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

[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.

Lucky.... my rev limiter comes on at 91 mph in third.

Here are the gear ratios in the 2005 and 2006 Boxster 987:


Base 987

Manual TIP

1st. 3.5 3.66
2nd. 2.12 2.00
3rd. 1.43 1.41
4th. 1.09 1.00
5th. 0.84 0.74


987 S

Manual TIP

1st. 3.67 3.66
2nd. 2.05 2.00
3rd. 1.41 1.41
4th. 1.13 1.00
5th. 0.97 0.74
6th. 0.82 n/a

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by bmussatti

Here are the gear ratios in the 2005 and 2006 Boxster 987:


Base 987

Manual TIP

1st. 3.5 3.66
2nd. 2.12 2.00
3rd. 1.43 1.41
4th. 1.09 1.00
5th. 0.84 0.74


987 S

Manual TIP

1st. 3.67 3.66
2nd. 2.05 2.00
3rd. 1.41 1.41
4th. 1.13 1.00
5th. 0.97 0.74
6th. 0.82 n/a

Without final drive, these are useless.

[Chills]

Originally Posted by blue2000s

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.

I didn't know the gearing was different for the 987's. For the 986's though the top gears are the same. I'll get the numbers from my owner's manual this evening.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by Chills

I didn't know the gearing was different for the 987's. For the 986's though the top gears are the same. I'll get the numbers from my owner's manual this evening.

They are NOT the same on the 986, the final drive ratio is lower on the 6 speed.

*correction* Higher on the 6-speed, not lower. The 6-speed will have less torque but more speed for a given transmission ratio.

[SPEEDMAN]

i went to porsche this morning and changed my order to a 5 speed also.

I went to order an S, but the delivery date would be after the summer, so i wouldn't enjoy that so much, would I.

i'll just stick to my meteor gray 2007 boxster NON-S. I took options PCM (very cool option imo), heated seats, leather sport seats, cruise control, chrono plus, the XLA (double exhaust), sport steering wheel, the windstop, the full climate controll, and the porsche sound system. I also took the 18 inch cayman rims, which i've seen on meteor gray and they look cool for that small price.

if i would have selected the S, it would have been without navi, and without sound system.

It's all very little difference.

[Chills]

Originally Posted by blue2000s

They are NOT the same on the 986, the final drive ratio is lower on the 6 speed.

You are correct there. Base Final Drive: 3.56:1 S Final Drive: 3.44:1

I was looking at the 6th/5th gear ratios which are both 0.84:1. I didn't take into account the final drive ratios. I stand corrected.