996 Tiptronic, Thoughts?

kevjandon · 04-28-2006, 07:02 AM

Well, I'm hunting for a new car.

I usually keep a 3rd toy car in the garage and I'm considering combining the toy car with daily driver car. If I do that, the wife mandates that the my daily car be an automatic.

With that, there is only two autos I would consider. An M3 SMG or 996 tip. An R32 W/DSG would be nice but we won't see that over here for a while.

I've driven the 993 Tip and wasn't that impressed. Wonder what everyones thoughts are on the 996 tip. The resale on the TIPs is much lower making them real bargains, but I'm not sure if they are worth it.

Dantilla · 04-28-2006, 07:17 AM

Personally, I think any torque converter takes away so much throttle response it really takes away the character of Porsche driving.

I considered an auto 3-series BMW for my wife, and it was a nice driving car.

Elombard · 04-28-2006, 07:20 AM

I am in a similar boat but dont have the auto reqmt. IMHO if you have to get an Auto there is much more functional (and cheaper) cars than a 996. Its just too big a compromise. Might as well get a 5 series or an acura. Now a 6 speed completely changes the equation for me.

I think the M3 SMG is a good compromise but I have heard the auto function is kinda jerky. I am seriously looking at M3 SMGs as well. I just think the paddle shifting is so Kewl!!

What about a 5 year old accord and use the rest of the money for race rentals and driver schools :-))

Elombard · 04-28-2006, 07:21 AM

I am in a similar boat but dont have the auto reqmt. IMHO if you have to get an Auto there is much more functional (and cheaper) cars than a 996. Its just too big a compromise. Might as well get a 5 series or an acura. Now a 6 speed completely changes the equation for me.

I think the M3 SMG is a good compromise but I have heard the auto function is kinda jerky. I am seriously looking at M3 SMGs as well. I just think the paddle shifting is so Kewl!!

What about a 5 year old accord and use the rest of the money for race rentals and driver schools :-))

kevjandon · 04-28-2006, 07:36 AM

The SMG in full auto mode is very jerky, but when you're shifting with the paddles, hold on.

Sounds the 996 tip just sucks too. Just found out my local dealer has an 01 tip. perhaps I'll take it for a spin.

Howard Agency · 04-28-2006, 08:01 AM

Have had mine for a month and really like it. Can putt like a Honda in traffic and still go well. The 996 seems to have a broader torque curve than the 993, so no issues there. It does dull the initial throttle response, but I just get on it a bit earlier exiting turns.

Hey, the stick 993 may be a better Porsche, but IMHO the 996 Tip is a better car as a daily driver. And, it's faster around the track

88911coupe · 04-28-2006, 08:31 AM

Hey, good to see another Tulsan on here, although I'm living in Dallas again. Anyway, I've spent a fair amount of time in my friends 996 cab tip in LA and I hate to admit it but it was a pretty nice experience. I don't think I lost much as far as acceleration and it's definitely great in heavy traffic.

johncarlos2003 · 04-28-2006, 08:59 AM

ok- so the experience is different- true- but, if you have the $ then yeah, get it. better than an acuara or audi or . . . seriously, it's still a better car then almost everything out there- though i gotta say, the m3 is rad and i don't think you can go wrong there either provided the electrical doesn't go mad as many new model germans do (my audi, all my friends beamers, benz's, etc. -- nightmare.) *im sure some of you are going to pop in and say " my car has no electrical problems" etc.- im not saying all cars have elec probs literally-- so spare us)