to S or not to S ?

[markk]

@another S in S:

I really respect your opinion and I'm open for discussion. But I'd like you just to be more specific about the problems. If gear ratio's are wrong you would be able come up with specifics like:

-> shift from redline in gear x to below 5k rpm (variocam turningpoint) in gear x+1

-> shift from gear x to x+1 drops to many rpm's

-> 6th gear is not usable. Top speed is reached in 5th (true for driving topless. Topless it's about 250 redline in 5th, upshift to 6th keeps it there but doesn't pull further. Top up and it goes over 270...)

-> 1st gear is too long and you have to use the clutch too much when pulling away fast

-> feel is bad, long (commented already on that), not precise which makes mis-shifts a regular thing, synchro's are bad/slow when down-shifting, etc.

IMHO I don't have these kind of problems, so I just can't imagine any generic problems with the six-speed. I would like the throws to be shorter, yes, and I would like the box to be a bit more smooth when cold, yes.


Boy, am I motivated to try a 5-speed next at dealer ;-)



Mark.

[Adam]

The S has several upgrades over the regular boxster such as: The brakes from the 911 turbo, 6-speed from the 911 with feels fine to 99% of the owners i've talked to, retuned suspension that is more perfomance oriented, better looking exhaust from the rear i.e twin ovals, aluminum trim around the gauges, a couple other small details, and uhh oh yeah 30 more ponies under the hood that has a much torquier feel and range.

[986Porsche986]

I love my 2002 S. I think the gearing is setup pretty well for my driving style. I like
to get on it and drive pretty hard. (sometimes my wife feels sorry for it... )
Never had a problem engaging any gears, The gear ratios feel right, and the
car has plenty of power throughout the gear range. Although I do have to
admit, I have only used 6th gear maybe twice in the last year and a half, just
to make sure its still there. Get an "S"

[Bob Z.]

Whether they want to admit it or not, a lot (notice I did not say "all") of non-S owners are either too cheap, cannot afford it, or listen to everything they read/hear about why to not buy an S. The S is a better car, period. How many S buyers have you heard say they should have bought a non-S?

[turbo23dog]

I think what's interesting is that this is an old thread from 2003. Think about it... these naysayers only had ~2 years of experience with the S Models being first out in 2000. They may have been reacting to prevailing opinions based on pure factual evidence found on INTERNET FORUMS that did not pan out over time, to say the current time of 2008.


I'm completely happy with my 6 speed S model and don't find any of the issues raised in this old thread to be anything of a problem for me.

[BoxsterLewis]

I dorve both and for 'Me' i have to have the S. The power diff is extremly noticeable, the non-S had a weird power curve and was lacking the grunt of the S. I have 82k on my 2001 S and sometimes itll grind into 2nd gear but i think thats bc i release the clutch too early

[Darkhamr]

Hey S in S, you know what they say about opinions? Anyone can copy and paste random quotes. I can post just as many opposing opinions. If I was to listen to such I would prefer the opinions of professional testers and drivers than random people on the Net. Here try these.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=44224
As one might guess, it's the drivetrain changes that truly separate the Boxster S from its progenitor. While the Boxster can feel lethargic in terms of power delivery and shift duty, the S model rockets away from stoplights and out of corners with authority and has a soothing engine tone that could make psychotherapy obsolete. Echoing off the canyon walls that snake away from the Pacific Ocean just north of Los Angeles, the flat six's exhaust note is one of the most inspiring sounds you'll hear for under $100,000. Those 225 foot-pounds of torque peak at a user-friendly 4,500 rpm and combine with the broad band of useable power. We found ourselves leaving the Boxster in third gear for much of our twisty work while the throttle pedal acted like a mellifluous volume knob, gently caressing those six organ pipes located just aft of the passenger cabin.

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/pw/boxstervss.htm

I used to think that there was not enough reason to buy a Boxster S over a Boxster to justify the $13,000 difference, but that was before I'd driven the Boxster S. Here's the answer: where the Boxster has superb handling, braking, acceleration and acoustics, the Boxster S has better handling, better braking better acceleration (5.7 seconds, 0-100 km/h) and the engine sound is even more magnificent. In short, the Boxster S has more of everything that's great in the Boxster.



If you insist on owners opinions there is plenty on both this forum and many others where the majority will suggest the S.
http://www.ppbb.com/boards/ppbbphp/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=ARCHIVES&Number=1100242&page=5&view=collapsed&sb=6&o=7&fpart=all

To 'S' or not to 'S'

I own an S, but my personal advice on this question is always that the prospective owner first understand what is most important to them in a vehicle and then understand what each one offers. You can't really go wrong in either choice.

[steve00s]

I have driven the 5-speed and tiptronic 2.7's and I own the S. While both cars are fantastic in their own right, I disagree that the 6-speed S is junk as rammed down my throat by S in S. No wonder you have been banned on other boards. Most people state an opinion, hear others, agree, disagree, and then move on. You seem to be on some kind of crusade. Lighten up.

[Kurt W]

Was struggling somewhat with the comments made thus far in this thread so I had to check it out for myself. Since the car had only half a tank, I had to go out and fill it up. Of course, also had to take the long way there, and the longer way back just to get some driving time. BTW, its a 2004 S. I shifted into 5th at one point and while I didn't need 6th, I could have easily, if not for the already well exceeded 45 MPH limit. All I can say is wow. I don't friggin care about the legacy of the transmission, or for the engine for that matter, all I know is it is a spectacular combination. As an engineer, I can appreciate the compromises that are made to use and re-use subassemblies such as engines and transmissions. I also can appreciate the effort and analysis required as well as scrutiny of peers necessary to arrive at significant decisions such as these. I'm sure the base model is worthy of the marque, absolutely no doubt in my mind. But the S model just works... S in S, so sorry for your apparent case of envy, I'm sure you've convinced yourself of the adequacy of your choice, the rest of us won't judge you for it.

Kurt
from top down heaven, Tucson, AZ

[Brucelee]

They are both very fine cars. Its a choice issue. Yes, some folks won't spend the extra dough and that is fine. Some will, and that is fine too.

I have owned both and there is nothing wrong with the six speed.

[blue2000s]

You guys do realize that you're responding to a guy who hasn't logged into this site in 3 years, right?