Para82

Reliability is a major factor here. I've heard of replacement units required for small repairs - that's expensive.

For a car that you are going to keep for 10+ years possibly 20, would you consider a 2009-2011 PDK? Will that become like owning a 1999 Ferrari F1 trans - which is dreadful now.

Maybe a classic 6speed gearbox handles the test of time better and is more durable?

I prefer 6 speed on the street driving - i haven't tracked either but plan on doing so with the newer addition. I'm keeping my original 997S 6 speed, this would be 2nd Porsche.

Thoughts on insight on long term ownership for PDK vs. a classic 6 speed gearbox would be appreciated.

Blu311

I'm a 6 speed guy... So my official vote has nothing to do with PDK reliability.

After being on the 997 forum for a few years, the PDKs are proving to be pretty reliable in my opinion. If the failures become more prevalent in the future, I'm guessing there will be cheaper fixes or replacements than there are now. Remember, all new pcars, (macan, cayenne, panamera, etc) come with PDK and as all these cars age, my guess is that someone will open up the PDK and figure how to fix/repair/replace at a somewhat reasonable cost. But I could be wrong.

Eli355

I just replaced an 07 tip for a 12 Pdk. Fantastic improvement and a great transmission. I also own a 996 6 speed which is great fun to drive, but I must say the Pdk is sport plus blows the 6 speed away.

Philster

We're over romanticizing the manual trans. It's down to 'engagement' now... but you could also get crappy all-season tires and reduce the car's potential and wind up MUCH more engaged, as the handling gets squirrelly and you get involved (engaged) more.

I just need a manual trans in my life. I can't do a manual on my daily anymore. Knees and hip won't handle it. I don't need a manual in my 997. I'd get a 997.2 PDK in a minute -- no hesitation, provided I had some car... even a 6,000 dollar beater car... with a manual trans. They're fun.. just like Go Karts are fun.

I had a GTI with DSG (dual clutch trans) and my Audi now has it. They are amazing and enjoyable. As long as I have one manual in my life, I'm good. But it doesn't have to be the Porsche anymore.

None of my comments apply to Tip or any other old automatic slushbox. In those cases, I'd stick to the manual.

.

Para82

I'm not seeing a lot of PDK owners come in here to say the trans is bulletproof which is making me hesitant. I wonder if the 2009-20211 PDK will be completely out of date in a few years (or perhaps already is?)

Carmichael

With as many problems as I'm having with the clutch in my MT car, I'm wishing for a PDK right about now.

But, I can fix this myself. No dice with a PDK ...

stevepow

Probably because we don't know. Although, it felt like more of a dice roll 6 years ago when PDK was new, but now Porsche is shipping so many that I have to hope it will be long term vialble.

At some point there will inevitably be problems; one assumes machines wear out - nothing is bullet proof. They question of how those problems can be resolved, reasonably down the road, is still out there. Sure, an MT may have issues, but at least you more or less know how that will be sorted out and what the cost could be - with PDK - still a matter of faith once the warranty is gone.

I love my PDK car - always fun to drive - every day I still enjoy it so much. It's a brilliant car. If I could have a second one to go with it, it definitey would be MT for the variety!

Ben Z

Reliability wouldn't be a consideration for me. I have no beef with automatic transmissions and the PDK is probably one of the best going. But to me an automatic goes with a tomb-silent cabin and a suspension that could run over fallen trees with barely a thump. If I'm going to endure the noise and ride of a sports car I want a 3-pedal MT.

Cysco

no one has owned a pdk car for 10-20 years so there's no telling. FWIW (and that's not much) I'm on my second gen 1 PDK car and have never once had a problem. My first porsche (2007 cayman 6-mt) had the clutch go out. Couple grand for a clutch and flywheel. So when you look at it that way, the 6-mt is less reliable in my experience. lol

There are incredibly few stories of PDK transmissions breaking and the fact that porsche is still putting essentially the exact same transmission in their current cars should tell you something.

ElectricChair

13k miles and no problems with my PDK.

If you decide to go to the PDK route you might consider to get one with Sport Chrono Package Plus (launch control).

wwilliams88

92,000 Miles on my 09 C2 with PDK. No problems here

ru'

Give it time and more companies will be able to repair these too. It's not as if they're cast as one piece with all the cogs and clutches inside the mold. It's just a gearbox, even if it is fancy...

gr1275

'11 S with PDK... only 13K miles but, so far so good. It has Sport and Sport Chrono. I drive it in Sport mode around town and turn it off on the highway. I think it is a great match to the car and would do it again if I ever migrate to a 991.

Gary

upier

I have a 2011 C2S with a PDK and 40k miles . No issues or problems at all.

cerbomark

I would only lease one at this point and for owning it would be the 6 speed.