what would you choose? boxster/s2000/350z or ......
02-14-2009, 03:55 PM
#42
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i checked out a 2001 z3 at the local bmw dealer. It had 53k on the clock, 5 speed, 3.0 w/sport package. new tires, new front pads/rotors and new rear brakes and new inspection.
this was a babied car, except a nasty scrape mark where someone recently ran into a cement parking block. That was just some bumper damage. They were going to repair that damage and check into the airbag light.
It was a perfect car all around. got em down to 12,700 plus t/t
not bad but i need to drive a 5 speed boxster also
this was a babied car, except a nasty scrape mark where someone recently ran into a cement parking block. That was just some bumper damage. They were going to repair that damage and check into the airbag light.
It was a perfect car all around. got em down to 12,700 plus t/t
not bad but i need to drive a 5 speed boxster also
02-14-2009, 06:51 PM
#43
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350z DEFINITELY not.
It's a tough choice between the S2000 (AP1 will definitely be in your price range--get the 2000-03 please for the glass window!) and Boxster. Either will serve you well. Sure, there's more panache with the P-car, but there's nothing.....and I mean nothing.....like almost peeing your pants the first time you take an AP1 S2000 to 9k rpm.
It's a tough choice between the S2000 (AP1 will definitely be in your price range--get the 2000-03 please for the glass window!) and Boxster. Either will serve you well. Sure, there's more panache with the P-car, but there's nothing.....and I mean nothing.....like almost peeing your pants the first time you take an AP1 S2000 to 9k rpm.
02-15-2009, 03:30 PM
#53
The Honda would worry me a lot less. A buddy or mine had a 98 Boxster that had the vert roof mechanism go totally tits up... it broke or malfuctioned somehow and put small dents the cover panel and everything. It cost him like $1600 to fix it the mechanism and the dents never got fixed, and that car only had about 25k miles on it and was definitely babied it's entire life too. Then there was the $2k inspection he had done at the Porsche dealer he was telling me about one day...
Just make sure you know what you're potentially getting into with a P-car. Later model Porsches like 2003+ are suprisingly well engineered and reliable, but go back too far because of budget restraints and you're really rolling the dice.
Just make sure you know what you're potentially getting into with a P-car. Later model Porsches like 2003+ are suprisingly well engineered and reliable, but go back too far because of budget restraints and you're really rolling the dice.
02-15-2009, 03:40 PM
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S2k > Boxster > 350z
02-15-2009, 05:47 PM
#55
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I don't like the hood or the wheels but this looks like a very clean, low-mileage '02 S2000 in your sub-$14k price range.
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=642150
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=642150
02-15-2009, 07:27 PM
#57
02-15-2009, 07:37 PM
#58
'08 MX5 GT 6spd.
MX5.
Same Honda reliability, but with more options and better mileage.
Better fit and finish than the 350.
New is still cheaper than a Boxster (with hefty discounts on the 08 hardtops)
Handling that easily rivals all 3.
Cheaper mods than all 3.
....and A TON cheaper to insure than all 3.
sorry guys..im biased.
Same Honda reliability, but with more options and better mileage.
Better fit and finish than the 350.
New is still cheaper than a Boxster (with hefty discounts on the 08 hardtops)
Handling that easily rivals all 3.
Cheaper mods than all 3.
....and A TON cheaper to insure than all 3.
sorry guys..im biased.
02-15-2009, 07:57 PM
#59
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I agree that the MX5 is another great option. 
02-15-2009, 08:16 PM
#60
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MX-5 if you can fit in it.. I can't.
02-15-2009, 09:25 PM
#63
dɐɹɔ ǝɥʇ ʇɐɥʍ
02-15-2009, 09:34 PM
#64
The only Miata I've driven is the old ones, the 1st gen and it was great, I imagine the newest model is only further refined. And I haven't driven the Boxster yet, but the S2000 is way more fun than a 350Z is, respective problems aside. Earlier 350Zs also have some tire problems apparently due to the factory alignment specs inducing running toe-in, or something like that. My friend said to change the bulbs on his 2003 350Z, he has to take off the fenderwell and reach in.... just for bulbs! He says it grinds into 3rd gear.... and indeed when I drove his car it grinds when you downshift into 3rd, even when properly rev matched. He says the newer ones had fixed a lot of these probs though
My brother's friend had an AP1.... apparently something was wrong because while driving hard one day (not the track) a chunk of the spark plug electrode broke off into the combustion chamber.... the block was basically scrap metal afterwards. Also some people report grinds in 3rd and 6th or whatever it is, though I haven't noticed it.
