Would you drive a Tip?

I recently drove a 99 C2 with Tip. It's a low mileage car with Aero kit. I loved it. But I can't imagine owning a Tip Porsche. To me, a 911 with Tip is not a 911. Am I crazy here? Any die hard stick shifter able to live with a Tip? On the SMG, unless you are SERIOUSLY RACING AT THE TRACK, SMG is not really needed. I've seen my friend's SMG get put into "D" and left in "D". --- anthony

I have a tip. Traded an '03 M3 SMG cab for my '02 tip cab - - I'm also a diehard fan of stick shift and my daily driver is a 6spd. I needed to keep something my wife could drive and she really didn't like the SMG. It's a trade off but nice in traffic. If you don't need to have a tip (because of huge traffic issues or to share with someone who can't drive a stick) then I'd get a 6spd. (The SMG was MUCH more fun than the tip IMO.) Oh, and it's still a 911! I enjoy it a lot despite the tip factor. For me a 911 with a tip is better than no 911

My 03 C4 Cab has tip and I liove it. I don't track or De it, just everyday driving. My other P-cars had manuals and while they were also a blast I like the convenience of the Tip. My wife is more comfortable with the Tip which makes the whole ownership experience alot easier. In a recent Excellence they described how the new 997 Turbo with Tip is slighly faster that the manual.

Nope I don't like autos unless its in an SUV I also think that the flat six engine characteriscs do not lend themselves to an autobox. my $0.02 Also My wife would bitch at me if I bought a tip, she like getting her hand round a stick.....

As a loaner? Sure. As my only P-car? Nope. Shifting is part of the deal - at least for me. I may get cranky about it as I go 5' and stop, then go 5' and stop in rush-hour traffic, but I wouldn't have it any other way. That being said, I agree that a Tip is a great idea for guys who need one hand to drive and one ot work the cell phone. If the wife drove the car, I'd get a Tip, but she has Zero interest in driving it, so there you go.

The current Turbo 997 is quicker in Tip than manual so I guess that would be something to consider.

In a straight line from a stop, yes. The ability to load up the torque converter before launching is a nice benefit of autos, but on the road or road course that's not much help. Shawn

When I was purchasing, I considered looking for a tip just because my wife cannot drive a manual. In the end, I decided that, to me, 6 speed was the only way to go. I do not drive in a lot of traffic, and I know that is a consideration to a lot of people, but for me, the tip is just too house-wife. Just my 2 cents.

I am trying to convince myself I can live with a Tip. But it is just not working!!!

I think what you're reading here is ONLY get the tip if you have a reason to (ie: drive in traffic a lot or have your sig other drive it and doesn't drive stick) - - if you're a stick person and convince yourself to get the tip because you found a nice, clean car with low miles, you are making a mistake and will not like it!

MY C2 is a Tip and my Boxster is a 5 speed. I must say that I do enjoy driving the Boxster for a bit of spirited fun because of the manual gearbox, but when there is an an accident on the highway or some considerate driver stops on my a$$ at a stoplight on a hill I quietly smile to myself. Secondly, the tip on the Porsche is quite a sophisticated device and I believe it has 5 memory settings and adapts itself both to your driving style and the road conditions. I love when it downshifts for me... All in all, I originally didn't want a tip, but after driving it for awhile I have really grown to enjoy it. The tip also puts less stress on the RMS which may (or may not) increase life expectancy of the seal according to the PCA tech section.

IMHO, either you're a stick person or you're indifferent. Would I drive a tiptronic Porsche sports car? Of course. Would I own one? Absolutely not. For me, this isn't about which transmission is faster (i.e. the 997 Turbo tip being faster than the manual); I'd still opt for the manual. I relish that direct connection with the machine -- the oneness and involvement you feel with it. I don't care how many hours of bumper-to-bumper traffic I have to live with; ascending hills I have to stop on; or how inconvenient it is for my wife; the only transmission choice in a 911 is a manual. Fortunately for me, my wife shares the same sentiment that the proper transmission in a sports car -- any sports car -- is a manual (even though she doesn't even know how to drive one).

