2007 Base 987 w/ 6-speed - worth it?

[blue2000s]

I've got an S. The 6-speed is totally unnecessary. 5th gear is useless. Save your $.

Does anyone else think the 6-speed is not necessary?

Funny thing is (to me anyway) while riding with my dad in his Miata recently, he was skipping 5th gear all the time, just like I do in my Boxster.

[Bavarian Motorist]

But 4th gear is more usable for downshifting & 6th gear is better for highway cruising.



Or is 4th gear still a joke?

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by Bavarian Motorist

But 4th gear is more usable for downshifting & 6th gear is better for highway cruising.



Or is 4th gear still a joke?

I find 3rd is long enough for most highway passing. It's good for 101 mph at 7000 rpm.

[Bavarian Motorist]

Funny...that's about what my 3rd goes to in my 5 speed.



Maybe Porsche used virtually the same gearing and just added a larger 6th gear...?




Anyways, you're right about 3rd being good enough to pass, but I would like to be able to use 4th. I feel like going to 3rd brings a lot of attention to yourself on the hwy as it makes a lot of noise and 4th is a more civilized way of passing



I like the noise, but you know, I don't want everyone thinking Boxster owners drive like douches

[eslai]

You can pass cars in fifth or sixth in an S just fine--I hardly ever need to downshift on the freeway. I doubt the six speed would offer you much advantage in that realm, unless by "passing" you mean "zipping around someone who's already going really fast" and in that case, you're going to draw a lot of attention no matter what. Use third.

[Chills]

For those thinking the 6th gear on the S is better for cruising than 5th on the Base go check your owner's manual. The gear ratios for 5th in the Base and 6th in the S are exactly the same. Its the middle gears that are different.

IMHO, save your money. 6 gears are nice to have, but I wouldn't pay extra for them as an upgrade.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by Chills

For those thinking the 6th gear on the S is better for cruising than 5th on the Base go check your owner's manual. The gear ratios for 5th in the Base and 6th in the S are exactly the same. Its the middle gears that are different.

IMHO, save your money. 6 gears are nice to have, but I wouldn't pay extra for them as an upgrade.

You need to look at that manual yourself and keep in mind that the final drive ratio is part of the total gearing. They've changed the gearing on the 987 so I'm not sure if it's the same story as the 986 but the 986S has a shorter 1st and a longer top gear than the 5 speed cars.