Sportomatic: usable or avoid?
#1
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Background: I’m disabled due to a spinal injury in 2016. Just now getting back into driving, but I need an automatic or PDK. I love vintage and classic, but every time I hear about the Sportomatic it seems to be in the context of “how hard or expensive is it to swap for a manual?” I can no longer drive a manual, so Sportomatic is something I’m considering.
So… has anyone daily-driven a pre-‘74 Sportomatic? Is it usable in actual traffic, or more of a collector curiosity? I’ll probably go for a 993 Tiptronic, but the long hood cars.are far too cool to rule out. (And yes, I’m in Southern California so no winter driving issues.). I can’t imagine Porsche would produce these for more than a decade if they were overly fussy…
So… has anyone daily-driven a pre-‘74 Sportomatic? Is it usable in actual traffic, or more of a collector curiosity? I’ll probably go for a 993 Tiptronic, but the long hood cars.are far too cool to rule out. (And yes, I’m in Southern California so no winter driving issues.). I can’t imagine Porsche would produce these for more than a decade if they were overly fussy…
#3
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I think that there are 2 parts to your post.
The first part deals with how the M/T 911 drivers who look down at the automatic 911s whether Sportmatic, Tip, PDK, etc. Just ignore them!
Regarding the Sportmatic; Last year I helped my aunt (79 year young) purchase her first 911 and we get her a fully restored 1973 911 T Sportmatic. The car checked out, drove fine, shifted fine, etc. She lives in Scottsdale. And as you stated, these transmissions were in production for a long time!
Do the normal cautionary PPI before purchase, etc. and buy whatever you like.
The first part deals with how the M/T 911 drivers who look down at the automatic 911s whether Sportmatic, Tip, PDK, etc. Just ignore them!
Regarding the Sportmatic; Last year I helped my aunt (79 year young) purchase her first 911 and we get her a fully restored 1973 911 T Sportmatic. The car checked out, drove fine, shifted fine, etc. She lives in Scottsdale. And as you stated, these transmissions were in production for a long time!
Do the normal cautionary PPI before purchase, etc. and buy whatever you like.
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The following 2 users liked this post by Speedster911:
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#5
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I think that there are 2 parts to your post.
The first part deals with how the M/T 911 drivers who look down at the automatic 911s whether Sportmatic, Tip, PDK, etc. Just ignore them!
Regarding the Sportmatic; Last year I helped my aunt (79 year young) purchase her first 911 and we get her a fully restored 1973 911 T Sportmatic. The car checked out, drove fine, shifted fine, etc. She lives in Scottsdale. And as you stated, these transmissions were in production for a long time!
Do the normal cautionary PPI before purchase, etc. and buy whatever you like.
The first part deals with how the M/T 911 drivers who look down at the automatic 911s whether Sportmatic, Tip, PDK, etc. Just ignore them!
Regarding the Sportmatic; Last year I helped my aunt (79 year young) purchase her first 911 and we get her a fully restored 1973 911 T Sportmatic. The car checked out, drove fine, shifted fine, etc. She lives in Scottsdale. And as you stated, these transmissions were in production for a long time!
Do the normal cautionary PPI before purchase, etc. and buy whatever you like.
And - wow, your aunt is one cool lady!
#6
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Check with several of the nearby PCA regions to see if there are any mechanics with experience working on Sportomatics just to make it easier. I think it would be very cool to own and operate one. Good luck and be sure to post some pictures if you are able to find one.
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#8
Trucker
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It is one of those things, you know, she always wanted one and then one day you wake up and you are 79 yo! Buying a fully restored car is really a nice way to get in these old cars.
The following 2 users liked this post by Igooz:
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#10
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Post of a photo of her and her new car... and tell her everyone on RL thinks she is a cool lady. I hope to see her on the road or a P event.
#11
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My dad had a Sportomatic in a 72 gold T. He drove it every day for about 3 years with no issues. He was a great father and let me drive it on a regular basis on weekends. You shifted it like a manual through the gears and once you learned not to touch the shifter until you wanted to shift it was great. I would not hesitate to buy one. I think you'll really enjoy it!!
Happy hunting.
Happy hunting.
#13
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