Will it go into reverse?
 

My wife is now driving my box. She drove her old TR6 back in the day and I never had to buy a new tranny for it so she knows how to shift. Well, that was 35 years ago. I can't go with her because she says it makes her nervous. Fair enough. Then, last night I asked how she likes it and she said it was great fun, but added she's really careful about downshifting from5th to 4th because she doesn't want to go into reverse by mistake. It's a 5 speed base car. Last night, waiting to fall asleep, I started thinking about this. Is it possible? Could she accidentally do it? I'm pretty sure a new transmission wouldn't do much for our marriage . Or, should I just sell it and buy an automatic, thus basically signing the fun car over to her?

We have a 99 Boxster five speed. It had been 30 years or so since my wife drove a stick. So far so good. I'm sure your wife will do just fine and enjoy her ride. Soon she will want to track racing you just wait and see. LOL

I have a 5 speed 2001 Boxster base. It is something I have never thought about . I do not know if you could select reverse from 5th. Would it not make a heck of a lot of
noise before you could even think about getting into reverse. Perhaps tiptronic might be the answer.

Perhaps suggest to her that she change gears slowly and gently....see what she thinks about tiptronic.

The answer is no.
Reverse gear will not engage when vehicle is in motion. At least, this is how it is supposed to be. I haven't tried it and I won't, so don't ask :p