Some people prefer an automatic transmission in a sports car these days? Glad I'm old

 

I just finished installing the GT4 short shifter tonight. I think it'll solve a lot of the vagueness! Certainly feels better while parked in the garage. Unfortunately, we have 4 more months of winter, so I won't be able to confirm for a long, long time

 

I have owned 4 new 911's. 2 MT and 2 PDK. I will never purchase another MT car but in a few years it won't be offered by any manufacturer. It is slower and less fuel efficient. I personally don't find MT more engaging. We are all allowed our opinion.

 

I wish I could have one of each....practicality and traffic demand PDK nowadays.

 

In a short while, gas cars will all be slower and less fuel efficient than electric ones. PDK is only more fuel efficient if you run it in miserable auto/normal that shifts way too early... in reality the only fuel advantage is the number on the Monroney.

Regarding the speed advantage, it’s biggest from a launch control start. Rolling laps driven by an expert driver are much closer, and if you are driving for enjoyment not times, the manual actually pulls a hair harder (less weight) in gear so the sensation of power makes up for a lost millisecond here or there in the turns.

If MT is no more engaging for you or you prefer PDK in traffic then that’s fine and there’s no reason to fault you for that, but there really isn’t the big objective advantage that might show up on paper stats that people tout to show that it’s “better”.

 

Add my vote to the manual crowd. If I had to commute to work in LA, in my 911, I would probably consider PDK. My 911 is weekend fun/back road car. Only 911 that interests me going forward is the GT3T which may not be easily obtainable. BTW does anyone know what the last year was that the 997 turbo was available with a stick?

Jim

 

I don't think the word engaging is what you think it means (at least in this context). You can argue that a MT is more cumbersome but clearly it is more engaging than a pdk.

 

Blasphemy.

 

The word "engaging" has multiple meanings.

A manual transmission is more engaging in the sense that it requires more physical input from the driver to change gears than a PDK or Tiptronic transmission. It requires the use of your left foot in addition to your hand, modulation of the clutch, etc.

I think the argument about engagement in the car as a whole or overall driving experience is a bit more complex. I find the driving experience in my 991 TTS with PDK to be far more engaging than my 997 TT 6MT. The 991 TTS captures (and holds) my attention more than the 997 TT did, and is overall more appealing. It's more engaging in that regard.

If you're comparing gearbox to gearbox, then I agree that the MT is more engaging.

 

Behave, puck eater!
I drove manuals for 20 years and got tired of rowing gears. Traffic where we live is 1.5 hours to and from work (19 miles each way). I can’t live with a manual, my left foot muscles would get overdeveloped and I’d end up walking in circles like a Siamese cat!

 

Damn, I knew revealing my location would come back to haunt me.

For the record I love MT, even the rather flawed one in my 991.

Having said that, I suspect in 30-40 years when I reach your age I'll be in the same boat...

 

If you have not seen it
https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...t-vs-auto.html
Quite different stats for 997, as expected.
Also interesting read as some argue that PDK is a manual. I admit, I could have asked the question better way.

 

We should do an age poll you might be surprised but your sense of humor is spot on!

 

I'm surprised at the results so far with quite a few on here who voice their dislike of the PDK every chance they get.

 

It’s pretty straightforward, enthusiasts have a greater tendency to buy used to get more bang for their buck and thus are more likely to take what they can find on the market which might mean getting PDK when they would have chosen a manual if the choice (between two good transmission options) were not made for them already.