Newbie wanting to know if Boxster S Tip S is good to drive??

[Elex]

I'm considering buying an 03 car with 12k miles and although I would normally have a manual this car has been offered to me by a friend at a good price so wondered what they are like and if anything to look out for. Current car is an Exige S2. Any info would be appreciated and thanks in advance.

[Wetwipe]

go and test drive a manual. a bargain is only good if you are actually happy with the goods.

I had a 2.7 boxster and loved every minute of driving it. a few months ago i drove a 2.7 tip for the day and hated it. its charcter was completely different.

Personally, unless i needed to drive an auto i would never have a tip pork (of even a f1 fezza) but you never know you may like it so try both back to back.

[Andy T]

You've got an S2 Exige and you want to get a Tiptronic Boxster?

Why?

Your Exige is by far the better drive. I swapped my Elise for my current '03 Boxster S and I'm regretting it. Unless you do a lot of motorway miles or you just find the Exige too raw I would think very carefully!

Ignoring the Elise/Exige, the Boxster S is a really good car, I'd get the manual but thats just me.

But If you love driving on the twisties, theres no better car than what you've got!

just my 2p's worth.

[adam b]

after the Exige you will find a Boxster S a little less exciting, much less raw, but much more practical and usable day-to-day. A Boxster S tip will be less exciting still and I really can't see how you will enjoy that awful box in an otherwise great car.

[radron]

Hi there

I agree with all of the above, I have a 911 tip and came from a trevor and S2000 so was very manual biased. I was a bit nervous of it being a tip but I took it for a test drive and actually it was really surprising. I also was nervous about paper 0-60's but when you drive it there really is very little in it unless you intend hammer the manual box. Since owning it and learning how it works I have to say that I wouldnt swap it for a manual.

Give it a go and see what you think

[thorny]

I wouldn't do it, changing gears manually is one of the highlights in a Porsche... Especially if you are coming from an Exige, you don't want to be resenting your own decision in a few weeks when you're hammering down a B-road.

Edited by thorny on Monday 4th December 12:00

[Dr S]

Tiptronic chances the character of the car a lot, so drive both. Coming from the Exige you will probably perceive the Boxster more like a big saloon car and the tip will do nothing but reinforce that feeling. Go for a manual, give it some time and a good thrashing and you will discover that it is actually a very capable machine...

[boxsey]

Speaking as a more than satisfied tip owner I would have to say that with your recent car heritage you should get a manual. Buying a boxster S tip because it's a good price is not the right reason for buying it. A tip is not a substitute for a manual IMHO.

[Elex]

Thanks for your excellent replies. I love the look of the Boxster but I've decided to get an Exige S instead. It seems Porsche reliability isn't what it used to be enginewise. I'm sure that they don't go wrong that often but when they do it's mega money. It seems that you have the same worry buying a Porsche as with a Ferrari these days and if I'm going to have this constant worry I'd rather have it over a Ferrari. No, Lotus is the way forward with bullet proof Toyota mechanicals and a long warranty. The Exige (both NA and S variants) is a fantasic car as well.