danglerb

For all the things an AT does well, I'd just as soon drive my wife's Lincoln. The exception to this would be a very high output motor, 400+ rwhp, where the benefits of the AT are not held back by the weak points of the AT. I don't think I would have purchased my US 83 or 85 Euro if they were not 5 spds, with 5 spd fun.

If your primary interest in a 928 is to wax and vacuum it, then AT should be fine.

Speedtoys

Thats..pretty demeaning, isnt it?


I whip the **** outta mine...no, its not a track car. But its unusually capable of sport duty work in the world of automatic transmission cars.

IcemanG17

some people think the automatic won't perform on track....that is ENTIRELY incorrect.....I put my automatic 928 racer through all kinds of abuse on track.....the auto never-ever missed a beat....with the LSD I could rotate the car however I liked mid corner.....

90+ hours on track in 3 years.....many different drivers, endurance racing, sprint racing, street tires, slicks and everything inbetween..... I am one MILLION % sure there is NO 5 speed that can match the reliablity of my 140K+ mile old automatic on track.....

GlenL

I've got more time than that on my 5spd and having one will take a second or two off lap times. Not just because of picking the right gears, down-shift braking and smoothly shifting in corners, but because an automatic uses 5% more engine power.

ROG100

I own a few 5 speed 928's and compared to the automatics they are dog's. Worst gear box ever put in a car IMOO. The auto is also made to be driven as a manual car for those that feel the need. The shift patern is wrong, feels very notchy and ceratinly not smooth.
No comparable manual car can outdo an automatic or vice versa.
On my early cars the synchros are wearing - big $$$
Clutches are a major hassle on finding parts and if you do look way above $1000.
Double clutch parts are nearly extinct until we remanufacture.

The "RogerBox" reigns supreme - fast, strong, powerful and I can drink my coffee while driving around the guys SEARCHING for third gear.

GlenL

If you're drinking coffee in your Porsche then you're obviously driving it wrong.

ROG100

Yea! Imagine how fast I would corner with both hands on the wheel 8>)

Gary Knox

I have had four '87/88 S4's, 3 autos and 1 manual, Currently have an '89 manual and a '94 auto.

I drive the manual to and from and on the Road Race Tracks where PCA does Drivers Ed events. I drive the auto everywhere else that I go (three seasons!). I drove a friends manual around Washington DC at rush hour ONCE. Never really wanted to do that again - an automatic in that kind of traffic is fine - it's JUST the log jammed traffic that is frustrating.

I drove the '88 auto on the track for 2 1/2 years. Always performed beautifully, and when it kicked down from 3rd to 2nd in a nice steeply uphill turn (toe of the boot at The Glen), the instructors were always amazed at the acceleration compared to other cars ahead or behind. Never had a problem.

Yes, the manual does give a bit more control on the track, due to engine braking and a bit other stuff, (pre-94 automatics do not have any significant engine braking, but from '94 on, they do provide braking down to ~40 mph in 4th gear). And, track lap times may be about 1-2 seconds faster on a 3+ mile track with a manual, but that's really insignificant if you are only driving for fun, not racing (out of ~145 seconds per lap!).

It all comes down to what you want to drive and how you want to drive it, in my opinion. But I would not want to drive a manual in commuting traffic (but then I quit commuting 12 years ago).

Gary--

ROG100

As Dan says a personal choice - just do not listen to those that trash the RogerBox as it is not true and they have probably never driven one. Both gearboxes have their merits.

Tails

Roger,
Good to see you were not sleeping during this discussion.
Tails 1990 928S4 Auto

hacker-pschorr

The best answer is real world examples.

Two automatic 928's in Green Bay pushing over 700hp to the rear wheels with no complains from the transmission.

Plus dozens of Murf928 Supercharged units with automatics have bee on the road 10+ years.

In the Mercedes world, these same automatics saw some huge power numbers in the original AMG Hammer.

+1

For most simply readjusting everything makes a world of difference. We had an auto 928 in the shop that was just like you described, sluggish, boring....Buick like.
Then Mike Schmidt spent part of the day adjusting and replacing various parts. Totally transformed the car. Crisp fast sifts, instant response when you move the handle etc...

That put me over the edge and the 928 is one of the few performance cars I would own with an automatic. That said, I'm not getting rid of my two 5-speeds any time soon

brutus

perhaps he does that driving an automatic, explains the need for a cup of coffee in one hand

Tampa 928s

85 Euro auto: drive it when I want to relax!
86 5-Speed S/C: Drive it when I want to have fun!
Two different cars!

ROG100

I could of said a glass of red wine - and that would have been realy bad!!!

Dave928S

Despite me constantly 'poking the spider' with Roger on this issue, I agree that it's very much a matter of personal preference, and that both have their merits. I just prefer a manual gearbox, no matter what car I'm driving, and always have.

Drive both and choose what you prefer, and what suits your individual driving style.

BTW Roger ... this does not mean you're right.