Tip or Manual?
#16
It is a very simply question: do you want a manual or do you want an automatic? Don't expect a tiptronic to be a compromise between the two. The tiptronic is a torque converter based automatic, meaning: slow, soft shifts when the computer (not you) tells it to shift. Pressing the buttons on the steering wheel is no different than sliding the gear selector from 2 to 3 on any other automatic car. You get the same lag and soft shifts. This is not what belongs in a sports car and hence for me there is only 1 choice: a manual. I have dealt with a 35 mile commute in heavy traffic for 4 years and all the cars I have owned (about 11 with up to 4 at a time) have been manuals.
In reality, there are only 2 reasons when people buy automatics:
1. They don't know how to drive.
2. They don't like to drive.
Most of the time they try to twist it and say things like "I don't like to drive"...in traffic or "I am not very proficient"...using a clutch. You get the idea...should make your choice easier.
In reality, there are only 2 reasons when people buy automatics:
1. They don't know how to drive.
2. They don't like to drive.
Most of the time they try to twist it and say things like "I don't like to drive"...in traffic or "I am not very proficient"...using a clutch. You get the idea...should make your choice easier.
#17
Rennlist Member
Originally Posted by Eggplant Cab
LOL tom. Do a search on the topic. You'll find a plethora of opinions. I suggest you test drive a tip and manual the way you intend to drive your own car. That's the best advice I can think of.
I went to a Porsche PDE to test the car in manual and tip (call ahead to make sure they have one available). But that's me because I don't trust any one else's opinion on these matters. GOod luck
I went to a Porsche PDE to test the car in manual and tip (call ahead to make sure they have one available). But that's me because I don't trust any one else's opinion on these matters. GOod luck
It is perhaps THE most critical 'option' choice - so if you opt for the less common Tip, you better make sure you really like it.
#18
02
Sometimes the world isn't black or white, or in your eyes auto and manual. Some people don't want to engage and disengage a clutch 82 times in traffic to go home. If you live in SF, for example, try going up the hills daily in a stick shift in traffic, not good for clutch or mind.
Tiptronic not good enough for sport driving you say? Yes, it is slower and the one less gear does leave the gearing a little less desired. Still I managed 5 9.05 or less laps(best was 8.56.3) on the Ring with tiptronic, despite traffic on the track. To be fair I have a X51 engine. The shift buttons on the steering wheel, while admittedly a bit busy, allows the driver to shift with both hands on the wheel. And on the way back home, you can drive in chock a block traffic with a drink in your hand cause you don't need to have both hands free. And for the romantic, you don't have to let go of your lover's hand either.
Many people also have different cars for different uses. but the OP stated he doesn't go on the track often and wants to commute with it. Practicality is also an issue. The tiptronic will also drop 2 gears faster than a manual if you don't skip shift (be nice to those synchros) so acceleration will feel just as good.
The point is not everyone wants a manual to drive hard. For some, it's about having one less thing to do to enjoy left foot trail braking into a corner and getting on the throttle that tad bit earlier. I, for one, will probably not buy a manual car again. It's SMG,F1,DSG, PDK or whatever they'll call it. Like film, it's the beginning of the end of the manual transmission, long live the 4,5,6 speed.
Sometimes the world isn't black or white, or in your eyes auto and manual. Some people don't want to engage and disengage a clutch 82 times in traffic to go home. If you live in SF, for example, try going up the hills daily in a stick shift in traffic, not good for clutch or mind.
Tiptronic not good enough for sport driving you say? Yes, it is slower and the one less gear does leave the gearing a little less desired. Still I managed 5 9.05 or less laps(best was 8.56.3) on the Ring with tiptronic, despite traffic on the track. To be fair I have a X51 engine. The shift buttons on the steering wheel, while admittedly a bit busy, allows the driver to shift with both hands on the wheel. And on the way back home, you can drive in chock a block traffic with a drink in your hand cause you don't need to have both hands free. And for the romantic, you don't have to let go of your lover's hand either.
