As long as your wallet is fat enough, even a pant load won't stop the party.

I told my self when I get a sports car it would be a manual tranny but my woman can't drive a stick :( so ended up getting a TIP, no regrets this car kicks ass smoked a 745i last week. :D

I hate top break this to you, but the Tip trannie is a completely generic, off-the-shelf torque converter box, not a "performance based transmission".

The manual is also essentially bought in and there's nothing special about it, either, but let's get our facts straight from the get go.

My view, and not all agree, is that the Tip spoils the driving experience comprehensively. This is a sports car and it needs a manual transmission. It's that simple.

And yes, I've driven several Tips.

If you're happy with a Tip, buy a different car. These cars are fragile and expensive to run, which is fine if you enjoy the finely honey dynamics. The Tip compromises that thoroughly, so you may as well buy an SLK or Z4 and have a nice auto roadster without the engine worries.

Pie hole,

Do you have any idea just what the hell your talking about?

Each person makes their own choice. I don't criticize anybody's elses choice of car or transmission. If somebody finds driving in a city with a manual trans. tedious, then tip. is the answer. If you want to drive a tip then it is not my business. Thousands of tip owners can't be wrong. :)

Yes, but thanks for asking!

Manual for sure, the driving experience is extremely amplified with a stick in your right hand and a clutch pedal under your left foot

Over a number of years I have owned 11 Porsche's. My 2001 base Boxter is the first Boxter, the first liquid cooled engine (well there was a 924), the first convertable and the first that didn't have a clutch. And guess what, I like the Tip just fine. Sure I miss the shifting some times but, but not near as much as I thought I might and it has pushed me in the direction of a PDK on my next P car, assuming I ever get tired of this one. Don't really think there is a one answer fits all to this question. So I guess we should all just enjoy what we have.

I have both tip & manual cars, manual is much quicker response . Allot more fun to drive.

I prefer an automatic in my SUV's and truck, but my sports car has to have a manual. Just isn't as fun to drive for me without one.
Now if I had to commute in stop and go traffic with it, I may consider an automatic as that can really suck in a manual.

Now there are drivers who can shift for themselves and I guess that makes the others "shiftless"!

I think it depends on what type of driving you'll be doing. If it's a lot city and town, shifting gets old quick. I driven several cars with paddlle shifters including my wifes ML350 and they aren't as satisfying to me. I also think it depends on what year car you're looking at. The new PDK double clutch is supposed to be a great trannie.