Be careful of covers, especially for outdoor use. Sometimes under the right (wrong) conditions, the car's surface will collect moisture, and then the weather will clear, and bright sun will actually cook the water under the cover and damage it. It looks like a rash on the paint but it cannot be fixed. This usually only happens with extended use of an outdoor cover, not overnight or something like that.
So I'm not a big fan of covers outdoors or of too-frequent waxing and polishing. (All waxing or polishing is abrasive, no matter what they tell you). Porsche knows how to paint a car and if you keep it washed you should be fine for many years.
Some people use those "cockpit covers" that go over the roof only, which I think are fine, but I haven't seen one on a Boxster.
Need more info on how the car is equipped. S? Non-S? Tip? 16, 17, 18 inch wheels? Kitchen sink? In general, dealers will ask retail and you can get them down with Boxsters, especially if they've been sitting around. I find bluebook to be quite accurate. BTW, I think yellow Porsches are cool. People are hesitant to order them but they don't seem to have a problem selling when they are in stock, both new and used.
This is NOT an S. Has 5 sp, but not sure about the wheels. Has CD and truly appears to be a weekend car.
I was uncertain about the yellow (ticket magnet) but being 47+, I don't drive like I used to at 17+. I did see that they also had a grey 02 in automatic. Why on earth would someone want an auto on a Boxster???
Porsche has at least two clienteles -- one is sporting and performance oriented. This group is willing to spend more, for example, for less in the way of features, etc., in appreciation of the weight loss, and is willing to pay a king's ransom for suspension and engine bits, and devotes large portions of their life to weekends at a track of one sort or another. Members of this group, for example, are willing to spend thousands more for a 10-yr-old car that doesn't have leather or a sunroof, and will happily crawl around a roll cage to get in and out; another will happily spend in excess of a hundred thousand dollars for a GT-3 they will only drive on track, or to and from track, once it is broken in.
The second group is looking for presige (the badge), luxury, and sporty transportation. These are the ones who will seek out the tip models. Next year I want to find a C4 cab 911 with tip for my wife, as an example.
PCA is successful and large because it offers tours for the second group, autoX and DE and racing for the first group, and rallies for both.
And there are many subgroups, generally depending on how close the individual aligns himself with one extreme or the other -- have you ever seen, for example, a Cayenne at an off-road competition?
Depending on the owner, the Boxster, like the 911, can go all the way from one extreme to the other. It's one of the reasons Porsches are so desirable, and that Porsche is the most profitable auto mfg. in the world.
The car you're looking at, btw, sounds pretty basic. If the folk here can't give you a price, I'd recommend you check the Boxster issue of "Excellence" for this year (or I'll look it up for you if you wish). Speed Yellow, as the color is called, is pretty desirable in general, but do you like it? JW
Did anybody else see the photos of the Boxster SC (coupe) in this month's Road & Track? The car is absolutely gorgeous (from the rear anyway). I'm sure it will employ the classic Porsche front end as well on the upcoming re-design. Has anybody else read or seen anything concrete on the Boxster SC? I'm truly excited for this car. It will be sort of a reincarnation of the old 911 with superb balance, low weight, and wonderful Flat 6.
jwilson: I read in the same Road & Track article that Porsche's best selling 996 in 2003 was the 911 C4S Cabriolet w/ tiptronic. They note that this is also the slowest (by porsche standards) and heaviest 996 produced.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Read the same article and liked the picture of the Boxster SC coupe though to me it looks a lot like the 911 coupe. The article also mentioned that Porsche is the most profitable car company and I think that they should put it to use by charging what they need to charge but offering more content especially as standard equipment. If it appears that buyers prefer the 911 in the 'GT' configuration, then how about making the Boxster more like a smaller, cheaper Carrera GT, i.e. give it more HP and not worry about competing with the 911.
The C4S is what I'm thinking of for my wife -- pretty. They used to call it "Turbo Look." I heard once that most are Tips ... don't know if that's true.
Boxsterlover, you've articulated Porsche's dilemma. It's hard, in fact, to make the Boxster and the 911 any more alike than they are in the 996 version as they had the same front clip and engine into '02. It's a difficult little dance: do you let the Boxster die from lack of updates and power? Or do you let your $40000-car take sales from your $80000-car?
So far as simple profit is concerned they have it just about right, it seems. You have the design economies inherent in doing one design for two cars. You use them both as long as they hold out, adding a new version or two every year in the 996 version to keep interest up, and offer each car as a base model with everything optional and highly priced so that leather, A/C, amped stereo, special wheels, and a bit of decoration on the interior gets you on the edge of supercar territory financially without adding a smidge of performance. Sounds like a great business plan to me so long as you can get away with it!
Your final point is well taken, but I wouldn't want anyone to think the difference between the Boxster and the Carrera GT is only a matter of size and power.But you're still right I think. JW
Sorry everyone, I didn't get a chance to read the article in Road & track. I have been doing some research on the upcomming 05 boxsters but still could use more info.
I'm on my second boxster and have a baloon payment comming up next September. Would prefer getting a coupe rather than a drop top, Does anyone know when the upcomming sc will be available. Also, since I have not read the r & t article, I don't know what photos they included. I have repeatedly found this spy pic on the web, which actually is different from a picture I found in the May issue of Automobile magazine. I actually preffer the one I found on the net.
Please check it out. Any posted info is greatly appreciated
elsewhere as a plan for the soon-to-be marketed 997 with the side scoops identifying it as a possible 997TT. Most pictures of the 997 have shown it with 996 lights; the 997 lights supposedly will be like those in the 993. Hard to tell much from spy pics. JW
Yeah, I saw the R&T pics ... the one you refer to is listed there, too, as being of the 997. The article that accompanies it is very good actually, though full of supposition at this point.
And the Boxster SC look fabulous! Wow. I wonder what the weight and aerodynamics will be ... it could be a tad lighter I suppose w/o needing the workings for a top and it should cut through the wind a bit better ... well worth the wait for those who've been holding out it looks like. JW
The new Boxster SC looks great but so does the 911. Right now I don't see too many BMW X3s on the road but I do see a lot of X5s. Only time will tell if Porsche is making a mistake by making two cars with similar styles and profiles, if the photos are accurate. I might have gone a different route and designed a racier looking car with enough HP to make it interesting.Only the Toyota, which oddly enough has some of the same design elements as the Boxster but not done nearly as well and the new Lotus, which will not be built in enough quantity to pose a challenge are midengine cars so Porsche really owns this niche. Making the new Boxster look similar to the 911 may just take away from it even given the practicality of a hatchback though personally, I would have to have an open top for this type of car.
