OK, admittingly, you got me. The 991 is longer, yet not wider; with a lower and raked windshield and roofline, yet roughly the same hight as the 997; and has a longer wheelbase and shorter overhangs. But, I guess, somehow it's proportionally identical to the 997.

 

Tom,
I'm sure you could put up with a 991. It's not like a stick in the eye. :+p

 

I completely agree on this. The console is pretty much the biggest issue with interior design I have. Especially with a stick shift. It makes the stick position not where I'd like it to be. And 997 design just makes it so much more natural to keep your arm positioned for quick shifting. When in light cruising mode I almost always find my right hand relaxing on the shifter ball

 

The 991 just feels slower to me and doesn't put a big smile on my face like the 997. I like it but the drive doesn't excite me the way a 997 does.

 

That's a good point and it begs the question, "Is this further evidence that it the objective of Porsche, given such a layout, to marginalize manual shifting in favor of PDK?"

 

Doubt it. More likely they're just responding to market forces. If the demand for manuals was there, why would they stack the showrooms and parking lots with PDK cars? The more cars they sell the more money they make. That's all they care and they will build cars based on that objective only. And if you don't believe it, look at the competition. Same exact trend.

 

Local dealer tells me 70%+ of 991s they sell are PDK. I'd take that with a grain of salt given that 80% of 997.1s sold are manual but still, it appears that PDKs are taking over which is a shame. Same dealer says 991 sells fine, better than 997. They're attracting a different clientele with the 991?

 

Its very possible that the layout was optimized with PDK in mind. I am sure that PDK demand is higher. It was quite difficult even to find a manual 991 S for a test drive while PDKs are readily available. That's why I was thinking a 997 GTS to begin with. However, 7sp 991s are still there and those 7sp manuals are not as bad as I feared. This is good news for us stick shift lovers, as we still have a choice with 991.

 

PDK has nothing to do with why 80% of 997.1's sold with manual. The only choices with 997.1's were manual and the depressing tiptronic so not much of a choice. A better reference would be the same stats for 997.2's when PDK was introduced. No clue but I'm guessing 50/50 with that car.

 

PDK is a performer and it's porsche's top tranny. Times are changing. In Germany, haven't automatics been more in demand for awhile? I like my manual but I'm intrigued by the pdk.

 

I have the PDK in the Panamera and a stick in my 997. They are perfect for each car. The PDK is really a great transmission, but as long as I can still shift myself, that's what I'd prefer to do. Especially in a sports car.

As for the 991, I've yet to drive one. I've just been so turned off by every car that I've driven with electrical assist steering, and the reviews on that on the Porsche haven't been so great. Thanks to the OP for a different perspective.

 

While I have a manual at the moment I would definitely consider pdk for my next one. The main reason being is that my wife is just more comfortable with it and for me at least one of the main attractions to owning this car is sharing it with my partner.

Also in the 991 and 981 it sounds like PDK is so good now that it isn't such a big sacrifice and lets be honest would be a lot nicer to drive when you are stuck in traffic or only slowly pottering around, so I can personally see why the manual is approaching the end of its days in new cars.

 

I've never driven a 997 PDK, but I was amazed how different 991s with PDK and 7sp manual were. Two completely different cars IMO. And BTW I have no doubts that my wife would like a PDK better LOL

 

Great write-up on the GTS and 991!

These images were taken from the Christophorus magazine. I've got the edition 352 and its October/November 2011 where each is its own page. If you were to frame them as I plan they would make a great wall display showing each iteration...

 

Here is an interesting question: If manual transmissions are on their way out, then why is it that manual trannys are commanding substantially more money than tiptronic/pdk cars on the used market? I ask this because I am in the market for an 08-09 TT and based upon my research, tiptronic transmissions are plentiful and seem to be commanding substantially less money than cars equipped with a manual transmission. I am a purist and I love the manual tranny. I love the ability to work this fabulous machine. I agree, the computer controlled trannys are better at shifting than I am, but one of the most indescribable experiences is my ability to work this awesome automobile to the best of my VERY limited abilitiy.
Just a thought...