Socal_Tom

My prior '87 was a 5 speed manual and while it was a fantastic open road car it was a bit cumbersome around town. The new-to-me '87 S4 that I bought recently (that was up in OR) is an automatic and I was suprised to find she is an TON of fun just running around town.

Consider me a convert (having a spare 928 with a 5 speed of course)!

GT6ixer

I bet. My "84 auto with 80 odd HP less is fun, particularly if left in 3rd.

crustychief

I love my s4 auto. If i need to fill the "do it yourself" shifting I drive the 911

Socal_Tom

Why didn't you all tell me this, say, 10 cars ago?!?

Lots of stuff to do still but very encouraging.

What year/series 911 Chief?

crustychief

It is a 79 911SC. come on by and check it out! Sending PM.

Socal_Tom

Right on, let's hit Palomar mountain this fall.

I have a '74 with a modestly breathed on 3.2, moves pretty well but is far from pretty.

Randy V

Anyone that complains about a roger box is a dolt completely uninformed on the proper way to shift these cars for optimal performance.

leiplouis79

I know my 79 Auto is happiest when kept above 3K - she likes being there - shifter baby

The Forgotten On

Autos are fun. Especially when you can exceed 80 mph in first ( 3 speed auto BTW).

My 89 has the shorter gear ratio so it is pretty peppy around town compared to the 81. Especially off the line compared top the 3 speed box.

Added bonus is they are tougher than the manuals and parts are easy to get.

Socal_Tom

Holding a gear and rolling on the power - even my 10 yr old is addicted. "Let's do that again Dad".

Bertrand Daoust

I really like to drive my car with it's auto. transmission.

When properly adjusted - cable at the quadrant to adjust shift speed, modulator on the trans. to adjust shift firmness - they're just perfect around town and on longer trips.

BTW, here a good thread on this.
https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...justments.html

Playing with it in "2" and "3" in town is real fun!
I never drive mine in "D" in town. Never.
"D" is perfect for the highway with it's smooth down shifts (or kick downs) when needed. Again, when properly adjusted.

I think it's a perfect fit for a grand tourer car like the 928.

I don't think I would go back to a manual transmission in a sport car.

Not even in a more recent car. A PDK trans. would be my first choice in any Porsche.

Socal_Tom

Thanks for the link, she is a bit arthritic still from sitting, need to do a transmission service soon.

Landseer

Same realization for me. Had 84 row 5spd into which Jim Doerr and I installed a late model 5speed. Fun hot rod, but always cumbersome in true comuter traffic.

For some reason the 944/951 5spd is really well geared for comuting, we have a couple of these that might become my in town ride.

Best combo I have now is 84 automatic using an S4 89 rogerbox. Gear reduction compensated for the lower power.

Socal_Tom

Good morning - I think this is another nudge on making the '84 5 speed a bit more specialized of a car. Her interior and A/C etc are all needing to be replaced, which isn't really cost effective, so maybe I should go ahead and start removing weight.

bureau13

Even "around town," I love driving the 5-speed, EXCEPT in stop-n-go traffic. Which is most days on the way to work, and the biggest reason I don't consider it my daily driver. I've actually considered picking up an auto project just for this reason, so I can "daily drive" a cooler vehicle as long as the weather is decent.