I am also interested in the new 2005 Boxster. I have seen pictures of the coupe and it is beautiful. I am wondering if it is worth the wait. Please let me know what you have found.
I think it is worth the wait. If you're looking for a coupe, which is what i'm interested in, then we have no choice but to wait. If you want the cabrio, I still think it's worth the wait. Porsche, probably more than most companies does a great job in the evolution of their cars. Small improvements, especially in the engine are alwasy very apparent. I also have heard that many convenience options such as integrated satelite radio and dvd based navigation will be available for '05 models. I currently have an '01 boxster and an '04 cayenne s. I'm actually thinking about trading my cay for an '05 because i would love to have some of those new convenience options. As far as my boxster, I am definately holding out for a coupe. I live in the Northeast, and we're lucky if we get 40 days a year of perfect top down weather. Plus I have alwasy preffered the aerodynamics of a coupe. And finally, the spy pics I have seen show an incredibally beatiful car, one that I will definately be waiting for.
The Boxster SC looks darned cool. I wonder how much it'll cannibalize 997 sales. I can't imagine many people buying the 997 for the spacious rear seats, although the Porsche website kinda laughably touts the four-seat capability as a selling point. 997 should offer more buttoned-down and stable high-speed handling, a lot more HP/torque and greater build quality, or it'll be a tough choice for many I suppose.
I definately drive my boxster on a daily basis. It makes any mundane drive to work or the store an exhilirating experience. I do however alternate now since buying a Cay s. I pretty much drive the cay whenit's raining and of course when it snows. The only other time I preffer the cay over the boxster is on trips that are 2 hours or more. I am 6'4" tall so I get a little stiff in the boxster driving position after about an hour and a half.
The car gets respectable if not good gas mialage, has excellent utility for a car of its class and is simply a blast to drive.
I think I drive Porsches because driving, like many things can get pretty boring; but Porsches of any kind provide the perfect remedy. It's primarily for this reason why I think a Boxster is the perfect daily driver.
Had a great weekend where I got to spend some time driving my Boxster under some beautiful spring sunshine. I, unfortunately, can only drive mine on weekends. My problem with the car is that I had been driving it too slowly. It seems to feel better the faster you drive it. While it is true that you don't get enough days in the northeast to enjoy it, when you do get them, they are not to be missed and also not to be missed is the June issue of Car and Driver with a beautiful red Carrera GT on the front cover. Inside are some tests on a very good MB SLK which brings me to my point, for the new Boxster, how about some of that Carrera GT magic. Not everyone wants or needs all that horsepower,not to mention expense but as Porsche is one of only a handful of carmakers with a midengine design, I feel that they should take the gloves off the Boxster model.
The 5/10/04 has a nice blurb on the 987 Boxster as well as a great review of the '04 Boxster S Special Edition.
Here are some of the important particulars for the 987:
Roadster will make its debut at the Detroit Auto Show January '05. We'll see the coupe st the Frankfurt show in September '05. I guess that means the next generation will be an '06?
Subtle exterior redesign (much like the 997) will have ovualr headlamps with separate turn signals and new angualr taillamps. Bodywork will be more muscular.
Pull door handles and a wider retractable spoiler.
The engines will basically be caryovers will about a 10hp gain and improved low-end torque.
As for the S Special Edition, tyhe editors love the really broad power & torque curves, the short-throw 6 speed manual, and communicative steering.
It says that pretty much the only thing they found wrong was cowl shake as compared to the Z4, 350Z, S2000.
There's also a bit about the porsche certified pre-owned program.
There's a great line at the end: "Crunch some numbers, then go convince the significant other that you really, really need a Porsche." Vaughn, Autoweek 5/10/04, p. 23
I definitely need a Porsche:) I'd like to (hopefully) pick up a leftover '04 (or used low mileage CPO car) in the winter when the new body comes out. There are some boxsters out there with relatively no miles (and a resonable asking price) on them. When the new body style comes out, many (hopefully) will trade in their '04 986 for a 987 just because it is the newest thing regardless of depreciation or price of the new car.
There's a dealership on Long Island that still has brand new '03s still on their lot.
Ideally I'd like a Black/Black/Black, 18" Turbo Look II wheels, PSM, Cruise, Heated Seats, Trip Computer, Wind Deflector, and of course a manual transmission:) A guy can dream can't he?
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
This Saturday afternoon I saw planty of boxsters roaming the streets and highways. I saw a Lapis Blue S on the highway. I love the way the red brake calipers look between the wheels while the car is in motion. I saw a Silver/Black S at the driving range. The guy left his top down and what a work of art that car is! To all you owners, you've got a beautiful car!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I'd say you are a man with great taste... and hopelessly addicted! ;-)
I loved the Boxster from day one and the look will never grow old on me. In particular, the rear view with top down is unbeatable. And in motion, its athletic reflexes and flat, confident gait on curves are sights to behold. Yep, a work of art, it's that simple.
It's funny, there are days when driving my Outback to work, I'll see a Boxster on the road and I actually get jealous because I didn't take it that day. Good luck in your quest, I hope you are rewarded soon.
I saw several Boxsters yesterday, invariably with 2 people in them (must be easy to find someone who wants a ride!). They all had their tops down and new waxes, and needless to say, in that configuration they were striking to behold. One Boxster followed me for a few miles and I was struck by how wide and spirited it looks in the rear-view mirror. Enjoy your rides, guys.
yes I am HOPELESSLY addicted. That and the fact that I've always wanted a Porsche along with a few other circumstances that really made me realize that you really never know when your time is up.
I'm strongly considering leasing a Boxster sometime in the next 2 years. My finacee (will be my wife in October) drives a 2000 Protege ES which she loves and so far hasn't given us a reason to get rid of it and I drive a 2001 Honda Prelude SH which just turned 2 years old and has just over 26,000 miles on the odometer. We'd continue to use our cars as daily drivers and use the Boxster for weekends & road trips and take out a modest 12K/year lease.
