Da Hapa

Amen.

There's no wrong choice, only the choice that's right for you as an enthusiast.

BTW - not P car related but I saw this video on Jay Leno's garage last night wherein he and Justin Bell discuss the new R8 V10. Justin Bell asks Jay why he prefers the "old school" three pedal, manual transmission and Jay does an excellent job of relaying how I feel. In a nutshell, we both agree the current dual clutch, 2 pedal tranny's are amazing and undeniably quicker than the human but not as fun to drive.

Here's a link to the video if anyone is interested:
http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/...8-v10/1191694/

swajames

Great video. You know, I think Jay and Justin Bell have it nailed. There's absolutely no doubt that one can be faster in a modern dual-clutch automatic like the PDK, but, as Jay puts it, the level of involvement has to be less when the car can shift whether you're in it or not...

Quadcammer

Oh? Then why didn't you buy a Z06. Its far faster than even a Carrera S, so it must have more driver involvement.

An 89 G50 3.2 has arguably more involvement than a 996, and its WAY slower.

LlBr

Yeah that brings a good point. Get what you want but make sure you try it (PDK) first.

Remember the "old days" when we were younger, all excited and we'd run up to a cool car to take a look inside. "Wow, Lookit this! The speedometer goes to 160!" and then many times followed the lower tone of disappointment, "Oh, too bad, it's an automatic."

Also my first car as a kid HAD TO HAVE a manual: period!

Now, probably knowing the difference between slush buckets and PDK, kids will run up to car and say, "Wow, it's got PDK - paddle shifters!"

Sadly for us all (PDK and manual advocates) the next generation will have forgotten the manual, "Jay Leno who? Oh, THAT old guy!? So what?"

swajames

Only those who have PlayStations...

Mike in CA

I have the PDK and love it, but I totally get what Leno and all the 6-speed guys love about the manual too. Enjoyed the video. Thanks!

Condor

Re: Melbourne and SF...

- Similar climates (doesn't snow often in either; doesn't stick when it does)
- Live in the cultural shadow of a coastal juggernaut (Sydney and LA)
- Focus on food culture
- Iconoclasm
- Coffee
- It's what my friends from Mebourne always say when they're here and I'm there

LlBr

More PDK data. For purposes of discussion.
I have this for the new 2010 Turbo compared to 997.1TT. Sorry I don't have the NA comp.

Just showing how PDK looks like some lasting fun. Best manual times are 3.9 and 3.6. PDK = 3.4

QUESTION: I seriously don't plan to beat the sht outta my car to get those advertised times. IOW, since I'm not a highly experienced trackster, and I don't want to get huge repair bills, consequently I will never get those max fun times with my manual. Is it safe to assume PDK guys will get those extremely cool times routinely without beating the sht out of their cars? If so, that's certainly sweetens the deal in favor of PDK. Again, no disrespect, to each his/her own.

Targa Tim

this is very true. I don't expect my kids or grandkids to learn to drive manual cars.

this is actually good news, as they will not need to steal my car keys...

Quadcammer

Bet you couldn't tell the difference between 3.9 and 3.4 seconds to 60.

Also, using a manual tranny or the PDK to repeatedly do this type of acceleration run will result in clutch or transmission wear/damage.

stevepow

It would be really interesting to see the MT backgrounds of everyone offering opinions for or against either MT or PDK.

For example, me:

6 years AT (daily drivers)
30 years of various ATs (occasional use/mostly rentals).
15 years of AT SUVs (occasional use).
20 years driving MTs (daily drivers)
3 years SMG (daily driver)
6 months PDK (daily driver)

All the pros and cons of MT are probably pretty well known to this group - maybe I'm going out on a limb with that assumption. PDK however, only the people who have driven them for the year or less they've been available are going to really know much about them in detail.

The posts I read about PDK test drives just don't seem very informed. I can appreciate that some drivers know they prefer an MT and that's fine - I totally get that, but most non-owners don't seem to understand much about PDK at all - inf fact many owners, including me, are still learning. I continue to be impressed and am still enjoying it.

LlBr

I wonder. Seems that the computer involved in PDK would avoid massive energy mismanagement and resultant damage and excessive wear much better than us amateurs (or even professionals?) furiously rowing thru gears. Just sayin' No biggie. Interesting.

stevepow

If you have to use launch control, and I'm guessing yes, then even the manual suggests that it causes additional wear and stress on the components. No surprise really.

But for amateurs yes, I think PDK helps - that's why my service center doesn't have any MTs for loaners - people break them.

LlBr

Yeah, you're probably right; it's depressing that "launch control" seems a likely euphemism for the controlled demolition of your drive train. There should be an asterisk next to 0-60 times saying, "only works on stolen cars."

BTW, I'm calling us all amateurs when it comes to trying to duplicate 0-60 times. You'd have to destroy how many trannys to achieve the factory's 0-60 time results and rank as a "professional" in that regard?

CamsPorsche

I drove my mates Gallardo in auto and found I wasn't paying attention as much as I normally would in a manual. To me that's why I still prefer a manual car...