while the top is being raised or lowered, it pauses until you get back down to the 35 MPH limit. That's pretty "pimp"

 

The BS has been cleaning up with top or near top results in a lot of tests.

I'd be sorry to have got a first gen BS just before the new BS came out.

In the latest CAR magazine they have a test usually called "track car of the year" This year they changed it to "Road and Track car of the year" Well most the the entries were track focused cars that happen to be street legal. The BS came in 2nd out of 10 (I think) cars. It wasn't a killer on the track, but real world driving (road) made up for it's relative lack of track skills.

 

Great review. I'm jealous...

 

Good read. Congrats. I'm a huge fan of the 987 S. I was looking to buy one (in Guards Red) earlier this year until I decided against another vert. Awesome.

Did you get the sport shift or regular? I really don't think there's anything out there anyway that will beat an S2000/Miata shifter though -Honda/Mazda have worked magic there.

 

nice, ben!

i'm waiting on one myself too!

 

Thanks!

I have the reg. shifter. Good o' Porsche wants ~$750 for their sport shifter option, which from what I gathered, is no better than the B&M short shifter that I bought for $200 + shipping. I am hoping to install it this weekend.