Buying advice wanted

[mgp1969]

Have just moved to Dubai and am considering a 911 to replace the TVR I had in the UK, but must confess to knowing precious little about the current model line up.

Car will be used daily (and spend some time in fairly heavy traffic, I would wager) and will probably be able to do 4-5 trackdays a year.

Have only just started looking into this, but it seems I can get a Carrera 2 or 4, tiptronic or manual transmission. My instincts would be to go for the 2 with manual transmission, but that's largely due to the ignorance of the benefits/pitfalls of tiptronic.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Cheers

[leosayer]

What's your budget (GBP equivalent)?

If I had to drive my 911 every day in heavy traffic then I would have bought a tiptronic. However, I'd prefer a manual 911 for fun and something else in auto for the daily grind.

I don't think you'll need 4WD in Dubai unless your planning on tackling the dunes!

[domster]

Also, what TVR did you have? Build will always be better but only some Porsches offer better performance/character.

[mgp1969]

The TVR was a V8S. Budget is 30-40k.

The tiptronic appeals because of the traffic over here and because I tore my left ankle ligaments playing football a few ago which caused considerable discomfort with the TVR clutch (quite heavy) in traffic -but how would perform on a track day?

[DucatiGary]

performance on track day will depend on your driving skills. Tiptronic is not too different to manual but you can change alot quicker in a manual, depending on the jockey.

by what u put above i think one tiptronic set up is coming your way. I think with the injury its a no brainer, you will enjoy it more.

[domster]

To be honest, I'd be tempted by a Boxter S tiptronic. You're also into 996 territory for that budget, but the best track cars will be 964RS (30k) and 993RS (40k). Both have clutches tho'.

[oldtimer]

the domster's right about the choice of porsche for tracking ( LHD 964RS or 993RS ) ....which of course are aircooled and manual gearbox. You didn't mention gammy left leg in your first post , assume this is temporary so not of itself a reason to go tip. However , for daily commute tip is brilliant....and from my own experience of tip on track its fine assuming you will do your own gear selection. A bit more interesting to let the computer do gear selection after its figured out that you are in a hurry !!
With your budget you can go 993 aircooled or 996 watercooled , its much easier to pick up a s/h 996 as there are more about. Ignore the handwringers who blather on about RMS and other reasons why 996 is not as good as 993. Its all accounted for in the s/h price !

[verysideways]

If you want the tip i reckon go for a 996 or Boxster, not a 993/964.

Did they do a tip Box S? I reckon that could be a corker on road and track.

[domster]

I'm sure they do a Boxster S Tip but I'm not a massive expert on Boxsters - just drove an S around Silverstone and rated it really highly. They handle better than most 911s; like a mid engined 968CS in feel, to be honest.

I have only driven extremes of 996... a C4 cabriolet (dull and probably far too soft on track) and a GT3 (sublime and great fun on track). I'm not sure about the bread and butter ones. That said, in a few years, grab a 997S. That is one hell of a car out of the box.

PS Just found this... they do do Boxster S tips.

www.rsjsportscars.co.uk/vehicles/porsche_boxster_s_32_tiptronic_24.htm

Speak to Joel and say I sent you and he'll throw in a free cup of coffee and some car mats

[wini]

you will be very hard pushed to buy better than a 993tt 408bhp out the box, Brilliant and refined and very durable and rock solid resale!