Tiptronic Owners: Super Happy, Just Satisfied, Regrets??

[pcar-yvr]

They say in life you sometimes must compromise. My question to Tip owners is that do you feel you are compromising by having a Tip instead of a 5/6speed? Any regrets - or do you think that perhaps it's even a better system?

I found a '01 S that I'm pretty interested in - but it's a tip instead of the 6 speed. I wasn't used to the system (having always driven a stick) so I gotta tell ya it felt a little clumsy. Hard to tell what gear I was in without looking at the dash. HOWEVER - I'm sure with time and practice though, I'd get over it.

For spousal approval, wife's asking for the tip - but ultimately, it is MY car. BTW - it will be a daily driver for me....

Really appreciate your comments / advice ...

[waynes986]

I've always driven a manual but moved into an suv when the kids came about... My wife knows how to drive a manual but hates to... She has a bmw with tiptronic but never uses it.. i've tried using the tiptronic modes on it when i drive it and its not just the same... just can't do the + - shifting with no clutch i just feel ridiculus when i do it... when i bought my boxster i said screw it and bought a manual and i love it...no better feeling then downshifting and popping that clutch when you take the turns...

[rzucchet]

"My question to Tip owners is that do you feel you are compromising by having a Tip instead of a 5/6speed? Any regrets - or do you think that perhaps it's even a better system?"

I wouldn't call Tiptronic a better system, but I don't consider it a compromise either. Mine is a daily driver, and I sure don't miss a manual transmission when I get caught in traffic.

I felt the tip to be a little odd at first as well, but you definitely get used to it. I just got back from a twisty mountain drive. IMO, using the tip in manual mode did not degrade the experience at all.

[shaman1204]

I've had my tip for almost a year and love it. I looked for one because I mainly do city driving, from my place to a major road I have to go through 6 blocks/stop signs. I would be replacing the clutch every 3-4 years probably. And it is nice to have that free hand for coffee, etc since the cupholders are pretty much useless. Overall I'm pleased, but, if it wasn't my DD I would probably go for a manual for spirited weekend driving.

[cvhs18472]

I have been driving sticks for all my life from Alfa's, MG's to dump trucks and have never found them to be a problem. I have my tip for about 15 months and only 1 or 2 times in that time period did I wish I had a stick. I have driven it, tracked it, and been on a number of rides and did not feel any less satisfied than if I had a stick. Go for it . Real men wear pink shirts and drive Tips. Ed

[JJJ]

super happy with my Tip...although I tend to leave it in automatic mode the whole time...still get plenty of speed in automatic mode...

if i need to keep it in a lower gear, then i switch over real quick to Tip and it works well...

I do not miss driving stick at all.

[JCL12]

i'm quite happy with my tip. when i was in rural upstate NY, i sometimes wished i had an MT - but the car was still a blast to drive. plus, our tips have steering wheel shifters which IMO makes the tip 100 times cooler than the 'manual' controls on the joystick

since i knew i'd be living in the crowded suburbs with lots of stop-n-go and lights, tip was a great choice for me. if you plan on using the car as a dd pr partial DD in that type area, its definetly something to consider. btw - i don't feel at all like a 'wimp' for getting a tip and the steering wheel controls provide me all the control i need.

FWIW, my father bought a 330 with a stick at my urging but hes since regretted the MT and wished he bought a steptronic. . . . lots of city driving = auto > MT