I know you guys gotta be sick of these types of threads, but this question has been driving me insane for a few months since I got set on a Cayman and I thought that I would ask some people that actually own them for some input.

I really can't decide on whether or not I want to get the Tiptronic or one of the manual transmissions. The biggest cause of this debate is the fact that I have very little experience driving a stick and I've never driven one as a daily driver before. The times that I have driven manual transmission cars, I loved it and I felt relatively comfortable with it, but it was usually for short periods of time. I don't want to say that I'll be learning to drive a stick on this car, because I do know how, but it will be the first time that I've owned a manual before. I feel confident that I will enjoy it a lot more and that I'll pick it up quickly, but I'm really concerned that I'll damage the car.

My other concern is that I live in a very high traffic area (Northern VA/DC area), which isn't exactly the best place to figure it out. I'm fortunate to have places in SC and NC (I plan on buying it in Chapel Hill or Charleston) where I can take a week off work to get acquainted with the car in an area that isn't so congested, but I know this isn't something you become fluent in after a week or two. This isn't as much of a concern because I don't need to drive all that often, I can avoid the traffic by walking if necessary.

I think a lot of people are pushing me to get a manual because of the image, which I really don't care about. My primary concern is that I enjoy driving the car and that I don't damage it (if I get a manual). So I guess my biggest question is whether or not the Cayman is something I should go into with several years of experience driving stick shifts or if my limited experience will be enough to pick it up and not worry about damaging the car?

As you might imagine this is one of those "religious" discussions that have been discussed here until it is almost nauseous. Look around and you can find hours of reading but also take a look at your last paragraph. I think you answered your own preference.

You'll pick it up again quickly. I very seriously doubt that you'll hurt the car. Sounds like you want the fun of driving a manual...

i learned on this car and the clutch is still good. + i driving in l.a. traffic every day.

3 pedals or walk!

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HP is irrelevant

tip is great and you have the buttons if you want. You will also be quicker then the people with manuals most of the time. they try so hard to shift quick they normally mess up, the tip won't.

As Santa Fe pointed out, this is an issue that frequently polarizes Porsche owners. One of my buddies thought it was heresy that I bought a Cayman with Tiptronic - until he drove it. He had to admit that it was more fun than he had previously imagined an automatic would be (though his left foot hit the break a couple of times looking for the clutch .

I don't think learning to drive a manual is an issue - you can learn that in an afternoon or 2 of practice, and unless you do something really bone-headed, you're not likely to hurt the car either.

I chose a Tip mainly because as I've gotten older I guess I've gotten lazy, and don't like having to work the clutch in rush hour, or stop and go traffic. I was impressed at how fast the Tiptronic shifts compared to other semi-autos I have driven, so I don't feel that I'm missing too much of the fun shifting.

Personally, I don't think you can go wrong whichever you choose!

Good Luck

It takes a hell of a screw up to add .8 to my 0-60. Not that I don't have them on occasion, but saying that it would happen most of the time is an gross exaggeration.

Get what makes you happy. The tip works fine and the manual is easy to use/learn.

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"The Cayman doesn't need any more toys." -- My wife

I just bought mine. Cayman 2.7L white with Manual 6-speed Getrag, and PASM/SportChrono.

I tell you what I hate about the manual. My city is gridlocked. The Cayman is my daily driver and I can no longer wear my dress shoes while driving. So I keep my dress shoes behind my seat and use driving shoes. Driving with $500 dress shoes is a painful financial exercise as well as physical torture.

I fear damaging the clutch too, but after 2 days I'm fine. Just don't slip the clutch TOO much, engage smoothly and for the first 2 gears slow down your clutch movement, smoothen it.

That's all I hate about it!

What I like though, besides what is commonly stated as control, able to drag the engine, etc. is .... the sound of the engine. The engine snorts grunts and makes all kinds of funny funny sounds. The tip is so good that it keeps the engine tame. The manual, you CAN NEVER be as diligent as the auto in keeping in the optimal gear, and so you are in the `wrong' gear half the time when in traffic. And wow, does the engine snort super. It gives you GREAT feelings and every drive in the car is like a vacation.

Besides this, I think that all Porsche owners should not die before mastering heel-toe at least, not to mention techniques like double declutch. You buy a Porsche Cayman for the involvement, and snorty grunty engine, and not as a cruiser. You want to drive with less effort, why not get a Audi TT with DSG, or one of those BMW 335 or a Z4 Coupe Auto, or Mercedes AMG C63 ... those are MADE for Auto .... and the AMG at least was designed with AUTO in mind, not manual.

The great thing is you really can't go wrong either way. We all have our own preferences, but they're just personal opinions. Both the stick and the Tip are great, and it's a fun car with either. I doubt you could seriously damage the car learning to shift in it, aside from some accelerated clutch wear and an occasional ground gear, and the Tip is so great, it's the preferred choice for most of the Turbos and all of the Cayennes.

I know it's not easy, but pay less attention to what the others think, test drive both and go with what the little voice inside tells you afterwards.

Greg

There is no question this is a polarizing issue. You say you don’t care what others think which one you buy, get what’s best for you. All my sporty cars have had manual and once you drive one for awhile, it very soon becomes second nature.

In my case I bought the Tip. I have stated that when I trade (when the CS gets a redesign), I will go back to standard. However during the last several weeks, I am seriously thinking of staying with the Tip. Except for highway driving, I use the manual mode. I suggest that you drive both for a full day. Rent one if that’s what it takes to do that. If you decide on the Tip, be sure to get the Sport wheel. If you get the stick, don’t be concerned about the traffic. It really won’t be a problem.

IMO you miss out on 50% of the driving experience with the tip, and if you are not buying a Porsche for the driving experience, why the heck are you buying it?

I learned to drive stick on a brand new car, no problem, you can't damage the car really.

It sounds like you're afraid - don't let your fears rule your life. Now as as good as a time as any to learn to drive stick. Once you do you will have it as a LIFETIME skill and you will always be glad you have that skill.

I think you can be fine at it in under 1 week, good enough to drive in traffic.

It has nothing to do with image, its more about the driving experience and why you bought a sports car in the first place. If you want a car that drives itself, IMO a Cayman is the wrong car for you and you might just enjoy something else a bit more, maybe a Mercedes?

Actually the difference is more like .4-.5 seconds. I believe the consensus has been that the manual does it in 4.8-4.9 and the tip in 5.3

That's a bit off. Look at the class in the Cayman and it's competition. It's a small hard top roadster with it's biggest competition being the BMW Z4, Audi TT, and Mercedes SLK. You can try to fit in the corvette too but imo it's a bit bigger (pretty damn wide car) and more muscle than the others.

Not all purchasers are going to be the "HARDCORE OMG IM A BAD *** RACING MAN LOOK AT ME LOL AUTOS ARE FOR PUSSIES". Aka guys that seem to be trying to hard to convince themselves of their masculinity. The cayman is going to steal buyers of those other hideous looking vehicles. People who want a beautiful car that's pretty quick and an absolute blast to drive in their simple terms.

What is so hard to understand that you can love the car and the driving experience without having that 3rd pedal to depress on and that lever to fist when you switch a gear?

Exactly what right do you have to belittle these buyers with your rude and, quite frankly, ignorant comments?

That's one of my biggest pet peeves about car guys. **** i'm sure it is with the rest of the world aswell. The huge ****ing ego some of you carry and the attitude that comes with it. Please just help me better understand your point of view. I'm tired of these ridiculous explanations that just simply say "WHY IS IT BETTER? WELL IT JUST IS! LOL POSER UR NOT A REAL PORSCHE DRIVER! GTFO!"<