I had my car in for an oil change and the dealer had numerous boxsters on the lot. My wife has been interested in one. My first question: is there a big difference between the S and non S? Is it worth the extra money? Second, the deal they are quoting is $9k off sticker. It may sound like a lot, but this is an "03 and the '04 model is already on the lot. Basically they are offering an S which had an MSRP of 56k for 47k and a non S with an MSRP of 51k for 42k. (The non S is more highly optioned in the interior- not that important to the wife). Any advice?

 

scott,
what's ur location? 9k seems like a very good deal on a 51k car.

if 42k can get me a boxster i'd be interested. i think it's a perfect everyday ride.

i think 03 cars are ok to buy because all 03 boxsters gone through a few upgrades such as glass rear window & more refined engine. even though 04 cars are out, i doubt there is any difference between them.

between boxster and S i'll surely get the S especially if the price is like 5k difference. i've driven boxster for few times when my car is in service. i like the car a lot but wish for more power. i think the S would solve the problem. otherwise the car handles really nice. and it looks nice too.

 

Spot on. My girlfriend had 02 and 03 models back to back, and the 03 model is infinitely superior in a number of ways - cosmetically the rear window and the overall profile of the car are much improved, but primarily the torque, handling and exhaust notes are vastly different, and improve the car no end. It's hard to express how different the 03 model is until you drive it. I can't see any particular reason to need an 04 model.

However re the standard vs S, the 2.7 is a stunning little car, and IMO there's no real discernable difference in the handling and driving experience compared with the S. I personally think the extra grunt from the S only really adds very marginal value and doesn't really warrant the extra expense.

 

Get what the wife wants because she would be the main driver of the car. If she's not really concerned about the HP, get her the Boxster with all the bells and whistles. You can't go wrong either way.

 

That is a bad deal for a 03 boxster. The cars are piling up the 04 is already out. Call another dealer and pretend you are trading in that car and you will see what it is really worth. I would say a minimum of 12 off list. 7 to 8 off an 04.

 

i'm picking up a 03 loaner today. i'll test drive it for u

 

just a suggestion, drive a Honda S2000 before you buy one. I put about 1000 miles on a Boxster S. I have 8000 miles on my S2000. In my opinion there is no comparison. The S2K is just as fast, MUCH more fun to drive, and considerably cheaper. There are lots of changes in the 04 S2000 that have tamed it a bit so you could wait for that one or get a smokin deal on an 03. The only areas where the Boxster beats the S2000 is that it's a bit more versatile and comfortable if you don't want an all out sports car, also obviously the Porsche name carries more prestige than honda. But i can tell you the build quality of the Honda is just as good or better.

-Steve

 

I recomend finding out what your dealer invoice on the 03 car is using www.kbb.com (including options), and then offer him 1 of 2 grand over.

 

I would have to agree, the S2000 is more fun to drive than my girlfriends 03 boxster. Although a Honda doesn't carry the prestige of the Porsche the overall driving feel, handling, braking and quality is a bit better in an S2000 than a Boxster. Although I haven't driven an "S" model which may prove me wrong. The Honda is surely a better value IMO, but again not as sexy of a car than a Porsche.

 

Agree, it's definitely worth trying, but the Honda's a completely different driving experience - S2000 may be quicker, but only if you drive ***** out the whole time. Completely depends on the driving style I suppose - huge generalisation I know, but blokes tend to live at the red line, for which the vtec engine is perfect, whereas (no flames please!), if it's primarily a woman's car, it may not be driven quite so hard, and therefore can appear relatively more lethargic in everyday driving. Also without casting any further apersions on women drivers (god forbid), the neutral handling of the mid-engined car is extremely flattering to any driver. And I think Honda would be delighted to be compared with a Boxster for build quality! You must have a very different spec in the US

PS thinking about it, the S2000 is the perfect boys toy - front engined, rear wheel drive, revs to 8000, massive oversteer. It's just a grown up kart. But personally can't think of any woman I know who would take it over a boxster given the choice.

 

i agree totally that the S2000 is much more difficult to drive. It very much rewards the driver for this though. However, similar to the GT2 but obviously with much less power, the snap oversteer means you can get out of control in a hurry if you are not paying attention. That is why i conceded that the Boxster is better if you're not so interested in driving a pure sportscar.

I definitely stick by the fact that the Honda build quality on the S2000 is at least as good as the Boxster's, the only way i could see someone disagreeing is if their perceptions are blinded by the hood ornaments. Lastly the S2000 revs to 9000rpm, not 8000 (actually gas is shutoff closer to 8900)

EDIT: another thing the Boxster beats the S2000 in is the fact that it has an electric tonneau cover for the top when down. The S2000 has an awkward thing you have to snap over it that most of us do not use.

-Steve

 

Steve, with you on the body and engine quality, but when I saw the interior of one I thought it was very similar to my sister's mx5 - rather plasticky and just a bit cheap. And the LED dash is pure 80s Opel Astra GTE (if you ever had such a thing in the US)

 

...and, having never personally driven the s2000, I'm only going by reports from a friend who owns one, so second hand impressions I'm afraid - really hate editorials that are are given the weight of personal experience, promised myself I wouldn't ever fall into that trap. Spent much of the weekend charging across the countryside in the boxster though, so can definitely vouch for that

 

I did not like the Honda S2000 no torque at all. You have
to be way up in the revs to get the car to go. I would pick
the Boxster S over the Honda any day of the week.

Just my humble opinion of course!!

 

get the S hands down, the brakes and suspension alone makes it worth it.


btw, I wasn't impressed w/ the S2K, it's just torqueless, it'd be fun on a track but not for a daily commute. My bro has a boxster S and I just love the car.