NO TIP! As an American, I'm ashamed there are so many damn autos in this country. Everytime I see a nice M3 or 911 etc... that has an auto I think POSER. Right or wrong, thats how I see it. I do a fair amount of sitting in traffic with my 6spd, (up to 3 hours a day), but I could never buy a sports car with an Auto. Even if I were in the market for a Ferrari, I'd still opt for the lever. Sure technology is to the point that the computer can shifter faster and better than I, but that takes all the fun out of it for me. I've driven the M3 SMG and its entertaining, but I'll keep the stick thank you. By the way, my wife feels the same way so I don't have to fight that battle

"As an American, I'm ashamed there are so many damn autos in this country." "Everytime I see a nice M3 or 911 etc... that has an auto I think POSER" LOL you're pathetic

My Tip Rocks!

Come on JES1680 and Ucube - - you guys are hilarious. If I choose to spend my hard earned dollar on a tip Porsche so my wife can drive it too, that makes me a "poser". I'm as much as an enthusiast as the next guy who happens to have a tip Porsche and because my wife doesn't share my excitment of the actual driving experience doesn't mean she shouldn't enjoy driving the car at all (which is exactly what would happen if I had a 6spd). I totally agree the "connected to the road feeling" isn't there with a tip, but I stand by my statement, above: "A tip Porsche is better than no Porsche" - and I get a lot of enjoyment in watching my wife happily pull away from the house with the top down on a sunny day.

Whoa Jason, when did I call you a poser? Moreover, when did I criticize your sensitivity toward your wife's enjoyment? I made mention of my transmission requirement in a sports car -- any sports car, but I clearly did not comment on other owners' choices. What I feel is the proper transmission has no bearing on your preference, enjoyment, or relationship with your wife.

I would not get nearly as much enjoyment out of my 911 if it was a Tip. Even though the new 997 Turbo is faster in Tip than manual I would still rather have the manual transmission. ymmv, Rob

Ucube - you didn't, JES1680 did. You didn't criticize anything other than any automatic sports car. I love driving my 6spd (other car) - - fantastic feeling. If you haven't driven an M3 hard with the SMG in S6 mode, I suggest you try it. I was shocked how well that tranny performs. Changed my opinion about "autos" a lot.

Let's face it...buying a Porsche over many other lesser priced, capable cars is about understanding what you want and going for it. So, if your Porsche dream involves a tip, get it; if it involves a stick, get that. From experience, the regret factor goes up as you spend more and more on anything. So, get what you will enjoy, and then enjoy the hell out of it. -- M

Jason, again, I think you may have mistaken the context of my first post. My opinion on auto sports car has no correlation to performance, as I'm sure computer shifts faster than us mere humans. I'm certain an M3 SMG is a thrill-ride and much more than just an auto "appliance." My left foot just feels funny not doing any work. Perhaps it's an archaic ideal, but like Riad, I'd rather have the manual in a sports car -- always.

Ucube - I agree with you completely. I much prefer the use of my left foot. But, if you need to have an auto (ie: my case with my 4th car for my wife's weekend use) and you want a Porsche, it's not so bad. I initially had an SMG M3 which shifts much better than ANY auto I've ever driven. I think as more and more people drive SMG type gear boxes (not just on a test drive because it takes some getting used to) more people will see how impressive the new technology is. I just started doing track days in my other car (a 6spd). I'm learning about all sorts of stuff. I can tell you, I'd be a better driver faster if I didn't need to use my left foot for a clutch. There is a lot to be said for people who can perfect the heel-toe. The issue for me is that as a novice, coming into a turn at 120mph, setting the car up for the turn, threshold breaking, turning in and exiting properly AND executing a perfect heel-toe downshift as not to upset the balance of the car is A LOT to think about all at once. For daily driving I prefer the 6spd, but as I start my track life, these sequential type gearboxes are easier to learn on. If I only do 4 track weekends a year, I think I'd have more fun perfecting other skills than heel-toe. I can't wait to see what happens when Porsche comes out with DSG or SMG, because they will soon. Again, I agree with you, a 6spd gives me much more involvement and I do prefer that but I was pretty darn impressed with the SMG in my M3. Prior to having the M3, I was exactly like you, "I never want anything other than a true manual" - my opinion changed. Keep an open mind with this new technology because it's pretty amazing stuff. (Also, I'm not referring to the tip in the 996 since it's average at best.)

