Xxyion

I think in your circumstance, going with the PDK is a great choice. Like you've learned, driving a manual transmission correctly, is a skill that takes time to learn and perfect. As many have said, it's more than just adding one more pedal. There are many things to consider, like clutch grab point, proper RPM management, being careful not to burn or slip the clutch, proper downshifting etc.

As far as the FOMO goes. In SOME cases i would say that driving a manual transmission is more engaging. But that also requires the transmission itself to be great. A bad manual transmission can ruin the entire driving experience (looking at you BMW), and can feel like its more trouble than its worth. Luckily Porsche makes a great transmission, but they also make a fantastic Dual Clutch System. Personally, this is one of the few automatic systems where i feel like i get 90% of the engagement of a manual. You'll be fine.

Runner

718 manual is my best manual experience in my life and I'm a former manual GT3 guy. Long gearing concern is pure BS.

I'd go:

718 Spyder with manual no track.

718 GT4 with PDK with track.

MaddMike

SpyderSenseOC

Question: What should I get? A Spyder or a GT4? Manual or PDK?

Answer: Yes

Fatcat0520

made up my mind,
PDK + GT4/Spyder I like the looks of the Spyder but GT 4 would be better for track, so in the end I decided that whichever I could find a car in, cause PDKs are almost impossible to find, I'm sure I will be happy with either.

SpyderSenseOC

You live in Orange County, California. So do I. I can see almost no instances where you are driving around in a Spyder and wish you had a metal roof over your head. I can envision thousands of instances where you are driving around in a GT4 with a metal roof over your head and you wish you had the convertible. Just my two cents.

Fatcat0520

Do you have the sports seats or LWCB I am reconsidering my option because I can't find anything in PDK+carbon buckets

Fatcat0520

new question guys
LWCB or regular sports seats?
Much is the difference, I really prefer the looks of the LWCB but can't find a spec that I like most of them have normal seats which now I am leaning towards regular ones.

lilbza

Another personal preference. There's plenty here that will say you need the buckets, and then a few that will say you don't... very much like manual versus PDK debate.

I have driven a GTS 4.0 with the 18 ways, and they were great.

FWIW, I'm currently waiting for my GT4 to arrive in the next several weeks. I was worried my car was going to miss the buckets due to the stop sale. If I couldn't have the buckets, I was going to pass on the car. I don't need the buckets, but I wanted them.

My advice again, see if you can get along to a Porsche meet or even a local dealership where you can sit in both, then decide.

Unstock

The only way I would spec my Spyder was with the Carbon Fiber seats. They are very comfortable and take the looks and style of the car to the next level, with the top down it really completes the look. A GT4 and Spyder should always have the CF bucket seats IMO.

Xxyion

I LOVE my LWBS. Ive had a lot of cars with bucket seats aftermarket, but they never felt right. So when i had an opportunity to buy my GT4 with them they were a must have. I find them very comfortable and even sat in them on a 7-hour road trip with no issues. They sit a bit upright for my taste but once i install recliner brackets that should solve that issue.

Like others have said, def try to sit in them if you can to see what you think. They do lack lumbar support so that can be an issue for some. There are solutions to fix that but those are an expensive option.

enduro

LWBS are hands down the best sports car seats I've owned. Whether or not you like them will be very body type and mission mode dependent.

reacp911

Hard to imagine having a convertible and not using it...

Fatcat0520

Thanks for the inputs guys, it's not that I don't want LWCB, I'v sat in carbon buckets before so I am totally fine with the option. The better question to ask should have been Would it be fine if I only got the sports seats. It's not a concern over which to choose but which could I find since most cars I found are with regular seats.

Fatcat0520

I think it was because when I was driving the car, it would have been close tonight so I'd miss out on the sunshine and it was just cold. I did use it when I drove it on weekend afternoons just not an often use case.