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Just had a 981 Boxster for a few days as courtesy car (white with red roof so a bit embarising). Anyway, the PDK in it was awesome. I've got a 981 Cayman manual and want a PDK now !!!
The gear change is like a Winchester rifle and so smooth and fast. Spent most of the time with it in Sport Plus mode using the paddles to change gear, the rev-matching in the down shifts was addictive too :)
Did you left-foot-brake too? I'd find it too tempting not to, especially with all that grip out of corners. It's got to be more satisfying to heel-and-toe with a manual though, surely?
Yes it is. A actually is better than a Winchester More like an uzi.Quote:
Originally Posted by gavsw20
I have no idea why Porsche is producing manuals having the pdks.
Because many people prefer manuals, I expect.Quote:
Originally Posted by lambros
Abyss, the soul of a human. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyman
My 06 911 C2S was a manual and I really enjoyed the level of 'engagement' that gave me with the car.
I've driven a number of PDK 911s in recent years and my next one (if there is a next one) will be a PDK - I'm very impressed with it.
Are people losing the love for a manual? I've owned one of these dual-clutch gearboxes, albeit on a VW, but I still prefer a manual. I even prefer the crap notchy manual I have on my current car. I suppose manual cars, even they even keep making them, will be cost options soon.
I've just committed myself to a manual 981 Boxster over the PDK option. Porsche kindly gave me a Boxster S with PDK to play with over a couple of days and, frankly, it was awesome. Compared to dual clutch gearboxes I've tried and owned previously it was seamless and lightning fast. However, the big issue for me is that I can't get on with using the paddles. Maybe it's a question of practice or simply that I'm too old and set in my ways to adapt but I just don't find them intuitive. Particularly when I'm pulling away from junctions I always seem to be searching for the paddle. I can imagine that if I were having a spirited drive on a road that I know well in a car that I know well they could be a lot of fun but for the rest of the time I imagine I'd just stick the thing in Drive. Whilst I'm happy to leave all my gearchanging to my Land Rover, that's not what I buy a sports car for.
I had a manual 911 996 a number of years ago and said I would never buy a Porsche with anything else. Recently bought a 911 991 with the PDK because it is simply immense! The manual just didnt come anywhere near. Sticking it into Sports Plus mode with Sports Exhaust on and messing about with the gearbox is one of my favourite things to do!!
As someone else said, maybe it's an age thing. PDK is faster and more efficient, but every time I've had one, I just end up sticking it in drive. Currently have a 1989 911 with manual which I decided to keep over the GTS with PDK I also had at the same time. If it's a car you'll be using regularly (rather than fun) the PDK probably makes sense.
Had one as a courtesy car for a few days, combined with the sports exhaust it made me go and find a tunnel just to floor it for the noise, the gear change was sublime. Makes my 5 speed auto in the 996t seem quite industrial.
Tried a 981 with PDK and as some say it was awesome although if I had it I would also tend to leave it in drive, sport mode or not.
I ended up buying a manual 987 RS60 - gear box is equally awesome and obviously more engaging.
Depends on what you want one for?
Every day? I'd go PDK
Just for fun? I think manual but it's not clear cut as that sounds.
I would class myself as a petrol head, firmly sitting in the 'manual is best' camp loving the interaction and feel of the car blah blah blah. However, after owning a string of decent performance cars fitted with 'flappy paddles' I can honestly say I will never buy a manual again. I get the same buzz from driving in sport mode and swapping gears through the paddles when on a spirited drive as I did with the manual, then I can just drop into auto for all the time I'm stuck in traffic or just want to waft.
Had a 3 year old 987 boxster years ago and took in for service. Porsche gave me a new Cayman S and it was amazing. Cost me loads as I had to sell the boxster!!
Have driven PDK cars a few times and they are fantastic. Wouldn't consider a Porsche without it now
Following on from my ownership of a PDKS equipped 911 and then a very clever Nissan GT-R, this is my conclusion on the flappy.
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/...sunstzgpi.jpeg
Initially a blast, ultimately a bore.
That's brilliant. Copied with the intention of annoying my mates.Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyman
^^^it struck a cord with me as soon as I saw it.
My 981 Cayman has PDK, and I love it, it blips the throttle on down shift and is incredibly fast (in sport mode). The above comments are correct for auto/tiptronic boxes (I had a 996 tip and it wasn't great) but not for PDK.
Price rises of pre-PDK 911's would validate thatQuote:
Originally Posted by Skyman
Of course, but that actually requires acquisition of the skill to do it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Foxy100
As said, not in my experience. Both cars, with similar gearboxes, lasted less than three months each in my ownership. Clever, yes, but dull and detached. I can quite happily blip myself, and fast changes are so yesterday. Skill and involvement both go out the window.Quote:
Originally Posted by pembers
I agree that they feel detached (slightly) I think it's because your left foot doesnt have any involvement, and that feels unbalanced somehow. I think if it was my car only (joint car with the Mrs) I'd have a manual, but I love the simplicity (in driving terms) of the PDK, town driving and the odd blast on a B road is great with a PDK, guess I'm lazy in driving terms.Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyman
If I was rich enough and a 991 GT3 was in the offering, I would want it with a manual gearbox, no questions asked, because that car is about driver involvement, amazed Porsche don't offer a manual box.....GT4 is where I would go if I had the money!
How did you get through the cars in 3 months?
#jedimode - This is not the gearbox you are looking for....Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyman
The market for modern Porsche's has changed and PDK is a showroom favourite for the average aspirationalist.
Clearly not for everybody (me) but hey ho,
I got bored, simple as that. Six months later almost to the day, I take delivery of a Caterham next week. I guess I like extremes!Quote:
Originally Posted by pembers
Fair enough, we all want different things from our motors,Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyman
What's the spec on your 7?
Pre PDK they had tiptronic S single clutch auto. They have always had manuals alongside the auto optionsQuote:
Originally Posted by andy tims
Simple and light. A Superlight Twenty, with a mere 135bhp, but less than 500kg. This is her (Chitty) today.Quote:
Originally Posted by pembers
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/...smg8e27cz.jpeg
Carbon, and not much else, in abundance.
Nice! Love it!Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyman
Sorry to tangent on the OPs original statement, but what are your thoughts on the GT4? Is it the only hardcore Porsche drivers car you can buy new?
My view is yes, although at a price and now a premium. The 911R looks epic, but sold out before it goes live, and the new GT3 sounds as though a manual is on the cards, but given Porsche's distribution strategy in the UK you will likely to have had to have had a letter of intent in for the last 12/24 months in order to secure one. That is not a strategy to which I want to subscribe, when spending £120k+.Quote:
Originally Posted by pembers