Kancamagus

The manual/PDK discussion in Thedude’s thread got me to thinking. Would you trade your PDK 981 for an identical manual version, having had it for over a year? No cost, just magic. I am so completely on the fence I cant even give a good answer. There is much to love about the PDK. Demonstrably faster, slightly better gearing. If I could snap my fingers and change....I dunno, I might. Would anybody switch?

WenigerAberBeser

I switched from PDK to MT (albeit different cars). I always had MT and wanted something to maximize performance. I realized maximizing performance meant giving up engagement and ultimately fun. The PDK is fun in its own way but for me I believe there is no substitute for the fun and engagement you get from a MT.

I don’t think I will ever go back to PDK or Automatics which means most new(er) cars aren’t appealing to me.

g00dparsh

If I daily drove my car I could not see regretting the pdk at all. As is though, as a second vehicle I would have absolutely regretted it. The manual is too good to pass up if you really don't need the compromise, but traffic would start to wear on me with how much I drive.

​​​​​​Also, cannot picture the 2.7 engine being nearly as entertaining with the pdk as it is with the Manuel.

deilenberger

After 6 months with PDK - I have absolutely no desire to ever drive a manual transmission car again (and I've driven them for something over 56 years). The 2.9L engine is more entertaining with PDK than with manual since you never have to worry about over-revs or money shifts. Put it in Sport-Plus mode, and as long as you keep your foot on the pedal every shift will be a perfectly executed WFO 7,200RPM shift. There is no way I'd risk doing that with a manual transmission - too many things can go wrong. There is a reason Ferrari only makes and sells PDK cars now.

okie981

No way, no how. I sold my GT4 mainly because I owned my Boxster S at the same time and enjoyed the PDK with top-down life. If the GT4 had PDK, that would have been a very tough decision on which one to keep.....

johnkuz

Not for a moment do i regret the pdk. I have a 2015 981 gts. Had a 997 manual and sitting on i95 in traffic with left leg fatigue convinced me never again.

WenigerAberBeser

Yes, performance, as stated by CTO Michael Leiters in 2016.

There is also a reason why Porsche still makes MT.

oldbutslow

Nope. It’s been a pure revelation to drive the best auto tranny in the market. Living in a metro area, manuals are more work than enjoyment.

Kancamagus

There is no denying the entertainment value of the PDK, it makes me literally laugh out loud. But those brief moments of manual clutch engagement are what most of us learned to live for....perfect shift at the perfect time nirvana. I’m not saying I don't love my PDK, but it took some serious soul searching to buy one on the best sports cars of all time with an automatic. I suppose I just have to surrender to an even more perfect shift...

alvitdk

Wanted my car originally in manual but could not find one with the specs I liked, so I opted for the PDK. Absolutely no remorse at all, however, I don't drive the car in automatic but to 100% in manual mode, so the only real difference is no clutch. I also dont use the padel shifter, always using the stick. My next Pcar will definitely again be a pdk version.

SoCal-NSX

I was looking for my unicorn- a white on black 981 CS with X73, sport steering wheel with 20" Carrera S wheels ever since I saw a picture of this one on google images


when I finally found one that look just like that, I didn't care what transmission it had, although I preferred the manual....but after hearing so much about the PDK I was kinda glad it was........but I do miss my manuals that I had in my previous NSX's

As great as the PDK is I would swap it for a manual if I'm being honest, but the PDK is the superior transmission

Kuro Neko

My previous three Porsche were all manual, as were my other kyusha.
My neighbor worked for Audi, and I used to get slung the keys to keep the km up on his perquisite R8 - it was of course paddle-shift.
So much fun!



Buying a Cayman S, it was a PDK or nothing for me.
Launch Control!
That kick-up sound - ahhhummmm!
Two years now, no regrets.

I still get to drive stick on my friends' 1M, GT-B, and C4 if I need that itch scratched though...
Plus, most modern manuals these days - notably with rev matching - are practically DSG experiences anyway.

If you want real manual, you have to go back a few years regardless...

michaelscain

The PDK is great in traffic and has fast shifts, but for a drivers car the manual is the only way to enjoy these cars.

The Getawayer says it all.


Also interesting comparison in the video with the 991.

paddlefoot64

Do not own a PDK, but am wondering that now that the manual is actually a PDK version (single clutch, manual control), what’s it like to do a clutch replacement on the MT, or is it even possible? (Sorry for run-on sentence!)😁

ekam

Not true. That was only for the 7-speed manual on the 911.