Thinking about a Boxster S or Honda S2000

[Maxx1]

They are both great cars! The Boxster S is easily the better car IMO, but the problem I am seeing is the RMS leak problem and blown engines on the Boxster are way too expensive to fix out of warranty. The only thing I can afford ($20K) will most likely be out of warranty.

The car I am looking at is the 2003 type S. Did Porsche fix any of these problems with the newer cars, or would I still be at risk with a leak or a motor coming apart?

This here is what is freaking me out > Re: Blown 2004 Boxster Engine - The Porsche Boxster Forum

Any info would be appreciated.

[Porsche_Daddy]

I bought a 2003 S new and it hasn't given me any trouble at all. I use it as a weekend fun car that I track and autocross. The majority of Boxster out on the road don't suffer from RMS leaks and even less have IMS bearing issues. However, it's not a bad idea to install an updated RMS and the IMS bearing with the LN unit when it comes time to replace the clutch. It's the perfect time to perform these procedures and can be a relatively cheap insurance policy adding roughly $700-$1000 to clutch replacment bill. The S2000 is a fine automobile as well, but I'm sure it's not without its issues either. No car is bulletproof and will need care and feeding plus parts replacement. In the end the Honda will be cheaper to maintain and drive, but that should be a given since it's a Honda and not a Porsche.

[Maxx1]

Originally Posted by Porsche_Daddy

I bought a 2003 S new and it hasn't given me any trouble at all. I use it as a weekend fun car that I track and autocross. The majority of Boxster out on the road don't suffer from RMS leaks and even less have IMS bearing issues. However, it's not a bad idea to install an updated RMS and the IMS bearing with the LN unit when it comes time to replace the clutch. It's the perfect time to perform these procedures and can be a relatively cheap insurance policy adding roughly $700-$1000 to clutch replacment bill. The S2000 is a fine automobile as well, but I'm sure it's not without its issues either. No car is bulletproof and will need care and feeding plus parts replacement. In the end the Honda will be cheaper to maintain and drive, but that should be a given since it's a Honda and not a Porsche.

I had a 2000 Boxster S and it was a great car. The RMS was replaced just before I got it. I sold the car (a bit too soon) to buy a different Porsche. I really thought it was fun and am ready for another. The 2003 would be even better. Thanks for your input.

[racer]

All M96 motors (986, 987, 996, 987) are at risk for catastophic failure. Done. Now, get past that, because the overall percentage is quite small and the independent shops are coming up with answers to these issues.

Depending on physical size, you may find the Boxster more roomy (i certainly did). The Boxster S is a great car.. with great balance.

While the Honda is also a great car, I'd rather have the boxster S.

For a fee, you can likely buy an aftermarket warranty. These seem popular with late model Porsche owners for some reason.. or you can pocket the $4k for a warranty and "self insure".

The car will be NOTHING like the 930 in your signature.. for good and for bad.

[mikefocke]

that doesn't have occasional failures.

My Boxster (bought used for less than 45% its original price at 42k miles) has cost less to maintain over the last 5 years than any of my other 3 cars...Honda, Acura and Mazda.

To show you how confident I am, I declined to pay for an Extended Warranty. That was 5 years ago, I'm $2k ahead.

Could it destruct tomorrow, sure. So could any of them. Hey...my son just paid more for a '10 Prius.

You hear more about Porsche problems because we are so passionate about the fun of the experience.

If you can't live with the uncertainty...buy something else like the discontinued Honda S2000...the one with all the trunk room, cockpit room and the high torque engine.

[Jay Laifman]

I went back and forth on the same decision myself. I already had two other Porsches ('73 911 and '63 356). So, I was definitely Porsche focused. But, I loved the S2000. It is an absolute blast to drive. I actually think 30 years from now, it may have more of an enthusiast following than the Boxsters. It's partially hand made in Japan, unlike most other Japanese cars. It has that wild high redline and sings like no other car in those high rpms. It's also technically a mid engine car. Its body lines are actually quite special if you take some time and admire them. It's shifter is absolutely a blast. Nothing else like it. It's even fun at idle.

That all said, I ended up with a 2000 Boxster S. But, there are three things that have made it particularly special for me. First, it has the full leather interior. Yes, I know that makes it more heavy, counter to the sports car credo. But, to me, it gave the car the added touch of quality that the non-full leather seemed to lack for me. Second, even though I really liked the engine whine, it still wasn't loud enough for me. So, I put on the Porsche factory sport exhaust from 2003 and sport cats. Now the car screams, and doesn't have the Chinese water torture that all the droning after market exhaust have. Finally, I put on the B&H short shifter and HATED it. So, I replaced it with the stock 997 shifter from Porsche. It cost all of $150. You can't buy air from a dealer for that much, for goodness sakes! It made the shift short, smooth and works perfectly.

