deliriousga

'cause they're faster!

Weissach

The difference is about 2k more, but only on the early cars. If it's and S4 or later, it's probably going to be 6k-11k more(especially if it's a GTS).

Manual 928's are faster, smoother, "cleaner" driving, and just plain fun. The automatics feel a much heavier,slower, louder and kind of boring....

To put it simply: the manuals give you a rich smooth euro driving experience. The automatics drive resembles that of a camaro(this might be a good or bad thing, it depends on what you like...).

bfellows

I always think its good to bare in mind that 928's are Grand Tourers in the finest sense and are built for crossing continents. Auto box makes sense in this respect.

I own an auto S4 that gets used for relaxed long distance cruising so it suits my driving style. If i had wanted a pared down to the bone supercar with a manual box i would have bought one - Lotus, TVR etc.

Not knocking manual tranny though, all classics in my eyes, just MHO.

Ron_H

Bert, you took the words out of my mouth almost. Once moving and in free air, and for the next 6 - 8 hours, I'll take this automatic over a manual box anyday. That is the intent of this automobile: a grand tourer; high speed and long distances and varying road conditions. This is probably the best auto box I have ever known, and the second best was in my mother's 280SL roadster (both Mercedes units so it is not surprising). In town, I don't wear out my elbow or my knee and it is either seamless or hard and crisp, depending on my throttle application. Can you tell I love this auto box??? In the mountains, using the kickdown switch, you can still keep time to the music by tapping your left foot on the dead pedal as you go through the twisties. Far out !! Maybe its my age, but I'll take this auto anyday. It slams into second gear and the car shudders and chirps the rear tires if you simply must have that to impress your girl or any bystanders. Hey, been there done that about 30 yrs ago. The box suits the car's character and at the end of the day, you are still thinking about driving it longer but the sun's going down and smokey is headed toward the nearest median strip to hide, so I stop and dream about more miles tomorrow in the mountains. Whew !! I'm getting wanderlust all over again and I just got back.

mulik51

I would personally hate to drive a car with auto. Especially perfomance car. There is just something about that metal rod which you can move around...

Klim

Bill Ball

I move the metal AT rod around a lot. Oh, the AT reputedly is more durable when loaded up with extra HP. Not sure that is a fact, but the MBZ box is sturdy. For a daily street machine, AT is better for me, although i would have no problem with a stick, but when I was shopping for a 928 I just wanted the best car overall for the money I wanted to spend and gave no importance to AT or stick.

UKKid35

It is very difficult to find manual cars (that are for sale) in the UK, I'm assuming the situation is similar in the US. When you get to a meet a higher proportion of cars are manuals than you would expect.

I've not changed a clutch in any other car, but in a 928 it's not that difficult - although the clutch pack is mighty heavy and I had a 928 buddy help me.

The 928 was probably the the ultimate Grand Tourer of its day, but that to me does not mean you need an Auto box. When using the car as a GT surely you are changing gear (auto or manual) farily rarely, relying on the torque you get from this lazy V8. The only time I really would find an auto easier is when driving in central London, at rush hour, on a very busy Friday.

Shane

If I had to reduce my inventory to only one 928 and no other, I would choose the auto.

GlenL

Why?
Because asking can start such nice popcorn fights.

2 Porsches. 2 manual trannies. Because a manual allows more precise control of the car and is more efficient and is therfore faster than an automatic all other things being equal. And it's more fun.

The answer to the first question is supply and demand. While they may have sold more automatics when new, people want a sports car to be a manual (see above) and these are sen that way in the market. Maybe an automatic is nice for a "true GT" but I didn't buy it for that kind of use and the current pricing shows the market is shifting towards that view.

Normy

Auto = less involvement. Sorry....no sale.

N!

928ntslow

Looks like most of the folks voting for a manual, ONLY have a manual and not an auto...in a 928 of course. Having both, I can tell you that it is pretty much 50/50 down the middle. They both are a blast and provide different driving experiences for different driving conditions. Now if your auto is up to snuff and you have a KD switch...maybe a few more ponies undert the hood, it is far from boring. I have run the canyons here in so Cal and just because the guy in front of me had a 5 spd 928, it did make much, if any difference, the auto is just as fast. You can toggle through the auto's gears and with the KD switch, you are sitting in a very responsive vehicle. The biggest difference between the two tranny's is how much hp you have under the hood.

Let's put it this way, the 5 spds may be "quicker", but they are not that much "faster" if comparing stock. Again, the hp makes the difference. I don't care how much better folks think the 5 spds are....run with a SC'd auto...your fooling around with the clutch and stick is going to leave you further behind.

911Dave

I don't see it as an issue of horsepower or quickness. The difference is slight in any case. I think the difference comes down to how you like to drive the car. If you like to be more actively involved and you enjoy shifting, as I do, then you prefer the manual. Especially if you like to drive with lots of speed and directional changes. If you prefer easy cruising and a relaxing ride, then the auto probably suits you more. Those that want both to suit whatever mood they're in, have both.

Ispeed

Having had my '89 a/t for almost 20K miles and now my '87 5speed, I have to say they are both excellent. I have spent time with the OB's both a/t and manual, and even the older 928s are great. The old 3 speed automatics are very good.

pewter82

I've owned both auto's and 5-speed's in GT and S4 and GTS forms. Each to there own I say. For me the 5-speed was too much of a race car feel and sound (RMB) to be driven everywhere in traffic and not. Some of us arn't always looking to put the 928 through its paces each time its out. The GTS in the automatic form is terrific for me, its more of a Dr. Jeckal and Mr. Hyde, it can be a awsome race car when you need it and a mild mannered exoctic for cruising too.
But, I must say my 82 3 speed auto was pretty boring, until you took it to 120-130mph, S4's and GTS's have the extra HP to make low RPM rides more fun.

jason

93GTS

Abby Normal

Have owned both and rode in several others of each, I'll "stick" with the manual gear box on an 85 car or newer..less synchro problems!