Manual v Tip advice please

[Sam1999]

I'm now agonisingly close to buying my first 911... but have a question that won't go away .... OK OK so if I want a "real drivers car" I get Manual... as I currently have etc...

But this motor will be my 95% of the time car... and do I give myself a break and go with the Tip? Is it any good?... what do people recommend as actual current drivers?

Is he Tiptronic any better / worse on the 996 v 997?

Cheers for any thoughts?

[Sam1999]

I should say when test driving a 997 with manual... I did feel the clutch was heavy... and could become a bit irksome in traffic.... maybe I'd develop new muscles in my ankle etc!!!

Yeah I know "what a puff"... but if the Tip is basically top drawer then why give myself the hassle if I am prepared to make a small concession to "relexation" whilst still having the ability to "drive"!!

[dambox]

I have come from a BMW M3 with SMG, to a 997s with manual. I test drove a 997 with tiptronic and it was a very poor second to the BMW variant. BMW was based on a manual gearbox that may explain why.

I do miss the SMG - however would go for manual over tiptronic every time. I use 997s as an every day car, clutch is no more heavier than other cars I have had.

Test drive both to be sure.

[leosayer]

I think you need to wait for the DSG box which is supposed to be released next year on the 997.

[oldtimer]

I dont think test drives are going to help you with the choice , you need longer to get familiar. If you are driving in town or on motorways most of the time then tiptronic is a real advantage. If you have open roads light traffic and minimal speed cameras then you might get more out of manual. If you do a lot of airfield or track driving days which are about the only places you can use the performance of a 911 then most people would choose manual but the tip can do pretty well - try going out with a factory visit driver for confirmation ! Don't be put off by people who would never consider a tiptronic , don't get hung up on 0-60 times, less hp at wheels etc , judge it by your daily drive sense of wellbeing and comfort.

[DaGinge]

oldtimer has a good point, don't be put off a tip by facts/figures - your average driver will lose enough time changing gear manually to make the tip just as quick.

If you're considering track days at all get a manual.

If you live anywhere near the M25 get a tip.

If you live in Scotland get a manual.

Not much help, but if I had a porker as a daily driver I'd want a tip.

[Denis O]

Just bought a Tip and it is an excellent compromise between auto and manual.
My previous car was an SL500 which had a lovely auto box and the Tip is as good.
The steering wheel controls are a bit of fun if you want to play but mine is used in auto mode 95% time.

Interesting comment about the SMG box. I have never driven a car with a worse gear changing system. It was an SMG1 on an e36 M3 and I understand it is improved on the SMG2 but IMHO it needed improving. If you read e36.com the general opinion on SMG1 is...don't.