[QUOTE=audiophile,Jan 15 2008, 07:53 PM]There is an access panel in the cabin that allows most minor service, dropping

 

Drive them both, I had to. Boxster was ahead on my list cause I didn't like the DBW on the s2k. Then I drove an AP2 (MY04) and loved it, ended up getting an AP1 for a steal with only 19000 miles on it. garage queen.

on your pro's and cons you list the boxster as having a nice interior... gonna have to disagree. In the price range you are looking at, you are probably considering an 01 or 02 boxster which is good cause it'll have the larger motor, but the interior is very cheap in those. It's still nice, but not as contoured and finished as the S2k interior.

For the 20K you are suggesting you can get a newer s2000 or an older boxster. chances are the s2k could be a CPO car with pretty low mileage since you willing to wait and search. Working on the S is just like working on an old british roadster except it doesn't leak oil or turn the wipers on when you turn the radio up (we have Lucas Electric to thank for that. ) You will find it's very easy to work on, once you find the dipstick.... which took me a few minutes! It's well concealed.

when all was said and done, I chose the S, the penis factor went away as soon as I read some of the horror stories about seized motors in the p-car. Porsche's solution for repair is to drop the motor and pop a new one in, then send the frozen motor to germany so they can 'think about" what went wrong.

Once you drive them, you'll make the right decision. Both of them are great cars and if money weren't a thing, I would have bought both! Since money is a thing, I opted for the honda and a new motorcycle (perhaps also a honda, haven't decided yet)

 

lol @ the video "the only thing boxster owners talk about is how they couldn't get the 911"

 

He makes it sound like in order to change a belt you have to drop the engine, the fact is most maintenance can be done through those access panels. I've worked on plenty of boxsters to know that you can do most things through those access panels, its not as crippling as he makes it sound. You must think like a German, its a different approach but its not a bad one, just not a common one. I don't want someone to walk away from a car because he thinks it is impossible to service with out dropping the engine. I should have been more clear in my post, but I was pressed for time.

Another thing worth mentioning is that boxsters are known for oil leaks in particular around the crank seal, and there is no real fix short of replacing the block and even then it may leak if the machining is off at all, which is common.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1YN9yBS0xk

 

another excellent video.

"YOU'VE GOT THE WRONG CAR!! I'VE GOT THE RIGHT CAR UP HERE!"

we're a little biased, but what did you expect coming to an s2000 owners community right?

Sadly the s posts the slowest lap time, but we were talking about 4 tenths...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=61...oxster+top+gear

 

oh oops, someone already posted the vid up above, disregard....

 

Sorry for being so vague, I was actually meaning that even routine maintanance could be a total PITA with the boxster.

Turning wrenches can get frustrating enough without having to squeeze yourself into a shoebox in order to change a belt.

As far as oil leaks, I have yet to see a Porsche that can hold it's oil. Must be their trademark. Same with VW and Audi, then again they're all the same company really.

 

You just sealed your fate IMO. I had a 2002 Boxster before my 06 S2K and the Boxster simply kills the S2K as a daily driver. Much more comfortable cabin. Nicer sound system, much more storage. Engine has a much broader/useable powerband. The engine also does not run at 4-5K on the freeway...

Maintenance will be a factor on an out of warranty P-car and I would strongly suggest trying to stretch to an '03 model with the glass window...

 

You are a P-car fan and think the 986 is a poor representation of the mark??? The 986 is one of the BEST representations to date and has been proclaimed one of the best handling cars on the planet many times over. You don't need the "S" model to appreciate the excellent chassis and brakes. The 2.7l is plenty of motor for US roads. I always get a laugh when people criticize the Boxster because the 911 exists. The Boxster blows away the Carerra in terms of handling prowess due to its mid engine layout. It is like saying the S2K owners are "wanna-be" NSX owners. They are different cars and many pick the Boxster/Cayman over the Carerra even when they have the cash to buy either model.

BTW in my opinion the original 924 with the Audi motor is a poor representation of the mark....