Just got my first chance to experience a 2000 Boxster. Got to say the S2k is a far superior car in all regards. I could readily feel the chassis flex over bumps not to mention the sloppy gear shift.
The engine does not have the same high end rush
(big understatement) although compared to the 2000 to 2003 S2K's, there is more torque.
Judging from the condition of the rear plastic window this car does not have the same issues with scratching when lowered as does the S2K however that's not enough to want this car.
Did I say how nice the 2004 S2K drives Oh my god!! It's soooo.. nice.

 

Damn those CF synchros on the MY04'!!!!!

 

I very much like the S2000. I however feel obligated to defend the Boxster here. Yes, the S2000 is better in many ways. Although the Boxster's chassis is not as rigid as the S2000's, the Boxsters handling is far more predictable and compliant than the S2000's in all respects ( try unsettling the Boxster, won't happen unless you do something really stupid ). I know of two S2000's here in Calgary that have met their demise at Race city because the rear end let go. I saw the end result of one at Maranello. The S2000 experience is definately more visceral than the Boxster's. The Honda certainly makes you work harder, thats what I enjoy about the S2000. Give the Boxster 'S' a go, it better personifies the Boxster experience. I think your perception would be much different. Now, given the choice between the 2.5 L or 2.7 L Boxster and the S2000, I would certainly take the Honda, if it were the Boxster 'S', Porsche all the way.

 

I've not driven the Boxster S however if the chassis flexes like the basic Boxster I would never consider buying one. If I had one word to characterize the Boxster it would be "clunky".

 

I don't understand what you mean by "clunky". Both the 2.5L 98'and 02' Boxster 'S' I have driven were fantastic cars (the 'S' is much faster than the S2000, it also pulls 0.93g's on the skidpad) Perhaps the Boxster you drove had inherent problems. Try an 'S' if given a chance, you will not be dissapointed.

 

Oh, I don't think the Boxster S is any faster really. For the extra 30K Cdn for the Boxster, you can get another decent winter beater..

 

The Boxster S runs the 1/4 mile about 1.0 - 1.2 seconds faster than the base Boxster.

But it feels as sloppy and "clunky" as the base model (I've driven both).

The only Porsche I'd consider buying is a 911, but I drove one of those too, and I don't know if I could justify the price tag on one of those.

 

Hey Koala, Do you drive around from dealer to dealer wasting Sales Peoples' time, test driving their cars ?? You seem to have driven alot of performance cars, yet are so very narrow minded in your thoughts and opinions of these very cars, unless it is an S2000 of course. Were you not the one who said the Z06 corvette did not feel fast ??? Oh, and you beat the C5 Corvette from a rolling start. Let's not forget the NSX you swindled through the tight turn, all in your S2000 (because you are a better driver ofcourse). Why don't you bring your 04' S2000 out to one of the Calgary Sports car club or PCA events at race city this year and I will run you in my 911 or M3 (your choice of car, roadcourse or autocross). You seem to think everything else is crappy or inferior via the remarks in your posts. It's really unfortunate you cannot see beyond your S2000 shell, and reality is so far shaken...

 

LUV2REV,

I happen to know quite a few people, any many of the cars I've driven are friends' cars. I said the Z06 did not "feel" fast, because it didn't. That is my *own* opinion. The S2000 is slower than the Z06 by a vast margin, so the S2000 is a "slow" car to me. I'm not making out the S2000 to be more than it is, because it *is* only a 2.0 (or 2.2) litre 4 cylinder with 240 HP.

I have no doubt in my mind that you would absolutely kill me on the track in your 911 or M3 simply because you obviously have more track experience than I do. I never claimed to be the best driver. Just on those two occasions, I happened to edge them out.

I can talk about all of the races I've lost, if you would like. I've even lost to cars that are "slower" than the S2000. I'm not ashamed to admit it.

Why am I biased towards the S2000? Because this is the "type" of driving experience I like. To be fair, I was heavily considering placing a deposit down on a Lotus Elise, because I have almost no doubt in my mind it'd be more "fun" to drive. I decided against it because it would be stretching my budget just a bit too far, and I don't feel like waiting til summer '05 to get it.

So far of the cars I've driven, there was nothing that behaved like the S2000, and thats the car I fell in love with, and thats why I'll be owning my second one soon here.

The Lotus Elise was the only car I could think of that would probably out-do it when it comes down to the aspects I like (light weight, handling, braking, go-kart feel).

As for that NSX I "beat", I'm sure it was an auto. I would *love* to own an NSX some day, but I just can't afford it. I think it has the S2000 beat in a ton of areas, as it should for a car that is 6 figures brand new.

I can point out the things I like better about the Boxster, if you'd like me to. I'm not saying the S2000 is better in every aspect... so feel free to ask me.

Don't judge me based on my opinion of vehicles. It is solely my opinion. If you think I have my head up my ass on this, leave it at that. Just keep in mind a lot of my fellow S2000 drivers feel the same way I do. If they didn't, they probably would own a [Corvette, Boxster, M3, 911, etc].

Thanks

 

Actually as an added thought,

The Boxster (base and S), Z06, M3, 911, etc... are all *incredible* cars. I'd love to own them all. Problem is I can only [at this point in time] afford to spoil myself with one car for $50,000. A year or two from now, hopefully things will progress far enough to the point of being able to afford two really nice cars.

The fact of the matter is the S2000 is the "best" car I've ever driven. It offers the complete package for me, in what I want in a car. If I could add a second car along side it, I'd probably take a very strong look at having an STi, or an M3. But not as replacements, or substitutes.