I've owned two S2000s - AP1 and AP2. I now have a Cayman S and I've also driven 986 and 987 Boxsters.

The S2000 has the best shift action of any production car, exhilirating performance in the last 2000rpm to redline and a very pointy front end (fantastic turn-in response, no understeer). The Boxster counters with a more useable powerband, a better sounding engine (IMO), steering that's much more feelsome and sweet handling manners. While the Boxster understeers a bit more than the S2000, it's far more forgiving at the edge of the envelope. The S2000 suffers a bit from rear bump steer, which makes handling over rough surfaces a little spooky. The 986 S and 987 non-S perform about on par with the S2000. The 987 S is significantly quicker.

 

Fixed.

 

I cross shopped the S2000 and Z4 when I got my Boxster S, and the Porsche was the hands down winner by a mile!

I liked the S2000 and am not knocking it, but I liked the usability of the Box much better. Winding the the S2000 up was fun, but annoying on the 60 mile round trip to work.

On the rigidity issue, don't forget that the box was designed as a convertible. It is pretty stiff for a drop top and I never noticed any problems with rigidity while on the street, auto x or the track.

 

The Boxster is no wet noodle, but the S2000 has proven to be more reliable. At the same time the S2000 is more likely to send you backwards into a hedge over the limits!

 

I have owned an S2000, 986S and 987S.

Both the 986s and 987S are superior to the S2000 in terms of braking, steering feel, acceleration, (986S with Fabspeed exhaust really awake the car) balance, engine sound, chassis composure and ride comfort.

The S2000 is superior in terms of shift feel and chassis stiffness only compared to the OEM 986S. The 987S has less body roll than the 986S. The shifter in the 987S is also much better than the sloppy noodle one found in the 986S.

All things considered I still had more fun driving my 2000 Boxster S with Fabspeed exhaust than I did with my 2003 S2000.

 

2 trunks. The car has 2 trunks. Isn't that enough of an incentive for a DD???

From what I hear the S2000 have worse brakes than the Boxster S which as consistantly shortest braking distance period.

 

How does the plastic window hold up on the Boxster? On the S2000 I can get a glass window on 03' and up. Is there such a change on the Boxster?

If not does it get all foggy and dimpled?

 

The Boxster also comes with a glass rear window beginning in 2003. Glass is nice. My car is 12 years old with the plastic window and still looks ok. You can keep the plastic window pristine (I don't) but it requires regular TLC. If you ignore the plastic it will fog over time.

 

Actually MY02 and newer S2000s have the glass rear window.

 

Ha, so true....

I've had the pleasure of owning both. Agree with just about all that has been said in the posts, a thrill ride for sure but you must get the revs up. Another point, I'm 6'3" 190 lbs and getting in was not the easiest thing to do...once in, no issue. I drove it cross country and it was great. Watch out for the hedge if you pick one up, very light in the tail end.

 

That's a tough choice but you can't go wrong either way. I just swapped out my wife's boxster for a cayenne after 90,000 miles with it. The boxster has been stone reliable as a daily driver. It required nothing other than scheduled maintenance and this is daily driving in South Florida.

I found the Box to be a bit cramped but it does offer more cargo space. I've had seat time in an s2000 and I'll have one as a toy some time. They fit me like a glove and are tremendous fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWnHPbUMlMU

 

The Boxster will be more comfortable for DD, and I personally like the powerband in the Boxster more than the S2K. I bought my Boxster S as weekend toy, but started driving it almost daily in the spring/summer since it is better for DD than I thought.

 

I would go with the boxster...

 

I had a 2001 AP1 and now a 987S Tip!

As mentioned sweet shift & sweet bomb roof engine but 987S is miles better as an all rounder imo!

 

S2K for race. I would say it's really good toy to play. I don't know about you but I can't afford to play with boxster parts.