Ok, I have been looking for a new car for a few weeks, but havent gotten anywhere. I have driven e46 M3's, Z06's, 350Z's, etc, but nothing has appealed to me until today. I went out to the Porsche dealership and took a drive in an '02 Boxster S. I am not very keen on the styling, but it was the only other car I could think of in my price range, so I decided to try it. I was really surprised with it! The car felt solid and stable, but never heavy or hesitant. The power was very smooth and linear and unsurprisingly it didnt feel any faster than my S2k. However, the soundtrack from the drivers seat was amazing. I love the sound of 9k rpms, but the flat six just sounded amazing at WOT (it didnt sound nearly as cool in the passenger seat- maybe the intake is on the drivers side?). The shifter wasn't even in the same ballpark as the s2k's, but I felt confident shifting quickly. The brake pedal had a great feel (something that bothers me in most cars after driving the s2000). Best of all, I felt comfortable driving it quickly. It really is a balanced car. I took it for a quick 5 minute spin, and by the end, I felt comfortable getting the back end out (although PSM quickly tucked it back in). All in all, it was a very nice car.

However, my dilemma is to decide whether this car is worth 10k more than a brand new S2000. Everything that I loved about the Boxster is also present to some extent in my S. Is the boxster worth the extra 10 large?

Oh, and the little crest on the front means nothing to me- if anything, that is one thing it has against the boxster.

 

The Boxster S is a great car. Unlike what you feel, I think the Boxster S and S2000 are the best looking roadsters on the road today. The Z3, Z4, SLK, and 350Z just don't appeal to me. I don't think their styling will last like the the Boxster and S2000.

The S2000 is a blast to drive but so is the Boxster S. The S2000 feels more go-cart like and sounds great when rev'd up. The Boxster S FEELS heavier but also handles great and sounds great at any RPM. It's also more solid and is a better cruiser at high speeds, both with and w/o the top down. The throttle response is simply amazing. If I didn't already have a 911, I would've seriously considered a Boxster S over the S2000. Plus I own a Cayenne S as well so wouldn't want 3 Porsches to deal with. If the Boxster S has low mileage and is dealer certified with an extended warranty, I would go for it if the difference is only 10K.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Cayenne_S2000
The Boxster S is a great car.

 

I faced the same decision last fall. I decided that I'd rather have a new S2000 than a used Boxster. But next time around I might decide the other way -- who knows? When the Boxsters are fully depreciated I might look at them again. I suspect they will 'age' better than S2000's. I just had a psycological problem buying a $35K used car. The reptilian core of my simple brain keeps telling me that used cars are $10-15K. New ones are $30K.

For what it is worth - - I had a 944 and an older 911 prior to the S2000.

--Mike

 

Have you considered buying a 2000 Boxster S instead of a 2002? 2000s can be found in the low thirties now, and there were no substantial changes to the Boxster until 2003.

I'm too lazy to type this out again, so here are my thoughts on the Boxster vs. S2000 comparison: http://forums.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.p...628#post2312628

Steve

 

Buy the car within your price range that speaks to you the loudest.

In my experience, second guessing because of issues like price or what other folks might think (even your wife) is a bad thing.

 

Is a used boxster S worth $10K more than a new S2000? no (IMO)
Is a new Boxster S worth $20K more than a new S2000? no (IMO)

If a new Boxster S cost $10K more than the S2000, I may have bought it instead, however the cost is too much for what you get (IMO).

the used car you are looking at is $42K you are getting a used car, plastic rear window etc...

The way I look at is this. The performance is very close. The Boxster has extra features that may be worth an extra cost, such as PMS. But how much extra?

The way I think of this debate S2000 vs Boxster S is thus: either the Boxster is over priced or the S2000 is under priced. Either way being frugal and likeing them both the same, I bought the one that is more of a baragin.

What if the Boxster never existed and instead Porsche made a car exactly the same as the Honda S2000. How much do you think a front engine I-4 Porsche convertible with 240hp would sell for? Well the 968 Cab was such a car and it sold for $50K. So a Porsche-S2000 might just sell for $50K.

I've driven a used S2000 and Boxster S. Both seem to feel tight and well put together. I can't really say I like one better than the other. However when the cost is taken into account I choose the S2000.

 

Oh, and if you are selling your (used)S2000 to get the (used)Boxster S, you are looking at $20K-22K out of pocket. With that money you could keep your S and buy a RX-8 or WRX or something like that.

What I mean is if you "upgrade" from a S2000 to a Boxster S, you are getting esentially the same car. Not like going from a S2000 to a NSX or a Z06 or M3. Is it worth the extra $20K just to have something a little different, but esentially the same performance?

 

Boxster S is a great vehicle, but definitely not worth the extra $10K used or $20K new.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by rai