Automatic or Manual

[Lord_Naomasa]

I know, I know, Im probably about to be attacked for considering automatic but I have a few reasons. First off is they are cheaper to buy. I have found an 1991 S4 in almost perfect shape for 13,000(maybe 12,000) and another S4, 1987 for 9,5000. It seems to me autos just are a good deal cheaper. Also, I already have a 944 manual for racing and performance and the 928 I plan on just using it as a cruise machine. I dont know much about 928's so I am asking what type of 928 I should get. I only have a limited amount of money, 11,000 at tops and I prefer 5,000-9,000 dollar one. What should I do? Would it be much better to get manual because it will keep its value or what? Thanks!

[Danglerb]

Personal preference, but your 5 spds guys often have NO interest in owning a AT and vice versa.

A few points ...

AT is between $3k and #5k cheaper on a newer 928 (like a S4), and IMHO more reliable, if not bullet proof.

AT in traffic is a clear win, and as we get older the clutch gets to be more and more of a chore.

AT isn't allowed for some track events since shifting in a turn is bad.

AT off the line has two options smoking tires or lame.

Porsche 5 spds are not marvels, the clutch and tranny can get real pricey, its the ONLY way I want one. No option here except to drive a few and see what you like.

[Normy]

An automobile is basically a tool, and you have to select the tool for the job that fits your needs best.

My 928 is my fun machine, my personal roller-coaster. I use it for every day driving, but I still don't put that much mileage on the car. Since I enjoy the "greater involvement" that the manual transmission allows, along with the better performance, I specifically selected the 5 speed. I drove an automatic, but never seriously considered buying one.

The automatic is for people who sit in traffic all the time, and/or don't care about the extra experience that working the clutch/shifter adds to the whole thing. To each his own, I say.

N

[SeanR]

I prefer the Auto's since, as Normy stated, I spend a buttload of time in traffic. On that note, I can't stand the manual in the 928's. Worst gear box I've ever dealt with. YMMV. Besides, I drive both our autos like a stick w/o the clutch.

[Landseer]

I've been alternating between driving auto and manual for the last couple weeks.

So far, my preference is the 5 spd, but the auto is very nice also --- I just need to learn better how to drive the auto in a way to keep the rpm's up (where the power is).

[Herr-Kuhn]

All 928s should have come with sticks...the car deserves to be driven. You guys are blowing the 5-speed issues way out of proportion. I had a 3-spd AT in my 1980 and while fun to launch with the turbos the car was temperamental to shift and the gears were very wide. The 4-spd does not have that issue though. My first tranny in the 80 died because it could nto handle the torque...I replaced it with a known good one. I've never had any issues with the manuals holding the torque, thought I will say the early syncros wear out very fast.

[Rixter]

both have their advantages and disadvantages, I suggest driving multiple of each before making a decision
78-84 manuals have weak syncros and a long throw, plan on a rebuild and short throw shifter kit
78-82 3spd auto is an absolute dog, I would avoid these
85-95 manuals have BW syncros and shorter throw
83-95 4spd auto is a great box, be forewarned of 87-up thrust bearing issues
that being said, it's easier to find a manual if you're willing to look at early cars as more 5spds were made, 85 or so and up less 5spd were made and command a premium over the auto
I've been a manual guy all my life, until I bought my 88... I'm a bit older now, my knees make it uncomfortable in traffic with the manual so I generally drive one of my S4s
though I do admit, there is a certain rush that comes with letting loose on a country road in the 5spd

[Danglerb]

For the times when I would prefer an AT, any AT car makes a fair substitute. I suspect even if I had an AT 928 sitting in the driveway, most of the time I would drive my wifes Continental instead for all the point A to point B trips. With the 5 spd every time I drive it, its a wide eyed adventure where I step out of the car at the end amazed I haven't been arrested.

[rhjames]

from my perspective:

I have over 4.5 millions miles driving driving trucks and cars with manual transmissions. 10, 13, 15, 18 speeds, with multiple transmission combinations thrown in between (4 x 4, 5 x 4 , 6 x 4 and a Mack triplex or two)

Basically, most of my life has been shifting gears through all sorts of traffic and terrain. From horrible stop and go stuff in Los Angeles and New York (imagine having to do this with a two stick trans set up--5 speed with 4 speed), to wide open cruising in the desert......

I have lousy knees and and aggravated (left) ankle injury from 10 years ago, and I would still buy a stick car. Most of my drag cars have been slushboxes for consistency (they were converted to manual shift autos anyway), but for a true road course car like the Porsche---a manual is the way to go.

If I was concerned about driving in stop and go stuff every day, I'd drive my dually or the wife's Caddy (both slushboxes).

If I had a 928 with a slushbox, I'd convert it to a reverse pattern/manual shift with a high(er) stall speed converter.

--Russ

[ROG100]

I have lots of both in all ages from 78 to 93 and the worst manual gearbox in the World, bar non, is the 928.
No difference what so ever in performance on the street between auto & stick.

