This is my post and I was wanting some feedback from long timers...

I own a 2004 BMW 330i with performance package (poor man's M3) - my wife has an '04 Yukon. I took her to test drive a Mercedes ML500 today and we both felt the suspension was too soft. I suggested she test drive a Porsche Cayenne.

After we did that, I drove a 2005 Boxster S 6-speed - I had been seriously thinking about buying a Boxster for some time because although I love my BMW, it was beginning to feel "heavy" to me.

I do not know if I had unconsciously inflated my expectations, but I found the Boxster S (even with 280 hp) a bit underpowered. It was hard to find and stay in the power band. The shifter (equipped with the optional short-shifter) was a bit balky to me. But most of all, the car felt heavy as did the steering effort.

Disappointed, I then drove over to the Honda dealership and test drove an '05 S2000. What a difference! My wife was with me and she commented later that I was laughing half the time I was in the car. I had that much fun. Even with only 240hp and weighing about 100 lbs less the Boxster, the S2000 felt more powerful. It was very free-reving - I had no problem revving to 7k and kicking in the VTEC.

The steering was very quick like a go-kart. I expected a more stubby shifter (it set a little too high for me) but the shifts was much more slick than the Boxster. In other words, the Honda was more fun than the Boxster!

The interior of the Boxster was very good, however - the higher quality materials versus the S2000 was obvious. But I fit just as well in both seats. The lack of tilt or telescopic steering wheel was not a problem in the Honda.

The Boxster did have a better soft top and boot and the stereo in the Honda was pretty lame compared to the Porsche, but the S2000 I drove did not have the headrest speakers installed, so I am hoping that will make a difference.

There is more hip and shoulder room in the Boxster but with the top down, that was really not an issue for me - and head room was fine in the S2000 with the top up. The wind blocker did rattle a bit in the Honda, but the wind buffeting was less in the S2000 than the Boxster.

So I guess my question is...why would someone pay $30k more for the Boxster versus the S2000? (The S2000 I could buy for about 30k and the Boxster was 62k before negotiations.)

Yes, it has the heritage and Porsche name; maybe the resale is better; interior is better and so is the stereo. But my perception of Honda (previous owner of a Civic and Odyssey) is rock-solid reliability. They both handled expectionally well; flat cornering, no body roll, but how are these slight differences worth $30k? Please don't tell me it is only the Porsche name.

Anyway, sorry for the long post. I am just confused and disappointed. Maybe I was a fool to expect twice the performance for twice the price. But now I leaning heavily towards the S2000.

 

Welcome to S2000 reality.

 

The Boxster is the reason I found and then bought an S2000. I have never looked back even 3.5 years later. The S2000 was rated as a better driver's car for 20k less and for once, the reviewers were right.

I think the common word on the Boxster around here it "Put a 'Porsche' badge on it, and charge 20K"

 

That must be it because I don't see what they are basing their pricing on...I will go back Monday and drive the S2000 again. Maybe the Boxster, too, just to be sure I was not dreaming and eliminate buyer's remorse when I go with the Honda.

 

I went through pretty much the same experience except my choice was a new S2k or a 3 year old boxster for about 6-7K more. The boxster fit me a little better but performance wise I thought they were pretty similar and in the end there was no way I could justify spending more for a used car that was only a little better.

I've never had a porsche before so I was still tempted till I asked the salesguy about oil changes, his response "they're not bad, just have to drop it off for an hour or so and it's about $125.00".

 

Fit and finish cost a pretty penny. The Porsche does indeed have a better quality interrior, stereo, ect. It's a more refined car. However, that isn't what some of us like.

If you put the average Porsche owner in an S2000, they'd wonder why it was so noisy and harsh. Different rides for different folks.

 

I drive at the track a lot with older Boxster's and we can out run them.
Let's look at your questions;

"The interior of the Boxster was very good, however - the higher quality materials versus the S2000 was obvious. But I fit just as well in both seats"
Cost of the price to play, my 2002 S2000 has 82K+ miles and is in great condition.

"The Boxster did have a better soft top and boot and the stereo in the Honda was pretty lame compared to the Porsche, but the S2000 I drove did not have the headrest speakers installed, so I am hoping that will make a difference"
Again the cost to play with the difference in the tops & boot. My boot has never been on.
My stereo has had a Lunar 40w amp and Focal 6.5 speakers in the door and MB Quarts behind the seat, major improvement.

"There is more hip and shoulder room in the Boxster but with the top down, that was really not an issue for me - and head room was fine in the S2000 with the top up. The wind blocker did rattle a bit in the Honda, but the wind buffeting was less in the S2000 than the Boxster."

How much does this matter to you. I fit tight in the S2000, but thats a plus at the track. My wind blocker has no rattle, so maybe something is loose.

"So I guess my question is...why would someone pay $30k more for the Boxster versus the S2000? (The S2000 I could buy for about 30k and the Boxster was 62k before negotiations.)

Yes, it has the heritage and Porsche name; maybe the resale is better; interior is better and so is the stereo. But my perception of Honda (previous owner of a Civic and Odyssey) is rock-solid reliability. They both handled expectionally well; flat cornering, no body roll, but how are these slight differences worth $30k? Please don't tell me it is only the Porsche name."

I think this is answered in your own work. "I DRIVE A PORSCHE". Think about what you could do with the 30K you save, go to the track and really learn how to drive the car.
Would I like to have a Boxster S, Yes. Can I afford it, No. Is my Honda worth as much in resale, I don't know, don't care. Do I have as much fun, hell yes. This is a car I will hope to keep for a very long time.

Which ever car you get I think you will have a great time with it.

 

Let me put in my 2 cents worth. I had an E36 M3 for 10 years before buying the S2K. The 03 and earlier issue S2K was interesting but I never went to test drive one. I drove the 04 and bought it very soon after. I was looking for a car to replace my M3 for 2 years. Nothing could get me off the fence. I loved my M3 but I never regretted buying the S2000. I never looked at the Boxster or Boxster S. My brother has a 2000 Boxster and is about to buy and 04 or 05 Boxster S. He would never consider an S2000. My brother likes the extra goodies of a Porsche. I like the purity of the S2K. The cars are very different. The owners are even more different. If you want luxury over performance buy a Boxster. If you want performance over luxury buy the S2K.

Side note - how may miles were on the demo car ? You mentioned 7k and VTEC. That is a no - no for the first 600 miles of an S2K. If you get an S2K leave that one and order a fresh one.

Finally - the S2K stereo does suck. That is why I listen to the engine.

 

I'm going to bring up something here...

He hit VTEC during his test drive. I hit VTEC during my test drive (not the car I bought). I bet at least 75% of all test drives result in hitting VTEC.

Those cars are being sold to someone. Maybe YOU pampered your car, but do you know who test drove it? Unless you watched it come off the truck, not really.

My point is that people are taking the break-in period a bit too literally. If one or two times in VTEC prior to 600 miles would cause problems down the road, there would be LOTS of S2000 with mysterious illnesses.

I certainly don't believe this would be reason to order a "fresh one".

 

The car we test drove had 22 miles on it. I hit the rev limiter twice on the drive. I could not help myself.

The salesman said it would not be a problem, but then again, he was a salesman. (no offense to any salesman on this board).