I'm having a bit of the same dilemma. Planning on selling my 99 Accord next summer (or maybe just keep it for a beater depending on how much it is worth). Anyhow, I am thinking either early 2000s Boxster or 993 for daily driver. Probably will lean towards the 993, but the Boxster prices are really coming down...

Here's a few 2002 S's
http://tinyurl.com/qamym

http://tinyurl.com/o96cu

http://tinyurl.com/nnygz

http://tinyurl.com/qknyb

Wow, 3/4 with automatic transmissions. Why would you buy a Boxster S without a stick???

Half - one corrected the listing - but then again - why?

I wouldn't, but his wife might want one, he didn't say.

Boxter has the engine in the right place, the middle.

Odds are - if you have at least one tree - you can get a stick. There is no need realy to a lot for Porsche to put a stick in the car - just buy the car without it, and add a stick!

That was a very poor attempt at humor...

Was that what that was, I thought he was having a petite mal seizure while posting.

Maybe he was.

No... She's quite comfortable with a standard.
When she first came to the states, she found it odd that we have so many automatic cars. Apparently automatics are mostly used by only the disabled or the lazy back home.

Unless you have driven one for more than just a test drive, you wouldn't understand the benefits of the tiptronic transmission. I drive mine 90% of the time in tip mode, the other 10% is when I am stuck in traffic. The tip has great shifting....smooth and fast.

To each his/her own. I for one am impressed with the automatic/tip. BTW, I will own another stick someday I am sure.

My point is, just don't discount the tip so easily, it really is a nice transmission.

All the Porsche race cars are a type of Tiptronic, shifting is custom tailored to the drivers preference via computer.

Oh, I'm not discounting it, I'm sure it's a great transmission. I guess my point is that if you are going to spend the extra $$$ to buy a Boxster S over the standard model, I assume you are looking for that sports car performance and feel. That includes a manual transmission, IMHO.

To be honest, I know nothing about tiptronic except that it isn't manual.

To me, automatic = powerglide, turbo350/400, torquflite, etc. None of which are really "sportscar" equipment - no matter what Big3 would have you believe.

Is tiptronic a steering column mounted paddle shifter, or is it just an automatic that you shift yourself at the console?

Is it not heavier than a manual?

Racecars have the luxury of being able to be serviced between events. My wifes car is not going to have the trans pulled after every DE. So, am I going to have trouble out of the tiptronic over the long term if she's giving it a workout at DE events?

Yeah, I understand your opinion Rick. I thought the same up until I bought the tip, but I am really enjoying it.

When I get my early car (someday), I will enjoy the manual on the weekends. :)

PS: The tip shifting control is on the steering wheel.

Coming from someone who has owned neither?

Whatever you do, don't get a 951 or 968. In fact, don't even look at them. ;)

Given your criteria, Boxster, hands down.

But I've driven both.

No problem... they hurt my eyes. :p

Actually, I already tried to talk her into something like that. I showed her pictures and explained that some of them outperform the BoxSter.... but she want's no part of it. In her own words, the front engined Porsches are "just cars".

To be honest, she wants a 911 and the BoxSter is just "second choice". To her, the 911 is Porsche. It is the icon that signifies the brand. And to that same degree, she also does not care as much for the post 964 cars, or any of the slantnoses.

I understand.

I do think that the 968 was a better car than the early Boxster.

If you can talk her into it, have her test drive all three.