Tiptronic Turbo

[ncollins]

You can't really decide whether it's for you until you've driven a Tip, if you've been a manual driver all your life it requires a different technique and an willingness to break the habit of a lifetime. My previous cars were a 993,RX7, TVR Griffith etc all of which were manual and I'd always turned my nose up at automatic boxes in 'Sportscars'. It wasn't until I test drove a 996 Tip that I even considered buying one!

Sure enough I found my 'buy me' 996 and it turned out to be a Tiptronic! I've had my '91 (facelift) 996 C2 for a few weeks now and I don't regret buying it. I'm not saying it's better than a manual but as I've adapted my driving technique I can't say it's any worse. I must admit that I have 'M' selected most of the time and it certainly gets me away from the traffic lights very quickly if I want to and the local Cotswold lanes are just as much fun as in the 993! I only select 'D' if I've got a hangover :-)

[supermono]

So what about at resale time?

According to dealers I've spoken to (including one who simply won't even buy one in now!) they're devils to shift.

Any dealers on here care to comment?

Andy

[ncollins]

Interesting question about resale value. Logic would seem to dictate that if x number of people order a new Tiptronic then there must be a similar number of people who would purchase a second hand one? That's not counting the people who fancied a manual but found a really nice car that was a Tip! Of course one of the advantages of a used Tiptronic is that you don't have to worry about when it'll need a new clutch! Disadvantages include having to put your girlfriend on the insurance because it's a lot easier to drive!!!

>> Edited by ncollins on Wednesday 14th December 20:52

[cyrus1971]

ncollins said:

Interesting question about resale value. Logic would seem to dictate that if x number of people order a new Tiptronic then there must be a similar number of people who would purchase a second hand one? That's not counting the people who fancied a manual but found a really nice car that was a Tip! Of course one of the advantages of a used Tiptronic is that you don't have to worry about when it'll need a new clutch! Disadvantages include having to put your girlfriend on the insurance because it's a lot easier to drive!!! >> Edited by ncollins on Wednesday 14th December 20:52

Not sure – perhaps the demographic of the purchasers changes over time as the cars become less expensive. So older wealthier customs spec high numbers of Tip cars but by the time the cars are being sold for 30K the car is more within the grasp of the manual enthusiasts – a lot of assumptions in this point but I hope you get my drift.

[clorenzen]

I think the mix between tiptronic and manual is driven by the intended use of the car. Most people would prefer the manual but if you use your car for your daily commute convenience comes over sheer driving pleasure. Also the Tip is a better compromise. You can still use the steering wheel buttoms for the manual override but you cannot make an automatic out of a manual. Interesting enough I have not found the Tiptronic to be all that bad on the track. At higher revs it seems to hold gears better and adapts quicker to your style. Its when going around town that I think it jumps to 5th gear too quickly.