996 owners. tip or manual?

[bullettneil]

im looking at getting a 996 c4s soon.but get mixed opinions on gearbox type.ive always been a manual boy,love feeling like im actually driving by going up and down the gears on back lanes etc.but a few people are trying to convince me that the tiptronic is the far better car.i dont mind autos in the big cars like 5series bmw or range rovers but not sure on the porker.

what are your views as owners?

cheers neil

[davek_964]

Not an owner but a couple of years ago, had a Boxster courtesy car (2008) over a weekend which was tip. I assume it would be much the same as a 996 box (if not better, since it was a later car).

I hated it and would never ever buy a tip as a result. But some people like them.

[hendy]

If you like manual go for manual. I had a manual 64S and loved it. I drop the tip and it just wasn't for me.

[gd]

Manual all the way.

I've mad two 996C4S in manual, both amazing cars. Had a loaner C2 tip once, and it was not for me. Our current Cayenne is however a tip... and somehow that feels like the right answer, as our previous Cayenne was manual and hard work.

I think what I'm saying is that, for me, it's about the combination of the car and gearbox, and a manual box feels right in a 911.

G

[stuckmojo]

I am aware tiptronics are available in larger numbers and perhaps cheaper, but for me it had to be a manual. I hate auto slush boxes in a sports car. I could just about live with a paddle PDK thing, but in my eyes he 5 speed Mercedes lazybox makes no sense in a 911.

[Prof Beard]

Depends on your approach to driving. I'm a bit in the minority on PH in that I like auto boxes (provided the car is powerful). My 996 C4S is a Tip and I really like it. It's responsive enough for my needs and doesn't seem to do changes at inappropriate times. I run it in "D" and just use the buttons to drop a gear for overtakes etc - I think ithe Tip mates well with the car's 4WD. My suspicion is that to fully exploit the advantages of a manual would involve some pretty illegal driving... The Tip makes for fast but relaxed driving, but it really is all about personal preference

[mrfunex]

Drive both. Buy whichever YOU prefer.

[Prof Beard]

mrfunex said:

Drive both. Buy whichever YOU prefer.

I agree

[monthefish]

Usual, drive both and choose whichever you prefer....







...but I'd be very surprised if you did prefer the tip.

[supermono]

They call it tiptronic to make people think it isn't a slushbox. But it is, try it by all means but remember it's only a 911 auto.

SM

[bga]

I preferred the manual & after driving a few I wouldn't want a tip. Each to their own though.

[Johnfrancis]

Manual, applies to all performance cars whether AM, Ferrari, etc etc. and will soon be a thing of the past,make the most of it while you can.

[keith333]

I had a 2001 996 4S Tiptronic and did not like the gearbox at all so would definitely suggest manual. The Tiptronic on mine changed up at absurdly low revs, felt like an old man driving it so drove it in manual mode all the time. Next 911 I get will be manual.

[mollytherocker]

You need to try both for yourself and make your OWN decision.


















Then buy a manual.

[sticks090460]

Looks like I'd better not offer my opinion - but in my defence I live in London and hence have to do a lot of stop-start in long queues of slow moving traffic. I find Tip fine, especially on track days when I can concetrate on lines and braking points, rather than worrying about wrong slotting and buzzing the engine (see threads on over-revs passim...)

Just me though it seems, and I am quite old........

[anonymous-user]

bullettneil said:

a few people are trying to convince me that the tiptronic is the far better car

what are your views as owners?

cheers neil

The manual box on these cars is great and I would be truly shocked if the auto was far better. Far better at what exactly? Crawling in city traffic? - yes if that's what your 911 is destined for. Hooning around country roads? - I really don't think so unless you can't drive a manual. On track? Again, only if you can't drive at all. If you like manual sportscars, as it appears you do, then I would suggest the manual is a far better choice.

[bullettneil]

cheers for all the replies chaps.i am going to test drive a tip sunday but if im honest i still think i want manual. ive always had manuals and find the gear changing to be part of the fun on the twisties.
im aware i have to watch the over rev in the 996,which is going to be a bit difficult to get used to compared to the turbo'd cars ive driven for so many years but im sure i can adapt.
the car will be a weekend and occasional week night out car for me.no track days as im a bit of a bufty(love driving cars fast but hate stonechips and scratches so avoid the track)
now to find a nice straight car for not alot of cash

[Vixpy1]

Do you live in London? Have friends called 'Rupert' and 'Hugo'? Have a job that involves doing something in an office in Mayfair to do with finance but with a job title so vauge that not even your friends know what you do? Does your wife read 'Hello' and 'OK' and base your next Holiday destination on where her favourite celeb stayed last year? Do you plan on calling your Children something riduculus like 'Fairy dust holly tree'?

If Yes to these things, then a Tip 996 is the car for you!

If No, then buy a manual.

[gerradiuk]

The Drive by wire throttle was worse than the Tip IMO but together YUK !

[bullettneil]

driv by wire throttle? on a c4s? cant say i noticed. i did drive mates e92 m3 and hated it.the clutch was too light,the steering gave next to no feed back even on the m button,and the throttle was so featherlight it put me off too.
that probaly sounds like most peoples idea of a nice car but i like to feel the road and the car myself.