So I hope you all don't mind if I babble and dream here for a while as it will be some time until I aquire a Boxster.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I'm guessing a couple of things from your post: that you live in or near NYC, and that you'll garage your P-car in winter given that you have two fine winter rides available.
If this is going to be a weekend and a summer car, you'll have to spend an awful lot of time driving the Boxster -- do you really think that will happen? What mileage do you think you'll actually put on on a weekly basis, in season? Wouldn't you be able to budget that amount with a margin, say, of 20-25% to be sure?
If I'm right, might you not be able to get buy cheaper with a lower mileage lease? Or cheaper yet by leasing a used one? Or even cheaper yet by buying a used one?
If this is butting in, please ignore the post, but I'm hoping you can get into the car you want sooner rather than later. JW
Shifty: To be honest, I haven't though that far ahead:)
jwilson: You hit the nail right on the head! I live in Westchester County which is a northern suburb of NYC.
Taking out a 10K per year lease would let me drive an average of just under 200 miles a week, while a 12K per year lease would give me about 230. For me that's about what I do on the weekend (not including driving to and from work on Saturday). Plus I'm sure there will be a few days when I won't be able to drive the car due to inclement winter weather and some days during the spring/summer that I'll drive the car to work on Saturday and put on a lot more miles. Starting this weekend, I'll try and keep a log for myself of miles driven during the week and then miles put on the car starting Saturday afternoon when I get home from work.
A lower mileage lease might definitely be good for me. I could also buy it back from the leasing company at the end of the lease (esp. if the 987s are out in full force) cheaper than the quoted residual.
As far as leasing (or buying) a used one, it has its benefits. The capitalized cost will definitely be cheaper, especially if somebody trades it in for a Cayenne in the dead of winter. There are so many used Boxsters around with under 5000 miles. I'd still get the balance of the factory warranty along with whatever warranty Porsche Approved provides. I could potentially step up to a Boxster S (Love the red brake calipers and 2 exhausts for starters).
There are still the unknowns about buying a used car. I am a New Yorker, our motto is "trust no one."
You're not butting in. I appreciate all the help and feedback I can get. There are a few reasons I'm not jumping into the now (believe me I want to). The Cubic Zirconium (J/K) on her finger didn't fall off of a tree. We're getting married in October and are going to Hawaii on out honeymoon. We recently purchased this beautiful 2 bedroom condo we're living in and put a significant portion of our savings towards the down payment & closing costs. We carpeted our place and furnished it with exquisite furniture from Ethan Allen. We're still paying off my fiancee's Protege and her college loans. We've got to build up our savings. We are by no means living in debt (only to Mazda Credit and School loans which she makes double payments on). We pay all the bills on time. Once the Protege and School loans are paid off we are going to have a lot more disposable income than we do now.
So for me, 2 years (or 1.5 years) is sooner for me as I thought it was going to be a much longer time bfore I owned my first Porsche.
Sorry for the long post folks!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Sounds like you have full plate there. Porsches are toys and usually come last. That's the way it's been in my life anyway. I drooled for thirty years before pulling the trigger. But when you are ready there will be one waiting for you.
BTW, I know winter season is buying time but be alert in December just before the new year. The prices dropped like a rock last year. I'm not sure why but speculate that in addition to surplus, some dealers may have wanted to up their yearly sales in order to maintain or better their allocations. Just a guess though.
I don't know what the story is with 2004s. The last I heard Porsche was intent on cutting production for this year due to the surplus from 2002 and 2003. They hate to discount because of the image that comes with it. It's been one of their things for a real long time and I don't believe they really discounted until last year. Might have happened in the rough years following the 87 market crash but I don't know. However, consumers hate to wait months for orders so if Porsche wants to sell more cars they have to produce and bury that kind of pride. Heck, Cayenne is discounted and it's making them money.
-- especially the finance dept. of an auto company! lol
Thanks for all the info -- it's interesting to hear the way other people think these costly decisions out. Fwiw, it sounds to me as if a lease would not be a good financial move for you ... good luck on the decision.
Another unrequested opinion: unless a driver plans on track time, the "S" is not a good value. If you get the regular Boxster, mention it to me and I'll link you to a page that will show you how to paint your calipers so they look just like the "Big Red"s, logo and all! And I've seen the twin exhaust tips -- see, I've just saved you thousands! JW
The car will not be tracked or auto-crossed. In fact, as long as I get the car with the wheels I like(18" Turbo Look II) I'll be more than happy with the Boxster and don't see the need for an S (I was just thinking out loud and rambling in my previous post just in case you hadn't noticed:). I'm probably one of the first people to admit that I'm a car nut who is only an average driver at best. I've been driving my Prelude for 2 years and still can't seem to make a 1-2 shift without seeing my fiancee's head jerk forward and back. I can downshift without skipping a beat though.
As far as cars go, I'm into handling first when it comes to performance. I'd still be driving my Prelude Type SH even if it had 25-50 less hp. I have a lot of fun driving the Prelude so I can only imagine how great it will be driving a Porsche.
I guess financially the best decision would be to buy a Porsche Certified used Boxster with only a few thousand miles and keep it for a while (what does everybody think?). Since the 986 I'd buy is toward the end of its lifecycle, I'd expect the car to run great. I'm quite sure the values of the '04s will drop when the 987 Boxster debuts as the market is flooded with low mileage trade-ins of people who have to have the latest and the greatest. Again, I'm still a year and a half to 2 years away from amking my decison.
designman: I read somewhere too about Porsche would rather cut production than have cars with Incentives and deep discounts.
Every time I see a Boxster or a 911 pass by I say to myself: "Now that's why I work Saturdays "
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Buy a standard Boxster if a) you will not be going to the track, and b) won't be racing your car. Much better to spend the extra cash on options.
Otherwise Buy an S.
Some say go for the standard 'cause you won't be able to tell the difference unless you are racing. Is this true? Any Boxster and S owners out there who can tell us if they saw a diff or not?
nyccarguy, we're in real subjective territory now, y'know -- but when has that stopped any of us! lol I agree that the Porsche certified is a good way to go. The only way to go cheaper is, if you have the courage, buy one from a private owner (being sure to use a dealer to PPI and something like AAA to pay for your own warranty -- the dealers make out like bandits and you should be able to get near trade-in from a private owner). But stay where you & your gf are comfortable -- this is for fun, not worry.
