Hey Jenner

Tough choice I am sure. I have always been a Porsce fanatic, but the Boxster has never really done it for me....I have always loved 911's. That being said, I have never driven a Boxster, but hopefully I can give you some S2000 insight. [moron voice] Do you know the S2000 is faster? [/moron voice]

Do you think the car looks funny/ugly without the cover over the top when it's down? The TT, yes...top up or down it looks funny to me - j/k

I am not a fan of the looks of the top down without the boot, but once you become familiar with the boot, it is simple. Takes me about 2 minutes now to install...a bit less to take off. Being manual though, I am sure there are some prissy people out there who just won't deal with it. I am used to taking the top off the del Sol, so the boot doesn't bother me that much. There are times when I don't use it, such as when the weather is threatening or quick drives.

Is the push button start good or bad? Fine by me....a bit gimmicky, but what the hell. I own a motorcycle so it isn't that outrageous to me.

Is the key fob cheap? About the same one you get with a Civic EX. It is a normal Honda key...not sure what the Boxster one is like but to me the VW Jetta "switchblade" key is dumb looking. I am guessing Porsche's is nicer. I am not trying to compare the Jetta to the Boxster...it is just the only German key I have seen recently.

Does the car need to cool down after a hard run or can I just turn it off(with my turbo in the TT I usually let it idle for 1-2 min after a sprited drive). Damn....hope not

I can't believe the dealer put on the side strakes! If someone wants them later, fine, but to put them on before selling...that is crap. Mine had the rear spoiler on it and I was suprised they did that. Although, I wanted it anyway, so it really didn't matter.

Good luck with the purchase....let us know what you get.

Rick

 

Many good points have been made, and only you will know the correct answer to the question... but only after having driven both cars.

I also recommend you consider holding off on th rear spoiler and side strakes until you are sure you want them on the car. (if they're included in the deal, take 'em, but be forwarned that these pieces require drilling into the car... something that is, IMO, a sacrilege.)

 

Yes.

 

Da Hapa, you could very well be right. I am a relative newbie to this Porsche ownership gig. But if you are in warranty and the repair will get done for free, why go somewhere else?

I definitely need to check on things like changing the oil, as the local dealer wants $140 (yes, you read right) to change the oil. I asked, naively, what else comes with that. Oh, they top off the fluids and check the tire pressure, too. Gee, thanks. :-p I am pretty sure folks on the PPBB change their own oil, but is it clandestinely? Dunno.

On the upside, Porsche recommends 15,000 miles between oil changes, so if you compare that to $20 every 3,000 miles (for the average car), and 18K miles a year (modest mileage), then that is 6 oils changes x $20 = $120 a year. So maybe the price isn't quite as crazy as I thought. <shrug>



[Edited by BoxsterBoy on 04-12-2001 at 03:02 PM]

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by BoxsterBoy
[B]In case you haven't noticed, S2000 Driver has S2000 myopia.

 

Honda recommends 7500 miles between changes, not 3,000.

 

Owning a TT, you obviously have an appreciation for German cars. If you're willing to pay the higher cost of maintenance, perhaps the Porsche is your best bet. Drive both, then decide.

[Edited by lvs2k on 04-12-2001 at 03:26 PM]

 

Jenner - When I purchased my S2000 about 15 months ago, I seriously considered the 1999 and 2000 Boxsters (the Boxster S was not out yet). The first thing that became apparent to me was the improvements that Porsche made from 1999 to 2000 (more power, electronic throttle, improved engine note). Then I drove the S2000. Obviously, I liked the Honda better than either Porsche.

BoxsterBoy provided a very good comparison between the two cars that I completely agree with. The Porsche is more practical (as far as roadster's go ), has a really slick top mechanism, is easier to drive on the road, (and from what I heard on the track as well), but the Honda is more of an elemental car. The icing on the cake for the Honda that was important to me, that may not be relevent to you, is that it is much easier to work on the Honda. Also, as has been mentioned, the costs of ownership will be less on the Honda.

I'll be interested to hear about your take once you've driven the S2000.

 

Insurance for a 33 yo married male with 1 ticket in SoCal with full collition and windshield coverage is $1100/yr. A boxster, same deal, $4600/yr.

I just paid $19.53 incl. tax at a dealer for an oil change and they washed my car too. No mechanical problems in 16mo and 17K miles but I do need to get TSB#55 done soon.

A 2 yr old boxster lost ~$10K in value. My 1 yr old S2000 can sell for about what I paid for it, less a couple grand.

 

I think the S2000 gives you a more different look since you have the TT. Definately test drive.