Still.... if you find a pristine example, S2k > 350Z in terms of looks, performance and enjoyability. Nothing like that super-fast top in the S2000.
My brother's friend had an AP1.... apparently something was wrong because while driving hard one day (not the track) a chunk of the spark plug electrode broke off into the combustion chamber.... the block was basically scrap metal afterwards. Also some people report grinds in 3rd and 6th or whatever it is, though I haven't noticed it.
Still.... if you find a pristine example, S2k > 350Z in terms of looks, performance and enjoyability. Nothing like that super-fast top in the S2000.
02-23-2009, 01:19 PM
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02-24-2009, 10:03 AM
#73
Oh and another vote for a Super/Turbocharged Miata from me as well. Wasn't on the list, but those who brought it up make a good point. I saw an awesome sleeper the other day. It was probably an early 90's, looked completely stock and even had paint issues, but you could see it had the cage. Saw the guy inside the store and indeed it was turbo'ed. Total sleeper.
Point is, you can scoop up a newer one in better shape for not much money, turbo or supercharge it, and it would be tons of fun on the cheap...
02-24-2009, 03:38 PM
#74
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^^^^^
That's what I'm doing with my S. Picked it up for....OK, not cheeeep, but I definitely didn't pay a lot, spent saved money on supercharger, plan to finally have it installed in another 2-3 weeks if the weather allows. 300 whp + 2800 pounds=
That's what I'm doing with my S. Picked it up for....OK, not cheeeep, but I definitely didn't pay a lot, spent saved money on supercharger, plan to finally have it installed in another 2-3 weeks if the weather allows. 300 whp + 2800 pounds=
02-24-2009, 05:37 PM
#75
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well, i am looking at an 02 boxster s 5 speed with about 56k on the clock. It has a bunch of extras. Most likely i will get it for 17k. It is in perfect shape and is going in for a ppi on friday and might pick it up on saturday. 
it was owned by a pca member, so we will see
you know i won't be able to sleep for the next few nights
it was owned by a pca member, so we will see
you know i won't be able to sleep for the next few nights
02-24-2009, 06:00 PM
#76
i got my 2006 gpw ap2 (312xx miles) with brand new ziex tires (4x), tranny flush, oil change with filter, rear diff. flush, front brake pads, brake fluid change, "level 2" detail, air filter, full tank of gas and new front bumper (they punched a hole in my bumper while attempting to install a front plate bracket) for $17.3k from a Honda dealer so it is possible to obtain an ap2 if you stretch that 14k budget a bit. of course, i haggled for 6 hours 
. and this was in sunny CA where s2000s do have a slightly higher premium than other states. and it's gpw, so of course, that means if you pick any other color, it could be cheaper b/c gpw is teh best 
i'm gonna bring it into a local honda to get the top checked out b/c i see some abrasions on the passenger side due to the frame rubbing it hoping to squeeze out a new top under warranty.
. and this was in sunny CA where s2000s do have a slightly higher premium than other states. and it's gpw, so of course, that means if you pick any other color, it could be cheaper b/c gpw is teh best i'm gonna bring it into a local honda to get the top checked out b/c i see some abrasions on the passenger side due to the frame rubbing it hoping to squeeze out a new top under warranty.
Last edited by mr5parkle; 02-24-2009 at 06:03 PM.
02-25-2009, 06:37 PM
#78
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That is indeed an awesome price. That's less than I got my mint 2002 with 11k miles for last year. The car market is definitely different than it was a year ago.
Thanks global economic meltdown!
Thanks global economic meltdown!
02-25-2009, 07:17 PM
#79
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i am just trying to capitalize on the poor market. I will most def post pics on Saturday. :race:now i just need to figure out how to get some sleep the next few nights until i pick it up