Are automatics on a 996 any good?
12-04-2018, 12:25 AM
#1
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Are automatics on a 996 any good?
What do you think about automatic gears on a 996? 1-100km/hr, how much slower is the automatic compared to manual? And do they make the car generally more reliable or less reliable?
Last edited by Arsene; 12-04-2018 at 12:45 AM.
12-04-2018, 12:19 PM
#3
On paper around 0,8 second slower. But I guess a lot of people will not be able to make the manual reach its full potential on a standstill launch. So probably they will be faster in a tiptronic.
However be aware that a tiptronic weighs +100lbs more then the manual gearbox and a lot of that extra weight needs to be spinned around. This makes the car accelerate somewhat slower. Also the extra weight influences the handling of the car. You will notice that when you drive the car side by side to compare.
The manual feels much more agile and revs a bit faster. For my feeling the gear ratios of the 6 speed manual also cover much better the power band of the engine.
However be aware that a tiptronic weighs +100lbs more then the manual gearbox and a lot of that extra weight needs to be spinned around. This makes the car accelerate somewhat slower. Also the extra weight influences the handling of the car. You will notice that when you drive the car side by side to compare.
The manual feels much more agile and revs a bit faster. For my feeling the gear ratios of the 6 speed manual also cover much better the power band of the engine.
12-04-2018, 01:49 PM
#5
Rennlist Member
Yeah they’re great cars. In fact they’re the same as a manual with the exception of the transmission. If you’re going to race it, probably (definitely) best to go manual. If you’re looking for an incredible looking car that handles amazingly and you can drive everyday and take to the track occasionally - it’s a great choice. I prefer manual, but it also gets annoying driving in traffic.
12-04-2018, 02:05 PM
#6
Rennlist Member
I love the tip in my 03 C2!
I drive it 80+ miles a day, mixed stop-and-go and highway. I've owned 4 other Porsches, all manual and I don't regret the tip one bit!
If you can, test drive a manual and a tip to see which you prefer.
On maintenance, tip, once every 90K you change the fluid/filter, about $300. No clutch/flywheel to replace, sometimes quite often if you track the car.
I drive it 80+ miles a day, mixed stop-and-go and highway. I've owned 4 other Porsches, all manual and I don't regret the tip one bit!
If you can, test drive a manual and a tip to see which you prefer.
On maintenance, tip, once every 90K you change the fluid/filter, about $300. No clutch/flywheel to replace, sometimes quite often if you track the car.
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12-04-2018, 07:16 PM
#9
Pro
The Tiptronic can provide a thrilling sports car experience just like the stick -- it just takes some practice. (and then there are some additional benefits).
12-04-2018, 09:35 PM
#10
Rennlist Member
If I could, I would love to have a PDK in my 996 instead of a 6 speed.
And I have invested a lot, LWFW, Sachs Stage II sprung clutch disc and a Numeric shifter and cables.
Still would prefer a PDK
And I have invested a lot, LWFW, Sachs Stage II sprung clutch disc and a Numeric shifter and cables.
Still would prefer a PDK
12-04-2018, 11:10 PM
#11
I have never driven a TIP 911....I have had a 997 C4S PDK, 991 GT3 PDK and now TurboS PDK and they are fantastic but a prefer the manual in my 996/997 on the track....not the fastest car but certainly the most fun. 
12-05-2018, 02:54 AM
#13
Topicstarter asked if there are any performance differences. Not if a Tippie is better or worse for driving. As that is more a personal and subjective analysis.
The manual accellerates somewhat faster and handles better. It is more fun to drive.
My advice for Tip owners is to do the shift paddle conversion and drive it in the manual mode whenever you are not cruising or commuting. The car will stay in its most sportive (real) mapping. So no sluggish throttle response and shifts are faster and more crisp. Closer to the real deal.
The manual accellerates somewhat faster and handles better. It is more fun to drive.
My advice for Tip owners is to do the shift paddle conversion and drive it in the manual mode whenever you are not cruising or commuting. The car will stay in its most sportive (real) mapping. So no sluggish throttle response and shifts are faster and more crisp. Closer to the real deal.
12-05-2018, 05:23 AM
#14
Rennlist Member
I have both.My Tip is my daily driver and I do put it on the track some, The Tip is faster on the track and easyer in traffic for a daily car. The 6 speed is more fun. I would recommend the 6 speed for the weekend warrior/track days, and the Tip for Daily driver.
12-05-2018, 05:48 AM
#15
I can weigh in on this as I have some thoughts from my recent 996 Tip purchase:
So I've always been a manual gear box kinda guy - I grew up in the UK. I've owned a bunch of cars, including a 1976 911 2.7S, and driven a decent amount of manual porsche variants.
I bought a 996 Tiptronic as I wanted more of a GT car and something that was easy in traffic - I drive to work everyday and I'm getting old and lazy to be honest :-D
As automatics go, for an older design, it's amazing. I have a 1999 996 and the Tiptronic is a great auto box. Like really great for what it is. On long journeys it's very comfortable - overtaking at highway speeds is excellent for instance - you kick down and it goes hard with little delay. In traffic and around town it's so easy.
Advantages: You know it's never been over revved, and you dont have expensive clutch replacements.
However... and this is a big thing - you dont get to really play with the revs. With the manual 6 speed box you might get to sit in 2nd gear close to where the power comes in hard around 4k - then floor it. Instant rush. With the tiptronic the ratios are such that I find it hard to hold it in the power band without it changing up.
You can of course use the steering wheel buttons, but I've never really got the hang of those - other Tip owners I've spoken to said they dont use them either.
You floor it in the Tiptronic and it will kick down and go hard... but it's not the same. Something is different. I'd need more time in a manual again to get a like for like comparison but you get the idea.
(if anyone is in South Australia/Adelaide and has a manual 996, PM me - maybe we can do a drive swap :-) ).
Anyway - the Tiptronic is great, and get one if you know why you want it over a manual.
No regrets from me. I'm just now thinking I'd like a 70/80s Carrera with a manual box in it again, as well :-)
So I've always been a manual gear box kinda guy - I grew up in the UK. I've owned a bunch of cars, including a 1976 911 2.7S, and driven a decent amount of manual porsche variants.
I bought a 996 Tiptronic as I wanted more of a GT car and something that was easy in traffic - I drive to work everyday and I'm getting old and lazy to be honest :-D
As automatics go, for an older design, it's amazing. I have a 1999 996 and the Tiptronic is a great auto box. Like really great for what it is. On long journeys it's very comfortable - overtaking at highway speeds is excellent for instance - you kick down and it goes hard with little delay. In traffic and around town it's so easy.
Advantages: You know it's never been over revved, and you dont have expensive clutch replacements.
However... and this is a big thing - you dont get to really play with the revs. With the manual 6 speed box you might get to sit in 2nd gear close to where the power comes in hard around 4k - then floor it. Instant rush. With the tiptronic the ratios are such that I find it hard to hold it in the power band without it changing up.
You can of course use the steering wheel buttons, but I've never really got the hang of those - other Tip owners I've spoken to said they dont use them either.
You floor it in the Tiptronic and it will kick down and go hard... but it's not the same. Something is different. I'd need more time in a manual again to get a like for like comparison but you get the idea.
(if anyone is in South Australia/Adelaide and has a manual 996, PM me - maybe we can do a drive swap :-) ).
Anyway - the Tiptronic is great, and get one if you know why you want it over a manual.
No regrets from me. I'm just now thinking I'd like a 70/80s Carrera with a manual box in it again, as well :-)