996 C4S manual or tiptronic

I am researching for a 996C4S. I found several reports of failure manual transmissions of C4S these days. My wife can only drive tiptronic. However, I like manual and I will probability autocrossing the car. Should I looking for a tip or a manual on the market now, or order a manual C4S and wait for 5 months. Thanks in advance <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

the manual transmission in my c4s is a delight. failure appers to be limited to a few may-june built c4s's due to a supplier's screw up and should not recur. that said--get the tiptronic--marital bliss is more important than even a porsche <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />

Wife... How much would she (need to) drive the C4S? As long as I'm willing to always be the one in the driver's seat my wife is perfectly pleased with my manual C4. She likes sight-seeing a lot more than driving, even a Porsche.

Hey Mav..get the tiptronic! It cost more, it's a bit slower 0-60; 1/4 mile, etc. but I tell you, if you drive in the city it's ideal. Personally I think it's a kick to drive and shift on the wheel...and my wife likes it as well! But..I wouldn't get the Tip if your only fear is blowing your transmission. Whoever posted about that is correct..it must be a very small portion of those that are produced. Good luck in your choice.

If you live in the city, get the tip to save your foot! That being said, a porsche (any model) is, IMO, a car that "screams" for manual transmission. It adds a "x" factor to the driving experience that just is not there with the Tip - the feel of the shifter, the motion of coordinating clutch engagement, release and manual shifting and hearing the engine respond! Wow - just describing it makes me want to get behind the wheel of my C4 coupe and take a drive! If the choice is porsche with tip or no porsche at all, though, get the tip.

whatever you do-if you opt for the 6 speed,don't even consider taking a ride in the tiptronic cause you want to bash your head into a wall. Short of a paddle shift/F1 style gearbox that tip sure is lovely,especially after sitting in bumper to bumper traffic for an hour or so. Good Luck

In response to the portion of your question dealing with personal preference - manual vs. tiptronic - please register me as a firm advocate of the 6-speed. And I say this as a long-time resident of traffic laden Chicago. Others posting here would have you believe that a manual trans. coupled with this type of driving environment would cause aches of both the foot and head variety. Gentlemen, please. I realize that Porsche has done well to engineer such a smooth automatic transmission, but can you honestly say that you don't miss pushing the little stick around? If you want serenity during bumper-to-bumper traffic, Mercedes has several very capable vehicles.

the 6 speed is not really all that bad in rush hour traffic. I'm not annoyed one bit But you can't neglect the wife factor!

I am completely enamored with the 6 speed. I echo the others in stating that the failed 6 speeds are few and are probably a thing of the past by now. That should not be a factor in your decision. The wife, now THAT's the factor.

Personally, I would seriously look into moving (away from real heavy traffic) if what was at stake was possibly having to put an automatic on a 911.....obviously this is a passionate issue for some of us, and perhaps closely linked to what we percieve a 'sports car' should be? Anyway...the only automatic we have is the AMG/Porsche tip on the E55 and that's a correct fit since much of that car is engineered to insulate the driver from the road & the rest of the driving experience.....as has been stated, the 911 has always cried out for a stick. But at the end of the day it's what works for you....& to each his own.....and also, some of us just can't move

I prefer sex without a condom. Get the manual shift and teach you wife to drive a stick.

mav i'm very happy with the tip in the c4s. no problems in the hills around napa and much better when sitting in bridge traffic. wasn't completely sure when i ordered it but now have sold the 6 spd. (non c4s). both are great so'll you be happy with either.

[quote]Originally posted by Mav: <strong>I am researching for a 996C4S. I found several reports of failure manual transmissions of C4S these days. My wife can only drive tiptronic. However, I like manual and I will probability autocrossing the car. Should I looking for a tip or a manual on the market now, or order a manual C4S and wait for 5 months. Thanks in advance </strong><hr></blockquote>

[quote]Originally posted by Mav: <strong>I am researching for a 996C4S. I found several reports of failure manual transmissions of C4S these days. My wife can only drive tiptronic. However, I like manual and I will probability autocrossing the car. Should I looking for a tip or a manual on the market now, or order a manual C4S and wait for 5 months. Thanks in advance </strong><hr></blockquote>

Mav, If you want the 6-speed manual...go for it!! There were a handful of May,2002 c4s' that had transmission problems. No other reports since then. Have Fun!! Jay

One extra factor is clutch repair. If you keep the car over 50,000 miles, you'll probably need a clutch, but the Tip will be fine. I don't think the tip is slower in autocross, because you can't really put down all the power anyway. The ease of shifting second to first is a big plus for the tip in autocross. AS (2002 ttx50 6 speed)

[quote]Originally posted by Alexander Stemer: <strong> The ease of shifting second to first is a big plus for the tip in autocross. AS (2002 ttx50 6 speed)</strong><hr></blockquote> Even first to second. That's pretty much all the gears you need for autocross. No human can shift as fast so frequently. I'm forced to admit that this is the one performance place that tip is better.

Hi everyone, Thanks for so many reply. I will look for both manual and tiptronic which ever is cheaper. I know, tip is $3k more. However, if a dealer is willing to sale for less to have me buy the tip C4S from them then I will get tiptronic. (BTW, I found at least one tip and one 6-speed have not been sold in 2 local dealers)

[quote]Originally posted by Mav: <strong>Hi everyone, Thanks for so many reply. I will look for both manual and tiptronic which ever is cheaper. I know, tip is $3k more. However, if a dealer is willing to sale for less to have me buy the tip C4S from them then I will get tiptronic. (BTW, I found at least one tip and one 6-speed have not been sold in 2 local dealers)</strong><hr></blockquote> make sure they are not early May builds, or they may have the lemon transmissions. Your dealer should be able to check it out for you.

Get the 6 speed and teach your wife. You never know, she could grow to love driving. My girlfriend who never drove standard before, learnt on my BMW and loves driving it now.

Hi everyone, Finally, I bought a Lapis Blue C4S last night. I decide to take a manual instead of a tiptronic. First of all, it is more fun. Second of all, cost less. Thanks for the inputs from everyone. It was a great buying experimence with helps form rennlist's forum.

great choice! <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" /> some might say i'm not an impartial observer,though! how did you convince your wife regarding the manual? <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

my 2 cents - get the manual automatic does not equal sports car. dont get me wrong i like automatics but in lux cruisers but not in sportscars. understand alot might disagree

As far as my wife concern, the trade of getting a manual C4S was that I need to buy a Ferrari with F1 transmission. Well, my Ferrari dream may not be realized shortly (at least 5 years later). My wife may already forget the trade by that time!