No tip for me. Never owned a car with an auto trans. I hated SMG, so I got a 6 speed in my M3.

I have an old fashioned sports car with a standard. My 964. Quick with all the engine mods, lower to the ground than my 996 and drives like a go cart. A lot of fun. I have a race car with a standard that does all the above at the track. I have a daily driver 996 with a tip. Love it, great a/c, quiet and confortable. Just what I was looking for to cruise around all day talking on the phone...I am in real estate. My wife can drive it when I take her suv / tow vehicle to the races. Meets my needs perfectly until the 928 replacement comes. Hey, my friends say that the 996 is proof that the 928 lost the battle but won the war anyway? Get what you like and you will never be dissapointed.

No clutch foot here.....no choice but a tip. I do love to drive it and push it in manual mode though.

Yeah, I knew that the Poser comment would elicit some negetive response. Its just an initial feeling I get when I see a high performance car with an atuo. to me that is just a complete waste of money. I'm sure there are Corvette guys that would have me lynched for a comment such as that, as the overwhelming majority of thoes have autos. Obviously, everyone can spend their hard earned money on whatever they want. If it makes you happy and enables you to have a car that you normaly couldn't justify because of a spouse that can't / won't drive a stick then go for it. To me however is seems completely illogical to put an auto in a sports car. I would actually not own a Porsche if I had to be saddled with a Tip. And to be quite honnest if my wife demanded (and I'm not impliying that anyone's wife is) that I buy a car with an auto so she could drive it (and wouldn't learn to drive a stick), I'd probably not have one of those (wife) either.

Like I stated above, the lines are starting to get blurry when you speak about performance, tip vs. manual as the new 997tt is faster in tip. Even though that's the case I would still rather have a manual transmission as it's part of the driving experience. Rob

I agree, that as far as performace of the vehicle goes, technology has or is quickly catching up with the best drivers. My comments are completely related to driving experince and not overall performance. Besides I'm not a good enough dirver, or crazy enough driver that performance wise it would make any difference on the street (tip or manual). However, I do heel and toe, in every day driving. I love the interaction of the gas/brake/clutch. I love the more connected / in control feeling that I get wth a manual. I realize that my poser comment is a generalization based upon the people that I've met that have autos in BMW's / Porsches etc... None of them have been what I'd call an enthusisast. That doesn't make them bad people, I just wouldn't want to dilute my driving experince with an auto, but then again we have a Tundra and an ES300 for that.

The driving experience in my manual turbo 951 in the Chicago construction season sucked! I'll take the 996 Tip as a daily driver over any other car out there.

My C2 Cab is a daily driver to work in DC with our wonderful rush hour and I'd never go tip - but that's what makes the world go round. Do what you like and don't worry about the guy next to you.

No TIP for me, even though my car is a daily driver and there can be a lot of traffic... like shifting gears just too much. Spoke with a guy who owns a Porsche dealership in SC and he tells me that he sells about 50% of his 911's as TIPs... was surprised to hear that the number was so high.

siwwy wabbit! Tips are for kids

I drove a tip once. I liked it for a daily driver. It's up to the owner. Going by on the highway who knows what is in the car other than the smile on the owners face Looking at a 3rd round of spinal surgery I'm beginning to wish I'd bought a tip.

