Tip And Top Questions

[RichLamb]

I am looking to purchase a 1999-2001 996 cab and have a few questions that I'm hoping someone here can answer:

1) I noticed that some advertisments state "tiptronic" and others "tiptronic s". Is there a difference? If so what?

2) I've noticed on the porsche website that all cabs come with the hardtop (not an option). If this is so, when did this policy begin? Do all 996 cabs (1999 and newer) have the hardtop? Not all advertisments state that a hardtop is included.

Many thanks for help on these questions.

[NonBeater]

I have a MY99 996 cab. You are correct, the hardtop on the 996 is standard--at least in 99 and I assume in later years. The delete option was approximately minus $1700 in the USA, and if you want to buy the hardtop later, I understand the parts counter wants $5000! (I heard this second-hand, so this may be wrong.) So I think most people not living in snow-land mutter "whatever", take the standard hardtop, and begrudgingly store it in their garage thinking about resale value of the car.

I understand too that the hardtop is optional on the Boxster.

Can't help on the Tiptronic question.

Edited March 26, 2004 by NonBeater

[Guest]

All 97 on Boxsters and 99 996s that have a Tiptronic Transmission have the "S". It is a 5 speed automatic transmissin, and has upshift and downshift buttons on the steering wheel.

The original Tiptronic transmission was introduced for MY 90 and was called Tiptronic. It was a 4 speed automatic transmission with shift adjustments on the lever, not the steering wheel.

Tiptronic S is a more sophisticated automatic transmission than the original Tiptronic.