I have found an exceptional deal on a 2007 Boxster S (very good price, low miles, perfect condition) but it is an auto. Have had very little of a test drive thus far but have a concern before I spend much time...

As a happy S2000 owner could I live with the Porsche auto or should I just stay with manual only?

My use of my car has now gone to limited group drives (sometime pretty spirited) and sometimes use around town... just so happens I have a friend that really wants my car at the same time I stumbled on to the Boxster deal.

I have really liked all the Boxster S examples I have driven but all have been manual... and I really don't know what year models offer the best bang for the buck or notable reliability. I know I can take this discussion to a Boxster board, but after 12 years of driving, racing, and modding the S2000 I do trust comparisons here.

 

I would go for PDK but not Tiptronic. All "cheap" Porsche deals I found were AUTO.....cause not many people want AUTO Porsche. I would stay away.

 

What is the point of an automatic transmission in a sports car? Might as well just buy a GT car.

 

No kidding. You would be going for one of the best manuals and shifters out there to a boring auto in a car that isn't any better than the S and I would argue much worse than the S with an Auto. I would think within a week if even that long you would be missing the S especially on any of those sprited drives.

 

The 2007 Boxster S received the same powerplant as the Cayman S. It is a fantastic car but the difference between the auto and stick is night and day on a performance and fun-to-drive level.

Given that you live in the US, I'm sure you can find a nice manual shift model for a good price.

I have a 2006 Boxster S and absolutely love my car. The 2007 addition of 15HP and 15 Lbs-Ft. of Torque without any weight gain makes it an even more exciting drive. (and ticked off salesmen who were trying to sell more 911s and Caymans...)

At 295HP and 2900 pounds, a 2007 Boxster S is a great choice, but please don't buy an auto...you will regret it...

 

Reliability is another factor i would strongly look into before buying a Porsche. German reliability and Japanese are 2 different things. If I was buying one, I would look for CPO 100k mile warranty.

 

I guess it just really depends on how you plan to use the car. Based on how you drive now and what you use your S for, I don't think you'll be missing too much if you opt for the auto. It's not like you're building a track machine. You've got to determine what's going to work best for you, and not how impressed the internet will be.

I like automatics and conversely I like manuals. Just depends on how you think you'll like it. There are some days where I don't even feel like being bothered with shfting (especially after a rough sparring session in kickboxing.) One thing to consider, too, is that an auto was probably considerably less abused than a manual counterpart.

Good luck!

 

X100

Having owned a Z3M, Z4M, 986S, 987S and 3 different Honda S2000 AP1 cars, I can tell you that my experience with ze German cars has been very bad from a reliability and $$$ standpoint.

If the Boxster S is not under warranty, you should have a few thousand $$$ set aside each year for various repairs and maintenance.

With my S2000 it was only tires and oil changes...ahhh the good old days....

 

You're in WA.?

For a spirited drive I would want the manual. I prefer the way the BS drives and handles to the S2000 but the automatic would be a deal breaker for me. The tranny won't hold a gear and I almost looped one when it shifted for me in a turn.

Do you still have #2067 or 69?

 

People just don't understand about buying a used german made car. Its not buying a bmw or boxster thats the problem, its maintaining it. Anyone can buy a used bmw or boxster but not everyone can afford to maintain it.