996 question

I was looking to buy 966 4S, but I can't decide between auto and manual. It's all clear with manual; clutch replace eventually and other manual tranny parts. So my question how is holding auto tranny on 996? Does auto has same problem with IMS and RMS leak? Than, may be I should looking for 997 S or 997 4S? There are in avg about 10 K more, well 10 K is a good money so it's kind doesn't make sense to spend such money for the updated saloon. Thanks

Can't comment on the auto transmission. I will say if you don't abuse a manual a clutch will last many years, my 03 with 100kms is still on the original clutch. I would choose the one that you will get the most enjoyment from.

I drove my 996 C4S for about 120,000 miles and 13 years on my original clutch. It's not a big deal. If you want a manual, then buy a manual!

I would definitely recommend driving both first and then decide what you like. I had an early (2001) Tiptronic C4 that I didn't really enjoy driving that much (the auto took all the fun out of it). Now I have a 2000 6-speed 2wd and it's one of the best driving cars I've owned. I think the Tiptronic in the later 996's is better than the early one I had, but still I would strongly recommend driving both to find out what works for you (or at least drive a Tiptronic to make sure you like it). Clutches last a long time, so I wouldn't worry about maintenance (plus, clutch changes are a good time to do the IMS bearing as a maintenance item).

If you get a manual plan on replacing the clutch unless the seller has recently replaced it and has receipts - you may not need to for many years but it will hurt a little if you have to do it right away and you don't have the $$. Unless you do most of your driving in stop and go traffic get the manual. I have had both and for me I do not recommend the Tip for driving pleasure. They are very solid and do not break but not Fun - The PDK is a different story.

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Just IMO Stop and go, or heavy city driving, shortens the life a lot on these. Although leaving earlier for work now, about half of my commutes in the car were about 30-40 min going 15 miles both ways, the other half was in city where maybe I'd go for a half mile at a time without stopping. Just from that I'm putting on way more shifts and way more starts than someone who takes it out on weekends. From there the problem is that these cars are a lot of fun, and hitting entrance/exit ramps with higher power shifts is a great way to have fun before getting stuck in more traffic... This isn't great on a clutch and a place where I need to learn how to shift. But either way I'm doing quite a bit of shifting, more so than someone who isn't in the middle of a city. That said, I would think around 30-40k miles in those conditions (with someone maybe a bit nicer to it) could be about normal. http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/9...utch-life.html When I had the IMS done the shop said there was around 60% left on the clutch, and it's now slipping when shifting at 5-6k into 2nd and 3rd - so not in the normal range of driving yet. Again I'm not the poster boy of good shifting and I have made mistakes, but these are a consumable part.

From a reliability standpoint, I've seen very few posts about problems with Tiptronics (auto) if that's what you're asking.

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Just had someone on facebook ' The Porsche 996 Carerra owner ' with tiptronic failure! But I have not heard a lot of problems with them. But they do seem to like a service history (Gearbox oil change! ) O_Sr

resale value is certainly effected by the transmission choice - tiptronics will not get the higher resale value on C4S and Turbos - just look around at the turbos that sit for sale - many nice ones that sit and sit because they are tiptronic if money is no object buy what you love and certainly sample both

I know how to drive manual it's for sure, since I have 2.7L 944. I was looking at auto just to see if 2003/2004 are got better auto, that can enjoyable to drive. I would like to drive more even to work, I have only 12 miles but heavy traffic. I'm driving 944 only on Fridays and some weekend, since replacing clutch is not trivia, involve lots hours of labor and if already there the shaft bearing must change. I have everyday car, my 13' VW Passat TDI is perfect commute car. It's lowered and more power than OEM (+40 hp and 50 lbs) , so I'm polluting even more

My two cents: Unless you are daily driving the car in traffic, or cannot physically operate a clutch, get the manual. Later Porsche automatics - PDK - are amazing. Tiptronic, while good, is not. No RMS/IMS difference that I am aware of either.

Do what you want but I wouldn't let having to replace the clutch some day as the deciding factor. I would choose based on what I prefer driving.

I drove manual 2002 911, but never had luck to drive auto. So I was asking about auto, is really slow? Meaning changing gears.

