S2000 vs Boxster
Discussion
With a high miles early 2000 car - a lot would depend on the car itself. A well looked after boxster should be cheaper to look after than a thrashed S2000 I would say.
But in general (all else equal) I would say yes an s2000 should be cheaper to run but there is probably not as much in it as you might think.
Porsche indy servicing costs (for boxsters, 996's etc) are actually quite reasonable ... I would say when I had a 996 I was looking at similar servicing costs to the OH's VW for a boggo (i.e. not including any 'perishables') service.
The running costs that would be cheaper on the s2000 are more the tyres/brakes etc.
You will have all the porsche naysayers telling you about how unreliable the engine is - I think the internet has over stated the whole RMS/IMS issues (and apologies to anyone who has been unfortunate enough to experience it) but why not budget for it in your calcs?
Conventional Wisdom puts the figure at about 5% of engines affected... go high on this and assume 10% and then assume the repair cost is say 5k... that means on average it will cost £500 ... put that figure in your running costs estimate (split over the number of years you will own the car and voila).
Ok life does not work this way its more heads you lose 5k type of thing (which is a potential stinger)... and S2000 engines are (in comparision) meant to be pretty bulllet proof ... but then again s2000's have a reputation for being a bit meaner when hitting the limit and therefore more likely to find the ditch...
But in general (all else equal) I would say yes an s2000 should be cheaper to run but there is probably not as much in it as you might think.
Porsche indy servicing costs (for boxsters, 996's etc) are actually quite reasonable ... I would say when I had a 996 I was looking at similar servicing costs to the OH's VW for a boggo (i.e. not including any 'perishables') service.
The running costs that would be cheaper on the s2000 are more the tyres/brakes etc.
You will have all the porsche naysayers telling you about how unreliable the engine is - I think the internet has over stated the whole RMS/IMS issues (and apologies to anyone who has been unfortunate enough to experience it) but why not budget for it in your calcs?
Conventional Wisdom puts the figure at about 5% of engines affected... go high on this and assume 10% and then assume the repair cost is say 5k... that means on average it will cost £500 ... put that figure in your running costs estimate (split over the number of years you will own the car and voila).
Ok life does not work this way its more heads you lose 5k type of thing (which is a potential stinger)... and S2000 engines are (in comparision) meant to be pretty bulllet proof ... but then again s2000's have a reputation for being a bit meaner when hitting the limit and therefore more likely to find the ditch...
peatmoor said:
Mulling a higher mileage early 2000s of either model. Do you think its a false economy to expect the Honda to be cheaper to run (I mean servicing and repair rather than fuel related)?
I had a Boxster for a few years and the g/f still has her S2k.
Honda is cheaper on the running costs and there are less little bits that need attention.
On the limit the Boxster will stick for ever and then go. If you are not ready and dialed in waiting to collect it up you will be too late. The S2k has a bit of a rep for being 'snappy' and there are certainly plenty of pictures of them poking out of ditches. That said I find it a pussy cat compared to the Box when it lets go and easy to control. Nothing like the CS which I could drive sidways all day without breaking conversation, but certianly not as 'throw you into a ditch as soon as look at you" as some appear to think they are.
Honda is cheaper on the running costs and there are less little bits that need attention.
On the limit the Boxster will stick for ever and then go. If you are not ready and dialed in waiting to collect it up you will be too late. The S2k has a bit of a rep for being 'snappy' and there are certainly plenty of pictures of them poking out of ditches. That said I find it a pussy cat compared to the Box when it lets go and easy to control. Nothing like the CS which I could drive sidways all day without breaking conversation, but certianly not as 'throw you into a ditch as soon as look at you" as some appear to think they are.
EYA if you are <5'10" and (say) 12 stone you sould find the S2k just fine. If you are like me (6'2" and 15.5 Stone) you will be far better getting a Boxster. I love having the odd hoon in the S2k and take it for an Italian tune up every so often but day to day it would kill me. It's like getting into and out of a lycra car suit!
Rude-boy said:
EYA if you are <5'10" and (say) 12 stone you sould find the S2k just fine. If you are like me (6'2" and 15.5 Stone) you will be far better getting a Boxster. I love having the odd hoon in the S2k and take it for an Italian tune up every so often but day to day it would kill me. It's like getting into and out of a lycra car suit!
Agrees with Rudeboy Wouldn't want to use the Honda for everyday use. It's only great when you are in the "mood"
I had a 54 plate 3.2 Boxster S and a 2001 S2000 last year.
Insurance for me with 2 yrs NCB as a second car was £250 on the S2000, so itsnot expensive, Boxster a little more.
MPG the Boxster was suprising, with me getting about 34mpg going to work where the S2000 would give 29.
To drive, well I preferred sitting in the S2000, although it was very cheaply built. Everyday though i think the Boxster was more usable, thats a later version 986 S though with 265BHP. Very smooth, Bose stereo, heated seats etc, theres nothing extra in the S2000, but that screaming vtec is quite good when you get chance to use it.
