Nothing against tips, but manual preferred. Good luck.

 

6 Speed, if for no other reason than the Tip's seem to shift really early. These cars are great between 3-6k RPM, however from the people I've talked to with Tip's, unless you are jumping on it, or driving it in manual mode, it will shift well before that range. To me, that makes you miss out on the best part of the power range. Further, lower costs, more desirable on this model, etc.

Cheers,

DS

 

Driving a manual transmission is more engaging. You clearly can see a degree of pride in drivers that still know how to use a manual (a recent car jacking in Seattle was prevented when the young culprits got in the car, realized it was a manual transmission and had no idea how to drive it -- took off on foot). That said, a number of drivers don't drive a manual transmission well and rack up costs in clutch and transmission repair.

If you're going to drive a lot in traffic, have a spouse who doesn't drive a manual but would expect to drive your car, or you just don't find manuals all that engaging and just enjoy drives on the freeway or scenic drives in the country -- the automatic makes a lot of sense. Yes -- they sell for less. But that also means that your acquisition costs are less and you have a broader audience to sell to when you're done with the car.

Personally, I prefer a manual transmission in a Porsche. Yet, I'm a lot more concerned about buying a used car with a manual as most drivers I've seen don't drive them well (putting excessive wear on synchro's & clutch than necessary). So, I'm paying more to buy it and may also pay more down the road to repair the damage/wear they've caused.

Think about the type of driving you want to do and who might be driving the car -- and just pick the one that fits your situation.

Good luck.

 

It's funny to think about how many younger drivers can't drive a car with a manual transmission. I bought each of my sons a car with a manual transmission. They are both proficient at driving a manual transmission, and they actually prefer it to an automatic transmission. It really teaches a young driver how to drive. It forces them to think about which gear is selected for a given situation. It makes them think about downshifting and braking in a different way than an automatic driver. I'm glad I taught them how to drive a manual.

 

Best advice IMHO.

 

Arkplan - there is a lot of misinformation in this thread, partially due to people defending their own choices and partilly due to ignorance. As some have said, make the decision based on your own circumstances. If you test drive an automatic, try it in manual mode as many do when not stuck in traffic. I've owned many manual cars (not Porsches) in my life and they're no longer very practical where I live. I find manual mode to be a reasonably good alternative. If I lived in a less crowded area I would prefer a 6-speed.

 

I have both. The manual is more fun on my 996TT, but the Auto tip is better for chillin' in my 996 Carrera daily driver, and will save you mucho bucks if wanting to buy a Porsche. I have had my manual shifter cable snap off my shifter on the manual and left me stranded, so upgrade that ASAP....It is cheap plastic. The auto has not had any issues. It shifts how it should IMHO. If your putting around it shifts fast, but romp on it, and it shifts at the high end of the RPM range, or use the tip and shift when you want. If I had to choose, I would go with the manual though because it is more like driving and very fun on the track. If your sitting in traffic all day, get an auto and save money.

 

Manual - for two reasons: resale and drivability. I've been with Porsche since 2001 and, due to a lack of demand, Tiptronics accounted for less than 10% of all 911 coupes ordered in '02. When we have a Tip offered to us as an exchange, a Tip will bring in 20%+ less than the same car in a manual. Tough to find enthusiasts wanting an auto 911. Now PDK.... that's a different story.

 

Maybe the owners on here can comment. My impression, based on instrumented tests over the years, was that the Tiptronic automatic had a big performance deficit vs. the manual in the n/a 911s. Was the 5-speed automatic 997TT the differentiator? Or well before that?

 

That's correct - not until Porsche introduced Tiptronic S in the 997 TTs did we see an advantage over a manual. And in a Turbo S, the Tip S was the quikest and most efficient way to put the power to the ground. Previously, the standard Tip option was, by no means, a performance enhancer. More of a convenience option.

 

I think the price issue is somewhat suspect. Looking at Kelly Blue Book's site, my car with and without a Tip comes in at the same price. So if there is a difference, no way it's 20%.

Get used to automatics. Manual transmissions are going the way of the Dodo bird.
In fact, you can't order a GT3 with manual transmission.

 

I believe that RF5BPilot is dead on. It all depends on how you plan to use it and who is going to use it. I used to have a 99 C2 6 speed and loved it, but on occasion, as would be now, the wife had to drive it. She knows how to drive a 3 pedal car, but prefers the auto tranny. A lot of traffic would make you lean towards a Tip. 90% of cars sold locally are Tips. Do I prefer a manual? Yes! Does it sometimes become a chore? Yes! I am waiting on a PPI result for a C4S Tip and no issues with it. Wife loved it. All I gotta say!

 

There's nothing suspect about a Tip's lack of value or demand- I've been selling Porsches exclusively for over a dozen years and there is no mistaking the lack of value or demand a tip may bring- Kelly may say different - truth is Kelly has never bought a car nor will they pay you what they claim it's worth. If you want a tip - excellent and enjoy! But when one asks what may be more beneficial financially in the end, it's a manual.

 

And believe me - I love and prefer a PDK over a manual- but a PDK is no Tiptronic!

 

Sooo Your saying buy the one that costs the most?