996scott

Curious how many of you went from being a long time manual guy to a PDK? Would you go back to a manual or do you love the PDK and will never go back to manual? I've driven manuals for 40year (993 and 996). I truly love a manual transmission and how connected i feel to the car and the control i have over the rpm, etc. I've been looking for a 991.1 manual coupe that checks all the boxes and it is proving very difficult. There are probably 5 times the number of pdks as there are manuals for sale and i'm starting to think i may have to just settle for a pdk. I know it is a fantastic transmission and shifts incredibly fast and smooth, but i'm worried that after a few months the novelty will wear off and i'll be back to wanting the manual. I know it's a personal decision but have any of you regretted getting the pdk and gone back to a manual?

MaddGTS

I waited until I could find a manual. If that's what you really want, I would not compromise.

Note that this was my first 911 (& Porsche) so I had a very specific image of what I wanted and knew I'd be dissappointed if I didn't get the key specs.

snake eyes

I switched.... PDK is boring on the street or when cruising.

PDK is fun going 7/10s on a mountain road and 9/10s on a race track.
You need to be really moving to enjoy the PDK.

That said, I have now owned 3 PDK 911's because I drive them hard

NF4710

I haven’t owned a PDK but I went from manual to an Audi dual clutch and then back to manual for my 991. The dual clutch just doesn’t have driver engagement. It’s definitely faster and smoother than my shifting but…part of the joy of a 911 is the shifter IMO. If you crave that interaction hold out for a manual. You won’t regret it- I waired and it took a year to find my car. Worth it!

Cheers,
NF

Joec500

I think it also depends if you go with the 991.1 or 991.2. I feel that the NA 9A1 motor is just sooo good in a manual, where as the turbo motor feels great with the pdk. If I were going 991.2 I think I would go PDK, if an NA car I would go manual if possible.

ottodawg

All my previous P-cars were manual. The Turbo S is obviously PDK. For me I don't really miss a manual. If you have to drive in traffic at all, manual is a PIA. The PDK is lightening fast, and shifts much better than you. If you feel like you really need to "do something", you can shift it manually. If you track, the PDK will smoke the manual in most situations. I've had zero issues with my 2 PDK cars. If a car came around that I'm looking for and is manual, I certainly wouldn't say no, but at this point I prefer the PDK. JMHO

ThePhanatic

I have a manual 993 that solves that desire in my life. My 991 is PDK which is awesome for track use and for general commuting especially with traffic.

Buy what you want for sure. There are plenty of cars out there and both transmissions have their pros and cons.

Wolpertinger

I had a manual 987.2 Cayman S. Went to my current car, a 991.1 Carrera S with PDK. No regrets, and I do not miss the manual. I'm 56 and my left leg has done enough work. I really enjoy the PDK. You can still put it in manual mode and use the paddles or bump the shifter. Not quite the same as a third pedal, but I really don't miss it. The PDK is a hell of a lot smarter than I am, and shifts beautifully under all conditions. I love it!

jeffleept

Had two manual 911's previously. Searched every day for a manual 991.2 CS that checked the right boxes, after a year I found a beautiful specimen with PDK and bought it. I now have regret and am re-continuing the search.
If you're saying " I truly love a manual transmission and how connected i feel to the car and the control i have over the rpm, etc", keep searching and be ready to jump after a favorable PPI.

desmotesta

Agree with all of the above.

I not only enjoy PDK but am thankful for it when I am driving at 8/10ths or more on streets, curvy mountain roads, off ramps and familiar twisties. It does not take away from the fun and engagement of fast driving, it actually. enhances it and rewards the driver.
The problem arises when you are just going from A to B, PDK, even in manual mode is down right boring. I drive my PDK in manual 99.9% of time, and although its slightly more engaging than leaving it in Sport and auto, its just dull.

I am hoping to move to a manual soon and I am sure I will miss the PDK for those few minutes I am going faster than anyone should be on public roads (Twisties, NOT straight line)

737gdog

Disagree with snake eyes as to how the T is the greatest 911 ever produced.🤣 Agree with him on the above. Wanted a manual but found a ‘14 with pdk that checked all the boxes minus the manual. Bored to death by it unless on a track or driving hard in the mountains. Sold it and bought a ‘19T with a manual and could not be happier. Pdk is a brilliant transmission and I understand why so many like it. I might go back to one later in life when I lose some of my mad driving skills.

996scott

991.1 all the way. I know the .2 has a sweet engine, but i love a naturally aspirated engine.

jets

I drove a 911 and 718 briefly on a track and found it fast but boring, almost too easy. Like someone said it's great when you're full throttle but regular driving I may as well be in my Yukon. It didn't feel like fun to me. I wish our GLE 63S was stick I have been looking for a good while for a 991.2 7-speed with specific options and had to absolutely be carmine red. Here in Canada there is not much selection these days so it took time...

When I was a the dealer there were probably 30 pre-owned and consigned 911's in this garage; just 2 were stick. Wait for the stick shift! I took delivery of this one today and if it wasn't for the snow storm yesterday I may have driven it home:

MaddGTS

Gorgeous! Looks like the one I saw at a local Porsche dealer in the outskirts of GTA, might be the same one! Be safe driving it in this weather.

asellus

The PDK is uniquely good. I enjoy my .2's PDK and at this point would not even consider a manual in a .2. There are exactly two things the PDK cannot do better than I can in a manual transmission -- shift from 2nd gear to 7th gear in manual mode and vise versa, and and clutch kick (at least in a non-GT). The latter never comes up, whereas the former is just a clunky "I gotta smack this paddle for a while" situation.

In a .1 though I'd take the manual, and that's solely because they are naturally aspirated. Nearly any other car I'd prefer a manual transmission -- modern torque converter transmissions don't do it for me yet, other DCT implementations I've experienced have been lacking, and CVTs need to stop being put on anything bigger than my scooter.

This is all from a street driving perspective, mind.