S2000 roof is pathetically cheap and often rips, also wear by the clips so lift and become noisy at speed, but an easy fix.
Boxsters have a few problem's that could bankrupt you if you have an engine failure, although parts were suprisingly cheap for that type of car. Brakes were a lot cheaper than an E46 M3.
Insurance for me with 2 yrs NCB as a second car was £250 on the S2000, so itsnot expensive, Boxster a little more.
MPG the Boxster was suprising, with me getting about 34mpg going to work where the S2000 would give 29.
To drive, well I preferred sitting in the S2000, although it was very cheaply built. Everyday though i think the Boxster was more usable, thats a later version 986 S though with 265BHP. Very smooth, Bose stereo, heated seats etc, theres nothing extra in the S2000, but that screaming vtec is quite good when you get chance to use it.
S2000 roof is pathetically cheap and often rips, also wear by the clips so lift and become noisy at speed, but an easy fix.
Boxsters have a few problem's that could bankrupt you if you have an engine failure, although parts were suprisingly cheap for that type of car. Brakes were a lot cheaper than an E46 M3.
Gaz. said:
...the S2000 /snip/more practical if you need the boot space.
You are having a laugh?!?!?!The boxster was/is so much more practical than the S2k it is painful!
I could fit a full ENG kit in Kangeroo bag, with media in Peli cases and sticks plus over night kit for two in the Box. The S2K only just about takes a kit without the cases.
Out of those two cars it would have to be the boxster, I drive my mates s2000 and it's ok, bit of fun reving it up to 9000 rpm but the novelty wears off quickly, it's a pretty dull car to drive when not reving the balls of it.
Boxster is a far better car, easier to live with every day, better seating and a lot more room, the footwell is like sliding your legs into a sleeping bag on the s2000.
Boxster is a far better car, easier to live with every day, better seating and a lot more room, the footwell is like sliding your legs into a sleeping bag on the s2000.
I recently had this dilemma and went with the Boxster S. The little Honda is fun but it lacks in some key areas for me - it doesnt feel much of an event to drive where as the Boxster still does, the interior has some very cheap plastics in it and the VTEC is a strong engine but its not aurally exciting and you really end up working it to get the best from it meaning its not the most enjoyable companion when you want to press on but not rag the car.
Some will disagree with the above but I believe its a rounded view. If you opt for the Boxster you may want to go for the extended leather to the dash and avoid the savannah leather option as its quite a Marmite colour.
Some will disagree with the above but I believe its a rounded view. If you opt for the Boxster you may want to go for the extended leather to the dash and avoid the savannah leather option as its quite a Marmite colour.
peatmoor said:
Hey Rude-boy you running a 968CS? (profile stalking)
Hows that treating you?
Hows that treating you?
have a yellow one which I ran as my every day car from Feb 2011 until October 2012. Love it but thought I couldn't put it through another Winter outside and, with 3 two seaters between the g/f and I since about 2008, thought i had better get a 4+ seater for tip trips and the like.Rolf the Golf is not a well boy though. 75% of the time nothing too much of an issue but sometimes you go to start it and whilst it fires it dies within seconds. this can last for days or a few minutes and we have gone through the whole relays/fuel pump etc trying to find the issue without luck. As a last ditch we are going to change the barrel and keys to see if it is the old immobiliser and if that fails I'm ready to check it in the ring and try something else.
Anyway. As a result of Rolf playing put I have been using the CS every day again and it is great. It costs about the same as the Boxster to run and is 100% more special. You don't feel like you own it, rather you are the current curator. Even non car people love it and unlike with the Boxster people use more than 2 fingers when they wave
It is such a great car it is untrue. When we had the mega snow last year and this both times it was just as I had to do a 200+ mile airport dash and both times I took the CS. In anything else I would have to have given up, in the CS it was lock stop to lock stop and grin from ear to ear 
Having decided that the yellow car is a keeper my brother spotted a white one so we have gone halves on that.
We're looking and if we find another one or two we might well buy them for the right price. Who knows? What I do know though is that they are under priced compared to a lot less special pork and some day soon more people will notice this and supply and demand will do it's thing
steve_bmw said:
peatmoor said:
Steve-BMW, you're going to suggest a Z4 now aren't you? (more profile stalking)
Z4's are great, had mine 2 years, can't see me selling it anytime soon. Have you ruled them out?
Mx5? Lol
Just paid £7k (60k miles 3.0) for this:
Previous, This was £9850( 52k miles) last year:
And this was £4600 (72k miles)
nottyash said:
Ive actually just bought one to try
Just paid £7k (60k miles 3.0) for this:
Previous, This was £9850( 52k miles) last year:
And this was £4600 (72k miles)
My. You love black cars!Just paid £7k (60k miles 3.0) for this:
Previous, This was £9850( 52k miles) last year:
And this was £4600 (72k miles)
They all look great, mind. I test drove an S2K when they were new. My view was if I didn't already have a Boxster I'd have bought it on the spot.
Haven't tried a Z4 yet. Interested to see how you get on with after after the previous two...
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff