Issue with my 987 neighbor

[natecooper]

A new guy just moved into my apartment complex and he has a jet black 987. At first I was excited, thinking "great another porsche guy, plus I get to see a 987 every day now!". I went to go peek in his window a few minutes ago, and behold it was an automatic.

Now call me old fashion, but I believe the only way it is acceptable to have an automatic in a Boxster is if you are married and it was the only way your wife would let you get the car. Outside of that it just rubs me the wrong way.

I mean to me that's like having a wicked hot girlfriend that lives on the other side of the world. Sure... she's your girlfriend, and sure... she's hot. But, she is on the other side of the world so who cares? It's just a waste of good resources.


Seriously, what the hell?

[blinkwatt]

Just look at it this way...Your Boxster is faster then his(stick your tongue out).

[threpwood]

What's wrong by having an automatic? and who cares if its Tiptro or manual? It's still a boxster. Either type can still do corners like no gravity.

What's the connection between having an automatic with marriage and wife? I'm curious...are you saying that women can't drive stick?

[natecooper]

It just makes me sad that people in my generation (let's say 30 and under), in large, either don't know how to drive a stick or don't like to. Men and Women. And for goodness sake, a single guy that has a Porsche and buys it as an automatic?!?

My only connection to marriage is I can understand 'comprimise' in marriage, and I respect that.

My Opinion:
Manual = More interested with the driving expeirience
Automatic = More interested with comfort

[tqtran]

Originally Posted by natecooper

It just makes me sad that people in my generation (let's say 30 and under), in large, either don't know how to drive a stick or don't like to

Sorry to break it to you but thats the way its going. A lot of highline sports cars are going Fi sequential transmission with paddle shifters. There is a reason you dont see many F1/CART/INDY race cars with a stick...because there is something better, though more expensive

As soon as Porsche offers a SMG/DSG(sequential clutch peddless) F1 treansmission, I'm taking it over a stick any day. Paddle shifters will shift faster than any pro driven stick. An F1 boxster will be faster than your stick boxter.

I also assume the guy got an auto for the bumper to bumper traffic on the 101 or 110. Not everyone likes being in first gear for HOURS...

[eslai]

Originally Posted by tqtran

As soon as Porsche offers a SMG/DSG(sequential clutch peddless) F1 treansmission, I'm taking it over a stick any day.

If it doesn't cost major bucks, certainly I'd agree with you. Knowing Porsche though, it'll be like a $10,000 option at least.

[Ronzi]

My god, how times have changed.
When I joined the 986Forum coming up on three years ago one of the first posts I made was a polemic about never buying another car with a manual transmission.
I was slagged mercilessly by the stick shifter crowd.
I must say I have moderated my position somewhat since then, to the point where today I would not specifically go after (another) Tipper car, but I wouldn't kick one out of bed either.
I think in the long run manual transmissions will go the way of the proverbial DoDo Bird, as manufacturers find it easier to meet emissions and fuel economy requirements if the computer controls the transmission rather than the driver.
The Box is a great ride, either way.

[Brucelee]

Lexus is on the way with an eight speed auto.

Sign of the times. Actually, it is one step closer to a CVT.

[tqtran]

See, I use to be a stick fan. But I got the chance to drive an M3 with a SMG and I thought "OMG this rocks"

[berj]

I've asked this before and I'll ask it again:

What's the connection with someone else's car and your happiness?


What if someone posted:

It just rubs me the wrong way to see these guys buying Porsches but only buying Boxsters. I mean.. everyone knows that the only reason you buy a Boxster is if you can't afford a 911. Not to mention it's a chick car. It rubs me the wrong way to see all of those Boxsters with my beloved Porsche badge on them. They should just save up and buy a 911 like a real man. Waste of resources otherwise.

My opinion:
911: interested in the real driving experience
Boxster: girl car.

---

Moreover.. you seem to think that someone interested in comfort doesn't deserve a Boxster. Whatever gave you that ridiculous notion?

To sum up: get over it. Unless you're going to give the guy $50,000 to buy the car that you want him to buy.. keep your opinions to yourself.

PS. I drive a stick.. 987.. but a non-S. Is that a waste of resources too?

[Brucelee]

Are you writing the check for this guy's car each month?

If not, you don't get a vote.

Then again, he doesn't get a vote on YOUR car either!

Move on, life is way too short!

[RandallNeighbour]

If it's his daily drive and he has to sit in that series of long skinny parking lots you people call "freeways", I can see why he went with the Tip.

[Perfectlap]

paddles and tips are the handywork of the devil and have ruined motorsports.

The 928 Came in a slushbox and is very much a Porsche. All drivers are different, some enjoy the inventions of satan.

[berj]

As an aside.. I personally don't like the Tip.. but the objection is about the UI more than anything else. After driving one for a week I found that I kept hitting the shift buttons inadvertantly with my thumbs while turning. (I'm a 9 and 3 driver). I rather liked the feel of the car with the Tip but due to my fat thumbs and the fact that I *really* enjoy driving a standard I went with the standard.

[chily3]

Quote --- ""Third, I love my Wife. Since Marrying, she has always been totally supportive of my Hobby. She's come along to countless Auto-X, Track, and Show days and has sat quietly on the sidelines and I wanted to get her involved. After 8 years of owning my Lotus Esprit, I finally was able to urge her to drive it. I pulled over in the Parking Lane, swapped seats. She put the Car in gear, drove 100', pulled over and said "That was nice..." She can drive a stick, but simply doesn't like it. Buying a Tip S has allowed her to take the Car and she really gets her foot in it. It is 'Our' Car, and that makes me Happy.""


When I got "our" 2002 S, was looking at Tips and wife said absolutly NOT, It is a sports car and comes with six speed trans.

So we have a six speed to go along with her 5 speed BMW and my "Auto" magnum.

mike

[eslai]

I personally haven't driven a non-stick car that I thought was fun to drive. I always felt a bit hamstrung by the delayed response. Once they come out with a tranny that shifts smoothly, rev-matches properly, is as quick to shift gears as a manual tranny AND is affordable, I'll be all over it. I have no fantasies about my abilities being better than a proper DSG or what not.

[natecooper]

Quit? Hell no! This is the best forum on the web for Boxster lovers. It's saved me hundreds of dollars and I have way more knowledge of the car now.

I started this post right after I saw my neighbors auto last night, and I appologize for choosing a less than tackful way of sharing 2 views of mine:

1. It is unfortunate that my generation does not enjoy stick shifts as much as I feel they could.
2. I prefer a stick and wanted to get people talking about sticks vs. autos in their boxsters.

I was not trying to offend anyone, however, obviously have. To try and make up for a post I could have started in a more positive tone I will post a picture of myself with a duck bill. Enjoy.

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

My experience has been that people's vocal opposition to the Tiptronic S is inversely proportional to their experience with one. Even if you have driven one, it has several Adaptive Modes, if you just get in one and go, you'll never know how good it is unless it's adapted to your style. Add to this, that some feel emasculated by someone else driving a Tip S...??

If this is the case, I suggest you see a Doctor, because the plain truth is that your D*ck isn't shrinking because of what I drive, better seek the cause elsewhere.

I bought my Boxster used with a Tiptronic for several reasons:

First, I own 3 other Enthusiast Cars all of which are Manuals. My Daily Driver is a Manual. I haven't owned or regularly driven an Automatic for over 25 years - I was thrashing my way around the Track and the Twisties when many of you were still trying to negotiate your Big Wheels around the Patio Furniture. After that length of time, Rowing becomes a Monotonous Chore, not the thrilling Phallic Extension it once was - until you've reached this point, you will have no idea what I'm talking about, but you will...

Secondly, I got an Absolutely Pristine example for under $5k the going rate, mostly because it was a Tip S. I didn't need another Toy, but this deal was simply too good to pass up and I have always been intrigued by the Boxster - 17k mi., 18" Turbo Twists, Full Leather, Sport Exhaust, Das Shild (F/R), CD Player, Full Windstop, Halon Extinguisher w/ BK Mount, New Pirelli P-Zeros, Full Bra incl. Mirrors, Silverstone Cover, Guards Red/ Savannah Beige (My personal Favorite), 2 yr. Extended Warranty without a single Scratch or Blemish, Total and excellent Service Records, Glowing PPI, and all for $17k. back in March of '05.

Third, I love my Wife. Since Marrying, she has always been totally supportive of my Hobby. She's come along to countless Auto-X, Track, and Show days and has sat quietly on the sidelines and I wanted to get her involved. After 8 years of owning my Lotus Esprit, I finally was able to urge her to drive it. I pulled over in the Parking Lane, swapped seats. She put the Car in gear, drove 100', pulled over and said "That was nice..." She can drive a stick, but simply doesn't like it. Buying a Tip S has allowed her to take the Car and she really gets her foot in it. It is 'Our' Car, and that makes me Happy.

50% of ALL Boxster production is Tip S. They experience fewer RMS failures, require less Maintenance and give away EXTREMELY little, if you actually know how to drive one. I Auto-X mine regularly and am in the Top 5% at least in the Standings. Don't confuse Skillful Driving with being able to consistently find the Gate.. you'll miss most of the experience if you do.

I Auto-X and Track regularly, yet even with all this, it's hard to put 150 mi./yr. on the Car in that Mode. I just don't see paying the premium in Purchase Price and Maintenance costs of owning a Manual to derive such a small advantage. But then, my Phallic Confidence isn't reliant on it either.

As stated, get over yourself and stop telling everyone else what to drive...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[RandallNeighbour]

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

I was thrashing my way around the Track and the Twisties when many of you were still trying to negotiate your Big Wheels around the Patio Furniture.

Ouch! Why not write, "I've been track driving since 1960 (or whatever year you started) and let the reader figure out they were still in diapers?

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

Ouch! Why not write, "I've been track driving since 1960 (or whatever year you started) and let the reader figure out they were still in diapers?

Hi,

It's called Descriptive Writing - that's what I do, I'm an Author and fully avail myself of Artistic License. Before anyone asks, I won't post a Bibliography here, that part of my life I keep separate. Although I do have a Novel soon to be released and hope you will all buy it (on it's own merits, not because I appear here), because I have a very special 4-wheel purchase in mind if my Royalties hit the Mark.

Anyway, despite the verbage, clearly my meaning was conveyed and that's what's important in written communication...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99