Drive a 5 speed 928 and then get into another stick shift anything and the difference is alarming.
If you are tracking your car you may prefer the stick - but that is the only reason you could ever consider a stick 928. The 928 was designed around the automatic gearbox as a GT car. The stick was an after thought to pacify the guys with small dicks 8>)
Automatic is the way to go just like all the modern supercars - don't live in the dark ages.
Roger

[Shane E]

My first 928 was an automatic and I loved it, and I loved it even more with the twinscrew supercharger on there. But everybody except Roger was saying 5speeds were better...so

I bought one...then another one...

and eventually I just had to get another auto because I missed it so much, And Dangler I have run on the track with an auto, all you have to do is disconnect the kickdown and you are good to go...

[Danglerb]

Originally Posted by Shane E

And Dangler I have run on the track with an auto, all you have to do is disconnect the kickdown and you are good to go...

On any kind of "busy" course I might prefer the auto, whether I prefer it or not, I might be fast with it. I'm not that skilled of a driver, the less I have to think about, the better I drive. I also like the auto box in the newer Vettes, but in the 928 the AT makes the car feel boring, great for that GT thing, not what I want for a fun car.

Shifting the manual does kind of suck, but many times on both of my cars (83 and 85) I actually find 2nd gear on the first try and its wonderful. Thats the secret of happiness with the 928, not what it does most of the time, but the exciting moments of perfection that are hard to achieve.

I think many owners crave some area to improve our cars, and the tranny is certainly one. I suspect many owners think the shifting sucks, but .... after a rebuild, new pivot thing, etc etc it will be great.

[Landseer]

I'll go further.

So far, I prefer the 84 16V ridden hard, put-up-wet 5 speed to the '86 74,000 mile 32V auto.


Guess I better figure-out whats wrong with the '86. Its just so sluggish at low RPM. Like a Buick Century or something.

[pcar928fan]

Originally Posted by Danglerb

AT isn't allowed for some track events since shifting in a turn is bad.

I have NEVER, EVER heard of that and I have driven more than a few track in my day! I trail brake all the way to the apex of some corners (normally try to get the braking done a bit before apex, but after turn in) and go to the gas just before apex causing ONE down shift (as the car will have shifted its way up to 4th when off throttle) then just prior to apex the pedal goes all the way to the floor and the car down shifts one more gear (to 2nd) for the drive off the corner...HARD! You have to watch that though as sometimes the tires will cut loose or you will get a little loose then you have to go to neutral throttle and the trans will up shift one or two gears and by then you can usually get full on it again as you come out of the corner.

No biggie! Really fun sometimes. On my home track I have a few corners where I can light up the rear tires and get a nice smokey burn out going at the corner exit! That is FUN! It is easier in the race car with about 1000# less weight to carry around than it is in my S4, or my GTS's or my S...or my OB...you get the point...

I KNOW FROM WHAT I SPEAK!

Autos are FUN when you want a playmate and are more than happy to loaf along if that is what you need!

YMMV!
James
Austin, TX
'80 928 Euro S GT Class PCA Club Racer
'82 928
'84 928 S
'88 928 S4
'92 928 Euro GTS
'94 928 GTS

[SeanR]

Agreed James,

I enjoy the hell out of trail braking my auto's. One things about these autos, when you are in, let's say 3rd, lever in the 3 position and are coming up on a 2nd gear corner.......hard left foot brake, blip the throttle as you yank the lever to 2, and you've just matched the revs for that gear. Smooth transition out for your upshifts.

You just can't do that for 1st gear unless you stick a kick down switch, which I refuse to do. But it's great fun for all the other gears.

I did screw up one corner at MSR and miss matched the revs....brought it to 2nd a bit faster than I thought with high RPM's. Rear end locked up a bit as I put my foot in to it and they ended up burning out drift style to the straight.

It's easy to downshift and rev match in our autos. It's how I drive mine daily.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by Danglerb

AT off the line has two options smoking tires or lame.
.

I guarantee my 928S 4 speed auto will -crush- any naturally aspirated stock displacement 5 speed 928 out there off the line. 5 speeds blow off the line- wheel hop city.

The starting line is the strength of my car. I have beaten Subaru STI's out of the hole cleanly.

[Barbapapa]

All I know is that it doesn't require 3 threads on the internets to determine how to fill a manual transaxle The only downside is the high level of manliness required to operate a 928 5 speed

[Herr-Kuhn]

I'd be interested to see what a set of twin turbos woudl do for an A/T car...I imagine the launch would be somewhat brutal since all engine vacuum could be totally erased at the line and then once the brake is lifted, full pressere would be in right then and there.

I'm not terribly concerned about stoplight to stoplight bursts in my car...I enjoy the manual transmission much more than the ATs...it just fits the demeanor of the car. But I'm a die hard stick fan and have been for years. It is unlikely that will change.

[rhjames]

Originally Posted by Barbapapa

All I know is that it doesn't require 3 threads on the internets to determine how to fill a manual transaxle]

true, but there will be those who will argue about how to _____________, or how to___________, or......


--Russ

[rhjames]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

I guarantee my 928S 4 speed auto will -crush- any naturally aspirated stock displacement 5 speed 928 out there off the line. 5 speeds blow off the line- wheel hop city.

interesting, but not always true.......

--Russ