time to come clean - who has AUTO TT???
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 191
From: atlanta
Rep Power: 30
I just got into a 2002 TT with 6Spd after 3 years in a Boxster TIP. I sure missed the TIP at the track last weekend! I was much faster on the track with a TIP (novice/beginner).
I am having to learn performance shifting all over again!!!!!!!!!!
At the track, I am sure I made a lot of guy's day, by having them climb on my behind through the turns, then slowing down to let them pass!
I miss the TIP, but will stick with the STICK.
I am having to learn performance shifting all over again!!!!!!!!!!
At the track, I am sure I made a lot of guy's day, by having them climb on my behind through the turns, then slowing down to let them pass!
I miss the TIP, but will stick with the STICK.
Honored Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 334
From: Cincinnati, USA
Rep Power: 36
I've got one of both.
A normal 996TT Tip coupe and an X50 6-speed Cabriolet.
And, ... I'll let you in on a little secret: Now that I've had a chance to drive them back-to-back as many times as I want, I only prefer the 6-speed about 10% of the time. The rest of the time (90%), I prefer the Tip.
The Tip is plenty smart and soooo smooooth in going about what it does. I never feel as if the Tip is fighting what I want to do when I'm in a hurry in the twisty bits. It's always on best behavior.
The big deal is NO BOOST DROP while shifting in the Tip. Unless I bang the gearbox, there's always a boost drop-off between gears with the 6-speed. The Tip just accelerates and never lets up. Way cool.
This is even more true with an X50! The turbo lag is more pronounced in the X50 and the Tip's torque converter keeps the engine RPMs up into the productive area with very little waiting.
With the 6-speed, one has to wait for the actual car speed to accelerate to get into a productive RPM range with the engine, and then the selected gear is already about maxed out and time to shift! This makes 1st gear a frustrating experience, even though it can be quite fast.
I can hear some of you thinking that, "This guy just doesn't know how to launch the 6-speed correctly." Well, ... if lighting up all four tires is your kind of "in-control" experience, ... Please stay away from me on the street!
The Tip is just so much more productive in a mix of day-to-day commuting and back road hairing around that I now wonder about letting my wife's wishes for a 6-speed prevail for our new Cab.
Don't get me wrong, I do love the Cab X50 ... 6-speed and all! But, maybe when the 997TT Cab arrives, I'll be thinking DSG for sure.
A normal 996TT Tip coupe and an X50 6-speed Cabriolet.
And, ... I'll let you in on a little secret: Now that I've had a chance to drive them back-to-back as many times as I want, I only prefer the 6-speed about 10% of the time. The rest of the time (90%), I prefer the Tip.
The Tip is plenty smart and soooo smooooth in going about what it does. I never feel as if the Tip is fighting what I want to do when I'm in a hurry in the twisty bits. It's always on best behavior.
The big deal is NO BOOST DROP while shifting in the Tip. Unless I bang the gearbox, there's always a boost drop-off between gears with the 6-speed. The Tip just accelerates and never lets up. Way cool.
This is even more true with an X50! The turbo lag is more pronounced in the X50 and the Tip's torque converter keeps the engine RPMs up into the productive area with very little waiting.
With the 6-speed, one has to wait for the actual car speed to accelerate to get into a productive RPM range with the engine, and then the selected gear is already about maxed out and time to shift! This makes 1st gear a frustrating experience, even though it can be quite fast.
I can hear some of you thinking that, "This guy just doesn't know how to launch the 6-speed correctly." Well, ... if lighting up all four tires is your kind of "in-control" experience, ... Please stay away from me on the street!
The Tip is just so much more productive in a mix of day-to-day commuting and back road hairing around that I now wonder about letting my wife's wishes for a 6-speed prevail for our new Cab.
Don't get me wrong, I do love the Cab X50 ... 6-speed and all! But, maybe when the 997TT Cab arrives, I'll be thinking DSG for sure.
I soon will be a supporting member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,402
From: San Diego, CA
Rep Power: 79
I have a Tip - Don't play with matches.
I hope that Porsche is going to have something simular to the SMG tranny that BMW has and the DSG Audi has, because the tranny's can shift faster than all most anyone could shift a manual.
I hope that Porsche is going to have something simular to the SMG tranny that BMW has and the DSG Audi has, because the tranny's can shift faster than all most anyone could shift a manual.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,992
From: Bahrain
Rep Power: 229
TIP here as well. Even thought sometimes I wish I waited for a 6speed, I never regreted buying the TIP. On a track, a TIP might even up the odds of a novice doing pretty well against people of higher experience..
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,115
From: OC
Rep Power: 67
I've got a tip and think it's great ... keep it in auto for when you just want to chill, move it into manual and shift with your thumbs for a little more excitement 
yes a 6-speed is more fun and sometimes I wish I had it, but if it was I couldn't (or wouldn't) use it everyday, and being able to use the Turbo on a daily basis in any driving scenario more than makes up for it.
yes a 6-speed is more fun and sometimes I wish I had it, but if it was I couldn't (or wouldn't) use it everyday, and being able to use the Turbo on a daily basis in any driving scenario more than makes up for it.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,818
From: Gatsby's area
Rep Power: 141
The problem with SMG and the like is they are neither fish nor fowl. That is, they aren't smooth like a true automatic and aren't as satisfying as rowing your own. For ultimate pure speed as in a racing situation, then they are proven fastest, but how many of us need that? I have no doubt that they probably have the technology to make a true automatic that has a shifter that you could row in a traditional pattern without the clutch. Until they get all the kinks out of manumatics or automanuals or whatever they call themselves, you are better off with Tip or 6-speed. If you don't drive in traffic and are able, why wouldn't you choose a 6 speed?