Yeah, the 1-2 shift in a Honda always seems tricky. I had a guy tell me who runs a little tuner shop named "FunHondas" that the key is to not run up too tight in first gear and I know from all cars that smoother is better than fast. FWIW, only. (Let me know if it helps.)
Welcome roadsterfan! I surely agree with your reasoning on the non-S Boxster, but I'm not sure I'm speaking for everyone. And I know from experience, little though it may be, that it is NOT correct to say that there is little difference between the std. and the S. The S is surely stronger in the low and midrange ... the question is one of value ... is it worth all that much more money for the modest improvement? (My personal answer would be no, but they're selling quite a few S models, so ....) There is a similar dilemma with the 911; the X51 option adds 20hp -- is it worth $8000? Some people think so. JW
I bought a new 03 986S last summer without planning to. I went to the dealer to look at a couple of 1 yr old base boxsters and ended up working out a deal for a new one. Then, before signing the dotted line, I test drove the "S". Worst/Best mistake of my life. Drive it for yourself and tell me you can't FEEL the difference. I (that is my checkbook) did not want to feel the difference but it was there, especially the extra torque. I personally feel the 2.7 is a little underpowered and the car should come with the 3.2L being the base with the "S" model of 3.4L - we can dream can't we?
Well, after 9 mos, I realized convertibles weren't for me so I moved into a 996 which IS the right car for me. TO each their own though.
I've actually NEVER bought a used car before. So even if I have to pay a bit more buying from a Porsche Dealer (not some used car lot in Jersey) than a private owner the extra piece of mind that the car is backed by the Porsche Approved Warranty is worth it to me. Dealers try to make out like bandits. They are in the business of making money after all. But if I keep my cool, go in on a Saturday near the end of January, I'm confident I can do OK:)
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
In Edmunds Full Test: 2000 Porsche Boxster S road test and review Karl Brauer was absolutely nuts about the S, and the following comment of his supports the experience of Chile96 in post#200:
"As one might guess, it's the drivetrain changes that truly separate the Boxster S from its progenitor. While the Boxster can feel lethargic in terms of power delivery and shift duty, the S model rockets away from stoplights and out of corners with authority and has a soothing engine tone that could make psychotherapy obsolete."
Interesting. I think psychotherapy is covered by my medical insurance. I'm wondering if they'll pay for my Boxster S instead, or at least the 9 grand that it costs above the regular Boxster ;-)
JW, I have never read a review that says the regular Boxster is a better value than the S. On the contrary, I have read many that say the $9K ransom is worth it. Also, most of them say the S is a much better car in manner of performance. In any event, no one extorts like Porsche and I would say that a good used-car find pays the dividend. And I do agree that if someone is only into sunshine cruising and schoolmarm driving, it does not pay to get the S. The Boxster rocks, but the S has the extra goods that sportsmen crave—torque, suspension, brakes. It also has the same 6-speed tranny as the Carrera.
Designman, I think you've had a stroke of genius -- the relief of stress can also be listed as preventative for heart disease and cancer! A Porsche may be the ultimate Rx -- wonder if Medicare will pick it up later on -- great work....
I'll see if I can dig up some of the comments I've seen which indicate the reviewers' notion that the 'lesser' Boxster is the better value -- tho I'm not sure that the word of a reviewer is to be trusted in such matters since surely it is purely subjective.
Just by coincidence, I did a autoX school today and had occasion to drive 3 Boxsters! This conversation was in my mind as I asked the owners for the opportunity. (One of the three was an S.) I also had a chance to observe the cars as driven by their owners in the various drills. My take (remembering that I am far from proficient when removed from the comfort of my own car -- seems very hard for me to adjust on the fly):
Four drill areas were set up and then the day ended by combining several of the areas into a single autoX course. On the braking and skidpad and slalom courses as I observerd them there seemed to be no difference among the three cars ... except the S did (to my ears) sound better (an aftermarket "adjustment") under hard acceleration, and one of the base cars seemed to have better tire grip, a perculiarity of that car as it had DOT track tires.
They were, however, very different on the offset course -- a series of offset box gates about a half mile in length with two interesting features; in one section there was a straight that actually allowed good time in 3rd gear (up to about 75-80 mph, not usual practice but fun) followed by a double gate and a reverse-course pivot cone (i.e., very tight hairpin) with a straight coming out of it.
Coming out of the offsets and onto the long straight, the 'S' had a felt difference from the basic with acceleration that allowed the car to push you in the back (especially if you were able to exit the last gates at high rpm). Braking into the pair of gates that set up the hairpin felt no different, nor did rotating the back end of the cars to get them turned around the pivot for the return trip, but then (as Designman pointed out) the 'S' was clearly dominant at accelerating in 2nd gear, out of lower rpms (because of its superior torque), into the next offset.
For competition I doubt there is a real difference, though the 'S' would be faster, because they run in different classes and have to rely on their cornering and braking to succeed because in each of the classes they are each underpowered.
So my upshot is that you're dealing with a matter of taste and 9 grand. YMMV of course. Both cars are a delight to drive at speed and I would definitely get that aftermarket exhaust -- absolutely great sounds! JW
JW, I envy the fact that you can even get to track events. My schedule has not allowed it. Several weeks ago I came across an autoX event serendipitously and was like a kid on a leash in a candy store. It was great talking to people and seeing everyone so into their cars. It was also good to see a lot of these cars in action that you read about, and also listening to your story. I gotta see about smelling those roses.
Did anybody here drive other roadsters that "compete" with the Boxster? I quoted compete because being that the Boxster is a Porsche gives it an inherent advantage:)
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I haven't driven the competition but am just dying to. In the end there was no way I wasn't getting a Porsche anyway. However if anyone is on the fence they owe it to themselves to get test drives.
I tried real hard to get a drive in a 350Z roadster but it was impossible. I like the styling, they cost less, and they advertise "there are Porsches to pass". Also, all the reviews say it has a teeth-rattling ride so I was real curious to see where that was at.
Heard the more recent Vettes have nice handling, but I can't live with that brick-wall butt.
You can't beat the price of the S2000 but I hear you have to get it cranking real high before it gets exciting has nothing off the line. But it's real handsome IMO, is supposed to handle great and is also a media darling.
SLK? Got good reviews but it's the ugliest of the bunch IMO. They really have to sculpt that thing a little better. It belies the badge.
