Hello!

I'm in the market for a nice roadster and I'ver narrowed down my choises to either a 00-01 Boxter @ or a little newer s2000

I know..I know this is an s200 forum but I whish to pose the question anyway. Perhaps users who owned a Bpxster S or have friend who own a used one could tell me a bit more about the long-term use of that car.

I will say the s2000 is an exceptional ride and who can argue w/ Honda quality? Yet deep within my mind there is that passion for the S. I drove one and was instantly enamored w/ it.

Ultimately, the maintenance costs for an S seem rather absurd. Has anyone had some bad experiences w/ older Boxster models?

Thanks for your help

 

Here's an article that may help you make up your mind. It's a little dated, but still relevant I think. Either way, enjoy your ride!

http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?se...article_id=6846

 

The Boxster S has muy torque and is a heck of a handler. It depends on how much of your own maintenance you do. Try, say, adjusting the valves or changing the alternator on the Boxster. See how much fun it is to try to find the engine!

 

i am in this situation too and besides the brand appeal of the p-car, i feel the s2000 is a far better car... driving the s2000 to me feels like driving a go-kart, very nimble, handles on a dime, decent acceleration.... the p-car just doesn't give me that same sense, it is faster but not by much, but the handling just isn't as sharp and direct. plus, if you're planning on keeping the car, you have to consider maintenance too and porsche service is mediocre at best and EXPENSIVE!!! best thing i can tell you is to drive both and see which one you like better...

 

If it was my money, I would take the S2000. (I'm being as unbiased as possible, as I am an owner of neither).

Sometimes I feel like the Boxster has been out for 15 years (has it?). I see so many of them on a daily basis, and I don't think they age very well. I can't tell you how many I've seen with faded headlights and a cloudy rear window. (and you ALWAYS see the rear window because Boxsters have their roof up 99% of the time.)

Someone once said "the only reason to buy a Boxster is if you can't afford a 911." I'd probably agree with that statement for the previous generation of Boxster (the one you're looking at), but I hear the new Boxster is supposed to be the "end all" roadster. Of course, you pay for it ($60k+) Also, now that the new Boxster is out, the previous generation instantly looks dated in my eyes.

I see so few S2000's around that they still look fresh, even if it's an 00-03. The 04's look even newer. Depending on where you live (and if this matters at all to you), there's a good chance an S2000 is more rare than a Boxster, regardless of the price difference. Heck, I see more Bentley Continental GT's than I do S2000's!

Drive them both, buy the one that makes you happy

Or imagine if you buy the S2000 and you see a Boxster drive past- will you wish you had one? Now imagine you bought the Boxster and an S2000 drives past- will you wish you had one?

 

If money was no object I would take the Boxster S. Obviously since money is a factor, and you are considering the 00-01s and the fact that they perform similarly, I would take the S2000.

The new Boxsters look so good.

 

Boxsters have non-adjustable valves, but your point is taken.

 

My buddy just got a MY 2000 Boxster S. It's a much better daily driver than my S2000. It's quieter, has more torque. When you're on the highway at 80 it feels like a fixed roof car. The top mechanism is a lot nicer than the S2000, but I'm not sure I care about that.

One thing we found which is quite interesting, is that you can actually get to the engine pretty easily. There are two large engine covers which are gasketed and insulated. Getting to the top one is cake. You just put the top down a little, and there are clips that allow you to bring the rear portion of the top up so you can get to the cover. No tools are required and we did it in about one minute flat. There is a similar cover behind the seats. With those covers off and the car on jack stands, I don't think it would be very hard to work on the engine at all. I don't think most people realize that Porsche did go to some length to make the engine accessible; it saves them money in the long run.

The thing that drives me nuts about the Boxster is the strut suspension, front and rear. For that price, that sucker should NOT have a strut rear suspension. (Front struts are not good either but not as critical as the back.) Double wishbones or multilink should be standard on the Boxster. The car has lots of static rear camber to make up for the lack of a proper camber curve. The suspension is not fully adjustable like on the S2000.

 

i have/had all 4 and hands down the 06 Boxster S beats them all!

My 1st to last ranking

1. 06 Boxster S
2. 04 S2000 (AP2)
3. 99 Boxster
4. 02 S2000 (AP1)

I am telling you....you dont realize how much you miss torque till its gone.

 

I had an 00' Boxster S for a day...I know a dealer and he let me take it home for a night. It had a tan interior, w/navigation, speakers in the dash.....the works. Fast and handled excellent. Definitely pimp! So, I took it back the next day and went home afterward to sit on it a little longer. I got onto autotrader and someone local had an S2000. I go test drive it...I was sold instantly..The end.