What does an S2000 do better than a 987 Boxster S for half the price that makes it worth the huge prices they command?
It’s not necessarily better but it is quite different. I’ve driven all the Boxsters and own a Spyder, the best Boxster Porsche ever made but an S2000 has some highlights over it-
- 2.0l 9000rpm F20C Vtec engine which has one of the best engine notes ever and is huge fun and addictive to drive.
- Very sharp almost go-kart feel to handling, it drives like a heavy Caterham, Not many road cars do this.
- Six second power roof
- Cheap running cost, good economy, cheap servicing and generally very reliable with plenty of Specialist.
- JDM scene, Fast & Furious, rarity
- Better looking than Boxsters of its time period so 996/997 which look somewhat dated now whereas an S2000 has pretty timeless design.
- Even better gearbox than Porsche !
Are they better nope, but they are rarer and they are different and like many other JDM cars values have increased.
My Spyder is faster, handles better and is an all round superior car but faster or better does not always necessarily mean better, just like plenty of people prefer the older slower BMWs compared to the new ones.
The S2000 is very marmite though to some people it’s aweful to drive, gutless and spikey handling but to others it’s a seriously rewarding car to drive when driven right and pushed hard.
Get an S2000 up on its toes, drive it flat out and survive and you feel amazing, as it’s so rewarding the downside is it’s all or nothing and when your giving it all quite a few people get bitten. However saying that I found it a perfectly easy cat to just bimble around in, I just hated having roof up as cabin is so small. They also have truly epic heaters whereas my Spyder sucks in comparison.
End of the day I’ve kept the Spyder so better won out and it’s newer to me but I’m at the pinnacle of Porsche Boxsters for me, the S2000 crushes it though on engine induction note with air box mod.
The S2000 is a true sports car in every way, at 1200-1250kg they are light, very special engine mounted far back so front mid-engine and they are typically cheap to run and mega reliable and consumables are cheap, plus they are super easy to DIY work on as well.
Maybe that helps, maybe not, I tried and I’ve owned both at same time.