Terry Adams

[quote]I can shift faster than a 6 speed<hr></blockquote>

Not to deny the obvious benefits of a Tip under certain circumstances, and I will be due for one eventually, but p 150 of my manual says 0-60 is 5.3 manual, 6.3 tip. Seems there is no "shift faster" solution to this downside. We all have to apply the 80/20 rule to the type of driving we do and make our choice, preferably without snobbery.

Vinny '98 3.8 C2S

[quote]Originally posted by Patentman:
<strong>Topic: Should I go from manual to tiptronic??</strong><hr></blockquote>

No.

Caveman

Hi Barry,

Drive them both and see which you prefer. These are quite nice cars in traffic (much better than the 3.2s !) but if I was caught up in heavy traffic every day I would probably buy an auto. One of the meanest cars I ever drove was a 928 GTS which was hugely quick and great fun - a real welly master.

I believe the S has the additional buttons on the
wheel?

I have a silver car and it's great for cleaning - all the dirt hardly shows so if you are a bit lazy on the cleaning front go with the light colours.

As for RSR or Motorsound box choice don't be so stingy and buy both! I can't remember the US prices but in the UK the motorsound airbox is only £65 which on a £27,000 to £45,000 is next to nothing.

Good luck with the search and whatever you buy, it'll be fun (apart from the first time when you let your wife have a go!).

Cheers,

David
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Android356

I have the tip in my C2S and am usually very happy. The only time I am dissatisfied is in hard driving while in auto mode. After having a 5 speed in another and to drive to LA in traffic it was getting to be a bummer. In today’s modern cars I feel that this going to be the future only more so. When I see F1 go back to three pedals instead of paddles I'll be a believer again of manual trannys. Anyways I can go into the garage and drive my 356 for nostalgia. My only wish is that I could adapt a 5 or 6 speed tip into my 4-speed tip. I am sure that Porsche will follow BMW and Ferrari in offering the pneumatic clutch tip-tranny soon. Lots to gain. <img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" />

Fens

Ok...Here is where you here from someone who has owned both and some of the pro's/con's...for what it is worth. I had a 1998 Artic Silver Tip with full leather, supple leather, and medium grey top (Cabriolet obviously). It was an excellent car with no significant loss of performance IMO resulting from more how you drive it than the manual shift vs. tip auto question. But a Tip has a way (don't ask me how not having my Porsche engineering degree like others you have heard from here) of resetting the shift points based on your type of driving. I'm not the author of this fact, it comes from a mechanic that knows his stuff and is Porsche certified. The biggest difference in the way the vehicle compares to a manual is the slight lag in engaging the power when shifting or so it seems to someone that has always driven a manual. When you shift (up or down) manual you tend to discount the clutching lag in initiating the shift, because you are actively involved and may be rev'ing or toe/heel'g or whatever is your thing. With the tip, you either use the "F-1" type buttons on the steering wheel or the shifter in either the +/- mode (which has a different shift range) or the full auto "lock point" 1,2,3 position. But your left foot isn't doing anything unless you are left foot braking during the shift (which I considered a plus not available in the manual). So after all this, it has some lag between shifts but most is perceived because of lack of activity on the part of the driver. Maintenance on the Tip was not that big a deal and although I hear of clutches being replace at 60K on the manual jobs, I have not heard of the tip requiring anything of that sort of expense over the life of the vehicle. I think the biggest plus is if you drive in any major traffic like I have in LA, Ca at rush hour or use it for a daily driver, etc. the life expectancy of the Tip is much better than the manual. Now, the manual is snappy and responsive and all that, but the bottom line is drive a tip for a couple of days and put it through its paces. Some things just shouldn't be decided by committee. Its your wheels and you gotta be happy with 'em, not the "committee". BTW, I think the vehicle may still be on the lot of the Porsche dealership where I traded. If you want more info, drop some mail on me w/questions. If you want to see pics of the 98 Cab Tip use <a href="http://www.p-car.com/porsche/garycable/" target="_blank">www.p-car.com/porsche/garycable/</a>

Matt Vaughan

[quote]Originally posted by Patentman:
<strong>
How would it be, performance wise, to go from a manual shift to tiptronic? </strong><hr></blockquote>

Not much of a difference (on the street), but IMO the "fun" aspect is lost. I'd say if there's a question at all in your mind, stay away from a tip.

fbfisher

The fun aspect is not lost with a tip. I drive my tip in manual mode 100% of the time - sometimes shifting with the switches on the wheel other times with the shifter in M mode. Either allow for VERY spirited driving with the added benefit of choosing to have both hands on the wheel when necessary. No fun lost - honest.

Anir

Barry,

I would agree with Matt that you'll lose a lot of the "fun factor" that makes our cars so enjoyable - and not only because it's slower. I recently owned a 2002 BMW M3 SMG-II, and I really regretted getting the paddle-shift transmission after the novelty wore off. In my hands, it was not as precise and rewarding as traditional heel-and-toeing with a stick. I've driven a Tip as well, and while I respect its design, I would "stick" with the manual.

Also, I drive my 993TT in stop-and-go traffic everyday (unfortunately), and it's no big deal to cope with manual shifting. Keeps my cell phone usage to a minimum, which is probably a good thing.

buzz993

I love my 96 993 Tip <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

GratefulJED

Hey all you tipsters - lets ALL get together and really bug Steve Weiner about opening up our tranny ECU and working some magic with the code. He CAN do it, he just needs more pressure applied and a few orders. Maybe we could all buy 2! Also, do yourselves a favor a get and engine ECU remap from him - you will not be disappointed, and really bug him some more about the tranny. He can pull this thing off, and I am sure we will be amazed.

Berkley

I have had two Porsches with tiptronics...Perhaps it is a second slower etc.etc.....but sure is convenient in town and traffic....They have a reputation for being bullet proof...

You really need to drive one....it does not make a Porsche your Mother's Buick

johnfm

MN98CAB

changing the shift points in the tiptonic ECU will make very little difference. The bottom line is ratios - compare gear ratios between the tip & the manual box and you find the answer to the performance 'difference' of tip vs manual...

Vinny '98 3.8 C2S

I also think you lose some of the fun with a tip, and I don't see any problem in traffic with the manual. It's almost an unconcious movement in traffic, yet you can have a blast when you want to.

I was really disappointed with how "sloppy" the tip is in "manual" mode. "Sloppy" may be too strong a word; "imprecise" may be more on target. Anywho's, I've driven a few tips in turbo's, 993's and 996's, only on tracks, but they don't seem to be as responsive as I would have thought for a Porsche.

Speedraser

I have also had plenty of experience in stop-and-go traffic. At least a stick gives you something to do!

milrad

I've owned both, although the Tip was a 964. My understanding is that the mapping/programming has improved in the later 993s and 996s. That being said, I was pretty underwhelmed with the Tip. I use these cars for fun (only occasional commutes), and I never felt a real direct "connection" with the Tip. I sold it solely because of this.

Now if you plan to commute with it (especially in traffic) the Tip is hard to beat for its convenience. I had no service/durability issues with this transmission. In daily driving it would be hard to discern the any disadvantage, but if you flog it through the twisties you may see the difference.

Like most people here have suggested, test drive a Tip. Take it for a "spirited" drive, because that is where you will see the difference. On a mundane highway test loop it will excel.

Jason