403portside

I live in the Bay Area and am a former 997 owner (and current '87 Carrera 3.2 owner) who is considering taking the plunge towards the 992 S coupe in a manual. I drove a C2S Cab in PDK at Porsche Marin and loved the power and handling but wasn't blown away by the experience, I think because of the PDK. I think it's a stellar transmission but every time I've driven a PDK it leaves me wanting more. I *think* it's a pretty safe bet that a manual would satisfy me but obviously given low inventories it's hard to drive on before placing an order. I am hoping the manual is a little more mechanical driveline inertia, which I personally find thrilling.

I'd be curious to hear about a) your experience test driving a PDK and taking a leap of faith on the manual, and how you liked it and how it was different or b) any ideas for finding a manual to drive in the Bay Area!

Thanks in advance.

Richard_Wallace

If you were closer I would let you drive mine. I can say from having only MT porsches in the past and also having the new 992 MT C4S, it is one of the best implementation of the manual of nearly any Porsche I have had (save the GT cars). Even better feel / execution than my 991. Short throughs, smooth but still mechanical, short enough gears (could be shorter, but still better than other models I have had). They did a really nice job with it.

4carl

Just picked up mine last week . The best MT car ive had, this is my 41st traded my GT4. carl

colnagoG60

You could try contacting local PCA members.

Dan Nagy

There were no MT’s to test drive when I ordered my car, so it was a leap of faith. Having had the 991.2 MT, I knew it would be at least that good. Check out this review.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/reviews...manual-review/

aggie57

Same here as others, in that I ordered sight unseen but coming from previous manual 911's. In my case a manual 997.2 C2S which in my mind had a sublime gearbox (sigh!). I actually pre-ordered my 992 (C2S) as soon as they were announced in late 2019 so nobody had seen them. I had driven manual 991's as well, both .1 and .2, and to be frank I wasn't that impressed, over at the PECLA centre in particular I found myself getting stuck between gears on several occasions. Unfortunately they don't seem to offer a manual 992 experience now otherwise I'd suggest that for sure.

Bottom line though, you won't be disappointed with the manual in a 992. It's very well executed, amazing really how far they've developed a gearbox that is essentially a carry over from the 991. Still not quite at the same level as the Aisin 6-speed in the 997 but very, very close.

RedTide

Typically dealers don't use their allocations to order show room models with a manual because they are harder to sell.
But I also took a leap of faith after driving a 992 at a similar track event. I'm coming from a 2012 TTRS ( which I also didn't drive before purchase ) so I'm excited to drive a three pedal C4S and compare the differences.
Also, obligatory, first Porsche.
Kind of curious if any Porsche track events have manual transmissions.

malibu515

This was my conundrum last year. Wait until the release of the Manual or happily chose the PDK for my C4S.
I drove 150 miles to the ToyBarn in Columbus where they let me try the 2018 991.2 manual. Although it is not in the
new 992, I have been told that it is quite similar to the last model's in use and performance. However, then I saw
the video by Nick Murray, and he noted that there is a noticeable improvement to the manual ,The new manual offering
in the 992 is similar to placing a short shifter making the throws more crisp and satisfying.
I doubt you would regret in any way getting the manual.

SamD

Had a 981BS PDK and now a 992CS MT and while the 981 was blast, I enjoy the MT so much more. When carving up the back roads of Napa County the choice to go MT will seem like it should've been obvious . . .

bkknight369

In the same boat, ordering a 7MT effectively sight unseen

3rdpedal

I have a '08 997.1 C4S Manual Cab and ordered a C2S Coupe Manual having only driven the PDK. Leap of faith. Lots of reading.

aggie57

Actually, reading these posts does anyone know of someone who has bought a manual 992 and not liked it? I guess there must be someone!

ryandarr1979

I ordered my 992 C2S manual without having driven a manual, only a PDK. I don’t regret it at all. The manual is outstanding. The throws are just right, the shifter is notchy, and precise, almost 991.2 GT3 precise. Not vague like early 991.1s. It seems Porsche spent a lot of time getting it right. My only gripe, which is REALLY minor, is the relatively low rev limit when launching of 3500rpm as the car bogs due to the grip of the tires, so it’s impossible to break the tires loose on launch. That’s fine though since when you get it right, the car just hooks and pulls away and in fractions of a second, you’re really moving. The 992 manual is a lot of fun to row. If you were on the east coast, I’d be happy to let you drive it but don’t let a test drive away you. I love this car more than my 991.2 C2GTS manual, and I loved that car.

sweylo

I received my manual C2S about 3 months ago and I must say that it seems to shift even better now then when I first drove it, so perhaps there's a break-in for the transmission as well.

DrewTJ50

I’m taking the same leap of faith. Upcoming July delivery for 2021 C2S MT having been a previous owner of a 991.1 C2S w PDK. I was able to test drive a PDK 992 but no manual. The last manual I owned was my turbocharged Integra in high school. Can’t wait to get back into it.