Manual vs PDK
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 401
Likes: 57
Manual vs PDK
I got a chance to drive my clients 997.2 s with Manual. I know there are tons of people on here who would never think of owning anything but a manual - just curious , have most who prefer manual ever driven the PDK? I found the exact opposite to be true, the manual felt very slow and kind of boring , while PDK with sport mode "felt" much more exciting and engaging to drive...I respect wanting to "drive" a car but I find the PDK so awesome on the Porsche. Anyone pick PDK after they had heart set on a manual ?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 28,108
Likes: 2,322
From: DFW, Texas
Novel idea for a thread. Never considered this topic before. That said, last P was a Cayman S 6 speed. Loved it. Current is a 997.2 PDK. Enjoyed both. With a bit of arthritis I enjoy the PDK more these days. It's also smarter and quicker than I am and doesn't miss shifts and over rev. Clutch is still there, I just don't have to bother with it when stuck in traffic.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,612
Likes: 424
From: Raleigh, North Carolina
The car I had before my '09 PDK was a Honda S2000. It had a six speed manual. Frankly, in a daily driver, I found six speeds to be tiresome (and you needed all six speeds in that car since it was lacking in the torque department).
I love manual transmissions, but I don't miss self-shifting my car. And yes, I have driven a 997 with a manual.
I love manual transmissions, but I don't miss self-shifting my car. And yes, I have driven a 997 with a manual.
Track Day
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: DFW, Texas
I had never driven an automatic until my first pickup truck 7-ish years ago. Soon after, I went on a "supercar experience" trip where I got to pilot a Gallardo, Murcielago, F430, 599, and SLR north of Seattle. I decided then that flappy paddles are not that bad! 
Now, after years in both Los Angeles and Dallas traffic, I fully appreciate a good push-button or no-thinking transmission... but I still wanted a stick in my 997. I love how engaging it is and the experience has made me fall in love with driving all over again!
I like both, but this time I picked stick!
Now, after years in both Los Angeles and Dallas traffic, I fully appreciate a good push-button or no-thinking transmission... but I still wanted a stick in my 997. I love how engaging it is and the experience has made me fall in love with driving all over again!
I like both, but this time I picked stick!
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 88
Likes: 18
From: CO
I drove an STi before I bought my 911. PDK is superior to any manual any day of the week from a technical perspective (in my opinion). I also got sick of the driving experience in the Boston stop and go traffic.
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8th Gear
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 8
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I'm in my first 997 and it's a manual. I've driven a PDK and liked it, but I'm enjoying the manual quite a bit. Super connected to the car and I like the involvement. It's fun. It's what I learned on. My '76 Ford truck is a 3 on-the-tree and no power steering, it's work...and it's great.
IMO, Porsche awesomeness is more visceral with a manual. I think a manual Porsche has to be on your list. Having said all that, I know some day I'll own a 911 with PDK and will love the hell out of it, too.
IMO, Porsche awesomeness is more visceral with a manual. I think a manual Porsche has to be on your list. Having said all that, I know some day I'll own a 911 with PDK and will love the hell out of it, too.
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Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2008
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From: Somewhere in a galaxy far, far away....
I enjoy the stick in my 2008 turbo. But i hate it in rush hour traffic. Next turbo will be PDK as my city car.
My GT4CS is PDK and i love it. Wouldnt want a stick in my race car.
My GT3RS is a stick and i wouldnt want it anyother way. Weekend hot rod.
Bottom line, it depends on the car and the intended use.
My GT4CS is PDK and i love it. Wouldnt want a stick in my race car.
My GT3RS is a stick and i wouldnt want it anyother way. Weekend hot rod.
Bottom line, it depends on the car and the intended use.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 466
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From: Northeast
To say one is better than the other is foolhardy. It is apples and oranges. They are both outstanding but obviously very different, and it really is a matter of personal taste based on any number of factors including how congested traffic is where you live, whether you plan to track it, how much you desire to row those gears, etc. Drive both and buy what you like.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,274
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From: Victoria, Texas
To say one is better than the other is foolhardy. It is apples and oranges. They are both outstanding but obviously very different, and it really is a matter of personal taste based on any number of factors including how congested traffic is where you live, whether you plan to track it, how much you desire to row those gears, etc. Drive both and buy what you like.
Racer
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 488
Likes: 13
From: SoCal
Old (vintage or classic) car: Manual
New(er) car: PDK (or whatever the manufacturer wants to call it).
Newer cars were built with these transmissions in mind, and I think are more "in character" with the car. So, in a modern Porsche, PDK all the way.
On a vintage car, give me the 5 speed manual. Again, it goes with the character of the car.
Interestingly, I just bought a 2016 Ford Focus for my daughter. It has the power shift transmission, which is a dual clutch transmission. Not as nice as the Porsche version, and Ford had issues with the early ones (hopefully fixed now), but still very cool.
New(er) car: PDK (or whatever the manufacturer wants to call it).
Newer cars were built with these transmissions in mind, and I think are more "in character" with the car. So, in a modern Porsche, PDK all the way.
On a vintage car, give me the 5 speed manual. Again, it goes with the character of the car.
Interestingly, I just bought a 2016 Ford Focus for my daughter. It has the power shift transmission, which is a dual clutch transmission. Not as nice as the Porsche version, and Ford had issues with the early ones (hopefully fixed now), but still very cool.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 144
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From: Seattle, WA
I think the manual can be more engaging since you're rowing the gears yourself and get the feeling of being more connected to the car. Having said that, I went from wanting a manual to a PDK and so far I'm loving the duality of it: great for stop and go traffic (it's my DD) and amazing for when the roads clear (sport mode + paddles = race car ). I also love that you can shift faster and have launch control with the PDK.
). I also love that you can shift faster and have launch control with the PDK.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2007
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I, for one, welcome our computer overlords 
Seriously, it's an easy question: do you wanna do the shifting, or let the computer?
I, for one, prefer to drive a sports car myself. I don't need every last second shaved off a lap time, nor do I care if I'm slightly slower to 60, so I don't need the computer to shift for me.
For those track rats, old men with bad knees, or anyone else who prefers to let the car shift for you, have at it.
Different strokes for different folks
Seriously, it's an easy question: do you wanna do the shifting, or let the computer?
I, for one, prefer to drive a sports car myself. I don't need every last second shaved off a lap time, nor do I care if I'm slightly slower to 60, so I don't need the computer to shift for me.
For those track rats, old men with bad knees, or anyone else who prefers to let the car shift for you, have at it.
Different strokes for different folks