When I was looking at buying a Porsche 7 years ago one of those I drove was a 2000 tip. I know myself, and that I would never shift it manually. Same would be true of a PDK. If I frequently found myself stuck inching along in bumper to bumper rush hour traffic I would definitely want an automatic, but in that case I would also want a roomy car with a higher stance, comfy ride, and tomb-like cabin silence so I could enjoy listening to music and not arrive stressed out. I knew if I bought an automatic Porsche I would end up selling it in no time. I always wanted a Porsche, and the Porsches I always wanted were sticks. To me it's part and parcel of "the sports car experience". I ended up having the clutch replaced at ~30K miles, as the pedal was overly stiff. The previous owner had probably abused it, because now with 30K more miles on it, the pedal feel hasn't changed. In fact this is the first car in a long line of sticks that ever needed a clutch, period. At the same time I replaced the clutch I had the IMSB upgraded. I don't track my car, I don't care if it's not the fastest, and I prefer the physical involvement of clutching and shifting. But everyone has different priorites and likes.

I have a C4S manual and wouldn't have it any other way. Nothing like flying through the gears until your up to speed on the freeway. Unless, as it is in California frequently, you fly through them to get to the speed of 25mph due to traffic........ and this is when I'm like "Maybe an automatic would be OK"

They make vanilla and chocolate for a reason. Choice is one of the greatest things about life in a free society. My previous car was a '95 Tip Cabriolet. I always shifted it manually - using the levers on the steering wheel. It does not shift as quickly as a manual. But I always enjoyed driving it. My '03 C4 Cab is a 6 speed. Here in greater Seattle - where stop and go traffic is the norm, I find I consciously don't take the 911 if I know it will be stop and go - I use my other car. The Tip is a relatively bullet proof tranny. I wouldn't advise towing a trailer with it.

I have owned both a manual 996 and I currently own a 2002 Tiptronic. So here's my two cents. If you go with a Tiptronic transmission you MUST get a 2002 or newer car. The tiptronic transmission is much much improved in the 2002 or newer. Now, I am a manual guy. I learned how to drive on a manual transmission and my first three cars (at least) were all manual. When I purchased my first Porsche it was a manual. When I purchased my second Porsche it was a manual. When I purchased my third Porsche it was a manual.....then my left knee (clutch side) stop cooperating and I had pain after about 25 minutes of constant shifting 1st / 2nd 1st / 2nd 1st / 2nd where I live daily driving is CONSTANT stop and go. I got rid of my 911 and switched over to BMW because I couldn't drive a manual for long periods and I didn't want an automatic Porsche or an automatic sports car in general. Years went by....and I took the plunge and purchased a 2002 tiptronic. I LOVE THE TIPTRONIC. No clutch and I couldn't be happier. I drive it in manual mode almost 100 percent of the time. The steering wheel buttons work great and the car shifts fast. I LOVE THE TIPTRONIC. PDK ? I have driven that too. PDK is basically the greatest transmission ever built in human history. I would marry a PDK transmission. The 2002 - 2008 tiptronics are very good transmissions and will be very enjoyable. I have no complaints at all none. PDK is simply sublime. Perfection. My next 911 is 100 % going to be a 2010 or newer C4S with PDK.

I have an 03 C2 tiptronic and I love it. It isn't like your mom's Buick Auto. The Tip picks up on how you are driving car, if you start getting aggressive it shifts faster and at higher R's. If you force a down shift and stay on it, Tip will shift at redline and much faster than the average person with a stick. If you start off in first and push on it, Tip will go to redline at each shift. When you drive the car at a "normal" pace, you hardly feel it shift. Downshifting for aggressive corners I am still working on. I think it is mostly timing when you get to know Tip. Yes I have owned many stick shift cars and understand some of the pleasure of shifting. My first 02 C2 was a Tip. As everybody says you must try them out, I agree especially with someone that knows how to use the Tip. Buena suerte RBC

I have a car with the early Tip (1999) and the later Tip (2003). The later Tip is great, the earlier one, not so much. There are many differences between the two. I do a lot of heavy traffic driving, which is why I prefer the Tip, since I use it for my DD. They shift fast and are plenty of fun. Just put it in "M" mode. Most people dissing the Tip have never driven one. But, get the second gen Tip if you go that route. As said above, tougher to sell. But, if you are buying it to drive, who cares?