'95 993 tiptronic, good or bad?

[Paul Crowther]

I just saw a '95 993 tiptronic on a P-lot with 48k on the odometer. My first thought was, no not a tip! But even my wife said, why not? Then I read a couple good things about the '95 Tiptronic(S) and it sounded pretty good for an automatic. I still see it as a minus, but what's the board think?
I drive a pretty nice '82 SC now that I bought for $10,500 2 years ago, so this would be a pretty expensive jump for me. I trust you guys.
Paul

[Bill Douglas]

Tough call. Maybe go for a drive and see what you think (but no impulse buying after the drive If you do track or spirited driving you may find the tiptronic a bit frustrating.

[JasonF]

Aside from the driving dynamics, be aware that 993 tip resales can be tough and may take longer than a 6-speed. When I was shopping for my 993, there were many tips to choose from, and many were still for sale long after I found my car.

My left leg was shattered in an accident a couple of years ago, and I have a "non union" fracture of my tibia. Fortunately, the leg is held together with a rod, pins and a plate so I can still shift my beloved 6-speed!

[cowtown]

I recently bought a '95 993 with the 6-speed (after owning a G50 '88 for 8 years, and still owning a '75 911S) and I have to say, it's a wonderful transmission. It's as involved as an older 915 or G50, but the 6th gear lets you loaf along at 80mph at 2500 rpm. I guess it's a personal decision, but I'd never buy a Porsche with an automatic transmission. It just isolates you from the machinery.

[klaucke]

Asking on this board I think will give you a decidedly non-tip opinion, it seems Pelicanites are against autos and semi-autos, and I think I have to agree. Shifting is a big part of the Porsche experience, even if it's a 915 in dire need of a rebuild it still adds to the experience of the car. I think you may be better off searching a little longer or harder for a 6 speed which you know you'll enjoy. I've heard of people buying tip only to hate it 6 months down the road. On such a large investment, you want to be happy in the long run. The phrase "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right" comes to mind.

Here's what Jay Leno had to say about this (well, about paddle shifters but its the same idea) on his Carrera GT (from autoweek.com):

Q: You still have the Carrera GT loaner, how do you like that?

A: I put 500 miles on it. I bought it because of the clutch. What is it, a 60,000-mile clutch? The McLaren clutch [Leno also owns a McLaren F1] is 3000 or 4000 miles. I love the fact that [the Carrera GT] has no paddle shifter. I have not met anyone who loves paddle shifters. I think there’s a great deal of satisfaction in mastering the proper shift of a car. If it’s going to shift for you, get the video.

[Paul Crowther]

I'm hearing what I expected, and what I think I felt all along. Since I'm not hot to buy right now and actually am quite happy with my SC, that's good enough for me.
Paul

[KobaltBlau]

Ok, so you're not hot to buy. But if you were, as Bill Douglas said, the thing to do would be to drive it and see what you think.