triptronic = toy , manual = real thing ?

Boys, need your help here.. the driving experience is severely cut down if a car triptronic has a box ? I have a few cars in mind and the most likely candidate has an auto box... on the other hand I didnt drove a manual yet - my last 3 cars have / had an auto box and I dont feel much confident on driving a manual box and specially I dont want to test drive a manual 911 from a seller and let it stall every 5 secs and looking like a fool. The triptronic in town ( well I live in London... ) feels fantastic > smooth gear changes, breeze in traffic.. but how is it for FUN ? going to feel like a toy ? go kart ? can you "hold" a car in the turns ? Any help with someone who used both gears or drove both and can shed some light would be greatly appreciated.

The M3 i owned had a triptronic box and to be honest i don't think you can beat a Manuel. On the open road no tritronic box can offer the feel and pure pleasure of a Manuel. On saying that if your stuck in traffic in a Manuel expect too get a muscular left leg![ ]

I'm a big tiptronic fan, as it suits my usage perfectly. Easy around town, but fun when you want it. I've put a copy of part of one of the Technical Articles section (for PCGB members) below, which might also answer a few questions: The Porsche Tiptronic transmission used on the 996 is an automatic transmission, but has the ability to be controlled manually with switches on the steering wheel. In automatic mode the system is controlled by a computer, located under the carpet behind the rear seats. The computer has several gearshift program maps which are selected automatically depending on how the car is being driven, thereby changing upshift and downshift speeds to suit the situation. There is also a warm-up map which is designed to get the engine and catalytic converters up to operating temperatures quickly. There is a lockup clutch on the torque converter, which eliminates slippage of the converter resulting in better fuel economy and a sportier feel. When the lockup clutch engages it is often mistaken for a gear change. Apart from during the warm-up condition, the transmission will normally start from rest in second gear, unless the accelerator is pushed down quickly. When stopping, the transmission will only change down to second gear. The system is programmed to downshift when braking, and not to upshift when the throttle is closed quickly (when approaching corners). It will hold in gear when cornering. After activating kick-down on the throttle pedal, the system will not upshift until the throttle position has reduced to 70% travel (useful for holding in a lower gear when preparing to overtake). In manual mode, the system is controlled with the steering wheel switches. The system will shift up either by pressing the upshift switch, or reaching maximum engine rpm. Downshifting is controlled by the downshift switch, or slowing down to a low speed. As in auto mode, the system will only change down to second gear by itself, so 1st has to be engaged manually. Double-clicking the switch will cause the transmission to change two gears at a time. The system will not allow a downshift if it would cause an over-rev situation. There is a limited driving program in the event of an electronic fault, in which case the "˜D' and "˜4' lights on the instrument cluster will flash to indicate a fault. The Tiptronic transmissions for 3.4 litre cars were manufactured by ZF, and have 5 gearchange program maps, whereas the transmissions for facelift 3.6 cars were made by Mercedes Benz, and have 250 maps.

I do agree with Richard partly but as the article says the triptronic is controlled via a computer. I still feel that there is no substitute for human intervention. I'm not sure if it is the same for the Porsche but i do know that the manuel M3 was quicker then the Triptronic model.

I've had both tip and manual 996s and in town the tip is great. Very smooth, very easy to use, not jerky like many semi-auto boxes. I always used to use it in 'Manual' mode and had full control at all times. I'd only go for manual if you want that extra element of driver involvement which is great.

likewise,i have had both man and tip porsche and m3 .90%of the time i would prefer a tip and 10%miss a manual involvement.you have to try both on extended drive and go with whichever you prefer...or buy both[ ]

I still had plenty of fun tracking my tiptronic 996 - but I would drive both to be sure.