I test drove a 996TT (manual transmission) and loved the acceleration (everything else was pretty much the same as my current car, except the TT was a coupe). I've read that the Turbo (on the new 997TT) can spool up from a power brake on the auto and doesn't have to "go off boost" to upshift, thus the 997TT is faster in any acceleration situation than the manual (for a normal, non-pro driver).

I'm asking as a driver that would not "speedshift" the tranny like a pro (and simultaneously try to melt my clutch) to get a fast 0-60/0-100/ 1/4 mile speed.

Why is the 996TT tip so much slower than the manual? I understand on my NA car (or my previous C5 Vette) why the stick is quicker in good hands. On the Porsche though it doesn't "like" to be speed shifted and the auto seems to be a better choice, especially if boost is envolved. Are the differences between the two transmissions really 4.2 (0-60 mph with manual) and 4.8 (w/ the tip)??

Just trying to figure out which 996TT transmission will accelerate faster on the street (or strip) with someone who isn't willing to thrash the tranny on their expensive car. I am not asking about subjective enjoyment stuff or race-specific stuff like heel-toeing, track work, or convenience. Should I wait for the 997TT to come down in price (used) or is the 996TT just as fast in either tranny in real life???

Sorry to be long winded, but I appreciate the input of those with day to day experience in this! it's an important question to me as a used 996TT is about two years away, but a used 997 TT would be at least 5 years away. In the meantime I am enjoying my current C4 Cab. Thanks everyone!

 

I certainly don't have a bunch of experience with this, but here is what I have experienced. 2 novice drivers with practically identical cars (mine and my buddies) one is manual (his) one is TIP (mine). I beat him everytime in the 1/4 mile. Partly because he is not willing to trash his car/clutch for some 1/4 mile race. However, when I tried to run next to him from 60-130 I was always in the wrong gear and he would leave me. By the time I figured this out we ran out of road. I can tell you though that in the 60-130 once my car had the correct gear the cars ran virtually identical except when he would shift my car would continue to pull.

I would not go strictly by numbers though. If you want a manual get a manual. The .3 seconds or whatever the hell it is won't make a difference in real life. If you want a TIP then get that.

 

I agree with Slant911 - get what you want. I had an '02 Tip TT and while it is a great trans, I found that I missed the involvement of shifting. My current TT is a manual.

 

If you live in the city...tip is great. If I had a TT as a daily here in LA, it'd have to be a tip.

 

The 997TT Tips acceleration advantage over the manual is only when severely power-braking the tranny before launch to build boost - not something people will typically do to their $130k cars. Similarly, a manuals advantage off the line is the abusive clutch drop from high RPMs. In the real world driven by their respective owners, there really isn't much acceleration difference.
That said, I have power-braked my '02 tip on several occasions and the extra jump off the line didn't feel worth the abuse to the machinery. I also think Porsche changed the "stall speed" on later cars to allow more RPMs and boost, and certainly the variable turbos on the 997 help.

Rereading your post, if it's off the line speed your looking for, the 996TT Tips second gear starts and brief turbo lag are definitely not for you!

 

Thank you all for the responses.
I've only bought manuals in the past because they were hands-down quicker in acceleration on the street or at the drag strip. If a Tiptronic gives me the ability to change gears as quick or quicker, and the acceleration is as fast or faster, I wouldn't bother with the gear changes and concerns over having a clutch to go out (or missing a shift, not that I've ever done that ).
For me the "joy" of the transmission is acceleration from any speed.
From what I've heard from you folks who have these cars, it sounds like if I wait for a 997TT I'll go Tip, but with a 996TT I'm still undecided...
Thanks again, this site is fantastic!

 

Not too sure I agree... with the foot to the floor, the TT tip is always smart enough to start in 1st. Second only occurs if the accelerator is not floored. With an average driver, the tip will consistently perform, whilst the manual will only be as good as its driver. If its involvement you want, get a manual, if you are an average driver and want consistently better performance than you can/or are willing to dish out on your clutch/drivetrain I would go with the tip... thats the way I went in the end.

 

Like you I was always a manual driver. The 996TT is my first tip, and I have no regrets. However, if I was waiting for a 997TT I would skip the tip and the manual and wait for the DSG box to come out (if it ever does ).. that would be the best of everything in my opinion, and indeed what I am saving for.

 

Hi Jackel,

I 've got an '03 996TT with a tip. I wanted better launch times & less turbo lag. So, I had an ECU reflash done by EVOMS and then added a Fabspeed Maxflo exhaust, 100-cell cats, headers & cold air intake w/BMC filter. All of a sudden, the car lit up like the 4th of July! 0-60 in 4.0. 1.3 bar w/stock K16s... and NO LAG!! Also, it's much faster now in manual/tip mode than auto. Auto is kind of sluggish by comparison. I can't explain why that is. But, I do know that my tip now matches the performance of a 6 speed. Special thanks to Dogan, Charlie, and Art at Intersport Performance in McLean, VA for making that happen. Wishing you miles of smiles, bud.

Linda
P.S. I know that boost is a bit high, but I'd rather use up the stock turbos before upgrading to 16/24 hybrids.