So I learned that I **might** have an opportunity at an allocation for a Spyder RS.... and I think I'm gonna bail on it, mostly due to the PDK.

I currently have a 718 Spyder. Actually my 2nd one (long story). Love it to death - between this one and my first one I've put 40k miles on them. Most of the good options, including the manual trans. Added a Soul muffler to it for a little bit of sound, nice set of wheels for a little upgrade in the looks department. GT pedigree, gooder GT4 suspension (so I can put an actual functional alignment on it for autocross use), etc. I enjoy cruising around town with it, autocrossing it, taking it into the mountains... it's just the perfect car.

Then the SRS came out. More aggressive looks, GT3 motor, RS pedigree... but... PDK. What a bummer IMO. I was still interested but figured I'd never get an alloc.

Then my dealer buddy called me. Known him for years - my car buying relationship (11? purchases and easily another 15 referrals that were actual sales) over the years turned into an actual friendship... nowadays almost all of our conversations have nothing to do with cars. But he said he was told that PCNA might be sending him an unexpected, extra SRS alloc - and he'd put my name on it if I wanted it. I immediately sent him a build code. Not super thrilled about PDK but it's an MSRP deal and I figured, worst case, I sell it back to him in a year, get all my money back and then some, and go find another pleb 718 Spyder. (Note at the time of his phone call, usual ADMs on these were $50k+)

(Before you go asking "What dealer?!?"... he's doing MSRP because of (a) aformentioned relationship and (b) he knows I'd buy it to drive it, not flip it, and if I ever sold it, I'd sell it back to him. That deal would not be extended to anybody else he doesn't already know.)

Now I see ADMs are coming down. I think I saw 2 here on RL in the last couple weeks in the $20k range. That starts to change my opinion and enthusiasm for the deal. Especially since, to feel comfortable doing it - I'd trade in both my Spyder and my Macan (which I also love) and would go find a little Honda CRV or something to daily. The value is starting to evaporate to me... in a way, I kinda am at "peak garage" status haha.

Local friend of mine owns a 4RS (and a regular Spyder... and two DeMan GT4's). He let me spend a few hours with the RS a few weeks ago, as after talking to him about my dilemma - even HE couldn't really give me a clear answer. Once I got used to the RS... my initial concerns seemed confirmed. 9000rpm = awesome, although it does not seem to have the midrange grunt the standard 4.0 has. The PDK is an amazing piece of tech. Lighting fast shifts. WOT upshifts, the way it cracks them off... and the instant downshifts... amazing. Addicting. BUT... just driving around town? It's an automatic. Pull away from a stop sign and it's in 4th gear before I clear the intersection. If I drove around in "manual mode" that... helped... I suppose? But then I just felt like a poser, like when I see your usual "Infiniti G37 bro" driving his automatic like a manual.

I think I'm just gonna stick with my regular Spyder. It's not that I think the RS "isn't worth it" - I think the RS is a KILLER car. It's more that I think the "regular" Spyder is just SO GOOD. I think the regular one is undervalued compared to the RS. I could argue the RS is "better" but not $60k+ "better" than the base Spyder. In the end it just felt like the same car, but with a slightly different engine and an automatic.

Am I weird?

 

 

Not weird at all. You understand your preference and the manual experience defines the sports car engagement you require. I agree in full and would not consider any automatic in any version for the sports car driving experience I prefer on twisty back roads and tours. My PDK Macan is fine for commuting and around town parking. If I was track oriented and focused on shaving seconds, the tool to be competitive would require a PDK. Those days are long gone for me and I’m grateful I can capably use 3 pedals with no need for autoblip, but more so can climb in and out of LWBS without embarrassment 😀

 

not weird - I did the same...

 

Not weird, no - everyone has their own likes and dislikes. Nothing wrong with that.

In your situation, I would say that there are other options out there that would scratch the MT "itch", and for a lot less money than your current Spyder. Which means (to me) you'd be missing an opportunity if you passed on the RS due to the lack of a manual.

The GT4 / Spyder RSs are just too good to let one pass you by, and especially at MSRP.

 

Not weird at all! I've also struggled with this dilemma! A major factor in my area is traffic congestion. It's really taken the joy out of rowing your own when you're stuck creeping around in 1st and 2nd for a majority of your outing. It usually takes a good hour and a half to get out of the city/metropolitan area, before you can get to some good roads, but I have to remember, you still have to come back home to this mess! 😭

Moving to SRS was acceptable because I was still keeping the excitement of the sound, which for me, outweighs the factor of rowing your own gears. I can rest confidently that I am a proficient master in the art of driving a manual but now choose PDK to do the work.

 

I really wish they would've have the Spyder RS with a manual... but my 2018 GT3 was PDK and even though I prefer manuals, it was still very fun. I am hoping to acquire an SRS allocation even though it has PDK, to me I think it would be a different kind of excitement compared to the manual and my wife could also drive it (while I drive the touring).

 

Yeah I'd still be IN on one if it came with a manual. Even then, puttering around town, I'm still interacting with the car.

Even when sitting in traffic... a manual has never bothered me. And that's coming from someone who spent 10+ years, 5 days a week, 3.5-4 hours a day commuting in Chicago rush hour traffic.

 

Not weird at all. I have both at the moment. They are very different machines, both very great for a particular type of driving enthusiast. Manual is a big difference, but the character of the Spyder is more playful/less serious. The RS is hardcore in comparison. The engine is on another level, but I don't miss having it when driving the Spyder.

If you spend on the Spyder the equivalent of average SRS ADM on a proper exhaust, re-gear with shorter ratios, lightened flywheel, maybe a shifter linkage upgrade...not sure how it gets much better than that for a manual sports car.

 

The ST has the 9000 RPM engine and a manual so we know it is possible. It would have been great if they built a few of them manual. Aftermarket swap?

 

Long time manual owner, took my driver's license in a manual vehicle nearly 30 years ago.... Owned an S2000 for 20 years.... Still have a 991.2 Targa with a manual and the license plate reads FPDK....

The PDK in the 4RS is amazing and I see it as an added benefit for the car. Does not take away from the experience.

 

If they did a manual and worked on a less ridiculous top I'd pitch a homeless tent at the dealer until they gave me an allocation. Until then I'll suffer with my lowly Spyder so no, not weird.

 

most critics complain about the gearing in the manual gt4 and spyder so i wouldnt worry about giving up stick shift for pdk in srs

 

The PDK in the SRS is amazing and bangs gears perfectly. I prefer the PDK for sure, but all that is subjective.

 

Nope. You should be able to get what you want for approaching a quarter of a million dollars.