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I have a manual 2020 GT4 with inconel kline exhaust. I thought seriously about a Spyder RS or GT4RS and ultimately decided to stick with my GT4 for multiple reasons, one of which is that i enjoy the manual. I drove a GT4RS at ATL PEC and it was awesome, but just not enough to get me to break away from my GT4.
Spyder RS is an absolute race car for the road. NOTHING touches the in-cabin experience with the intakes and that gt3 motor. I had a MT spyder, and although it is not a replacement for that, it entertains in other ways that (more than) compensate. Many SRS owners agree.
The 6sp MT spyder is peak motoring, though. Absolutely sublime car. <chef's kiss>
If you gotta row, stay home (in the mt spyder). But if you want ... a thrill like few other cars can even hope to touch at any price point...you won't be disappointed by the spyder rs.
Is your GT3 manual or PDK? If PDK and you are already wondering, then yeah I bet you will be jonesing for a manual. I certainly was with my 997 turbo, but after I added a cayman GTS manual, it cured it. Though it really shouldnt matter, I actually enjoy the PDK on the 911 more now for the amazing piece of kit it is since I can always drive the other car if I want to row the gears.
I’m new to Porsche, so please take my comments in that context. My first muscle/sports car was a Camaro 2SS with the six-speed automatic, which I owned for about eight months before trading it for a 2SS with a manual. After that, I had two Camaro ZL1s—both with six-speed manuals.
Then came the C8 Corvette Stingray with the dual-clutch transmission. I tried for four and a half years to like that gearbox, but I never really warmed up to it. In my opinion, it was the most disappointing aspect of the car.
In addition to the Porsche, I currently own a Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing with a manual transmission. As you can see, I have a preference for manuals in my sports/fun cars.
I sold the Corvette in July and, two weeks later, came across a deal I couldn’t pass up on a 2024 Boxster GTS 4.0 with PDK. After two months of ownership, I have to say this is the first sports car I actually enjoy driving in automatic mode. The PDK is that good—the calibration is spot-on, always keeping the engine in its power band. When I want more engagement, I simply switch over to manual mode.
To the OP: I don’t think you’ll have any regrets with the PDK in the Spyder RS.
The PDK-S is unique in that it doesn't creep and the selector can be used like a sequential. It's not a typical auto experience. Pair with the GT3 engine it's a great experience that many(including me) don't miss a manual during. The fast hard shifts, the sequential feel, the jerkiness at creeping speeds, it all has character and certainly isn't dull.
That being said I still have my manual cars, and I do not know how I'd like having JUST a PDK-S car. I know I couldn't do just a regular PDK car for street.
And not to be cliche, but the intake song is truly automotive music, and the paddle shifter becomes the world-class conductor. Not the same as heel-n-toe, but an extremely satisfying experience. (TBH, Porsche pedal setup makes street heel-n-toe a pain anyway; pretty much a track thing, really, unless you have freakishly flexible ankles or street drive like a lunatic - lol) In the twisties, I go to manual mode with the pdk, and it is oh so good / fun
Im fortunate enough to have obtained a build slot for my spyder RS.
its on its way and should be delivered by the end of next month.
Having some internal mind battles as I absolutely love my spyder manual and always thought this would have been my forever car next to my 997.2 GT3.
but, we all want more and being that they finally put in a proper GT motor into the boxter spyder I want one.
letting go of the manual spyder is something Im having a hard time with.
for you all that have replaced the manual GT4/Spyder to an RS. Honestly do you miss the manual and is it worth the 80k cost difference?
I have a Kline SS set up on mine and its brilliant
Have you driven an SRS or had a ride in one? If youre unsure, it would be worth the trouble to make that happen.
Im probably the most unqualified person to weigh in on this thread because I cannot drive a manual transmission due to physical reasonscannot work the clutch pedal. However, it seems to me that there are people who are dyed in the wool manual transmission persons, and OP do you not know that about yourself? Also most if not everyone knows that driver to driver, youre slower in a manual transmission than with the PDK. So those who choose the manual give up performance for the experience of rowing the gears. My advice: pass on the SRS unless you can buy it without trading in your Spyder. Let someone who wants the SRS with no concern over the PDK have the one youve got coming.
BTW, I drive my PDK in auto mode, PDK sportseems to always be in the right gear. I use the paddle shifters only when in a specific moment when I want the car in a lower gear before I pour into the throttle. Never really have enjoyed paddle shifters in any of the Porsches or the C7 Corvette I owned.
Is your GT3 manual
or PDK? If PDK and you are already wondering, then yeah I bet you will be jonesing for a manual. I certainly was with my 997 turbo, but after I added a cayman GTS manual, it cured it. Though it really shouldnt matter, I actually enjoy the PDK on the 911 more now for the amazing piece of kit it is since I can always drive the other car if I want to row the gears.
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Decision time
