FullThrottle64

According to Porsche, the PDK is about 60 lbs heavier than the manual. Until we see a reasonable number of high-mileage PDKs, we wont really know the reliability.

What I'd like to know is the cost of clutch replacement on the PDK, and expected replacement interval. Given the complexity and the fact that there are two assemblies, I have to believe that it will be more than a manual, but by how much?

Schmidts Cat

I drove a new cayman S last week. PDK, sport exhaust, sport suspension, chrono. The car only has a couple hundred on it, so kept revs below about 4500. All I can say is holy !?@$. This car is a quantam leap! Refined, sophisticated, satisfying... I really wanted to hate the PDK, but it was amazing. The best part is WHEN you can shift! Between two tight esses, no problem... Right before or after or during track out, no problem... Drop 3 gears or go up 3 gears in 50 ft... No problem. So smoooooth, fast and stable. I am a diehard manual guy, but this thing was fun. Then again, I only drove it for 15 minutes... Not sure how I might feel in the long run.

fhp911

Road&Track didn't really like the new Cayman, though ....

Schmidts Cat

Have YOU driven it? Do you trust R&T opinion? What do you think? The same as the old car? No. Better? Different.

terbiumactivated

I worked for physicians whose walls were festooned with "top 100 family physicians in America". Upon arrival it was pretty impressive, till I learned that you pay a fee and they send you a placard that creates the illusion of supreme abilities. It would not surprise me one iota if these magazine grab a little through the back door for a favorable report. The best report is the one you get from your own derriere.

Euromagination

I personally love the new Cayman and its handling, interior, etc., but the steering doesn't have as raw of a feel as the first Caymans do. The new ones don't seem as pure. There is a clear difference between the steering feel of the first Caymans and the current one. It's my only real gripe, actually. That's what happens when cars become more "grown-up" and "refined", I guess.

fhp911

I think that's what happens when hydraulic assist is replaced with electric.

BrakingBad

I have driven both and I agree with R&T's assessment. The 981 is a great car but it lacks personality and character. It feels more like an Audi than Porsche. In 2009 R&T picked the PDK Cayman S as the best drivers car. This year the 981 PDK Cayman S placed 5th. The 991 C4S came in 1st. Pobst still liked the Cayman, so there is that.

Schmidts Cat

Doesn't the 991 C4S have electric steering too?

Seems to me, the 981 is to the 987 as the 997GT3 was to the 996GT3. Less raw, but ultimately more capable and still satisfying.

BrakingBad

I haven't driven the 991 C4S. I found the 981 more capable but less satisfying. I bought a 2010 Cayman S with the intent to upgrade to a 981 S when they came out. Now that they are available, I am not motivated enough to buy one.

f4 plt

if this is any validation for the build quality and longevity of the PDK, I have a friend that has 90,000 (no misprint) miles on a PDK equipped Cayman. He has auto crossed and tracked the car extensively and the transmission is as crisp as when new. Likewise the Porsche Drivers School ( last time I checked) had not had one instance of a maintenance issue with the PDK. As an old manual guy I am throughly impressed with the PDK ... it's not your Mother's automatic ... as they say.

fhp911

BrakingBad got it wrong I'm pretty sure. The R&T #1 was the Corvette -- there was no 911 in the group at all as I recall. (This was in the new issue which I got last week.)

BrakingBad

And it isn't the first time.

You're right, I was thinking of the annual Motor trend drivers car of the year competition. Not R&T. Apologies.

FullThrottle64

Right - it included the Ford Fiesta, but no 911. How this is appropriate for "Performance Car of the Year" is beyond me, but.....