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YOUR RESEARCH996 Titronics are Abundant, Manuals are not..
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Replace imsb if needed
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Also, what extra maintenance can I expect and additional labor to change the IMSB if needed?
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Hi everyone,
Seriously looking for a 2000 or later 996. Maybe a Carrera 4 or 4S (Turbo!) if the right car comes around.
There are several limitations here in Japan and importing a car is not cost effective. Been there, done that, won't do it again.
996's here are literally 90% Tiptronics. Finding a manual is difficult and when you do it is priced accordingly. Same for sunroofs. There are almost none. Good luck finding a manual with a sunroof. I have not found one yet. As you can probably tell, I prefer a manual but it looks like a Tiptronic with a sunroof is more likely. That's the way it goes.
Will I be wishing for that manual or will I grow to enjoy the Tiptronic? Also, what extra maintenance can I expect and additional labor to change the IMSB if needed?
Tips are great, don't knock it till you try one. I've really enjoyed not shifting and my tranny thanks me for it. Consider all the money you'll save by not having to do clutch, slave, etc. if you have you're heart set on a manual just be paitent as the right car will always show up.
My friend stopped by with his 996, a 2000 with full dealer history but no mention of the RMS or IMSB replacement. It's a Tiptronic and I got to cruise for about an hour with it and really enjoyed it. More torque that I am used to in my Honda (or MGA!). The 3.4 is really plenty for Japan and no real need for a turbo, but it would be fun.
He is looking for a 997 or GT3 so this may be coming up for sale in the coming months at around $15,000. I have the cash waiting just in case.
I did find a nice 2002 C4S (Tiptronic, of course) and it was about $19,000. I thought I would take a look so the following day I went to see it and it was already sold in less than 24 hours. Others sit around waiting to be sold. Must have been a good one.
Here is a shot of the 2000 I might be in one day.
If you purchase a tiptronic go for a 2002 or newer model year. The auto transmission was improved in 2002, everything is better. It's a different transmission than 1999-2001. Plus the 2002-2004 has more HP.
Just my 2 cents but personally I would wait.
Tiptronic is a fine and capable system but so much of my personal enjoyment of driving is the tactile input/response. So owning a Porsche with anything other than a manual is just a nonstarter to me. The sunroof on the other hand is purely optional so if the right car with the right specs come along I'd forego that if it meant getting into the car sooner.
Either way, good luck with your search.
This is exactly how I felt until my left knee told me it doesn't agree and refused to cooperate.
I actually really like the tiptronic, my only minor minor "complaint" are the buttons on the steering wheel. The buttons are good, they get the job done, but I have nice paddle shifters on my BMW and that design is better. If I didn't have the superior BMW paddle shifters, I might have no complaints at all.
I totally understand; there are many a days after long training runs I curse myself for insisting on driving manuals. Then I remind myself that someday I may not have it as an option anymore and I should really enjoy it while it lasts.
And eventually Porsche agreed with their fans and changed to paddles like every other sensible automaker; just not in time for our 996 unfortunately.
Have you thought about getting into the export business? The sunroof delete option is a rare unicorn over here. You could probably work out a nice trade for a manual + sunroof
I don't know what the Japanese market is like, but over here, we're awash in silver 996's. I read somewhere (Companion?) that the "standard" lease configuration was a silver cab with a black interior w/ Tip. I was surprised that Porsche chose silver for the 40AE color, given how un-rare silver is.
OP, someday you're probably going to have to accept that standard transmissions are going away. A year or so ago, I noticed that 97% of the local Porsche dealership's new-car inventory was PDK. Now that the cars all have cupholders, people want that hand free for their double-foam-sugar-free-triple-shot-soymilk whatever from Starbucks...
LOL!
OP: Get a manual. Also, remember that "sunroof delete" is a desired option here in the US. So don't be bummed about no sunroof because less things that can go wrong.
I have thought about getting into the exporting business but there are several people that are already doing it. Might be a good hobby...
And yes, most of the cars here are silver as well. Silver, sunroof delete, Tiptronic. Black would be the next popular color, then white and blue. I am OK with silver but the one thing I want is a black interior.
Ditto on the whole Crocs thing. Ugh. But the kiddos love them.
I always tell my kids: Sure you can wear your crocs. (It will be easier for you to take them off while in the car so you won't get my seat backs all dirty.
)
