Porsche 991.2 GT3: Manual Transmission or PDK?

By Brett Foote - November 28, 2017

Porsche did the right thing by bringing back the manual transmission in the 991.2 GT3. But for some, it doesn’t make the choice any easier.

You could almost hear the collective screams of purists when Porsche failed to offer a manual transmission option in the prior 991 GT3. And in all fairness, it didn’t make much sense. After all, this was the purists car of choice. A purpose build, naturally aspirated track monster. But as we already know, Porsche corrected this oversight with the 991.2 GT3, bringing back the third pedal as a no-cost option.

So it might seem, on the surface, that choosing between the 6-speed manual and 7-speed PDK would be an easy choice. And yet, there are compelling reasons to (cringe) spec an automatic on your 991.2 GT3. For starters, it’s quicker and more fuel efficient. But for some, it just feels wrong. Plus, are a few tenths of a second worth selling your soul?

It’s a question that every 991.2 GT3 customer is facing. For some, it’s an easy choice, one way or another. For others, like Rennlister Icutyou, it’s a much more difficult decision.

“I am stuck in a twisted internal debate on whether or not to spec my car with a clutch! Anyways, beats talking about prices or how to spec your car so the next guy likes it.

For me, it will be a daily driver and sometimes track weapon. Keep in mind, it will be a daily in the streets of NYC, mostly outside of Manhattan. I honestly don’t know what to do. I LOVE the PDK but I also LOVE shifting gears and exercising my left calf. Help me Rennlist, you’re my only hope.”

Fellow city dweller Porsche911GTS’16 throws a little cold water on the realities of their situations.

“I am in a similar situation, living in LA. I have a 991.1 PDK GTS cab which I love. I was planning on going with the MT so I could have one of each. But at the end of the day, I am not so enamored with shifting gears myself that I am starting to think about going with the PDK. I would be more prone to DD a PDK GT3.

And when I feel like managing the gear changes, I can always use manual mode (as I do in the GTS). Having that flexibility with the PDK is very enticing. Yes, it would be very cool to have a 500 hp GT3 with a manual gearbox. But from a practicality standpoint (and even from a pleasurable driving experience standpoint) for me, anyway, PDK is the better option.”

As anyone who’s ever driven a manual in apocalyptic traffic can attest, the novelty wears off after a couple of rush hour commutes.

“You have to be crazy to get a manual for NYC city streets,” says Golden Boy. “My left leg is cramping just thinking about it”

“In metropolitan traffic-infested areas, PDK should be a serious consideration,” adds Bossing. “Plus, it’s quicker when slingshotting from corner to corner.”

Then again, some folks are just too hardcore to care about sore leg muscles. And for them, nothing is worth giving up a row-your-own.

“I daily my GT4 on the mean streets of DC,” says chillindrdude. “Like you, I drive my GT4 only when 1) It’s not raining hard or any other frozen precipitation and/or 2) Temps aren’t below 50 degrees. I’d say, asymmetric hypertrophy of the quadriceps be damned. Get the manual.”

“Manual, particularly for commuting,” adds Archimedes. “I have both in my current cars. And while the PDK is awesome when really pushing the car, the manual is more fun everywhere else. If I ever get an allocation, it’ll be manual.”

But has transmission choice ever really been about practicality for an enthusiast? For some, it’s all about what you really want, not what you necessarily need.

“Get the manual,” adds JRidge.“For no other reason than you know you want to. You just wanna hear us say it. In the epic struggle between head and heart, always follow the heart. And I can tell by your post, that means manual.”

It should come as no surprise that the topic of manual vs. PDK in the 991.2 GT3 has sparked a ton of responses. But we want to know what you think! So head over here and chime in with your thoughts, and help the OP make the right decision!