911; Manual vs. Automatic
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 574
From: PA
My 14 year old son who knows how to drive a manual already sent me the following meme:
Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,367
Likes: 663
From: MTL, Canada
I used to own exclusively manual sports cars and I was on the fence about owning a pdk. However I don’t regret it at all, it can be both engaging and relaxing. Stuck in traffic no prob put in auto. Shifts are so precise you feel like you control every last rpm of that engine. Yes the left foot is more engaging simply because you physically work more with the car, but today I wouldn’t trade my pdk for a stick. Plus the normal manual (not the one in the T) feels very high and unnatural to me. So basically go test drive both and see for yourself, but in my case I love the PDK.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 928
Likes: 663
From: GA, FL, EZE
I recently sold my ‘14 with pdk and bought a ‘19 T with a manual. Very happy to be back in a car with a manual trans.. Having said that, the pdk is a great transmission. I did some pretty hard driving recently in the N. GA mountains and was really impressed by the pdk. Can’t go wrong with either.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 892
Likes: 232
I tested both manual and PDK before purchasing my first 911 recently, and in the end I went for the PDK. While I occasionally miss the driver involvement with the manual overall I love the PDK it’s a superb transmission. The only thing I don’t like is the plus/minus buttons on both sides of the wheel I prefer regular paddles left for downshift right upshift.
Not a big deal I just use manual mode with the stick instead which has that rally car feel as the stick is quite tall and very close to the wheel.
If the 991 was not my daily driver I think I may have got a manual, but for a DD definitely prefer the PDK.
Interesting fact btw, in England if you take your test in an auto you cannot legally drive a manual...if you take it in a manual they let you drive both!
Not a big deal I just use manual mode with the stick instead which has that rally car feel as the stick is quite tall and very close to the wheel.
If the 991 was not my daily driver I think I may have got a manual, but for a DD definitely prefer the PDK.
Interesting fact btw, in England if you take your test in an auto you cannot legally drive a manual...if you take it in a manual they let you drive both!
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 861
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From: Scottsdale
+1 Your car, your choice. Drive both and decide for yourself. I just bought my 10th 911 and first non manual. I specifically wanted the PDK. It's right for me and what I use the car for. I will not go back to a manual. Not for everyone as you can see by the comments. The only opinion that matters is yours.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 89
From: SF Bay Area
I never owned an automatic vehicle as my own since I was 16 years old which is a hundred years ago.
All of my Pcars which included 4 TT 996 and 997 vintage were MT.
I am now in my 1st real PDK TTS. After a ton of anxiety I love it. I could never get from this car what the ZpDK foes flawlessly. I'm sold.
All of my Pcars which included 4 TT 996 and 997 vintage were MT.
I am now in my 1st real PDK TTS. After a ton of anxiety I love it. I could never get from this car what the ZpDK foes flawlessly. I'm sold.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 13,918
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From: Marineland FL
Unless my left leg gets amputated I will drive a stick but by the same token it is nice the Porsche offers both unlike Ferrari, Lambo and many others these days, and it appears the new Corvette will have just a DCT based on what I have read...too bad. And there is an active thread on the new C8 so as hard as it will be for some please use that thread for Corvette-related replies.
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Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 135
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From: South Florida
I had a manual 997.1. C2S for over 10 years. I now have a 2019 Targa4GTS with PDK. I made the decision because the performance levels of the PDK are so much higher than the manuals that it didn't seem reasonable to get a manual in a "sports car". ( Many manufacturers such as Ferrari have come to this conclusion). The PDK is amazing and the car is incredibly fast, but now in hindsight, I realize that I can only use the speed infrequently in city ( non-track) driving, but I miss the "connection" in the manual frequently as the car is a DD. I am enjoying the PDK while I have it, but probably will go back to a manual for the next one. However, the real answer is I want one of each.
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 2,591
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From: NH/FL
The manual in my 991.2 4s is remarkably user-friendly. The clutch is much lighter than the 991.1 and the shift effort is non-existent. The throws are a little long but the effort is nil. It is a wonderful gearbox. PDK felt like a bore for my kind of driving i.e. backroads and no commuting in congested urban traffic.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 4,095
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Obviously it's a very personal choice. Great as the PDK is, and after owning and selling two 911s (997 TT and 991 C4S) because they were PDK, I would choose MT for a car driven primarily on the street. For track use, PDK all the way.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,644
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From: NJ
My goal is also to have one of each.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 540
Likes: 356
From: CA
My stable of cars has had manual, pdk and automatics. I find good and bad with them all. ....for everyday driving I prefer pdk or automatic. The newer gen dual clutches and even automatics are awesome. They down shift into turns and usually find just right gear that old school automatics just couldn't do. 8 speed autos in my Kia Stinger and Dodge are impressive units. PDK on my wifes 981 S is sublime on road. Until I really start to hustle things then both pdk and automatics become less cool with upshifts where id choose not to upshift. My manual 991.2 is awesome but it is slower than a pdk car in straight line acceleration. However being able to choose my gear and feather clutch has it benefits as well. Manual trans always has missed shift factor as well. 991.2 with 7 speed manual gets a bit confusing once your past 4th gear - maybe its me coming out of 4, 5 and 6 speed German cars of the past but I really dont need 7 manual gears. And Im always wondering what gear im in - fortunately Porsche put a gear indicator on dash of 991.2 with a cool shift light. Really wish Porsche had put 6 speed GT box in the 991.2 carreras. Oh yeah autoblip on 991.2 is great too. I know some die hard heel toe guys hate it but heel toe is over rated to me. Auto blip does very good job
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,114
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From: PA