996 c2 or c4? Manual or tiptronic?

As above! I'm hunting for a 996.....I'd like a c4 manual, merely because I like the idea of having 4 wheel drive.....But in reality, and real day driving, what is the difference in drive between the c2 and c4? Is it a marked difference in handling/roadholding? Does the c4 have any complications that I need to be aware of? Also I inclined towards the manual gearbox.....but how good is the tiptronic? pros/cons please!

The C2/C4 thing has been debated many times, usually in favour of C2, but do a search. For added security it's PSM that makes the difference. Tiptronic is still torque converter, slush box, technology and, although it has been progressively improved since it was first introduced on the 964 in 1990, it still has its limitations. DSG may be the way forward. IMO, and I've had manual and tiptronic 964s, 993s and 996s, the 6-spd is streets ahead no question.

It depends much upon useage. Tiptronic is excellent if you do a lot of town driving, and gives you the chance of chosing your gear when you get onto the open road. Manual generally comes up as the 'driver's choice' but can be harder work around town. Similarly, the C4 is more sure-footed in adverse conditions, but C2 gives you more driving rewards when you get it right. I guess I went half way with a C2 Tip!

The C4 also has less front boot space.

My OPC put it to me thus- between the basic C2 and the TT everything else is heavier and slower. Porsche just like to cover every base (except 19" wheels)

Half of the time I drive an old subaru impreza turbo (£4k's worth!) so I deliberately bought a C2 Cab Tip without PSM. Having been used to 4 wheel drive in an Impreza for 150k very hard miles - I am delighted with the C2 handling and the fact it doesn't have PSM. Anyone can drive an impreza quickly there's little skill required and little in the way of true feedback. The C2 (without PSM) takes a lot (the right amount [ ]!) of provocation to misbehave in the dry but can get tail happy in the wet (no surprise there!) but I think you've got pretty damn rich to play those games - let's face it you can't be certain there's not diesel on the road/roundabout and suddenly you be having a big off that 4WD and PSM will do nothing for you (as a motorbiker this is something that I am pretty wary of and also know a couple of people who have been caught out in cars) Also I love the Tip box - previously had an M3 with the SMG box which was far inferior by comparison. This will sound like minutiae but I've also found that I can use the base of my thumb to control the Tip switch up/down without moving my hands on the steering wheel which seems even easier than paddles![ ] For me it's a bit like the debate on the parking sensors - for me they totally ruin the beautiful lines on the bumper - sure I'd like them for convenience and assuity when parking - but not at the expense of spoiling the looks of the car - the reason it is so aspirational!

I love the tip box too. The one niggle I have though is that they didn't make it stick operated (as well as switches) as it was on my 993 Tip S. I find that when you are pulling away quickly from a junction or roundabout in first gear, the wheel is inevitably upside down, or rotating quickly, when you want to snatch second. On the 993 you could just shove the stick, but with the 996 you have to flick it into Drive and then straight back to Manual.

I have owned a 996 C4 Tip and now drive a 996 C2 Manual The C4 with PSM was fantastic but IMHO I prefer my C" which does not have it, as for Tip v Man well I wish I had the Tip now because I get bogged down in everyday traffic coming off the M1 to work and then the same going home !!!!, its a real pain in the a**e keep stop starting. I agree with Richard's point on the 993 Tip as I had a 993 Targa Tip and the stick was useful in those instances he mentioned. So its really down to personal choice and where you are going to drive it I think. Hope that helps ???? Mark

Spooky - you being Pete B, but Peter Branch in our region (R21 Chilterns) has said exactly the same on more than one occasion.