Stick-shifters Unite ... - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Ronzi · 03-01-2006, 09:36 AM

... you have nothing to lose but your clutch!

Below, from Porsche info accompanying the display of the new Turbo at the Geneva auto show. Dateline is Geneva, 2/28/06.

"The 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo, which makes its public debut today at the Geneva Motor Show, combines the latest evolution of variable-geometry turbochargers and automatic transmissions to produce stunning standing-start acceleration figures. Equipped with the newly updated and optional 5-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission, the all-wheel-drive 911 Turbo will accelerate from a standing start to 60 mph in only 3.4 seconds. This is 0.3 seconds quicker than a 911 Turbo equipped with the standard 6-speed manual transmission."

limoncello · 03-01-2006, 09:54 AM

I meet the future without fear.
I've always driven manual, but the technology is rapidly getting to the point where consumer automatics will be equal/better than manuals. F1 got there some time ago. The new VW GTI is supposed to have a really good unit from Audi, waiting on the local dealer to get one in so I can try it. When the autos are smooth, rev-matching and affordable, why not "shift"?
Pun intended...

Anybody still shooting film cameras? Technology advance is relentless.

denverpete · 03-01-2006, 10:09 AM

Give me a good old fashioned "3 on-the-tree" any day!!!!

Porschekid · 03-01-2006, 10:28 AM

Show me an automatic that is quicker and equally fun to drive... only then will I switch.

MNBoxster · 03-01-2006, 10:54 AM

Hi,

It's always incredble to see the diminishing effect Testosterone has on the Reasoning Ability of the Male Brain.

Set aside, for a minute, the fact that you have to be Jenson Button (on his Best Day) to actually get to 60MPH in 3.7 sec. with a Manual 6-Speed. But say that you actually do, then you'll be exactly 0.53 Car Lengths (7'6") ahead of the Tiptronic Car. Depending upon the Gearing of each Transmission, the Tip S may actually be the faster Car overall.

I find it ironic that there is so much resistance to the new Auto Boxes out there while Porsche added Drive-by-Wire without so much as a Whimper from the Faithfull... so much for the arguments about Direct Driver Input.

The Auto Boxes are getting Better and Faster. And, you do not have to be Jenson Button to do it in 3.4 sec. - EVERY Time! They cost less over time to maintain and allow the Driver to better concentrate on Braking and maintaining one's Line. So, c'mon, Move from the Darkness into the Light... Technology Marches On!...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

RandallNeighbour · 03-01-2006, 11:01 AM

I'll always have a stick shift in my Porsche. None of my friends nor my wife knows how to drive a stick and thus, they don't ask me to drive my car, which is just fine with me.

That's my reason and I'm sticking with it, right or wrong.

mjw930 · 03-01-2006, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

Hi,

It's always incredble to see the diminishing effect Testosterone has on the Reasoning Ability of the Male Brain.

Set aside, for a minute, the fact that you have to be Jenson Button (on his Best Day) to actually get to 60MPH in 3.7 sec. with a Manual 6-Speed. But say that you actually do, then you'll be exactly 0.53 Car Lengths (7'6") ahead of the Tiptronic Car. Depending upon the Gearing of each Transmission, the Tip S may actually be the faster Car overall.

I find it ironic that there is so much resistance to the new Auto Boxes out there while Porsche added Drive-by-Wire without so much as a Whimper from the Faithfull... so much for the arguments about Direct Driver Input.

The Auto Boxes are getting Better and Faster. And, you do not have to be Jenson Button to do it in 3.4 sec. - EVERY Time! They cost less over time to maintain and allow the Driver to better concentrate on Braking and maintaining one's Line. So, c'mon, Move from the Darkness into the Light... Technology Marches On!...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

I agree with Jim 100%. Now, if Porsche would just adopt and adapt the DSG (dual clutch manual) gearbox that Audi and VW are using then I would be the first one in line. I thought they were going to do that with the '07 turbo but I guess not.

eslai · 03-01-2006, 12:37 PM

Same here. Tiptronic doesn't do it for me--I like automatics, but not for a sports car. I like being fully engaged in the driving experience and none of the automatics-with-manual-buttons have done it for me so far.

My preference for sticks has nothing to do with how fast I can get from zero to sixty. It's all about smooth transitions and being in the proper gear at the proper time. No automatic has shown that it can do that.

I'm waiting for affordable DSGs myself.