jgraeb01

Good Evening Everyone!

I've been lurking here for awhile now and went car shopping with my parents today as they were looking to purchase a tow vehicle. In our travels, we visited a few dealerships, including a local Car Max (for trade-in purposes). In any case, I had the opportunity to drive a brand new 2004 S2k (revamped, higher low-end torque, etc), a 2004 350ZR, and a 2001 Boxster.

I'm not a 'track' driver, just a daily here and there driver. I don't expect to do 100+ mph on a regular basis in any of these vehicles, though I do like the appeal of a Sports Car. So, here's my take:

2001 Porsche Boxster, 217 hp, $33,697
2004 Nissan 350ZR, 287 hp, $37,000
2004 Honda S2000, 240 hp, $34,000

Figures are not out the door and exclude TTL, etc.

Now, please don't flame me, I know the Porsche is 3 years old, but the price point is the same. I also am not an expert driver ... I plan to use this as a daily driver, in traffic, etc.

All vehicles were manual transmission btw.

Boxster : quick, the 217 hp seems low as it seemed to pull just as well as the 350ZR. I guess it's true when they say that european vehicles 'under-list' their HP ratings. The throws were the longest here, but still nice. The *BEST* interior out of all the vehicles and the most cargo space. Unfortunately, this car is 3 years old and maintenance on Porsche's is way expensive. It also has the (yuck) plastic rear window. If I wanted to buy new, I'd be adding 15-20k to the above price, though I'd have rear glass. Great interior, but just not in my price range if I don't want to deal with 'surprise' maintenance costs.

350ZR : wow! same if not better performance than the porsche boxster! the throws were tight, but not quite as tight as the S2k. I thought it gripped the road better than the porsche too. Interior was fine as far as creature comforts are concerned.

S2k : another wow! This was great! As many have said, you don't feel the obvious pull of the VTEC @ 6000 rpm anymore, but I think that's because the power is now available at the lower RPMs -- it's more of an even grade. The interior was decent here as well. Out of all of them, the throws were very short here and I thought it performed well gripping the road, etc.

The good news: The cost of the Porsche has really narrowed my decision!

The bad news: I'm still stuck between the S2k and the 350zr. I really like the improvements of the S2k in 2004 and I feel like it's giving the 350ZR a run for the money. Personally, I like the look of the 350ZR better, but do I like it $3,000 better? Dunno. I feel I can also get a better deal on the S2k as invoice is right around 29-30 if I remember correctly.

Anyways, I hope this helps some of you out. Again, I'm not a pro driver, I'm not going to take this to the track, I just like these convertibles and am looking to add some fun to my 2003 Honda Civic (which I'll probably end up trading in as the insurance is just horrible with both vehicles). I'm beyond the 25 year age thing, but still single -- and I don't think it's worth getting married just to save a few $$ in car insurance.

I know a lot of folks may disagree with my assessment, but they probably know a lot more about cars than I do. This is basically a 'Dummys Guide' to these cars.

I'd be happy to report back if you have any specific questions.

Joe

Paul_BB_Guy

You gotta go with what you like. Test Drive them and see.
The only thing I didn't like about the s2000 is that you have to wind the thing out before you hit the real power. If that's changed for '04 it makes it a bit different.

Personally, I like the look of the Z $3000 more.

jgraeb01

I agree, drive them all and pick what you like. There are other factors to consider that I didn't mention because they just weren't important to me -- for example, physical driver size -- as I fit in either just fine.

Also, yah, the 2004 doesn't need to be wound up like the 2003 does. The acceleration/power seem to follow a more even cure rather than the chug chug chug to 6000 rpm and VTEC and WHEEEEE! More lower-end torque and a 2.2L vs the 2.0L engine.

I'm trying to decide what the preferred look is worth to me. I'm in no real rush though either, so I'm just waiting for the sweet deal.

35ounces

iTrader: (5)

The current Boxster comes with a glass rrear window. You must have looked at last years model.
Also, to be fair in comparison test drive the Boxster S. Of course if the cost is an issue then go with the Z roadster.