Nope - I like the involvement with the car that only rowing the gears provides. I always thought of Tiptronic as something Porsche did to sell more cars to dentists' wives.

I agree with some that said tip helps the significant other drive the car more comfortably. My wife doesn't feel as comfortable in the manual so she doesn't drive my car right now. Next P car I get will definitely be tip.

my wife can't drive stick...so I bought a tip....lowered the P..now she doesn't want to drive it anymore! I could have had so much more choice buying a stick!!!!.....but I am wrong assuming that an engine with a tip will have less problems?? because the tip shifts at lower rpm's and never makes a mistake...so the engine never really gets beat up.....

Never, if i wanted automatic, i would drive a Benz, resale is always worse too, If you like it then go for it, but you will get this comment all the time" You bought a Porsche thats Auto what a waste"

Short Shifter or regular throw

I would walk first... since I met my wife at the track 30 years ago, I do not have the "i can drive a stick and the clutch makes my ankle hurt" issue we will stay with a real gearbox. IF I had to go with an auto then the SL55 AMG would be the ride.

I just traded in an 00 cab with 6 speed for an 03 X-50 with a tip, so I'm fairly qualified to weigh in on this one. First, the 6 speed was great to drive but as a daily driver, having the tip has been a nice change. Also, my wife and friends are now comfortable driving the car for a quick test drive and it always puts a smile on my face when I can share the "porsche experience" with close friends and family. I think the considerable upgrade in performance has also helped ease the pain of losing the 6 speed, the x-50 is much more fun than my previous car, even with the Tip transmission. Bottom line for me, I would always opt for the 6 speed if it was a weekend or track car, but having the Tip as a daily driver has been much more enjoyable than I expected, I'm actually glad a made the switch. I know how you feel though, I went through the same concerns about having an automatic, but these are fantastic cars and a blast to drive no matter what transmission you have.

I used to be a die-hard 'a-sports-car-should-be-manual' kind of driver, for 20 years. I have driven a range of cars, from the mundane (Golf Turbo Diesel in the 80's), to the exotic (TVR Chimaera in the 90's), to the 'practical sports car (2 Saab Viggens from 1999 to 2006). All cars were manual. Then I got a deal on a C4 Tip (2001). I have to say I'm a convert. I love this car. It's my daily driver on Southern California freeways and the Tip is a joy to drive. I can override the Tip when I want to / need to (and do it faster than any manual shift), or I can let the car do its thing in heavy traffic. I'm not saying I would drive ANY automatic from now on, but my 911 Tip is a pure joy and I have no regrets.

I had an 87 944 that was a 5 speed and loved it. I wanted to add a 2nd P-Car and my wife talked me into a Tip, even though she could drive a stick. Well, I bought a Tip Boxster and the wife drove it a whole 2 times. I used it one day at an autocross when the 944 was in the shop and fell in love. Once you get the hang of the Tip it is a joy to drive. I liked it so much that I sold the 944 and Boxster and bought an 02 996 with Tip. Again the wife could drive a stick and this car she has only driven twice as well. I do not use this as a daily driver, only for fun. Some folks might say I am a poser for buying a Tip but I could careless. I guarantee that I am more of a P-Car Fanatic then a lot of the 6 speed 996ers out there. I love it and it works for me. Sure I miss a stick at times; however, I have gotten the hang of the Tip and really do like it. One of the fastest autocrossers in Potomac PCA drives a Tip Boxster. I am not going to say the Tip is better than a stick, only if it works for you you will enjoy it and do you really care what someone else has to say about it?

i have a tip. finger + left foot braking is fun

Hard to answer without hurt feelings, but real sportscars should have real driver's transmissions (manual of course). Am generally disappointed that so many manufacturers are "dumbing" down their cars by offering automatics and marketing them as "driver's cars" The only valid exception I see is for the disabled person, not the lazy wife who nags you to death until she gets her say

