Racelap

Hi Rennlist,

I have a BMW M6 right now and next year I'm looking to replace it with something more agile. It's a lot of fun on the straights and makes an incredible noise but it's too much of a GT and is a real handful at track days.

After having a few cars with various single/dual clutch paddle shift transmissions I'm ready to go back to a 3 pedal setup. The last Porsche I drove was an acquaintance's 997 GT3 and it was really nice. The clutch was very heavy but the shifter was solid, positive, and just felt good.

For balancing practicality and performance I like the 991 C2 S. But most (if not all) the cars on the local lots are PDK. I'd like to hear some impressions from stick shift owners on stuff like how the clutch and shifter feel, etc. If you've tracked it does the spacing between the 7 gears feel good or are you constantly changing gears to keep the revs in the sweet spot?

Thanks and have fun...

chuckbdc

To be honest I have not driven a manual 991- but I don't think you would be getting into 7th at the track- it is an overdrive, and there are few straights where one can get up in the 180 mph range on a closed course with a street car. Porsche describes it as follows:

Gears 1 to 6 have a sports ratio and top speed is reached in 6th gear. The additional 7th gear, however, has a long ratio, which reduces torque and helps to reduce fuel consumption. Lower engine revs at fast driving speeds also ensure a high level of comfort on long stretches of road.

william_b_noble

I have a manual 991, the 7 speed trans is quite nice - but I do have some other concerns with the car itself - I don't find myself shifting more often than with my 993, less often than with my 356 or 944. The clutch is good also, nice feel, not too heavy (but heavier than a 944, about the same as the 993)

Gatr7

Love it!

certified_prime

The 991 extends pretty far into GT range, but is still sports car enough. The manual transmission is glorious...wonderful feel to the notchiness. While I haven't ever engaged 7th, it still affects the left-to-right range of the shifter throw, and sometimes I am a little unsure of which gear I am shifting into before I let out the clutch. That said, I am sure that once I adjust properly, it will be intuitive.

i just wish the gear number popped up on the dash BEFORE the clutch was released. I wouldn't fear a money shift as much.

neanicu

You can't shift from 4th to 7th,you can only shift to 5th. The only way you can engage 7th is from 6th.
Same on downshift from what I've heard,I haven't tried this one,but you can't downshift from 7th into 4th,only 6th.

neanicu

Actually on downshift I guess you can,just pop from 7th into neutral,slow down a bit and then engage whichever gear you think is proper for the speed...

Nicoli35

I shift from 5th to 7th alot Also from 7th into anything. If you just push/pull vertically the stick shift guides itself into the next lower gear which is nice.

It's a great manual tranny - really satisfying.

neanicu

I tried to shift from 4th to 7th or from 5th to 7th during my test drive but couldn't...maybe I didn't try hard enough...
Also I believe I've read somewhere that Porsche installed a safety on the new tranny so you can't shift to 7th unless you're in 6th...maybe I'm wrong...

Nicoli35

It's 5th or 6th into 7th, yup

parkerfe

I have put 11k+ miles since June on my 991C2S w/7mt and love it. I came from a M5 w/SMG and S5 w/DSG and love getting back to a three-pedal manual again. The tranny shifts with a nice click, the gears are perfectly spaced and the clutch is easy to modulate whether shifting fast or slow. My 21 mile commute to work each day is a real joy.

duxsi

I came from a mt M5 to the 991s w/7mt.
Night and day and much better feel than the BMW.
After 2000 miles, the clutch isn't as heavy as it used to be, and perfectly fine for traffic.
5th to 7th or 6th to 7th - not a problem. 4th to 7th is a no-no.
Downshifting from 7th to anything works perfectly fine.

7th is an overdrive gear with a long ratio, but still has enough torque to move you if you're feeling lazy..

Best mt that I've driven since my 993 (and that 92' Corrado SLC )

clembo

I have a 991S w/stick - it is less nochy than a BMW stick (had a few). Everyone else has already told you how fun the car is to drive but another benefit of the 991 is they repsitioned the shifter a little higher, closer to the steering wheel than it was in the 997. This makes it even better for quick shifts on the track.

Like any Porsche, the 991 has compromises, but it is the best one yet, and I love it with a stick.

pfijcali

I only have 600 miles on my 991S 7MT, but I am very happy with it. The MT is intuitive - don't be scared off by the number of gears. The clutch is lighter than my 1989 930, but not too much. The gear change is smooth and precise. One thing I am still getting used to is the position of the shift **** - it is higher than what I am used to. It just seems to sit a little too high for my taste. But I guess I'll get used to it.

mtbscott

I love the manual on my 991 base. Clutch and shifter were both pretty stiff when brand new but now at 3K miles they're like butter. Haven't been to a track yet but I can tell you the overall ratios are pretty tall. I suspect most trackwork will be in 3/4 with occasional wanders into 2 and 5.