I wrote this in another thread but it seems like it's right on target to the posed question so here it is again:
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I seriously concidered Boxster2.7 as well as BoxsterS before I bought the S2000. In fact after my 1st S2000 test drive I was pretty unimpressed and I dropped it from my list (which then only had Boxster2.7 and BoxsterS left). If all the car's were the same price (BoxsterS costs $50k more here than the S2000 here) then I'd be probably driving BoxsterS right now. It does everything that S2000 does equally well and does a few things even better ... like:
- is much quicker than S2000 at low speeds (5 - 40kph - that is 90% of acceleration in the city driving)
- has a lot better brakes
- has bigger wheels and tyres stock (and it can handle them powerwise).
- the roof 'hides' itself when down.
- I much preffer the Boxster dashboard.

It took a 2nd test-drive for me to actually even concider the S2000. I already liked it's 'on paper credentials', I liked the look of it, but 1st time I drove it, it was in on a bussy road with a fair bit of traffic. I came back from the test drive dissapointed ... I didn't think it was 'that' much better than my MR2. I found the 2.7L Boxster to be a better drive as well as quicker.

Though, I read a few more possitive things about the S2000 so I figured I'll give it another go and had the Honda people bring the S2000 out to my work where there's a lot of quiete curvy roads around. That's what it took for me to like the S2000 - driving the car like I was on a race-track. Then I knew that the S2000 is the car for me. The S2000 is much more of a 'race car' then either Boxster and when driving in the 6.5k+ rev range - it is actually a very quick car ... pretty damn close to the BoxsterS (and in some instances on par). Now I'm actually glad that I ended up with the S2000 as I love it's no compromise race orientation.
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Tired everything that was out at the time -
Z3, SLK, Boxster, S2K. (TT and MR2 when they came along)
Decided to buy the Boxster. On PDI (my PDI) I discovered three significant flaws. Refused delivery until they were fixed. Dealer promised to fix them. Went on a business trip, came back for my car. Another extensive drive, checked the fixes. Two had not been done, found a couple other things wrong with the car and walked out with my deposit. Severely disappointed, went back on the car search trail.
I had rejected the S2K when it came out. Did not like the look of it when I saw it in the showroom, did not like the black (apology to those who did and do love it in black).
Later, was offered a test drive in a S2K, came away with the biggest grin I've had in a car since driving an open wheeled formula car.
No other car I had driven before, non that I have driven since, give me as much enjoyment. (Within the sub $70,000 price range - anything over is definitely out of the class comparrison.)

The price for value is excellent at purchase, and the maint. costs are way less expensive.

The driving experience is as good or better than the others.

There are no factory options - and the car doesn't need them (the Z3 turned me off because of the stripped nature of the base model - the Boxster required many thousands of $ to get the car the way I wanted it).

Yes, it's my daily driver and the luggage space is minimal. Most of the world delivers to your door or I can borrow someones truck if I need to carry something really large.

Between the Boxster and S2K, both cars are great for driving long distances, both are fun to drive, both are comfortable.
If you don't need the German pedigree and status, there is no real contest.
sousleau

 

It started at an economic decision and ended being the best car regardless of price. Jim

 

Value for money.

I could not live with myself paying way over the odds to a snooty dealer when Honda produce a car which is easily as good.
I still think the Boxster is a gorgeous machine though.

 

I had been waiting for the S2000 since the SSM show car was intro'd in 1995. In fact, in 1998, I leased a Prelude SH for 4 years with the sole purpose of breaking the lease and getting my s2k in 2000. I had a deposit down from 1999.

I would have bought Hondas flagship car no matter what except if it was automatic only I wouldn't have.

So for me, it was S2K or nothing.

 

The main reason I decided on the S2000 over the Boxster was it's exclusivity, you don't see them every day. I like that.

 

I was walking back to my car in a restaurant parking lot and two girls were walking by my s2k. They didn't know it was mine and I overheard one snobishly say "Its beautiful, but its still not a Porsche or Beemer." I loved it. Its the superior car without the pretentious side. That was my reason for buying it. It is the car I like and I didn't get thrown in with the billions of yuppies driving Boxsters.

 

I've debated the S2000 vs Boxster (and Boxster S) and trading in Prelude for any car etc. to death. There's really no logic. When it comes down to it, it's what you value most. As for choosing cars, I think you just got to look at what you value most and go with your gut feeling cause I don't think you'll regret buying an S2K, 2.7 or BoxsterS. You might however regret not going with the S if you bought the 2.7 and or some options.

 

I want my s2k. Im very sad.

 

didn't even consider a boxster. who wants the poor mans' porsche? and what's with forking over $ for extra options that are standard on the S2000?