Auto or Manual Gearbox

[DJPUNKROG]

I am in the market for a reasonably good 944 but due to a dodgy knee I might prefer an auto over a manual.

Can anyone advise me as to how good the auto box is compared to the manual and until what year where auto boxes available.

Also how easy is it to upgrade the front end of a 2.5 or 2.7 to the s2 type and what parts would be needed.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Never driven an auto, but they are an old type of auto ie not as good as some of the modern ones, but then lots of us drive 944s for the fun factor!

I believe autos were available all of the time.

Not too difficult but expensive! Wings front, panel plus the front PU.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Auto is not as good as the tiptronic in the 968. I'd spend the money there, not on trying to change the front end on a 944. I bet there wouldn't be that much difference, the 968 tips are less sought after and won't be much more than an S2.

 

[ukmastiff]

One thing you will find is that the autos although less in number do go cheeper as they are not as popular.

Folk generally want their 944 sports car to be manual. quite a few people who struggle with a manual because of knees feet etc tend to say hi on the forums and seem to get a very good value car when buying a 944 auto.

I always drive autos for my regular commuter car due to the stop start being very hard on my feet and shins and an auto just being far more relaxing on a long commute. Apart from a sports car I wouldnt even consider a manual.

I have never driven a 944 auto but would love to try one, I'm sure you will find a gooden especially in the curent market , best of luck.

Mas

 

[Dockrell]

I have a 2.7 auto and chose it over a manual because of tales of a heavy clutch on manuals and because the car was reported to have had major work done on the gearbox.

The auto box has only three forward gears and only changes into top at about 40 to 45 MPH, which means that in normal driving you don't get more than 23 to 25 miles per gallon with nearer to 27 to 30 miles per gallon on dual carriageways/motorways.
The changes are reasonably smooth - better when warm.

The pedals are well positioned if you use left foot braking - I do on all the automatics I drive.

Tiptronic on a 968 must be even better however it is simple to move between second and top when more control is required.

Performance seems to be quite good although the auto performance figures are slower than a manual but on give and take British roads at sane speeds I don't think an auto would be left behind by a manual.

There were no Turbo auto's as far as I know.

My car has the D90 wheels and just goes where you point it - it's not Lotus Elan (original version) thought steering being heavier but it does come close.

Hope this helps your decision.

Mike

White 2.7 auto

 

[wardtimothy]

I drive a 944 auto, I have found the gear changing to be very smooth. Good to drive but I do miss having a manual.

 

[Hilux]

Buy a 968 with tiptronic

944 clutches are heavy and have a long travel

 

[Chrishazle]

+1 for the 968 tip option!

 

[DivineE]

Or look at the price of a 996 3.4 tiptronic![:-][:-] Unbelievably they are just about the cheapest 911 you can buy of any age at the moment and very modern inside. £13-14k seems to be the bottom end value. I cant see them getting any lower so depreciation should be zero!

 

[DJPUNKROG]

Thanks for the help guys with regarding the auto box.

I am only looking at a 944 as I think it looks much nicer than a 968.I already have a Boxster so the 944 will only be for a bit of fun, so i'm now leaning towards a good straight manual 2.7 or S2.

 

[Stu Alderson]

I have both a S2 (manual) and a Lux (auto) so its a little unfair to compare performances, but I would concur that the pedal travel on the manual is long, or it may be just the fact I have short legs LOL. One word of warning when selecting an auto is the Auto Coupling, better sometiems known as the "donut" and for this reason I would recommend a check by either and OPC or good indy, requesting they check this item out. I belive the part is c£1200.00 from OPC's and just under £900 from BERLYN services. To this you need to add a fitting charge. Hope this of some use.

Regards

Stuart

 

[hotblack944]

I know of a good '87 944 auto that's possibly for sale - only thing is the damper has gone and it's lots of money to replace. The owner is thinking of selling for an "attractive" price with this known fault. Let me know if you are interested and I'll put you in touch.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

I know of a good '87 944 auto that's possibly for sale - only thing is the damper has gone and it's lots of money to replace. The owner is thinking of selling for an "attractive" price with this known fault. Let me know if you are interested and I'll put you in touch.

IIRC the damper is about £1K, or a little bit more, fitted? That's on a par with the clutch on a manual, so very much a possibility if the car's otherwise good. We'd never suggest a car needing a clutch is to be avoided, just to factor the cost in to the asking price. Could be a good one to look at.

Happy to be corrected on the price of the damper, it just rings a bell somewhere in my addled mind! [&:]

 

[hotblack944]

ORIGINAL: hotblack944
I know of a good '87 944 auto that's possibly for sale

Car now offically for sale:

Porsche 944 LUX 1987 155897 miles

2.5l 8 valve non turbo Automatic

Generally very good condition and used nearly everyday until last week.

This car now requires a repair in the bell housing area of the transmission.

I am too old and arthritic to do this now, so would suit a DIY enthusiast who would have a very nice car after repair.

£1200 or good offer.

 

[hotblack944]

Car now sold.