Whoa, hold on a minute. Did I say ugliest of the bunch? Correct that. Forgot about the Z4. Looks like a rickshaw. That truncated butt and creases are hard to look at. Don't get me started with Bangle.
Porsches are worth an extra 20 grand just on the looks of their butts alone. I know I mention butts a lot but for some reason most manufacturers just don't know what to do with them and have ruined otherwise decent cars. They screwed up the Aston Martin derriere also. Pity.
Got a chance to view a euro-version Lotus Elise that was making rounds at dealers several months ago. I actually could have driven it if I pushed it, but didn't want to waste their time. Here's a car I'd like to sample on the curves. Also if anyone complains that today's cars aren't rustic enough, this is the one beats the original Model-T the euro version anyway. They say the American version has a few more powder puffs. I'm not sure how much they can possibly add to it though. This baby is in it's own league, from its 1800 pounds to the Roswell NM look. "Elise phone home."
The Boxster would definitely be tops on my list of Roadsters. It is beautiful all around among other things. The styling is timeless and definteiyl isn't a fad. Without having driven it, I would say the the Porsche is worth the higher price of entry. I'd even consider a used Boxster one of these days:)
I actually like the Z4's aggressive and muscular stance (maybe this shows my young age of 28). The Sport Package wheels on the 3.0i are great. The 3.0 Inline 6 is creamy smooth and it impresses me even in my Dad's 4500+lb X5. I believe the Z4 is a huge leap in front of the Z3 in terms of styling. I just wasn't a fan of the Z3 though. Don't get me started with the Bangalized 7 & 5 sedans either. This one would definitely be down to a few test drives between the BMW and the Porsche.
The New for '05 SLK 350 is stunning. I saw it at the NY auto show. Reminds me of the old gullwing 300SL. The Benz comes armed with some impressive specs too: 3.5L DOHC V6 268 hp, 258 lb/ft torque, 0-60 mph in the mid 5s! I'd put it a distant (very distant) 3rd on my list.
I love Hondas, but I don't think the S2000 would do it for me. Maybe I want a little luxury in my roadster compared to my Prelude. I'd like some torque too. My Prelude has a 7500 RPM redline, so I'd want something different. Something a bit more comfortable.
The 350Z Convertible is nice, but have you seen the mail-box slit for a rear window it has?
I wouldn't consider the TT roadster.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Beside the panache one would get from the Porsche, has anyone got sound reasons as to what advantages the Boxster would provide over the '04 S2000? I have been struggling to make a decision on these two cars for several months now. Cost savings aside, I'd be interested in hearing first-hand driving comparisons between the two. Also, does the standard Boxster offer enough punch? Thanks.
My name may give me away but I was intrigued by the fact that you are looking at the same group of cars that I was except that I was looking at the BMW 3 series convertible not the Z4 and not because of the styling which is OK with me. You need to really test-drive all of them and get the car that suits you best. The numbers don't tell it all. These cars are 'basic' cars meant for the fun of driving though the MB, Crossfire and Corvette are edging towards the 'GT' side. None, except perhaps the Audi TT are really winter cars. I liked the Honda but found that for the way I drive, The 350Z suits me better and the Boxster combines a little of both with enough torque to not be forced to change gears and yet a car that loves to rev. The Boxster also has a very good ride, grip and clever cargo space. Price is high but the Porsche name is worth something and the build quality appears excellent. I ended up with an S because the regular Boxster is a cut below the others in performance but I settled for an '03. If you can wait for the fall, there should be some good discounts on '04s with the new Boxster coming as it doesn't appear much changed from the older car. Later there may be a drop in resale but less than you think as the dollar has dropped and interest rates are up. One last thing, the Porsche is different because the other cars can be had in other forms but Porsche remains the only midengine car.
Price being a non-issue, I'd choose the Boxster S over an '04 S2000. Even then, however, it would be by a small margain.
Things I've liked about the Porsche across various drives: + Fantastic steering feedback. Best I've ever experienced, no question. + Excellent midrange power + Aerodynamics are very good; rear feels planted at speed - Engine and exhaust note aren't exhilirating - Rear styling - Shifter, it's mediocre
Versus the S2000: + Phenomenal braking, easily the equal of the Boxster IMO + Gearbox could be called the best on the market + Car sings at higher revs in a way I don't think a Boxster could - Much noisier interior environment, top down or up - Aerodynamics are surprisingly bad - The less accessible power curve - Interior is not as refined, for example the convertible top
The Boxster S is a fantastic car. It's awfully expensive though, especially the way I'd want to option it, and at that price point I'd start finding myself hard-pressed to not pony up for a 911, or hang on for the next gen Vette, or some such. The Boxster S is a tough $60k car (the price once you pile on some options, sales tax, etc.) in a market that has Hondas and Nissans in the $30s and BMWs in the $40s.
Gentlemen, thanks for the reply and your insight. I have driven both and have walked away completely dumbfounded. To me, the cockpit of the Honda is F1-like. It's tight with a gearbox that has to rival the best on the market. With front spoiler and side strakes, the S2000 can be had for roughly $35K. For a new Boxster with 18" wheels and Bose system, I would think you will find yourself flirting with $47K. So, here enters my struggles...is $12K extra justified. That I do not know. Both have beautiful exhaust notes. Both handle very well. During my drives, I simply was not all that impressed with the Boxster's excelleration. No doubt it would improve greatly with the "S' version but too much cash for me. I just never got a strong feeling that the Boxster had plenty of get-up-and-go. The Honda, to me it had pickup- especially over the '03's. I am still hoping someone out there has driven both of them extensively and can render more opinions. for those who already have, I thank you.
Comments
So I'm not a big fan of covers outdoors or of too-frequent waxing and polishing. (All waxing or polishing is abrasive, no matter what they tell you). Porsche knows how to paint a car and if you keep it washed you should be fine for many years.
Some people use those "cockpit covers" that go over the roof only, which I think are fine, but I haven't seen one on a Boxster.
Anyone have any thoughts on this pricing? Would love to have your ideas.
Thanks - OS
I was uncertain about the yellow (ticket magnet) but being 47+, I don't drive like I used to at 17+. I did see that they also had a grey 02 in automatic. Why on earth would someone want an auto on a Boxster???
The second group is looking for presige (the badge), luxury, and sporty transportation. These are the ones who will seek out the tip models. Next year I want to find a C4 cab 911 with tip for my wife, as an example.
