97-2001: What are the MUST HAVE options? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Jeannot · 02-17-2005, 10:39 AM

Icebox:
oops, sorry, I fully agree with you on this one

Perfectlap:
Hmmh..totally disagree, paddle shifters on a Ferrari can't be compared with tiptro.
While true, it can be put in auto mode, a robotized manual gearbox is actually faster than manual. You can't say the same about the tiptro which is an auto gearbox.
Porsche will hopefully soon catch up with the DSG, apparently featured in the upcoming 997 turbo...

Brucelee · 02-17-2005, 02:12 PM

The reality is that the Tip is a very fine transmission and will work very well in a Boxster S. There is a market/demand for the Tip and for the manual. It is a preference issue IMHO.

Frankly, as a dealer it is easier to sell the Tip here in SOCAL>

DIAZ · 02-18-2005, 08:45 AM

A tiptronic transmission in a porsche cannot be compared to a sequential manual, or other f1 style gearboxes such as the ferrari or lambo, except for the cambiocorsa in the maseratis which is jujst terrible. A tiptronic porsche gearbox is an automatic transmission with better electronic technology that allows you to override the auto and make it go into a a gear you select. A porsche tip is better than a regular automatic gearbox becuase it has such technology as sensers and servos that detect if you are in a corner so it wont shift gears and you will lose the torque and power, which would make you lose the grip. If you are looking for an automatic that allows you to downshift into curves and hold the gears go for a tiptronic, but if you really want to puch the car and feel why a porsche is a drivers car go for the manual. The boxster just handles so well with its mid engine and near to perfect weight distribution, that its only flaw is that its underpowered for the potential it has. This is why porsches top of the line car, the Carrera GT is a mid engine supercar. Once you really start driving the boxster you will see how glad you were you got it in manual. I have seen boxsters with a 3.4 996 engine woop all other 911's around the track. I am in the same position as you, I want to buy a boxster, it just handles so well. So look for a low mileage one with a service history and if you can run a paint check to make sure that it has all original paint. A car with all original paint means the car has never had any paintwork done, so the body has never been damaged. While all the used car dealers tell you the car is carfax certified, if possible get an 120 point inspection from a porsche dealer for about 200 dollars, but then you'll be able to separate a perfect car from one that needs work done to it, because fixing up a box would be pretty expensive.

IceBox · 02-21-2005, 02:36 PM

At the end of the day, the only real must-have option is the drop-top. Anything else is either subjective or can be up-graded, like a stereo or exhaust or suspension bits. If you need speed, get an S, if you're a sportscar purist, get a manuel. Any Boxster beats the snot outta anything else in it's price-range, and most any other car for that matter. And Jeannot, I knew we were on the same page!

jerhofer · 02-21-2005, 07:58 PM

The full leather interior makes the interior look much richer. Not a necessity but very nice to have. If you plan on longer trips in your Boxster, the CD changer is a plus.

ettsn · 02-23-2005, 10:47 AM

I agree with much of what's already been said, but something I didn't see is seat heaters. I know, I know. I totally didn't think this was a worthwhile option at all, but my car has them and I love them. Makes for great top down driving in the Fall and the milder parts of Winter. Also, I completely love having a hardtop. It transforms the car into a nice warm coupe with a heated glass rear window during the colder months. The car also feels torsionally stiffer with the roof in place.

-Paul

Thumper · 02-23-2005, 11:43 AM

My '01 is the first car that I've owned that has heated seats and my tired old bones sure do appreciate them in the colder months. I also second the hardtop recommendation. Cuts down on road noise, holds the heat in better, and makes the stereo sound better too. I have the tiptronic trans. which wasn't my first choice, but it sure is nice sitting in Dallas traffic. My next one will be a 6spd, but by that time the Boxster will be more of a "just for fun" car instead of sharing commuter duty with my truck.

:dance: the dancing guy is cool