I've had 911s from the late 60s (yes, the 1st 2 were 'pre-owned') All had manual trannys. I think I've had 12 Porsches. I don't think I have owned a car with an automatic transmission.


Here's my issue .... I'm about to toss my '09 Turbo cab for a '15 TT coupe. And, the new Turbo only comes with PDK. (shrug ..?)


I drove a 991 911S couple years ago with PDK and found it less than engaging and wanting.


I'm wondering how I will feel about having a car like this? How many of you have gone from a manual (or, several manual) cars to a PDK car and find it 'better', or 'OK' ... or, don't care for it?

 

I haven't driven a manual for a long time but I did so for 20 years. I have the DCT on my M5 and the PDK on the 991 tts and both are the best transmissions I have ever driven. It's so much fun to shift just as I would with a clutch but not having to operate the clutch. I always liked shifting but not so much the clutch.

 

The new PDK-S is a few steps ahead of the early PDK.
You owe it to yourself to take one for a test drive and see for yourself.
I do not miss the mechanical link of shifting gears, so much so that I've literally found myself reaching for non-existent paddles in my F150!! LOL

 

I continually reach for the 'stick' in my wife's Merc, too. The Merc set up is very off to me for a German car. ??


I wonder when I'm down shifting a manual, I match rev's, or the 'feel' of the car .... how can a PDK do this intuitively?


And, not that I drive like an idiot, but when doing some 15-20 over posted on back road twisties, how can the PDK know when I want to go from 3rd to 4th and then back again?

 

You can do it yourself in manual mode but if it's in automatic, it shifts based on braking and decelerating. In sport plus it tends to keep the car around or above 5krpm so you can't use sport plus in auto mode around town but you can use it in manual mode. Conversely, doing what you ask automatically most likely works in auto sport plus. I only use auto sport plus for launching and running a quarter mile.

 

It knows.

 

As a straight comparative, I'm curious how your MT would know this? ...JK!!

Seriously, you can be involved by pulling the paddles, similar to throwing a stick. Only with PDK your left leg thanks you.

 

I only drive in the manual mode in the new PDK's, typically in Sport mode and occassionally Sport Plus for spitired driving. Paddle wheels make it much more fun too IMO.

Auto mode in traffic is a lot nicer than a left leg workout too. Take one for a nice drive and see what you think.

 

I've always been a manual guy as well. Drove one PDK, on the street, and purchased a MT 991S. I then had the opportunity to drive a PDK, both 991S and Turbo S, at the track, flat out. They are amazing and now I find myself wanting one. If you just put it in normal mode then it's like driving any auto car imo. Sport or Sport + turns the car into an animal and it's just as much fun as a MT imo. Go drive one but drive it hard in all three modes.

 

I did not really appreciate the PDK until I started test driving the 991 Turbo. The shifts are just so fast. I drive the PDK in automatic. It's an automatic transmission. I don't understand driving it in quasi-manual. The computer is smarter and faster, so driving it in "manual" undermines the very point of moving from MT to PDK. But it's a personal preference, obviously, and to each his own.

 

I appreciate your tho'ts and posts. I'll have to drive a Turbo with PDK I guess to see what you are speaking about.


Anyone go from a manual to PDK and regret it?

 

i noticed a decided increase in the intuitiveness and increased drivability between the first iterations of the pdk's vs the later 992.2 turbo pdk's. but i think they pretty much nailed at least the pdk bit with the 991s, but that's just my take after admittedly short set time in the 991s. but a vast improvement over earlier iterations i am sure.

my gut take would be the 991 turbo will have it nailed and any complaints will be akin to the "old habit's die hard" syndrome, as after only 4 911's myself i have always seen my self as happy to row. but anything after 997.2 i would call acceptable, and even a bonus if one drives in "traffic" which i do not, for the most part. my point long winded though it is, is i would order the 991 turbo and not give a moments thought to the efficacy of its pdk box. it rocks. but it's not a box of rocks lol

 

I remember being caught in traffic during "leaf peeping" season in Vermont a few years ago. Creeping along at 15 mph ... stop and go. What a pain with a MT for an hour or so.


But, that said ... I only drive 8 miles to work on back roads. Never in traffic. So, MT is not a problem.


All this said, getting a 991 Turbo will include a PDK only option. I'll drive a new iteration of this tranny and see how it has evolved. Everyone I've spoken to and all those Online think it's wonderful. I doubt if I'll be paddle shifting, tho. Seems like that is more for race day, which I don't do.


Thanx for sharing.

 

i hear you. any stop/go traffic is murder in a mt turbo. no matter what anyone says, it sucks as you say.

oh believe me, you'll paddle shift in the 991 turbo, for the sheer joy of it. only in the rare bit of traffic you may encounter will you let it just "do what it do"

congrats on your upcoming acquisition. my current car is but a distant redheaded cousin, but i'll give any 0-60 in "3. something" car a good run for their money in my old sow that said, i'm outa here. as a 991t is just out of my reach now, so i'm just interloping in here. i'm headed back to the cheap seats now, thanks very much lol.

cheers.

 

I would suggest an extended test drive in a PDK car. On the track hands down PDK makes sense since there is so much going on. I really have tried to convince my self that PDK is better in pleasure driving but I simply find it less engaging. Absolutely love my MT and would not have it any other way. If you are concerned about traffic, track driving I understand but for anything else I love the MT. Like I said before ask the dealer to let you drive a PDK for the day and decide for yourself. Paddling down or up a gear does not seem nearly as rewarding as a MT-thats just me.