PCA is successful and large because it offers tours for the second group, autoX and DE and racing for the first group, and rallies for both.
And there are many subgroups, generally depending on how close the individual aligns himself with one extreme or the other -- have you ever seen, for example, a Cayenne at an off-road competition?
Depending on the owner, the Boxster, like the 911, can go all the way from one extreme to the other. It's one of the reasons Porsches are so desirable, and that Porsche is the most profitable auto mfg. in the world.
The car you're looking at, btw, sounds pretty basic. If the folk here can't give you a price, I'd recommend you check the Boxster issue of "Excellence" for this year (or I'll look it up for you if you wish). Speed Yellow, as the color is called, is pretty desirable in general, but do you like it? JW
jwilson: I read in the same Road & Track article that Porsche's best selling 996 in 2003 was the 911 C4S Cabriolet w/ tiptronic. They note that this is also the slowest (by porsche standards) and heaviest 996 produced.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Boxsterlover, you've articulated Porsche's dilemma. It's hard, in fact, to make the Boxster and the 911 any more alike than they are in the 996 version as they had the same front clip and engine into '02. It's a difficult little dance: do you let the Boxster die from lack of updates and power? Or do you let your $40000-car take sales from your $80000-car?
So far as simple profit is concerned they have it just about right, it seems. You have the design economies inherent in doing one design for two cars. You use them both as long as they hold out, adding a new version or two every year in the 996 version to keep interest up, and offer each car as a base model with everything optional and highly priced so that leather, A/C, amped stereo, special wheels, and a bit of decoration on the interior gets you on the edge of supercar territory financially without adding a smidge of performance. Sounds like a great business plan to me so long as you can get away with it!
Your final point is well taken, but I wouldn't want anyone to think the difference between the Boxster and the Carrera GT is only a matter of size and power.But you're still right I think. JW
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I'm on my second boxster and have a baloon payment comming up next September. Would prefer getting a coupe rather than a drop top, Does anyone know when the upcomming sc will be available. Also, since I have not read the r & t article, I don't know what photos they included. I have repeatedly found this spy pic on the web, which actually is different from a picture I found in the May issue of Automobile magazine. I actually preffer the one I found on the net.
Please check it out. Any posted info is greatly appreciated
http://www.infoideas.net/Porsche-Boxster/2005-Porsche-Boxster.htm
And the Boxster SC look fabulous! Wow. I wonder what the weight and aerodynamics will be ... it could be a tad lighter I suppose w/o needing the workings for a top and it should cut through the wind a bit better ... well worth the wait for those who've been holding out it looks like. JW
I am also interested in the new 2005 Boxster. I have seen pictures of the coupe and it is beautiful. I am wondering if it is worth the wait. Please let me know what you have found.
Thanks,
Bryan3
I think it is worth the wait. If you're looking for a coupe, which is what i'm interested in, then we have no choice but to wait. If you want the cabrio, I still think it's worth the wait. Porsche, probably more than most companies does a great job in the evolution of their cars. Small improvements, especially in the engine are alwasy very apparent. I also have heard that many convenience options such as integrated satelite radio and dvd based navigation will be available for '05 models. I currently have an '01 boxster and an '04 cayenne s. I'm actually thinking about trading my cay for an '05 because i would love to have some of those new convenience options. As far as my boxster, I am definately holding out for a coupe. I live in the Northeast, and we're lucky if we get 40 days a year of perfect top down weather. Plus I have alwasy preffered the aerodynamics of a coupe. And finally, the spy pics I have seen show an incredibally beatiful car, one that I will definately be waiting for.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
The Boxster SC looks darned cool. I wonder how much it'll cannibalize 997 sales. I can't imagine many people buying the 997 for the spacious rear seats, although the Porsche website kinda laughably touts the four-seat capability as a selling point. 997 should offer more buttoned-down and stable high-speed handling, a lot more HP/torque and greater build quality, or it'll be a tough choice for many I suppose.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I do however alternate now since buying a Cay s. I pretty much drive the cay whenit's raining and of course when it snows. The only other time I preffer the cay over the boxster is on trips that are 2 hours or more. I am 6'4" tall so I get a little stiff in the boxster driving position after about an hour and a half.
The car gets respectable if not good gas mialage, has excellent utility for a car of its class and is simply a blast to drive.
I think I drive Porsches because driving, like many things can get pretty boring; but Porsches of any kind provide the perfect remedy. It's primarily for this reason why I think a Boxster is the perfect daily driver.
Here are some of the important particulars for the 987:
Roadster will make its debut at the Detroit Auto Show January '05. We'll see the coupe st the Frankfurt show in September '05. I guess that means the next generation will be an '06?
Subtle exterior redesign (much like the 997) will have ovualr headlamps with separate turn signals and new angualr taillamps. Bodywork will be more muscular.
Pull door handles and a wider retractable spoiler.
The engines will basically be caryovers will about a 10hp gain and improved low-end torque.
As for the S Special Edition, tyhe editors love the really broad power & torque curves, the short-throw 6 speed manual, and communicative steering.
It says that pretty much the only thing they found wrong was cowl shake as compared to the Z4, 350Z, S2000.
There's also a bit about the porsche certified pre-owned program.
There's a great line at the end: "Crunch some numbers, then go convince the significant other that you really, really need a Porsche." Vaughn, Autoweek 5/10/04, p. 23
I definitely need a Porsche:) I'd like to (hopefully) pick up a leftover '04 (or used low mileage CPO car) in the winter when the new body comes out. There are some boxsters out there with relatively no miles (and a resonable asking price) on them. When the new body style comes out, many (hopefully) will trade in their '04 986 for a 987 just because it is the newest thing regardless of depreciation or price of the new car.
There's a dealership on Long Island that still has brand new '03s still on their lot.
Ideally I'd like a Black/Black/Black, 18" Turbo Look II wheels, PSM, Cruise, Heated Seats, Trip Computer, Wind Deflector, and of course a manual transmission:) A guy can dream can't he?
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I loved the Boxster from day one and the look will never grow old on me. In particular, the rear view with top down is unbeatable. And in motion, its athletic reflexes and flat, confident gait on curves are sights to behold. Yep, a work of art, it's that simple.