The point is trying to satisfy the wife with a tip is a waste of time for me that is. My wife don't like the ride of a sports car to begin with so why would I care if she can drive it 2 times. IMO if using a car as a daily driver and comfort were an issue I'd get a Mercedes or BMW. The real reason I got a P-car is to get the driver involvement. As far as performance difference in auto-x you won't see much due to a lack of shifting and a 997TT is faster because the torque converter can keep the turbos spooled up and it has some sort of launch control to gain that few extra ticks to 60. FWIW drag racers usually use some sort of auto trans.

Not exactly my point. What I was trying to say is that I somewhat reluctantly bought a Tip for my wife, she did not use it; however, I ended up liking it and actually found myself buying a Tip later, willingly and purposfully. There are guys saying that the 996 is not a real Porsche because it has water in its vains, I hope you don't listen to them like I don't listen to those that think my Tip is any less of a sportscar. Its how you drive it. The car that sits in the garage and never driven in the rain and sees only 3,000 RPMs is the poser, not the guy driving the Tip to the limit. Again, I am not saying a Tip is better than a stick, but that it is no less a sportscar. JMO

I'd never get a sports car with a torque converter, whether tip or otherwise because I hate the "slushy" feeling compared to the instant throttle response of a manual. Maybe one day I'd get a DSG or SMG tranny if my knees keep acting up. Then again, having turned 34 at the weekend I'm already 10 years past when my specialist said I'd need knee surgery and I'm still getting by without!

Me, personally, no. I'm a computer guy for the most part, and I am sick and tired of computers "trying" to make the decision for me. I want to be the one who makes the decisions when driving a car. The only value-add for me is preventing mis-shifts due to the rubbery Porsche shift linkage. Of course, there may be legitimate reasons for others to own an auto such as traffic, etc., but seriously my wife hates my car for plenty of other reasons--and I drive one of those girly Boxster cars

Although I've owned up to 4 cars for myself at a single time, I have NEVER owned an auto. I like having complete control of shifting including when to upshift, down shift and hold gears. There is no automatic transmission that will give the control of a manual. The tiptronic-type systems that even come close to a manual are the systems on Ferrari's and Lamborghini's. This is because they are not automatics, but automatic-clutching manuals where the automatic mode is more a limp-home capability than to be used for normal driving. SMG is still and auto and has drawbacks from slower shifting. This was the reason why BMW chose not to have the SMG in the M-Z3 coupe and convertible. Even though the new 997 turbo can be launched and hit 60 mph faster with the auto, the manual outruns it at anything above that and easily beats the auto on the track. This said and done, I can't see ever owning a Porsche with an automatic. It doesn't fit the personality or purpose of the car. Sports cars should be manuals. Touring cars should be autos. If you don't really want a sports car, this is why they have nice cars like Mercedes SL's and Lexus SC430's. The have some sports appear, but softer rides and transmissions for those looking for less of a driving experience.

Any reason to keep my wife from driving my car is good for me. There is a limit to caring and sharing. My car is manual but if my wife used it, then it would soon become a tip.

I wouldn't get a tip either. But once Porsche switches to a DSG/SMG type tranmission, i am game. I have SMG on my M5 and love it.

May I suggest racing bucket seats, a stiff suspension, a LWFW, stiff R-compound tires, and aggressive pads that squeal on the street? Did I mention short shifter and loud exhaust?

Got a Boxster Tip and a Carrera 6 speed in the garage. Either is fine! I've had so many manual sports cars over the last 40 years that it really doesn't matter. No novelty in shifting as far as I am concerned. I've got lots of motorcycles to ride if I need my shifting fix and all will out accelerate my 996 by a large margin. I've roadraced motorcycles for years as well and shifted manually tens of thousands of times in a racing situation and it's no longer important on the street. If someone swapped my 6 speed for a Tip in my 996 in the middle of the night, I wouldn't complain.

