Herman K

There was a time that Porsche did not make any automatics. That's the time I started to drive Porsches in 1964 my first Porsche was a 1951 16oo Super with an "ABARTH", exhaust for the ultimate trill. Many Porsches later [all stick shift] some 4 yrs ago I had my first 928 experience with 90 automatic, it was a great car and fun to drive [bought it in FWH, TX] but I guess old habits now found me back in 928 5 spd GTS. I know I will not outshift an automatic and in stop and go traffic the automatic is nice. I have the car on the side for fun and I'm from the old school so this time around it's a manual for me.

94 GTS 5 spd

hinchcliffe

So I guess I was a little quick qith the comment about age and 5-spds. It's basically personal preference and driving conditions for the cars.

puyi

Because a 928 manual transmission can be used as a AT!

I explain, when you start the car, you pass first gear, then just after pass the fifth and drive

STL

UKKid35

It is amazing how these cars can pull from 20mph in fifth, without the slightest complaint.

James-man

2nd to 5th will get you onto the freeway here.

DFWX

The 928 automatic transmission is adjustable (without components changes) - they were sluggish from the factory for many reasons. Automatics are faster in tighter cornering and could be set up
to drag-race better, but the manual transmissions are more fun for some people. That is likely the real reason. Same with old hot rods. Do not think your automatic is slower. Set up right, it is as fast if not faster than a manual.
I personally prefer a manual trans for the joys of downshifting when coming to stop lights. It sort of comes down to that.

Cheburator

My first 928 was a S2 Auto... It has now been converted to a 5-spd with a GTS box. My second 928 is a GT... Nuff said about the Auto vs. Manual debate in our household....

Alex

BTW. I seem to get 23mpg from the 928 S2 and around 21mpg from the GT mixed driving. At the Nurburgring I get 10mpg

Cameron

I owned a 90 S4 (auto by definition) and now a '91 GT (5 speed by definition). Both great cars, but quite different. I prefer greatly the GT.

I will say that some effort to get the autobox set up right on the S4 made a huge difference in terms of performance. I had is set up for 1st gear starts on about 1/3 throttle application, and I had parallel the kick down switch wired in, which I always left activated for highway cruising (instant kick down to 2nd by slightly depressing the gas peddle). Very satisfying, escept there is a bit of a chasm between 2nd and third in the autobox - the rpms drop off too much in my opinion.

The GT feels like a much lighter car with the 5 speed (and the 2.73 final drive). If I had to commute in stop and go traffic everyday, I think that I would get tired of it though.

sublimate

I think as long as the conversion is done well (which yours was) and the car is not a super-stock, low-mile concours car (which your is not - variocam, sheesh!) then a converted car will fetch approx. the same price as a stock 5spd.

ErnestSw

Sterling, switching your car from an auto to 5 speed ruined the value of your car. I'll give you $500.00 for it as a favor.

DANdeMAN

To answer the original question : It's total control over wich gear your in that makes it more appealing. I have an AT and this is what iv'e noticed. Sometimes, I would like to be in a particular gear ie; getting back to first without smashing the pedal for a kickdown when rolling in second. In fact this is the only option for downshift that is not available, all other downshift are doable with the lever : 4 to 3 to 2 but 2 to 1 ain't hapening untill your near dead stop.

On the other hand, if I want to start in first and have it stay there up to 5000+ rpm without full depression, I start in 2nd. If I want to play in 2nd, I start in 3rd and when it shifts to 2nd, I select the lever to 2nd and it will stay there for as long as I want to. BTW, when you start in 3rd, the 1st will stay longer than starting in D and normal shift 2-3 will accur at higher rpm (3000 insted of 2500), of course if you press more the shift will be even higher. Duh!
My favorite position is 3rd for normal driving (best responce overall), 2nd for passing and twisties and D for highway crouzing. I'm upshifting and downshifting (without a clutch) all the time. Love that "Burbell" downshift sound