I heard the new SLK55 is pretty sweet compared to the old SLK32. Anyone on this board driven one, yet? It would be interesting to hear your views.

 

This is exactly what I had in my mind when BoxsterS gets into comparison with S2000. For similar cost with BoxsterS, I would rather get the new SLK55 with 0-60mph in the low 4 second.

 

The cheapest Boxter S around here is still about $36K for a 2002. The 2005 Boxter S is a better car than the S2000 with its 280hp and improved interior but that costs $60K.

I think the old Boxter S and current S2000 are closely matched in performance but when you take in to consideration the real costs you will end up paying $5K more for a used car with no warrantee that will be more expensive to fix. You have to look beyond the performance and ask yourself what you want, bling or piece of mind.

I say wait to see what the 2006 S2000 brings to the table and then decide.

 

Between a used BS and a new S2000, I'd picked a new S2000. Esp. if the BS was out of warranty. RMS leak is a well known problem w/ the 986 (and 996 for that matter). If you are unlucky enough to be an owner of a BS that has this problem, you can be easily out $12k for full engine replacement. Not all has this problem or in such severity, but I have seen enough cases to spook me away from considering one.

Now if you are willing to up your spending to $40k, I'd recommend ordering a no-option, 240 hp, base 987. Yes, it is 10k more than an S2000, but I can literally come up w/ a loundry list of improvements/add'l equipments that adds up to 10k over the S2000 - starting w/ F&R 4-pot alum monobloc caliper brakes, alum suspension, stability mgnt, 4-yr/50k warranty, functional electronic-controlled rear spoiler, full undercar cover, etc...

There will be always those that throw out all that stuff out the window and compare car value solely based on acceleration/price. You have to think for yourself if those things worth spending the extra bucks for. Good luck.

 

And I say, "There is only one simple reason you would buy a Honda S2000: you can't afford a 911."

I lust after the 911; I drive an S2000 because I can afford to.

 

Just by reading all the reviews, it seems like it's a tie btw/ boxster S and S2000.
And since this is a S2000 board and people are a little biased. Wouldn't it be wise to look more into the boxster S? I personally would....

Anyhow, I guess driving a porsche feels better than a Honda.
I've never driven a porsche, so I can't say for sure.

 

I can say from previous experience that Porsche maintenance is where you'll get hit the hardest, right in the pocketbook. Many people can "afford" to buy the Porsche, but six months to a year later they find they are overwhelmed by the cost of routine maintenance, let alone if any wear items have problems that Porsche doesn't replace under warranty!!! One $2500 repair too many was it for me.

The S2000 will have a much better fun:cost ratio, and that's the point of a convertible... to have fun!

Doubt very much you'd regret getting the S2k

 

Can't argue with you on the detrimental effect expensive repairs have on the fun factor.

Our Porsche guy in the office has a base Boxster. It seems that every few months he's having a problem with it. Lately it was the brakes he had to replace: pads and rotors at each corner $1700. Oil changes are expensive, too, running him $200. And there's all sorts of other issues he's had with his car over the last couple years.

I was in a similar situation with the '77 Corvette I had 3 years ago (it's what was affordable when I didn't know better ). It' seemed that every other month I'd have the car in the shop. Eventually I was affraid to drive it for fear something would go wrong such as the electrical fire less than 200 miles after getting the car out of the shop for having the interior door panels and radiator replaced. I stopped enjoying the car. After paying more in repairs than I bought the car for I finally sold it for 1/2 of the total cost I had invested in the car and bought my Miata. Since then I've had 2 1/2 years and 40,000 absolutely trouble free miles and I couldn't be happier (unless I was in an S2000)

When I started contemplating a replacement for the Miata I quickly narrowed it down to a used Boxster (probably base model) or a used S2000. And concerns about the reliability and cost of repairs significantly tipped the balance to the S2000. I knew I DID NOT want a repeat of the Corvette Syndrome where expensive and/or frequent repairs leached all the fun out of owning such a machine.

I hear the Boxster S are actually pretty reliable, but at some point they'll need a repair or some maintenance and then it'll get costly. Something to seriously consider.

 

At 6'4 I find the S200 to fit me just a bit better than the Boxster. Both are very cozy to be sure but in the Boxster I feel like if I hit something I'll never use my knees again.


Something to keep in mind if you are a big guy.