I am considering purchasing a 6th gen . there's a 2004 with 6000 miles that I can get reasonable but it has the 4 speed , not the 5 and I amwondering aside from the cool tiptronic factor what I'd be missing.

 

SL is a 4 speed and the SE is a 5 speed... Unless I'm mistaken. I don't think there is a performance change, but what do I know. I drive a SE not an SL.

 

The 5 speed auto gets a little better gas mileage over the 4 speed. You are correct, over and above the tiptronic, that's about it.

 

flanboat, maxium - The SL converted to the same 5 speed tiptronic tranny as the SE on February 6th, 2004. SLs with 4 speed trannys were built before that date.

There are those here who are not wild about the tiptronic. It is not intended for everyday driving. Some here use it for special performance situations (like redlining during acceleration tests). Some like to play with it. But for most, it would be used only in special situations such as the five I listed a few minutes ago in the 'gas guzzles with AT manual' thread on this 6th gen board.

Good luck with your decision.