Not a chance. And the wife would say that an automatic does NOT belong in such a fine sportscar as a P-Car. Maybe if P-Car ever adopts a DSG system for us track junkies we might be swayed to at least give it a chance. But still, something about shifting your own gearbox in a manual ride

I guess it's not Tip for me. https://rennlist.com/forums/newreply...e=1&p=3203628# evilgrin --- anthony

I like my 00 C4 tip, I like my 89 928 GT (5 speed), I like my '74 TR 6, (4 speed) I like my 00 Audi Quattro bi-turbo (tip), I like my Harley (guess), I like my '68 ford 8000 dump truck (10 speed), I like my 89 Heston 15 speed tractor, I like my 00 Kabota shuttle shift. That is about half of my fleet.......some are autos and some are sticks.............to each his own........... The only "posers" are the ones who try to impose their choice on others.......... Sorry *** wannabees.....

although i prefer a 6 sp, i would note that porsche driving schools usually have all tips for their courses. tips are fun, too, especially in a turbo. as for resale, i don't think that 6sp have any real advantage any more because tips are popular now too. the last time i looked the c4s tip cab was the best selling 911 currently. to me, any variation that helps porsche to remain an independant company is great!

FYI.....Germany sells more Tip's than the US. Go figure.

where is this came from? man, i thought porsche doing tip this just for us.

PAG/PCNA release production figures monthly and yearly.

I agree with Gretch's comment about posers above. I've had both Tip's and Sticks; they are each great in their own way. Who cares what someone else thinks of our choice in transmissions? If that's their biggest concern in life ,then they need to get a good look at reality!

What does poser's refer to? Did somebody call Tip drivers posers? I really don't care what type of transmission somebody chooses. It comes down to what YOU like, not others. If you want to drive a pink 911 with a TIP tranny and that makes you feel good then do it. Personally, I have the TIP in my Cayenne b/c I don't WANT to be connected to the car like I am in the 911. I want the ease of drving that SUV as simple as possible since it is made for tips to LOWES and SAM'S CLUB. But, when I am in the 911, I want to be in TOTAL control off all my shifting and to have the FULL visceral experience not found in the TIP. To each his own. The original poster of this thread asked "WOULD YOU DRIVE A TIP". The answers should have been yes or no and with an explanation. If somebody called another a poser, I missed that. As for Gretch, he loves to leave his comfort zone of the OT Forum to come over here form time to time and post his angry diatribe's. We've learned to just live with it, although some do bite and fight back (as I once did) which I am sure is exactly what gets his motor rev'd up. At the end of the day, we all drive 911's and that for me is enough and welcome the diversity....TIP or MANUAL, Coupe' or CAB, NA or Turbo, Carbon bits or Colored Bits, etc, etc, etc,...........

I agree with Dell, although I have to draw the line at a Pink 911... you're a total wuss if you drive a pink 911 with a tip and you're not selling cosmetics.

i'm not surprised that there are a lot of tips sold in germany. i attended porshe driving school in austria in which all of the cars provided were tips. i was the only american there and the only person who complained about the lack of 6 speeds. they explained they wanted us to concentrate on following a racing line and threshold braking. none of the germans or austrians complained at all about the tips. times change.

...or cutting hair

Now why are we bringing Boxsters into the conversation

Oh, I thought we were talking about rebadged VW SUVs

Ok guys here's the official appology for the poser comment. I wasn't intentionally calling Tip owners posers, I personally just think an auto in a sports car is seriouslly diminishes the involvement. And usually the people that I've met that have autos in sports cars are not your typical enthusiasts. There we go, my opionion only and from my adimittedly small sampling of drivers. I've also established that people should buy what makes them happy its your money after all.

For what its worth, I like the tip. Great in traffic and I never really push the car to its limits anyway. For me it worked pretty well.