AndyB

Your butt dyno is fooling you. The Z is closer in speed to a Boxster S than a plain old Boxster.

ronnie

I tried all 3. the boxster was $20000 more then the others and the boxster S seems to be closer to the other 2 and that was another 48 grand. I found i liked the ride better of the 350z then the honda. the honda was more of a weekend sports car ride , but for everyday use ,looks, handling, and comfort i went for the roadster and have been very happy

jgraeb01

David,

You're correct, the 2003+ Boxsters have a glass rear window, I drove the 2001 as it was close in price to the other vehicles I mentioned -- which is why I stated that if I wanted to spend another 15-20k for a new one, I'd get a glass rear window.

jgraeb01

I believe your right on target ... if we were to side by side these cars on a test track, etc, the 350z should outperform the Boxster (non-S).

However, on the city roads I drove the cars on, they all seemed pretty close. I'm not planning on racing, etc ... so for the casual person just wanting to drive to and from work and leisure errands, I think it'd be hard to notice the difference. That being said, 20k isn't worth a nicer interior to me. 3k might be worth the preferred styling though.

jgraeb01

Ronnie,

Curious, did you drive the 2003 S2k or the 2004? They are notably different in acceleration, ride, handling, etc.

qirex

sigh....some pple cant read

jgraeb01

???

z0ner

Damn, it's in his first post, second paragraph. Aren't forums for reading?

jgraeb01

Uhm, I'm still lost ... what are you guys talking about ... ?

Paul_BB_Guy

jgraeb01 - He drove the 2004. Read closer.

cordoor

I too have been having a hard time deciding between the '04 S2K and the 350ZR. I have test driven and spent a lot of time around both. Here is my personal take:

1. I like the look of the '04 S2K better than the 350ZR. It has beefier wheels than the '03 S2K, a better back end and exhaust tips than the '03 S2K, and to me it just looks more like a real roadster (more roadster-like proportions) than the 350ZR. To me, the '04 S2K looks better with the top up, too.

2. The 350ZR has more power for sure. It feels quicker, faster, and I feel like it holds the road tighter. I don't like having to ride the '04 S2K at 4K-5K RPM while simply driving down the road. The '04 S2K engine sounds the same as my '97 Accord EX engine while reving that high, which is not good. The go-cart-like steering of the '04 S2K is a plus, though. But the Z's steering is similar.

3. I like the price of the '04 S2K much more than the 350ZR. I feel like the 350ZR is a bit overpriced.

4. I am a smaller guy, about 5'6", so I like the interior of the '04 S2K more than the 350ZR because the window ledge and dash are lower. The window ledge of the 350ZR is a bit high for me. The RPM gauge in the '04 S2K is way cool!

5. My dad had a '90 300ZX, and my grandma had a 280ZX, so Z's kind of run in the family. So something in me wants to keep the tradition alive.

6. My wife doesn't like the S2K and loves the 350ZR.

So it's been a tough call for me. I wish the 350ZR were priced a few grand lower. Then it would be easier for me to decide. But since the wife loves the 350ZR and doesn't like the S2K, and since performance is an issue for me, the 350ZR is probably going to get my money this next spring.

-Corey

jgraeb01

Uhm ... no ... that's my post ... I drove the 2004!

Ronnie said,

So I was wondering if he had a chance to drive the 2004 S2k or if he was referring to 2003?

Silly peoples, I started the thread.

Paul_BB_Guy

Ahahaha! I'm a dork!

EnthuZiast

iTrader: (4)

For me it came down to the wire between a Boxster and a Z.
I love my Z Coupe and if the Boxtser just had more B@lls I would have gotten it.
In the end I am glad I got the Z....it gets ALOT of looks....it can outperform the S in a straight......and maintenance on a used Boxster S would have been $$$$ if I went that route.
Hope that helps.

jgraeb01

laff ... nah, honest mistake ... I wonder if that's what the other guys were talking about ??? And they were making fun of my reading skills!! hee!