It's funny, there are days when driving my Outback to work, I'll see a Boxster on the road and I actually get jealous because I didn't take it that day. Good luck in your quest, I hope you are rewarded soon.
I'm strongly considering leasing a Boxster sometime in the next 2 years. My finacee (will be my wife in October) drives a 2000 Protege ES which she loves and so far hasn't given us a reason to get rid of it and I drive a 2001 Honda Prelude SH which just turned 2 years old and has just over 26,000 miles on the odometer. We'd continue to use our cars as daily drivers and use the Boxster for weekends & road trips and take out a modest 12K/year lease.
So I hope you all don't mind if I babble and dream here for a while as it will be some time until I aquire a Boxster.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
If this is going to be a weekend and a summer car, you'll have to spend an awful lot of time driving the Boxster -- do you really think that will happen? What mileage do you think you'll actually put on on a weekly basis, in season? Wouldn't you be able to budget that amount with a margin, say, of 20-25% to be sure?
If I'm right, might you not be able to get buy cheaper with a lower mileage lease? Or cheaper yet by leasing a used one? Or even cheaper yet by buying a used one?
If this is butting in, please ignore the post, but I'm hoping you can get into the car you want sooner rather than later. JW
jwilson: You hit the nail right on the head! I live in Westchester County which is a northern suburb of NYC.
Taking out a 10K per year lease would let me drive an average of just under 200 miles a week, while a 12K per year lease would give me about 230. For me that's about what I do on the weekend (not including driving to and from work on Saturday). Plus I'm sure there will be a few days when I won't be able to drive the car due to inclement winter weather and some days during the spring/summer that I'll drive the car to work on Saturday and put on a lot more miles. Starting this weekend, I'll try and keep a log for myself of miles driven during the week and then miles put on the car starting Saturday afternoon when I get home from work.
A lower mileage lease might definitely be good for me. I could also buy it back from the leasing company at the end of the lease (esp. if the 987s are out in full force) cheaper than the quoted residual.
As far as leasing (or buying) a used one, it has its benefits. The capitalized cost will definitely be cheaper, especially if somebody trades it in for a Cayenne in the dead of winter. There are so many used Boxsters around with under 5000 miles. I'd still get the balance of the factory warranty along with whatever warranty Porsche Approved provides. I could potentially step up to a Boxster S (Love the red brake calipers and 2 exhausts for starters).
There are still the unknowns about buying a used car. I am a New Yorker, our motto is "trust no one."
You're not butting in. I appreciate all the help and feedback I can get. There are a few reasons I'm not jumping into the now (believe me I want to). The Cubic Zirconium (J/K) on her finger didn't fall off of a tree. We're getting married in October and are going to Hawaii on out honeymoon. We recently purchased this beautiful 2 bedroom condo we're living in and put a significant portion of our savings towards the down payment & closing costs. We carpeted our place and furnished it with exquisite furniture from Ethan Allen. We're still paying off my fiancee's Protege and her college loans. We've got to build up our savings. We are by no means living in debt (only to Mazda Credit and School loans which she makes double payments on). We pay all the bills on time. Once the Protege and School loans are paid off we are going to have a lot more disposable income than we do now.
So for me, 2 years (or 1.5 years) is sooner for me as I thought it was going to be a much longer time bfore I owned my first Porsche.
Sorry for the long post folks!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
BTW, I know winter season is buying time but be alert in December just before the new year. The prices dropped like a rock last year. I'm not sure why but speculate that in addition to surplus, some dealers may have wanted to up their yearly sales in order to maintain or better their allocations. Just a guess though.
Thanks for all the info -- it's interesting to hear the way other people think these costly decisions out. Fwiw, it sounds to me as if a lease would not be a good financial move for you ... good luck on the decision.
Another unrequested opinion: unless a driver plans on track time, the "S" is not a good value. If you get the regular Boxster, mention it to me and I'll link you to a page that will show you how to paint your calipers so they look just like the "Big Red"s, logo and all! And I've seen the twin exhaust tips -- see, I've just saved you thousands! JW
As far as cars go, I'm into handling first when it comes to performance. I'd still be driving my Prelude Type SH even if it had 25-50 less hp. I have a lot of fun driving the Prelude so I can only imagine how great it will be driving a Porsche.
I guess financially the best decision would be to buy a Porsche Certified used Boxster with only a few thousand miles and keep it for a while (what does everybody think?). Since the 986 I'd buy is toward the end of its lifecycle, I'd expect the car to run great. I'm quite sure the values of the '04s will drop when the 987 Boxster debuts as the market is flooded with low mileage trade-ins of people who have to have the latest and the greatest. Again, I'm still a year and a half to 2 years away from amking my decison.
designman: I read somewhere too about Porsche would rather cut production than have cars with Incentives and deep discounts.
Every time I see a Boxster or a 911 pass by I say to myself: "Now that's why I work Saturdays
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Buy a standard Boxster if a) you will not be going to the track, and b) won't be racing your car. Much better to spend the extra cash on options.
Otherwise Buy an S.
Some say go for the standard 'cause you won't be able to tell the difference unless you are racing. Is this true? Any Boxster and S owners out there who can tell us if they saw a diff or not?
Yeah, the 1-2 shift in a Honda always seems tricky. I had a guy tell me who runs a little tuner shop named "FunHondas" that the key is to not run up too tight in first gear and I know from all cars that smoother is better than fast. FWIW, only. (Let me know if it helps.)
Welcome roadsterfan! I surely agree with your reasoning on the non-S Boxster, but I'm not sure I'm speaking for everyone. And I know from experience, little though it may be, that it is NOT correct to say that there is little difference between the std. and the S. The S is surely stronger in the low and midrange ... the question is one of value ... is it worth all that much more money for the modest improvement? (My personal answer would be no, but they're selling quite a few S models, so ....) There is a similar dilemma with the 911; the X51 option adds 20hp -- is it worth $8000? Some people think so. JW
Well, after 9 mos, I realized convertibles weren't for me so I moved into a 996 which IS the right car for me. TO each their own though.
hope this helps
frank
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
"As one might guess, it's the drivetrain changes that truly separate the Boxster S from its progenitor. While the Boxster can feel lethargic in terms of power delivery and shift duty, the S model rockets away from stoplights and out of corners with authority and has a soothing engine tone that could make psychotherapy obsolete."
