Hi there everyone. To give you some lead in, I'm a current Audi A4 owner(daily) and 88 Mitsu Starion owner(daily between April and November - http://s159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/molotovmaz/ - ) I change my own oil, brakes, and timing belt on my A4. I've done just about everything on my Starion(more than 300wtq at the moment, but I can get more...)

I've liked the Boxters for a while and now that I'm able to, I'm ready to start looking for one. But the S2000 has caught my eye and I've been doing so reasearch on them as well. I've got plenty of time, so I'm in no rush, and am really looking for something around the 16K to 20K range. White /w red int and a black hardop for winter would be awesome!

Originally, I got the A4 for a nice, higher end car I could drive all year, but the sedan-ness has worn on me and I dread driving it. Also, A4s are notorious for electrical problems, and I have plenty. Dead radio, gas gauge doesn't work most of the time, digital display is garbled, stuff like that. To top it off, the warranty burned me pretty good, too.

My question, is IF things go wrong, is it easy(enough) to make the repairs myself? Unless it's a really hairy problem, would there be anything to keep me from making repairs myself(like computer issues?) That's one of the things I LOVE about my Starion. I can fix everything on that car. The A4, on the other hand...

So, here's my current look @ the 2 front-runners:

Boxster Pros:

Documented Reliability
Nice sound system
Very nice interior
Engine Sound
Traction control
Available autostick(yes, I know, I'm weak)
Affordable hardtop
Easy maintenance
It's a mid-engine Porsche!

Boxster Cons:

Potential for very expensive repairs
Scheduled maintenance is scheduled more often
Plastic soft top rear window
Some think it's ugly

S2000 Pros:

Honda Certification
Cost of maintenance
Easy maintenance
Purely driver oriented - everything conveniently in reach of the wheel for the driver.
LOVE the digital instrument cluster
Great stance
Glass rear window

S2000 Cons:

No traction control
Not very passenger friendly(even for a 2-seater)
Couldn't find any cup holders(this is going to be a daily, don't forget)
The hardtop is more than 2X the cost of the Boxster top(unless I get the unsafe Chinese knockoff)
Very low to the ground - clearance issues(curbs/snow)
Weak sound system

On on a purely weiner-enlarging note, "I drive a Honda," doesn't have the general wow-factor that "I drive a Porsche" does. LOL

But I'm willing to forefit a brand name for cost efficiency. Really, the only thing left for me to do is to drive these cars and see which one feels better.

Thanks for any help!

 

You'll come to find that the Boxter has no more "street cred" than the S2000. I thoug that I wanted a Boxter before I got my S2k, but I drove both and realized that the S2k for ME was more fun of a car. I think if you want a car that is fun to drive, cheapish to maintain, and will give your years of enjoyment, go with the S2000. If you want a car with more status so that you feel better about your purchase then go with the P-car. Whatever you decide, enjoy it in good health!

 

you will like the s2k better imo. You can pretty much do all of the work on it yourself with minimal tools.

I haven't driven a new boxter, but i drove a new cayman and i liked driving my s2k much much better. Mechanical sound, longer shifter throw, no faster and much more $. The upside to the cayman was that the interior was very nice! And there is a built in lap timer also. And... the nav system stores your best lap times

 

That's kinda what I'm thinking(as far as maintenance goes). Let me stress that power or anything like that is NOT tops on my list. I got my Starion for that. Reliability and comfort as a daily are 1-2.

 

my s2000 has a cup holder in the center console. i would not recommend driving an s2000 in the snow as its pretty much immobalized

 

I bought my S2K about the same time as my pops-in-law picked up a very slightly used 03 Boxter. I have 2x as many miles as he does on it, and have had no where near the problems he has had (radio replaced -8 week backorder- failed power steering - mysteryious oil leak - rattling top - broken bolt on accessorioes belt tentioner (requireing the engine to be dropped ).

And unless you're looking at the Boxster S, it's noticably slower than the S2K.

That being said, both are very fun to drive, and the Boxster has better steering feel (and much less rigid chassis). But I wouldn't trade the S2K for one.

And if you're looking to do your own maint, don't forget the Boxster is mid-engined and a nightmare to get to the engine for many things that are routine on most cars.

 

Just wanted to point out that the S has a cupholder in the center console. There is also a DIY on this site to add a cupholder with no permanent changes to the vehicle.

Hardtops can be found for pretty cheap used. You can also buy knockoffs with good fit, I don't think they are unsafe in comparison to a genuine Japan brand. OEM are made of aluminum. Not very strong IMO.

Good Luck with your purchase!

 

I've had my s2000 for about a month now and the place I bought it from had a boxster of the same year and similar miles. I actually went up there planning to buy the porsche and after driving them both it was a no brainer and I came home with the honda. The interior is just alot nicer fit for myself. When I sat in the boxster I felt like I was sitting at my desk in my office. It didnt contour around me at all. After driving them it was clear the s2000 was more solid and rigid and drives much better for my tastes. Plus its much easier to work on and I do all my own maintenance so that was a plus. I actually found the top on the s2000 to be quieter and nicer than the porsches but I got an 02 with a glass window and the box had plastic rear window. However, if this was a purchase for my girlfriend, I probably would have bought the boxster as it was slightly easier to see out of and easier to use the clutch. But I didnt buy it for her hehe

 

And i would highly suggest to refrain from using that center console cup holder. During spirited driving it can lead to miss shifts or accidental downshifts. So back to the the OP stated... no cup holders.

 

Watch TopGear with Z4, Boxter, S2000 Comparison on www.stage6.com

Exact link is here http://www.stage6.com/user/civicFD2/video/...-vs-Honda-S2000

Should help you make a decision bro!