997 C2S - Tiptronic Depreciation?

[wiffmaster]

Hello,

I've got a 911 itch that I think I need to scratch. Budget up to £30k.

I live in central London. Like Zone 1, Congestion Charge and ULEZ central London. Which means that I really don't want a manual and need something 2005 (ish) or newer to comply with ULEZ. Don't have a garage so it'll be open to the elements, but do have secure off-street parking.

I've been looking at 997s and was surprised they're not that much more than the equivalent 996s. Very tempted by a 997 Carrera S Tiptronic, possibly with a rebuilt engine. Looking at the prices, I can't imagine they've got that much further to drop? It'll do relatively low mileage (probably around 5000 miles a year) and I'd probably keep it for a couple of years.

So, what are people's thoughts on depreciation curves and how much lower 997s have got to go? Especially on a Tiptronic, which is probably the least desirable option for most non-London people!

Thanks in advance

[Billy_Whizzzz]

Probably missing something, but why is it so hard to change gear in town? I regularly drive my 997.2 (manual) in town, and enjoy doing so. The tiptronic is terrible, really.

[wiffmaster]

Billy_Whizzzz said:

Probably missing something, but why is it so hard to change gear in town? I regularly drive my 997.2 (manual) in town, and enjoy doing so. The tiptronic is terrible, really.

Everywhere round here is 20mph limits and traffic jams; it takes at least 45 minutes of walking-pace traffic to get to any 'proper' roads. I honestly just don't have the patience to drive a manual in central London anymore.

Is the Tiptronic actually terrible, or is it just not what most people would choose for a car like the 911? If it's genuinely a crap box, then I could look at stretching to a PDK, I guess.

[Ziplobb]

Tip is dreadful. PDK even in 2008 is light years ahead.

[wiffmaster]

I'm noticing a trend here!

Maybe I need to stretch the budget a bit and look at PDKs...

[Louis Balfour]

wiffmaster said:

I'm noticing a trend here!

Maybe I need to stretch the budget a bit and look at PDKs...

PDK is very good. My PDK is 10 years old and I still enjoy driving it. Yes, you should seek one out.

[unclepezza]

I ran a Tiptronic 987.1 for fours years as was commuting from Sussex to Chiswick. M23/M25/M4 everyday.

One trip in took 3 hours and I actual broke the sole of my shoe in half from the constant clutch action, that was enough to sway me into an auto and the Boxster was a fantastic car that completely changed the drive into work. Sure not a scratch on a manual if you have some nice roads but for London driving they are great, used the steering wheel shifters a handful of times.

[chris-e]

Tip gets some bad press on here, fair enough if you want to red line it and get super quick changes, but for town driving its great. When you get on the open road its not half bad, and the manual up/down is far from sluggish.
I've had a 996 C2 tip for 10 years and done over 100,000 miles since I owned it, no complaints from me as a London daily.

I also own a 991.2 GTS pdk and honestly I only notice the rapid gear changes when I'm gunning it.

[LPAK]

wiffmaster said:

Everywhere round here is 20mph limits and traffic jams; it takes at least 45 minutes of walking-pace traffic to get to any 'proper' roads. I honestly just don't have the patience to drive a manual in central London anymore.

I don't think that is a view that most of the people responding share. I think if that's how you feel, you'll be fine with the Tip.

[wiffmaster]

chris-e said:

Tip gets some bad press on here, fair enough if you want to red line it and get super quick changes, but for town driving its great. When you get on the open road its not half bad, and the manual up/down is far from sluggish.
I've had a 996 C2 tip for 10 years and done over 100,000 miles since I owned it, no complaints from me as a London daily.

I also own a 991.2 GTS pdk and honestly I only notice the rapid gear changes when I'm gunning it.

Really good to get another perspective; thanks for adding some more balance. They've even introduced 'low traffic neighbourhood' restrictions around me now, which makes driving in London with a manual even less appealing!

LPAK said:

I don't think that is a view that most of the people responding share. I think if that's how you feel, you'll be fine with the Tip.

Probably a fair point .

Although, I suspect that anybody else who lives in Central London can at least see where I'm coming from.

If I lived in out in the sticks / near some lovely B-roads, then the manual would be a no-brainer.

Edited by wiffmaster on Monday 22 February 11:50

[FarQue]

wiffmaster said:

I'm noticing a trend here!

Maybe I need to stretch the budget a bit and look at PDKs...

The tip' gearbox is an old fashioned torque converter system but it's considered to be pretty reliable. They're certainly not as bad as people say IF your're prepared to spend a bit of time and mileage to learn how to get the best out of one. When left in 'D' in a city-centre driving environment they'll revert to a 'lazy' map and won't be particularly exciting. I tend to leave mine in 'M' and drive it on the buttons on the 'wheel: especially useful in stop/start situations when the driver can forcibly select '1st' to pull away with a hot engine: any 997 owner will tell you that that is good practice.

[supersport]

Well as a counterpoint we have a 2008 Boxster S with tip and it's not that bad. Actually I think it's quite good.

In town it is nice and dead easy. Out of town and having fun the gear box is a lot smarter than I expected, it holds gears, changes down for the twists and if you are on a nice flowing road doesn't go straight to top gear.

Obviously there are the usual caveats around the tips being more prone to bore scoring etc.