Get the 911, unless you want a convertible. It is a better car. My brother has a 2001 911 Carrera 4. I have a 2002 S2K. I drove his 911 and now must sell my S2000 to fund a Carrera 4S (so mine will be better than his!). However, I will do this next year after our cool season (Nov '02 - May '03). Till then I will enjoy every minute of the S2K! As for your son, give him an incentive for when he grows up, the 911!

 

Oh and BTW, get the 911 with the 6 speed manual. The Tiptronic S sucks. The targa is nice (in a very secure, wind in the hair kinda experience), but I like the 4S better (as a driver).

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by cshama
[B]I tried out the 911 today and I must say I was disapointed. It seemed almost slow to me compared to the s2000. Probably the porsche is more refined but I remember getting a viseral thrill when driving the s2000. I know the 911 isn't slow but there was no thrill driving it- I may have been driving too gently because it was the salesmans own car.

 

BTW there is a likelihood that if I carry my son in the S2K I will get an airbag cutoff. However I am not convinced of the science behind it . Airbags have changed and he will be strapped into the carseat at least 18 inches from 6the airbag.


But you are all right -the safety of the little one is paramount. However I refuse to mollycoddle him and not take him in the convertible. Some parents will take their one and a half year olds in their arms when they go down the slide- I prefer that Joe slides down himself even if there is a risk. It really is a balancing act. If you teach a kid fear you will have a lot of problems.

 

Your other posts make me think that I should try out the porsche again

 

this isn't a bad carpooler...

 

I would advise you to drive both and see which one is more fun. In my opinion, they are very different cars with different purposes. The S2000 is a sports car in the classic sense - light, simple, agile - a formula the Italians and British developed in the '50's and 60's that made sports cars a universal hit. The Porsche 356 and early 911s also fall into this category.

However, that mantle has been passed on to the Boxster, not the 911, as Porsche has said several times. The 911 is now a GT, fast and capable to be sure, but much heavier, more complex and more luxurious. Except for the GT2 (and the not-available-here GT3), all 911 models today are intended for high speed long distance work (read "Autobahn") and are not intended to be optimum back road carvers.

As for posing, obviously the 911 is going to get you more prestige and front of restaurant exposure.

The handling is very different between the S2000 and the 911. Drive both hard through corners and you will feel the weight of that 911 engine hangin out there. They have engineered out its traditional snap oversteer, but cornering a 911 still feels weird if you are used to front-mid design.

Also, maintenance costs on Porsches are very high. We have an S2000 (mine) and a Boxster (hers). Cost of 15k service on S2k: $64.00, on Boxster: $459.00. Oil changes at the dealer are $29 for the Honda, $110 for the Boxster. And so on.

Porsches are beautifully engineered and built cars - perhaps the best. But personally I drive for fun and excitement, and the S2000 at speed is more eciting and "exotic" than either the 911 or the Boxster. It's just a more extreme car...

Best of luck; you are fortunate to have such a choice to make!

 

I think I have the perfect solution. The new Audi RS6 is a monster car. There are several reviews out on it in the last month. It will be imported to the US. The performance on it is incredible. Take a look. It may solve all your problems.

 

I'll try the 911 again but I just think the s2000 makes more sense. I am excited about getting it now.

 

You're 37? Yes most definately you're too old for an S2000. By the way I turn 49 next month.