Age and Transmission Choice
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 223
Likes: 102
From: Clarksville, Tn
I will be 38 in July and I ordered my new 981 S with PDK and Sport wheel.
Had a MT on my '01 S and although fun to drive, I drove a friend of mine's 2012 997 C4S Cab with the PDK and Sport wheel and was sold. Great fun and never made me think about wanting a manual again and I have had several manual sports cars over the years...
Plus, the PDK will allow my wife to drive the new car so that was added benifit in convincing her that it was time to upgrade...
Here's a pretty good video of the new 981 PDK w/ paddle shift.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,255
Likes: 5
From: Bastrop By God Texas
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,208
Likes: 2
As I am now in my 40's, I have bought a lot of cars over the last 23 years and I've never bought a car or truck that wasn't a stick. Even the Ford Ranger pickup truck I owned in the 90's and the Nissan Maxima I still own today have clutch pedals. Over the last 3 years I have driven many PDK Boxsters, Coxsters, 911s, DSG Audis and even a couple F1 shift Ferrraris; not one of which ever made me want to switch. I still request manuals for service loaners if they have them.
I think is really comes down to how involved you want to be in the driving experience and is always going to be more of an intimate experience using 2 feet and rowing gears. Even with the best dual clutch gearboxes, there is always going to be a quirks that don't exist driving a stick: slow or delayed upshifts/downshifts, over revving on downshifts/under revving on downshifts, jerkiness coming to a stop, jerkiness on/off throttle transitions, etc. as computers and servos are still controlling parts of a car detracting from the driving experience. With a manual it is just you. Also keep in mind if PDK, DSG, i Drive, etc. were really intended to replacements for a manual transmission then there would not be an "automatic mode." They are really replacements/upgrades for automatics. By comparison, how many Formula 1 cars have ever been built with an automatic mode for their double clutch gearboxes? None.
One last comment for future quoting, you never hear people with manuals say they are "making a compromise." If you are making a "compromise" going to a PDK, you've answered your own question.
I think is really comes down to how involved you want to be in the driving experience and is always going to be more of an intimate experience using 2 feet and rowing gears. Even with the best dual clutch gearboxes, there is always going to be a quirks that don't exist driving a stick: slow or delayed upshifts/downshifts, over revving on downshifts/under revving on downshifts, jerkiness coming to a stop, jerkiness on/off throttle transitions, etc. as computers and servos are still controlling parts of a car detracting from the driving experience. With a manual it is just you. Also keep in mind if PDK, DSG, i Drive, etc. were really intended to replacements for a manual transmission then there would not be an "automatic mode." They are really replacements/upgrades for automatics. By comparison, how many Formula 1 cars have ever been built with an automatic mode for their double clutch gearboxes? None.
One last comment for future quoting, you never hear people with manuals say they are "making a compromise." If you are making a "compromise" going to a PDK, you've answered your own question.
Last edited by 10 GT3; Jun 16, 2012 at 05:12 PM.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 309
Likes: 3
I am 69 and wanted to like the PDK but after driving two 991 PDK's I was so relieved to get back into my '07 997 C4S M/T. PDK would definitely take some getting used to and learning a different way to drive and I think i would definitely miss the driving involvement of the M/T.....
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 5,718
Likes: 13
From: The Arctic Cold
26, had manuals forever... all 6 speeds... went pdk in 09, then 6 speed exige, went back to pdk because i liked it back in 09/10 but now going to order the same car in the new 7 speed... something about being part of the car and the gears in your control and so forth that's special.
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,255
Likes: 5
From: Bastrop By God Texas
Back to the OP, it would seem the age theory has been debunked. It's also not a macho thing or a compromise thing. I'm sure that's been said, but I've never said it. It's really about what each individual values as a driver given the way they use their car.
The PDK is faster and easier to drive in daily commuting. Two admirable qualities. The MT is more involving even when not being pushed hard. Which you prefer and why is a personal choice.
Fortunately we still have a choice.
The PDK is faster and easier to drive in daily commuting. Two admirable qualities. The MT is more involving even when not being pushed hard. Which you prefer and why is a personal choice.
Fortunately we still have a choice.
.org
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 7,635
Likes: 1
From: Reality
Me too.....back in '85
The "cool" feature then was the car talked to you..."seatbelt is not fastened"..".emergency brake is on".
6 months later, I told her ...goodbye Japanese sedan, hello a variety of BMW 3 's and M's for the next 10 years...sticks all around, of course
The "cool" feature then was the car talked to you..."seatbelt is not fastened"..".emergency brake is on".
6 months later, I told her ...goodbye Japanese sedan, hello a variety of BMW 3 's and M's for the next 10 years...sticks all around, of course
Racer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 496
Likes: 22
From: South Florida
Me too.....back in '85
The "cool" feature then was the car talked to you..."seatbelt is not fastened"..".emergency brake is on".
6 months later, I told her ...goodbye Japanese sedan, hello a variety of BMW 3 's and M's for the next 10 years...sticks all around, of course
The "cool" feature then was the car talked to you..."seatbelt is not fastened"..".emergency brake is on".
6 months later, I told her ...goodbye Japanese sedan, hello a variety of BMW 3 's and M's for the next 10 years...sticks all around, of course
(Sorry to get off topic)
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 37
The only thing I miss about my M3 (when comparing it to the 911) is the engine sound. The 911 sounds great, but there is nothing like the sound of a V8 wailing away at 8600rpm.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 177
Likes: 6
From: Cleveland, OH
I'm 30, first 911. Have been driving manual cars since I was 24, I get too bored with an automatic and do not see a time I will ever go back to an automatic, unless I lose my left leg somehow.
Dad and Mom are in early 60's and both drive manuals as well. Maybe it is genetic?
Dad and Mom are in early 60's and both drive manuals as well. Maybe it is genetic?