Interesting. I think psychotherapy is covered by my medical insurance. I'm wondering if they'll pay for my Boxster S instead, or at least the 9 grand that it costs above the regular Boxster ;-)
JW, I have never read a review that says the regular Boxster is a better value than the S. On the contrary, I have read many that say the $9K ransom is worth it. Also, most of them say the S is a much better car in manner of performance. In any event, no one extorts like Porsche and I would say that a good used-car find pays the dividend. And I do agree that if someone is only into sunshine cruising and schoolmarm driving, it does not pay to get the S. The Boxster rocks, but the S has the extra goods that sportsmen crave—torque, suspension, brakes. It also has the same 6-speed tranny as the Carrera.
I'll see if I can dig up some of the comments I've seen which indicate the reviewers' notion that the 'lesser' Boxster is the better value -- tho I'm not sure that the word of a reviewer is to be trusted in such matters since surely it is purely subjective.
Just by coincidence, I did a autoX school today and had occasion to drive 3 Boxsters! This conversation was in my mind as I asked the owners for the opportunity. (One of the three was an S.) I also had a chance to observe the cars as driven by their owners in the various drills. My take (remembering that I am far from proficient when removed from the comfort of my own car -- seems very hard for me to adjust on the fly):
Four drill areas were set up and then the day ended by combining several of the areas into a single autoX course. On the braking and skidpad and slalom courses as I observerd them there seemed to be no difference among the three cars ... except the S did (to my ears) sound better (an aftermarket "adjustment") under hard acceleration, and one of the base cars seemed to have better tire grip, a perculiarity of that car as it had DOT track tires.
They were, however, very different on the offset course -- a series of offset box gates about a half mile in length with two interesting features; in one section there was a straight that actually allowed good time in 3rd gear (up to about 75-80 mph, not usual practice but fun) followed by a double gate and a reverse-course pivot cone (i.e., very tight hairpin) with a straight coming out of it.
Coming out of the offsets and onto the long straight, the 'S' had a felt difference from the basic with acceleration that allowed the car to push you in the back (especially if you were able to exit the last gates at high rpm). Braking into the pair of gates that set up the hairpin felt no different, nor did rotating the back end of the cars to get them turned around the pivot for the return trip, but then (as Designman pointed out) the 'S' was clearly dominant at accelerating in 2nd gear, out of lower rpms (because of its superior torque), into the next offset.
For competition I doubt there is a real difference, though the 'S' would be faster, because they run in different classes and have to rely on their cornering and braking to succeed because in each of the classes they are each underpowered.
So my upshot is that you're dealing with a matter of taste and 9 grand. YMMV of course. Both cars are a delight to drive at speed and I would definitely get that aftermarket exhaust -- absolutely great sounds! JW
:-)
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I tried real hard to get a drive in a 350Z roadster but it was impossible. I like the styling, they cost less, and they advertise "there are Porsches to pass". Also, all the reviews say it has a teeth-rattling ride so I was real curious to see where that was at.
Heard the more recent Vettes have nice handling, but I can't live with that brick-wall butt.
You can't beat the price of the S2000 but I hear you have to get it cranking real high before it gets exciting has nothing off the line. But it's real handsome IMO, is supposed to handle great and is also a media darling.
SLK? Got good reviews but it's the ugliest of the bunch IMO. They really have to sculpt that thing a little better. It belies the badge.
Whoa, hold on a minute. Did I say ugliest of the bunch? Correct that. Forgot about the Z4. Looks like a rickshaw. That truncated butt and creases are hard to look at. Don't get me started with Bangle.
Porsches are worth an extra 20 grand just on the looks of their butts alone. I know I mention butts a lot but for some reason most manufacturers just don't know what to do with them and have ruined otherwise decent cars. They screwed up the Aston Martin derriere also. Pity.
Got a chance to view a euro-version Lotus Elise that was making rounds at dealers several months ago. I actually could have driven it if I pushed it, but didn't want to waste their time. Here's a car I'd like to sample on the curves. Also if anyone complains that today's cars aren't rustic enough, this is the one beats the original Model-T the euro version anyway. They say the American version has a few more powder puffs. I'm not sure how much they can possibly add to it though. This baby is in it's own league, from its 1800 pounds to the Roswell NM look. "Elise phone home."
I actually like the Z4's aggressive and muscular stance (maybe this shows my young age of 28). The Sport Package wheels on the 3.0i are great. The 3.0 Inline 6 is creamy smooth and it impresses me even in my Dad's 4500+lb X5. I believe the Z4 is a huge leap in front of the Z3 in terms of styling. I just wasn't a fan of the Z3 though. Don't get me started with the Bangalized 7 & 5 sedans either. This one would definitely be down to a few test drives between the BMW and the Porsche.
The New for '05 SLK 350 is stunning. I saw it at the NY auto show. Reminds me of the old gullwing 300SL. The Benz comes armed with some impressive specs too: 3.5L DOHC V6 268 hp, 258 lb/ft torque, 0-60 mph in the mid 5s! I'd put it a distant (very distant) 3rd on my list.
I love Hondas, but I don't think the S2000 would do it for me. Maybe I want a little luxury in my roadster compared to my Prelude. I'd like some torque too. My Prelude has a 7500 RPM redline, so I'd want something different. Something a bit more comfortable.
The 350Z Convertible is nice, but have you seen the mail-box slit for a rear window it has?
I wouldn't consider the TT roadster.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Things I've liked about the Porsche across various drives:
+ Fantastic steering feedback. Best I've ever experienced, no question.
+ Excellent midrange power
+ Aerodynamics are very good; rear feels planted at speed
- Engine and exhaust note aren't exhilirating
- Rear styling
- Shifter, it's mediocre
Versus the S2000:
+ Phenomenal braking, easily the equal of the Boxster IMO
+ Gearbox could be called the best on the market
+ Car sings at higher revs in a way I don't think a Boxster could
- Much noisier interior environment, top down or up
- Aerodynamics are surprisingly bad
- The less accessible power curve
- Interior is not as refined, for example the convertible top
The Boxster S is a fantastic car. It's awfully expensive though, especially the way I'd want to option it, and at that price point I'd start finding myself hard-pressed to not pony up for a 911, or hang on for the next gen Vette, or some such. The Boxster S is a tough $60k car (the price once you pile on some options, sales tax, etc.) in a market that has Hondas and Nissans in the $30s and BMWs in the $40s.