ORIGINAL: Sandspider
On another note, how do people think the tiptronic 968 compares to the 6 speed full manual 968? Am I right in thinking the tiptronic 968 only has 4 gears? Does that increase fuel consumption a fair bit?
My first 2 944's - a 1983 lux and a 1986 S - were both manual, as was our "shopping trolley" at the time (and until 4 years ago). In late 1998 I bought my 968 coupe, my first "automatic" car - but I almost always drove it as a clutchless manual using the gearstick. 4 years ago we swopped the shopping trolley for a car with tiptronic - and I would not go back to a manual for either car now, in fact when I decided to scratch the cabriolet itch last year I bought my 968 tip cab!
I cannot compare the 968 manual to tip as I have never driven a manual 968. However, despite the tip "only" having 4 gears rather than 6, I have no problem as the engine has superb bottom end torque - you can pull away from stationary in 2nd easily, and still be in 2nd when you get a speeding ticket on the motorway! In manual mode the box will only come down to 2 of its own accord, you have to manually select 1st (which gets you off the line very smartly but redlines at about 40) or floor it, and she'll kick down. The box is clever - in manual mode, red line it without touching the stick and she'll change up. Let the revs drop to about 1000-1200 decelerating in 4th or 3rd without touching the stick, and she'll change down. Means that you don't come to a stop at a roundabout in 4th and then have a brown trousers moment as you try to pull into a tight gap in traffic - as happened to me test driving an M3 Evo Steptronic in 1998!! In full auto I believe the box has about 5 modes and adapts gear change revs to suit the way you're driving - but I've never tested that as I invariably use manual mode.
Fuel eceonomy is greatly affected by driving style and type. On a long motorway 70ish cruise I've seen over 30mpg, normal driving is about 25, trackday looning will be considerably less (again, not yet tried so don't know for sure).
My personal opinion is that the tip gives you a relaxed and easy drive when required, but using the stick for manual changes gives almost the experience of a manual. Tip is particularly good in heavy traffic - mush easier on the left leg!
I love the look of the 968 in Guards Red - which my coupe was - and I think that one looks potentially a very good buy - especially as I know what I sold my coupe for last July, OK 64k miles but none of the suspension etc upgrades that one has. As I said, my concern would be whether the ride would be too harsh for me - others would say those upgrades make the car!!
