996 , 3.6 manual vs tiptronic

Hi all, looking at 996 3.6 2002 cars , as title one is manual and one is tip, which one is more desirable and reliable ! what are these like to live with day to day . Thanks all .

Hi Nath, On a 3.6 I don't think there is any difference in desirability to be honest. I have enjoyed my 3.4 tip for the last 10 years and have recently moved to a 997 Man, and in some ways already miss the tip. I found the Tip excellent around town, have enjoyed extensively touring and some track work and it has been great. I believe it's generally accepted that Tips are less prone to the dreaded RMS issues. Saying that, I had a few replaced in the early days but not for at least 6/7 years. As you would expect, the tip has a lazier change but if much of your driving is town based or more day to day than spirited then its a great option. I don't think there are any known reliability differences between the two. Which ever you choose, sure you will have fun and will probably boil down to personal reference.

Ok thanks for that Rob, good to have info of someone with experience of both , would appreciate anyone's else's views as well . I've been looking at lots of buyers guides on net , but you can't beat the knowledge from people that have owned them . I made up a check list for when I buy one , but I would very welcome guidance ,items to check from you all as well . I will be going to the heritage motor museum at Gaydon in 2 weeks for the Porsche show so looking forward to that . Thanks all .

I test drove a tip, but did not like it. But maybe would not be so bad if you live with it. Prefer the manual if you want to drive it like a sports car. So it really depends on what you want from the car? I would have thought that the majority of buyers would prefer manual. So now will probably be a deluge of tip drivers defending their cars. lol. I am thinking of buying a 996 Turbo now but would only buy a manual. IMO. Good Luck whatever you buy. Both great cars.

Nath! As Rob says, it is very much dependant on how you are going to use it, and if you have an aversion to automatics. Both my 996s were Tiptronic, and they suited me down to the ground, especially for the cross-Maidenhead commute. I drove them in manual mode most of the time though. My Cayman is manual, but I think the next one will be auto (PDK) though. Because the original buyers of 996s specified manual and autos in roughly equal numbers, so there are about the same on the used car market. Purists will always go for a manual, but the more broad-minded amongst us will consider both. [ ] Reliability-wise, there is little difference. Manuals can suffer from worn 2nd gear synchro rings, and noisy main bearings, but it is rare. The Mercedes auto box in the 3.6 can suffer from ATF leaks, but there are many independents who can fix them at reasonable cost. Again, it is rare. Our buyer's checklist is a good place to start ( https://www.porscheclubgb.com/legacy/clientftp/Register/996/tec_buyers_checklist.pdf ) but I would always recommend a good PPI by an independent specialist before committing to a car.

Great unbiased views guys , and very useful link[ ] . Thanks

I have been driving a Tip for about a year - like you I wasn't sure which to go for and ultimately it was in a car that I really liked for everything else - so that made the decision. One year on I like that it can give you a more relaxing drive when you want it and that you can be more spirited with it when you want to. That said getting used to pushing buttons rather than moving a stick does take some getting used to. It is down to practice and getting used to the feel of the car. Yes - I still miss a manual as there is nothing better than sticking it into gear and putting your foot down but I love the fact that the car can be driven as you wish to drive it (sometimes dordling and sometimes with urgency). God luck with the decision and most importantly enjoy your car.

Forgot to mention that I won't be doing many miles ( approx 5 miles each way to work ) and prob no more than 6k a year . Will this low use cause me any issues with a 3.6 996 manual or tiptronic ?

Is a tip quite an arse to parallel park if you have to keep pressing buttons to change gear? (i've never driven one and am intrigued).

My 1998 996 is Tiptronic and I love it. My wife's Boxster is manual but I still prefer the tip (maybe because I'm a lazy driver) I've always liked autos, especially around town. Mine is more of a weekend toy so don't do many miles, I do, however, visit London and other large cities and it certainly saves on the clutch (and prevents left foot cramp!) Would always go for a tip personally and,even in manual mode, can still drop down for easy acceleration. In auto mode, the kick down is excellent for smooth overtaking (and very fast). As for parking, it's no different than changing from 1st to reverse (just straightforward up and down movement so no crunching of gears ! Again, it's a personal choice Good luck with your choice John

Hi - my pennyworth. Up until my 996 C2 I had always had a manual and avoided autos. However my views have changed after 4 years of my 996 Tip. It has both manual and auto and like Richard I use it in manual a lot but for busy town driving then the Tip is so good you can forget about gears/speed etc and concentrate on driving the car. The day I collected my car from Paragon I was glad of the Tip as it was one less thing to worry about on the long drive back to Cornwall as I got used to the car. Would I have another one - probably yes but it is the car spec that drives my choice and not necessarily tip or manual. Drive both and then see how you feel. Whichever you choose you will not be disappointed.

After saying goodbye to my 996 tip last week and hello to my 997 s man, I am missing the tip a fair bit I know I need to get back into the clutch etc. but a good tip is NEARLY as quick as a man but far more flexible. For a daily 5 mile commute then I would go tip for sure, unless you fancy a few track days and being a weekend warrior then maybe a man. Saying that, I did a fair few tracks and some rather 'fun trips' with the PCGB and had no problem keeping up with the manuals. Tip gets my vote.