ziege

I test drove a Boxster and Boxster S the other day. Fantastic!

I'm most likely going with the Boxster, but had some conserns on the 5 speed manual. It felt very stiff and notchy - in a bad way compared to the smoothness of the S.

This may be because I am used to the transmission in my Carrera, and found the Boxster 5 speed to be so different.

Before I order, I wanted to get feedback on the transmission choices, and see how everyone likes the 5 speed, and those who went with the 6 speed (if any) and why.

Thanks for the input.

type987s

A Porsche Factory Rep explained to me that the 6 speed transmission is basically bullet proof. It is built by the same company that manufactures transmissions for the 911. The 5 speed transmission is built by a different company. He stated he wasn’t too high on it's durability.

SD987S

My 05-base 987 had the 5 speed and my 06S obviously has the 6. I never thought that the gearing of the 5 speed was a detriment to the car, particularly in that the low-RPM torque on the base model is not its strong-point on a relative basis.

With either the 5 or 6 you're at 90-mph in 3rd gear, so in practice, the six speed doesn't add that much street value. I drive...briskly...and more often than not, when accelerating on an on-ramp shifts 4-5 and 6 are done at low RPMs in quick succession and are somewhat superfluous.

As for feel, I wouldn't give one much of a nod over the other. The throws are slightly longer on the 5 but the 6 is somewhat vaguer. Due to long linkage travel inherent in the design, I don't think anyone would say that the feel of the shifter is one of the best attributes of the Boxster design, 986 or 987.

racer

Its safe to conceed that the 5-sp is the "cheaper" unit, hence it is the standard piece. If you feel the 6 is worth the price premium, go for it. Yes, the 5 speed is Audi sourced. In fact, it is a Getrag design that Audi builds, so even though its an "audi" transmission, it was designed by the folks at Getrag. Not sure if it is Getrag or someone else that "builds" the 6spd units.

Given the tq and hp of the Boxster motors, you will find the 6 to have an extra gear, used primarily to improve highway fuel economy. The 5 speed is well spaced and, since it only has 5 spds, you will be shifting less.

webnuts4u2

I've got a Boxster and had the chance to drive the Cayman the other day with the 6. The 6 feels better and in my opinion, just more driveable. Better ratios... If I had to do it again, I'd get the S or the Cayman.

type987s

For much better feel add an OEM sport shifter. It makes the shifts crisp and tight.