Hi,
Im looking to buy my first Porsche.
My target is a boxster 987.
Can you guys recomend me between a boxster 2007 or a boxster S 2005?
What other difference those the Boxster S has besides the higher output engine?
What do you think about tiptronic? Better (reliable) than the manual? Clutch problems? Any other problems/area I should check when buying the car?

Thanks a lot guys

 

Besides the bigger engine the S has 18" wheels standard, larger brakes, slightly different suspension, 6 speed vs 5 speed (manual), a better standard radio, and better resell value. My first Porsche was a 2005 Boxster but I had "S envy" and traded it for a Cayman S. The manual is just as reliable and generally more prized than the tiptronic (PDK could be a different story). Unless you drive in a lot of stop and go traffic, go for a manual, it's more engaging to drive than an automatic. If the S is the color you want with the options you want (PASM and SC are on top of most folks lists), get the S or you will wish you had later.

 

Boxster S, all the way! Try to find the newest one you can. The car is kinda a dog with the tiptronic. No reason to buy one without the manual. It really makes the Boxster a sports car.

 

What a mean about the tiptronic and manual is that on the new Audis or BMW, they have the DSG system which is really impressive (dual clutch and faster shifting).
I have never tried the tiptronic on the boxster. I live in miami, so traffic is a big issue for me. How do you compare boxsters tiptronic with the DSG system from like Audi or BMW?
Also, is the tiptronic reliable? Or will thos give me headaches for maintainace, etc

So between a 05 boxster S and a 07 boxster (same price), what would be better?

 

The PDK is what is comparable (better really IMO) than the DSG. The tiptronic is a true automatic transmission unlike the DSG or PDK. Personally I would go with the S, in manual, any day of the week.

I have not heard of any horror stories re: the tiptronic maintenance wise.

 

So just to make sure, there is no Boxster from 05 to 07 with PDK? only Tiptronic/Manual?

 

PDK was first introduced in 2009 models (987.2). Before that, Porsche only delivered Tiptronic, which is effectively the same as the Audi tip/automatic (a torque converter). If you want-want a PDK, you have to get a '09 and later.

That said, a lot of people buy a manual primarily for its driving involvement and sporty-ness. I bought a manual for the involvement. Unless you intend on converting this car into a club racer, I'm a firm believer you'll get 90% of the driving enjoyment as a manual car. If you want to be involved with shifting the car (or hear the engine rev to 6500 rpm), put car in tip mode and shift using the buttons. In fact, if you do a survey of people who own PDK's, I think you'll find most owners will put the car in auto mode and let the car do the shifting for them.
Some may ridicule you for buying an automatic on a sports car, but do you really care? The tiptronic is a good transmission - it was offered as an option all the way up to the turbos.

If you are in Miami, run down to the Collection and test drive cars with tip v. manual... and I'm willing to bet you'll be over come with joy that you won't notice the small performance edge a manual has over a tip (btw, difference from 0 - 60 is only 1/2 sec between man vs. tip).
You can find some good deals on Boxsters, so shop around. Good luck! If/when you do find a car, don't forget to post here and let us know. Maybe bring it up to Ft Lauderdale for our monthly meet.

 

Between a 05 boxster S and 07 boxster (same price), what would you get and why? Re-sale price will hold more with the 05 S?

 

Someone just went through similar dilemma.

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...o-choices.html