Many people also have different cars for different uses. but the OP stated he doesn't go on the track often and wants to commute with it. Practicality is also an issue. The tiptronic will also drop 2 gears faster than a manual if you don't skip shift (be nice to those synchros) so acceleration will feel just as good.
The point is not everyone wants a manual to drive hard. For some, it's about having one less thing to do to enjoy left foot trail braking into a corner and getting on the throttle that tad bit earlier. I, for one, will probably not buy a manual car again. It's SMG,F1,DSG, PDK or whatever they'll call it. Like film, it's the beginning of the end of the manual transmission, long live the 4,5,6 speed.
#21
Intermediate
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Toronto, eh?
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Originally Posted by ringmeister
I can't imagine having a Porsche with anything but a manual. Automatics are for sedans and SUVs.
www.shifters.ca
Curse my parents for never owning a manual car!!!!
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Present: 2007 Lexus RX 350 (automatic - new SUV)
Past: 1999 Mercedes ML 320 (automatic - old SUV)
#22
Race Director
Originally Posted by 02 Carrera
Pressing the buttons on the steering wheel is no different than sliding the gear selector from 2 to 3 on any other automatic car. You get the same lag and soft shifts. In reality, there are only 2 reasons when people buy automatics:
1. They don't know how to drive.
2. They don't like to drive.
1. They don't know how to drive.
2. They don't like to drive.
Another reason for some people to get a Tip is because like me they have had a leg amputated off and can no longer shift a manual transmission..... don;t be so closed minded to other peoples needs!!!!! I APALUDE car companies that have sports cars with some sort of automatic/paddle or button shift transmission. They give people like me a chance to experience a serious sports car.
#23
Originally Posted by AaronB
I agree. I'm planning on a C4 in the next few months - wouldn't even consider a tip. I don't know how to drive standard yet, but lessons are forthcoming...
www.shifters.ca
Curse my parents for never owning a manual car!!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Present: 2007 Lexus RX 350 (automatic - new SUV)
Past: 1999 Mercedes ML 320 (automatic - old SUV)
www.shifters.ca
Curse my parents for never owning a manual car!!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Present: 2007 Lexus RX 350 (automatic - new SUV)
Past: 1999 Mercedes ML 320 (automatic - old SUV)
That's interesting that there's a big manual school in toronto. Ingenuity hath no bounds.
#25
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Originally Posted by 02 Carrera
In reality, there are only 2 reasons when people buy automatics:
1. They don't know how to drive.
2. They don't like to drive.
Most of the time they try to twist it and say things like "I don't like to drive"...in traffic or "I am not very proficient"...using a clutch. You get the idea...should make your choice easier.
I LOVE to drive and have driven stick for over 1/2 my life. Shifting can be really fun...no doubt about it.
But sipping something from Starbucks while driving and not having to operate the clutch 100 times to go to the store is kind of nice too.
#27
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Originally Posted by omeko3
TIP? who does that, seriosly?
get a real tranny
get a real tranny
There are enough of "us" that for whatever reason, (want/need Tip), Porsche provides it.
Last edited by Dariof; 08-24-2006 at 02:35 PM.
#29
Race Director
Originally Posted by omeko3
TIP? who does that, seriosly?
get a real tranny
get a real tranny
One thing I have learned about this forums there are some seriously RUDE and narrow minded people here!
#30
Mdrums
Fortunately, the future is semiautomatic gearboxes. They are still working out the bugs but systems like DSG and SMG are doing fine. I mean to see how retro thinking is in the US, they offer a 6 speed manual for the M5 ONLY in the US. The ROW is all SMG. So don't fret... we'll catch up one day.
Fortunately, the future is semiautomatic gearboxes. They are still working out the bugs but systems like DSG and SMG are doing fine. I mean to see how retro thinking is in the US, they offer a 6 speed manual for the M5 ONLY in the US. The ROW is all SMG. So don't fret... we'll catch up one day.