Finally, I've had two different Porsche-only mechanics tell me the dreaded main seal leak is wildly overstated. On the flip side, I've heard the S2000 rear wheel bearings and clutches are not up to snuff for the power of the engine. I however assume that is more from the immature hot footed drivers.

Ok, that's what I've got to add.

[Maxx1]

Originally Posted by Jay Laifman

I went back and forth on the same decision myself. I already had two other Porsches ('73 911 and '63 356). So, I was definitely Porsche focused. But, I loved the S2000. It is an absolute blast to drive. I actually think 30 years from now, it may have more of an enthusiast following than the Boxsters. It's partially hand made in Japan, unlike most other Japanese cars. It has that wild high redline and sings like no other car in those high rpms. It's also technically a mid engine car. Its body lines are actually quite special if you take some time and admire them. It's shifter is absolutely a blast. Nothing else like it. It's even fun at idle.

That all said, I ended up with a 2000 Boxster S. But, there are three things that have made it particularly special for me. First, it has the full leather interior. Yes, I know that makes it more heavy, counter to the sports car credo. But, to me, it gave the car the added touch of quality that the non-full leather seemed to lack for me. Second, even though I really liked the engine whine, it still wasn't loud enough for me. So, I put on the Porsche factory sport exhaust from 2003 and sport cats. Now the car screams, and doesn't have the Chinese water torture that all the droning after market exhaust have. Finally, I put on the B&H short shifter and HATED it. So, I replaced it with the stock 997 shifter from Porsche. It cost all of $150. You can't buy air from a dealer for that much, for goodness sakes! It made the shift short, smooth and works perfectly.

Finally, I've had two different Porsche-only mechanics tell me the dreaded main seal leak is wildly overstated. On the flip side, I've heard the S2000 rear wheel bearings and clutches are not up to snuff for the power of the engine. I however assume that is more from the immature hot footed drivers.

Ok, that's what I've got to add.

Good post.

What I like about the Boxster is the motor makes music! I mean, it sounds great and adds to the driving experience. The other big plus is that there is actual storage space in the front and back. My Y2K was a blast to drive... I loved the wheels that came on it, but have no idea what they were off of?



Anyway, I am targeting the models that have the refinements (body and HP) so I'd like to get the 03 or newer Boxster this time, but am seeing that they are running about $3K-$6K higher than an 05 S2000 with comparible mileage. With the Honda, I wouldn't worry about the warranty, but with the Boxster, an engine could run $15K, so a warranty would jack the price up even more.

Oh well, we just had a foot of snow yesterday, so it's not like I'm in a hurry!

Thanks for the info guys!

[Porsche_Daddy]

Maxx, those wheels on your 00 were factory. That style is rare and wasn't optioned on many cars. Good luck with your search and I hope you find a beaut whichever way you go. Both cars are lots o fun to drive.

[mts]

I owned both cars, a 2005 S2000 and now a 2004 Boxster S special edition. I still think very highly of the S2000. It's a high quality vehicle, is likely to have less maintenace issues over time than the Boxster S, and when it does have issues will cost less to repair. You really can't go wrong picking one up.

That being said, the Boxster S is a more substantial car. It rides better, it handles more neutral (as opposed to oversteer in the S2000), the brakes are better, there's more storage, the stereo is better, the leather is better, the exhaust note is better and everything just "feels" better in my opinion.

Though I've not had any issues out of my Boxster S, 9 times out of 10 there will be more over time than with the S2000 so you do need to budget for that. With a 2003 S, I would highly consider one of the preventative IMS upgrades and I would budget for that. Some will argue it's a waste of money and statistically speaking they are probably correct. However, I look at it like buying a little insurance....you probably will never need it, but it pays for itself in spades if you do need it.

You really can't go wrong with either car though. Good luck.

[Wayne 962]

The S2000 is not as smooth to drive as the Boxster. The high rev motor gets real old in day-to-day traffic. The suspension on the S2000 is really, really stiff, and for me at least it was extremely uncomfortable to drive.

-Wayne

[guru944]

Dude!,
My recommendation is stick with Porsche, S 2000 has F22 Engine great but its still a Honda.
Built & Raced an Accord LX 5-Spd with Modified F22 SOHC (4 Sale) with ~240Hp. Great at tha time but that was 8 yrs ago. Porsche in general a different class of car, a real Sports car. My 944s with ~240hp in Comparison to my former competition car nite and day. Porsche "Hands Down".

Hope this was helpful...

later.