Oh yeah, forgot to mention that IMHO... despite the top shelf price... I think the s2k looks better than the boxster both inside and out (okay the Porsche calipers are pretty sweet looking). A little less spacious in the s2k... but to me it's a more comfortable cockpit (I'm short).

 

I use to drive a base Boxter quite a bit (family car). It really is AMAZING to drive. The driving feel, and the handling are outstanding. The sound of the engine... wow. Base model or not, the Boxter is still a Porsche. That's why it feels so great.

 

I agree the s2000 lines are much better looking then the Boxter first off. From just a pure driving standpoint I think the s2000 would be more fun to drive and actulay feels stiffer everyware like more of a performance car, the suspention is stiffer, the shifting is more precise and overall just feels like a track car. This is especialy true if comparing to the early 00-03 s2000's. I just can't stay out of mine, it gets driven daily, which is too bad sice I put alot of miles on it but I geuss its Japanese so its the right choice for that too. The S2000 has way more aftermarket parts to choose from if you want to get into tuning it and taking it to its next level in capabilties easily and affordabilty wise comparitevly to the Boxter. I can safely say that my mildly moded s2000 will out handle any stock Boxter driven off the show room, and it feels great to say that cofidently with the pride I take in the small performance upgrades I have done in the suspention and engine tuning. The S2000 is trully a fantastic performer and head turner car, so fun to drive. Don't get me started on comparing maint. For me a Boxter just wouldn't work even if money was no object.

 

Clarkson preferred the S2000, the Boxster was the choice of James May
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX35GYuZjnI

Seriously though, I just went on a run with some friends up the winding roads in a nearby province and I was side by side with a friend's Boxster. Although performance-wise its very easy to mod an S2000 to beat a Boxster, as much as I love my S2000 I couldnt help but admire the Porsche and still wish I had one. But then again Porsches have always fascinated me.

Although if its just plain performance your after, a modded S2000 is the way to go in my opinion. But since its about having a keeper, I think the Boxster is the way to go.

 

Nobody has even mentioned that Honda raced cars way before they sold them . The S2000 was built geared around the racing heritage Honda was founded on .

 

Latest Boxster S > S2K.

 

Porsche has racing heritage too..

 

Sure. And it costs a lot more, too. No real magic involved here.

 

Just a view from the other side of the pond - i've owned 2 boxsters - a 2.7 and a 3.2. I got really involved in the boxster community and got to know the car inside out.

All this entry level Porsche talk is crap. It is - without a doubt - a beautiful car and a Porsche in its own right. If you own one, you have nothing to prove to anyone. It's luxurious with a beautiful interior, pleasing to the eye and owning one makes you feel like king of the road.

However, I don't know how it works in the US with warranty work but the reason i've given mine up is because of the sheer amount of RMS (Rear Main Seal) issues that Porsche dealers here wouldn't pay out for and over here that particular job works out to approximately

 

for $15,000 you can add twin turbos........500 hp plus. I saw one on ebay. I think that would keep up with a boxster.