Before I made my purchase I test drove..

1)Toyota MR-S Too aneseptic and underpowered

2)Mazda Miata Nice but seemed tiny and fit and finish were poor

3)BMW Z4 Lots of torque off the corners but more of a cruiser

4)Nissan 350Z Nice but not a convertible(n/a at the time)

5) Honda S2000 Mechanical Viagra.......A Cobra for the new millenium

...........I think you know the rest

 

Cost aside. I'd say BoxsterS if it's your only car- the S2k if it's your second car. We're an all Honda family- so the S2000 was perfect for me. I don't like the Porsche-yuppie-stigma in this area but love the car. I see Boxster's everyday- I RARELY ever see another S2k. Much more exclusive.

 

thanks for all the replies, i am going to test drive a boxster s, s2000 and bmw z4 but i am leaning towards the s2000,

my wife has a 2003 honda accord v6 and i have a 2002 1.8t chipped gti for daily driver. this would be a weekend car. although, if i have a roadster during the summer i couldnt see myself not driving it everyday.

 

If you are seriously including a Boxster S then you should add on 01-02 BMW M Roadster to your list. Less $ than a Boxster of the same year and 3/4 of a second quicker in the 1/4 mile than either the Porsche or the Honda. People will tell you the handling isn't as refined as the other 2 cars, but if you don't drive near your car's absolute limit it doesn't much matter. Razor handling or 315 horsepower? If the M had Honda reliability I would own one. An 02 can still run you more than an 04 S2000 though. I don't find enough difference between the Honda and the Boxster S to justify the huge cost difference but the M's muscle brings something new to the table.