manual vs PDK
#46
Instructor
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Some here are saying that a PDK makes for an easier-to-sell car. I don't know whether that's true or not. I do know that, as I've been looking at lightly used 911s, a PDK-equipped car isn't worth a single cent more than a manual-equipped car. So, you're arguing that someone should spend a non-recoverable $4k extra so that they might be able to sell their car a bit quicker once they're tired of it?
As has often been said here, everyone is different. For those who worry so much about gaining split seconds with a PDK, what are you going to do when the C7 Corvette's new 8-speed conventional, torque-converter-equipped automatic hits the streets? It shifts a few hundredths of a second faster than a PDK. Will you have a crisis of faith in Porsche? No. Why not? Because there is more to a car buying decision than just raw numbers...things like driving enjoyment, which, for some, includes shifting a manual transmission for themselves. To each his own...
Last edited by 1analguy; 04-09-2014 at 12:57 PM.
#47
The MT really makes driving the sports car fun for me. I don't think you show view the 7 gears as a deterrent to get the MT. You don't have to use those extra gears. They're just there b/c of the new fuel economy regulations. In most normal driving you probably won't use more than 5 gears.
I tried to PDK in both a test drive and the race track. To me it just ruined the experience of driving the car and I found it extremely boring. If you enjoy the manual get the manual car and find something fun to do with the $4,000 savings
I tried to PDK in both a test drive and the race track. To me it just ruined the experience of driving the car and I found it extremely boring. If you enjoy the manual get the manual car and find something fun to do with the $4,000 savings
So if someone doesn't find PDK boring to drive, it's a no brainer option. Also, if someone encounters stop and go traffic on a regular basis, it's an excellent choice.
#49
Steering, braking and throttle all exert control over the cars acceleration, which affects weight balance, which ultimately determines how much traction is available to make the car go where you want it to go. There is nothing menial about them. Steering, braking and throttle control require great skill. Shifting, not so much. As an instructor I have never seen anyone get into trouble shifting. When people crash its always lack of skill in steering, braking and/or throttle. Never shifting.
Oh sure, its nice when people are able to do it well, but its really not required. Which makes it, you know, menial. In a hundred-plus years we've eliminated hand cranking, manual spark advance, manual choke, a whole slew of menial tasks drivers once took great pride in being able to perform well. Even though, if the car was made better they wouldn't have to be done at all. Now, manual shifting. Ahh, progress.
#50
You left out the gas pedal.
Steering, braking and throttle all exert control over the cars acceleration, which affects weight balance, which ultimately determines how much traction is available to make the car go where you want it to go. There is nothing menial about them. Steering, braking and throttle control require great skill. Shifting, not so much. As an instructor I have never seen anyone get into trouble shifting. When people crash its always lack of skill in steering, braking and/or throttle. Never shifting.
Oh sure, its nice when people are able to do it well, but its really not required. Which makes it, you know, menial. In a hundred-plus years we've eliminated hand cranking, manual spark advance, manual choke, a whole slew of menial tasks drivers once took great pride in being able to perform well. Even though, if the car was made better they wouldn't have to be done at all. Now, manual shifting. Ahh, progress.
Steering, braking and throttle all exert control over the cars acceleration, which affects weight balance, which ultimately determines how much traction is available to make the car go where you want it to go. There is nothing menial about them. Steering, braking and throttle control require great skill. Shifting, not so much. As an instructor I have never seen anyone get into trouble shifting. When people crash its always lack of skill in steering, braking and/or throttle. Never shifting.
Oh sure, its nice when people are able to do it well, but its really not required. Which makes it, you know, menial. In a hundred-plus years we've eliminated hand cranking, manual spark advance, manual choke, a whole slew of menial tasks drivers once took great pride in being able to perform well. Even though, if the car was made better they wouldn't have to be done at all. Now, manual shifting. Ahh, progress.
#51
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I like both. First 911 that I have had with PDK - rest were all MT's. Sometimes I miss the MT. Solution is to have one of each.
#52
Burning Brakes
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I would think a MT is better for stop and go traffic. All the MT die hards enjoy rowing. You get to do more of it (rowing) in stop and go than in other situations. Perfect - right?
I like both. First 911 that I have had with PDK - rest were all MT's. Sometimes I miss the MT. Solution is to have one of each.
I like both. First 911 that I have had with PDK - rest were all MT's. Sometimes I miss the MT. Solution is to have one of each.
#53
Nordschleife Master
Same arguments from both camps as in the previous threads. Do you not see a pattern here or you just like to read your stories all over again? While the PDKists are pushing the hand crank and carburetors,the MANUALists are pushing involvement.
I'm no doctor,but isn't it called Obsessive Compulsive Disorder by any chance?
I'm no doctor,but isn't it called Obsessive Compulsive Disorder by any chance?
