If you are anywhere near NYC like myself - take it on a drive on the Saw Mill Parkway or the Bronx River parkway - lots of turns intended for slow speeds...I took the car there and was absolutely stunned by the fact that I didn't use the brake pedal once (no downshifting either) - since I used to brake often there with other vehicles (BMW 330 and Range Rover)....the handling is unreal as is the balance. These are the kinds of roads you need to try them on to really get a feel of what a 987 S is capable of. In terms of commuting, I understand the Tip ( I don't drive to the city but if I did...I wouldn't go with a stick either), but getting a Tip negates the extra money you'd pay for an S model...and the Boxster deserves the S engine, the base model is too weak IMHO. Driving the car in the city also gives you the opportunity to survey the vehicle's superb suspension and how it absorbs bumps. Contrary to popular belief, it actually handles these well, with minimal jarring and rarely any harshness in the cabin. There are two Porsche dealers you can go to in test driving these --- to do the Saw Mill/Bronx River route in Westchester (by me), check out Pepe Porsche. In Manhattan, go to Manhattan Motorcars - if you are going there, message me, I purchased mine from there and they are absolutely phenomenal to deal with (aka no pretension, walk in with gym shorts why dont you).