Hey guys,

Ive been in the market for a 996 for some time now. I've driven quite a few but no eye catchers as of yet. I love the way the 996 drives and handles.
Recently I came across a 2004 Honda S2000 for $20,000 with 19k miles mint condition. I know this is a porsche forum, and i'm comparing apples to oranges. But i have to say the S2000 looks really nice for 20k I havent driven the S2000 yet, but any of you guys owned or driven a S2000?
I am 6'4 in height, will i have problems with comfortability. In the 996 i am very comfortable.
The 3.6 996's are out of my price range right now, and i really wanted to buy 2002 or up, so i thought i jump into a Honda for the summer and just wait to see if the prices drop for the 2002 996's in a year or so.
Thanks.

 

You really are comparing comparing apples and oranges. The S2000 is a great car but is not a 996. You either want a Porsche (and the costs/issues that come with it) or want a great and reliable roadster (and the costs/issues that come with it). Prices are always dropping for both cars (neither are collectable).

 

Look at the Vette - the C6 is pretty much indestructable and out perform the S2000 in every way . You will need to come up with some more cash though. 20K will buy you a nice Honda but if you are worried about cash stay away from Porsche. They are not for the thin wallet. If you want to play you have to pay. The C6 is the bang for the buck hard hitter. I'd still rather drive my C4S though. Drive them all - buy the one that most makes sence for you.

 

Paging Ben Choi...Mr. Choi, your assistance is requested in the 996 forum.

 

Drive what you have now and get the 911 when you can afford it. You will never regret buying the 911. Ever.

As an option, you might as well lease a brand new S2000 for a year or two and then get the 911. Just a thought.

-td

 

WOW - being 6'6" myself, I could not even think about buying an S2000. Think Bear in a Clown Shoe.

I think you would be very happy with a 996 purchase. Take your time and find that right car.

C.

 

+1 I'm 6" 3". Tried to get into a friend of mines. Made it half way, then decided I didn't really need to get in after all !! I bought my first pcar, (2002 996) 6 month's back. Previously owned many others, BMW, Corvettes, etc. Love my 996 !!!! I was and continue to be however, confused as to how many of the 996's vary in the amount of leg room ???

 

I wouldn't look in my garage and smile if I owned an S2000! The smile factor is very important to me in picking a car. Porsche has it in spades, Honda, nope.

 

I have had a S2000. They are a blast to drive, probably more fun than the Porsche in that to make it go you really have to work that gear box. But in no way does it impart the feeling of confidence you get driving a 911. The rear end on the S2000 does have an annoying habit of breaking away from the unsuspecting driver. They are not a good car for an inexperienced driver.

From a comfort point of view, there is absolutely no comparison. You have no room in a S2000. You are snug as a bug in there. And they are noisy. Don't waste money on a good sound system, you will never hear it.

But other than that, they are a Honda and reliable. I had mine for two years and never really had to do anything to it.

But for $20,000 you can come close to finding some nice '99 911's. You could probably have mine for not too much more. But as others have said, the Porsche is going to cost more to maintain.

 

I'm sure Ben will chime in but I'll thow in my $.02.

The S2K is fun when the engine is on boil but below VTEC engagement it's very civic like in it's power delivery (I'm sure the superchager on Ben's helped with this). The handling is light and entertaining but it's twichy at the limit (i've driven one at an autocross).

All in all a nice car, but not in the same "bulletproof" handling league as a Boxster and waaay down on power from a 996 IMHO.

 

wrong place.......

 

Damn, I got paged.

You come to Rennlist, a Porsche enthusiast forum, you're going to get 90% BS and then you'll get 10% truth favoring the 911. Same deal on the s2ki.com forum.

For all the complaints about weight here, the S2000 makes the 911 feel like a damn hog. It's a go-kart. If you enjoy this kind of action, the S2000 is on target. The M96 is an engine that's clearly bigger (~1.4 liters), but I also feel you need to wind it out to get anywhere and the same deal goes for the S2000. An aggressive minivan momma can keep up with either car 0-30mph from a street light.

To be honest, if you can get over driving a Honda, then clearly the S2000 is the more fun, visceral ride. It's pure sports car. If you want the brand prestige and want in on the 40+ year car club, then the Porsche is clearly for you because there is no substitute for that quirky, rear engined design with that VW bug like shape. I have much more faith in the reliability of the Honda than the Porsche, especially the MK1s. You'll rarely, if ever, read about oil leaks or outright failures like you do with the Carrera engines. id est, there is no such thing as a factory within the factory that rebuilds engines over at Honda's S2000 plant. You can supercharge the S2000's engine all day and it's bulletproof. Really. M96? Not so sure.

Both cars are special, both represent a great value, and I personally love the way both look done up right.

Bottom-line: Go test drive both.

 

Too small for you. I am 6' and had a 2000 M Roadster back in 2000. It is amazing how much a little more room will make you feel. After a while I felt like a sardine wedged in that M Roadster. The S2000 is very similar in size. Being that tall, you don't need an S2000 period, whether you're looking at a 911 or an F-150 in comparison to the S2000. Just my $0.02.

 

I get in and out of, and drive the S2000 on a regular basis on the job.
I am 5'8" and believe me when I say it IS tight in these cars.

Personal opinion (coming from a 996 owner):
Power is unimpressive, shifter sucks, interior space and comfort sucks.
Could be a fun car though, for those who have not yet tasted a dose of P.................

 

I'm actually sort of in the same boat after owning a bunch of M3s and 944 turbos and such.

My only hold back on the Honda is the fact that it's a convertible so not all tracks want to allow you on w/out a roll bar, and the fact that it's a buzzy little impractical car. Somehow it feels far more substantial than most other Japanese cars though, and the first one I've considered for a track car. Funny thing, I didn't like Hondas before spending some time in a Type R on track, mmmm delicious!
Ahmet