#54
Same arguments from both camps as in the previous threads. Do you not see a pattern here or you just like to read your stories all over again? While the PDKists are pushing the hand crank and carburetors,the MANUALists are pushing involvement.
I'm no doctor,but isn't it called Obsessive Compulsive Disorder by any chance?
I'm no doctor,but isn't it called Obsessive Compulsive Disorder by any chance?
#55
Instructor
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: S.E. Wisconsin, U.S.A.
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For all those who are whining about the familiar nature of this thread...if we're boring you, feel free to move on to something more interesting to you. Complaining here just makes you come off as "trollish" (needlessly/unproductively interfering with a thread), even though that's probably the farthest thing from your intent...
PDK also affects weight balance...negatively. But thanks for making my point, which is: with another few years of "progress", the manufacturers (probably including Porsche) will be selling autonomous cars that will eliminate the necessity to perform any of those functions which you're still willing to admit do have actual value. Then, those functions will be "menial" as well. At that point, are you going to throw in the towel and just sit back with a good book while your car whisks you from one location to another? I'll bet not. I suspect you'll be resisting autonomous operation right along with the rest of us. To some of us, the enjoyment of properly shifting our own manual transmissions falls into that same "valued" category of skills. The line on "progress" is constantly moving. Whether or not "progress" equates to actual improvement or not is always going to be subjective...
You left out the gas pedal.
Steering, braking and throttle all exert control over the cars acceleration, which affects weight balance, which ultimately determines how much traction is available to make the car go where you want it to go. There is nothing menial about them. Steering, braking and throttle control require great skill. Shifting, not so much. As an instructor I have never seen anyone get into trouble shifting. When people crash its always lack of skill in steering, braking and/or throttle. Never shifting.
Oh sure, its nice when people are able to do it well, but its really not required. Which makes it, you know, menial. In a hundred-plus years we've eliminated hand cranking, manual spark advance, manual choke, a whole slew of menial tasks drivers once took great pride in being able to perform well. Even though, if the car was made better they wouldn't have to be done at all. Now, manual shifting. Ahh, progress.
Steering, braking and throttle all exert control over the cars acceleration, which affects weight balance, which ultimately determines how much traction is available to make the car go where you want it to go. There is nothing menial about them. Steering, braking and throttle control require great skill. Shifting, not so much. As an instructor I have never seen anyone get into trouble shifting. When people crash its always lack of skill in steering, braking and/or throttle. Never shifting.
Oh sure, its nice when people are able to do it well, but its really not required. Which makes it, you know, menial. In a hundred-plus years we've eliminated hand cranking, manual spark advance, manual choke, a whole slew of menial tasks drivers once took great pride in being able to perform well. Even though, if the car was made better they wouldn't have to be done at all. Now, manual shifting. Ahh, progress.
#56
For all those who are whining about the familiar nature of this thread...if we're boring you, feel free to move on to something more interesting to you. Complaining here just makes you come off as "trollish" (needlessly/unproductively interfering with a thread), even though that's probably the farthest thing from your intent...
PDK also affects weight balance...negatively. But thanks for making my point, which is: with another few years of "progress", the manufacturers (probably including Porsche) will be selling autonomous cars that will eliminate the necessity to perform any of those functions which you're still willing to admit do have actual value. Then, those functions will be "menial" as well. At that point, are you going to throw in the towel and just sit back with a good book while your car whisks you from one location to another? I'll bet not. I suspect you'll be resisting autonomous operation right along with the rest of us. To some of us, the enjoyment of properly shifting our own manual transmissions falls into that same "valued" category of skills. The line on "progress" is constantly moving. Whether or not "progress" equates to actual improvement or not is always going to be subjective...
PDK also affects weight balance...negatively. But thanks for making my point, which is: with another few years of "progress", the manufacturers (probably including Porsche) will be selling autonomous cars that will eliminate the necessity to perform any of those functions which you're still willing to admit do have actual value. Then, those functions will be "menial" as well. At that point, are you going to throw in the towel and just sit back with a good book while your car whisks you from one location to another? I'll bet not. I suspect you'll be resisting autonomous operation right along with the rest of us. To some of us, the enjoyment of properly shifting our own manual transmissions falls into that same "valued" category of skills. The line on "progress" is constantly moving. Whether or not "progress" equates to actual improvement or not is always going to be subjective...
An argument always offered by PDK advocates is that technology makes the car faster. Well imagine how fast a car would be on the track if it were controlled by a computer.
#57
Rennlist Member
This seems unlikely at best.
#58
For all those who are whining about the familiar nature of this thread...if we're boring you, feel free to move on to something more interesting to you. Complaining here just makes you come off as "trollish" (needlessly/unproductively interfering with a thread), even though that's probably the farthest thing from your intent...