I passed the 2000 mile break-in and have been playing with PDK manual more and more and, I must admit, I am enjoying it more and more. I had originally wanted MT, but the wife does not know how to drive one, and the "propaganda" on the PDK was all positive. Plus I live in NY and clutching every 15 seconds in heavy traffic is no fun and was not appealing to me as I had done it many times before (though not in a P-car). I have used PDK manual shifting in regular, sport and sport plus and you can feel and hear the differences in each different mode, whether upshifting or downshifting. And its nice to have the option of using full automatic in NYC stop and go traffic. I am not regretting getting the PDK one bit, and loving it more each time I use it. What are other's experiences?

 

My experience is very similar. I just knew if I got the MT I would not drive it as much. I live in NNJ and work in NYC/Financial and opted for PDK as traffic can be a mess and I wanted to drive this car a lot. So far I am really enjoying the car/PDK and I have 1850 miles in 6 weeks. Unreal car, tech, etc. Very happy.

 

My C2S is only my third automatic ever (if this can be called that).
It's faultless and a joy to drive even in automatic. Using the paddles in manual (or otherwise) is as engaging as a MT - just on another level.
I feel a MT would take something way from this car which is why I got the PDK (also, there is no price difference between the MT and the PDK versions here so it's an easy decision).
It also helped that I am keeping my MK3.5 MX5 (Miata) which has a 6 speed MT so if I ever feel I need to row gears I can do so anytime I please.

Rainier

 

Completely agree! I normally shift it manual, but in big traffic I let it make the decisions. And I love to goose it off the line and force the RPMs to 3500 in the mini-launch control mode, then I normally shift between 5-6000.

ChuckJ

 

I only wish SPORT was the default setting. I hate driving in the factory default setting where it upshifts way too early.

 

Agree; I wish I had told Porsche in the survey that it should be programmable that Sport or Sport+ could be the default. They probably thought the EPA (and Euro guys) would put it in Sport or Sport+ to take their ratings. I'm also surprised guys like mods4cars haven't come up with a way to get around it.

ChuckJ

 

Non Sport PDK feels sluggish. I use it mostly for highway cruising and get good mileage and confortable acceleration at high speeds. I disable the autostop in heavy traffic as it is annoying.

I have been using Sport mode more frequently these days on my 10 mile DD commute. Can't say that I use the shifters on non windy "E-Ticket" (are they still using that characterization at Disneyland? - I suppose I am showing my age from a 1967 visit to California) type roads though. There are many two lane roads that hug creeks and streams that were probably originally animal or Native American paths that are outrageous to drive. Winding flat and banked turns, rises, falls and straight aways...

 

I had asked for that and the dealership told me something like the engine, tranny etc. should better warm up in normal mode before stressing them more in Sport mode.
Not sure I buy it though. I am in Sport 90%+ of the time, 50% of the time in manual. In normal mode fully automatic with the wife and Sport+ fully manual on the track. PDK and Sport modes is what gives to the car its unique ability to be at the same time a soft GT and a raging sportscar

 

Same here, I have been addicted to the sport+ manual lately. I thought I would rarely use it when I took delivery, like my former cars, but pdk is just sublime.

What is this mini-launch mode?

 

Serge,
I agree generally. I just wish that there was an enhanced normal so the car was not as sluggish off the line in normal mode. Otherwise, I could be in normal crushing the highway and around town.

 

I am with you on the 'normal' mode. Too sluggish for me too.
A reviewer said that when you press the Sport button, it is like the car instantly lost 500 pounds...

 

Then I need a sports button!

 

My wife would tell you I need one too

 

Yes, exactly what is this mini- launch mode?

 

Really? If you hate it, why do you keep doing it then?

Start sequence:

• Left foot on brake
• Right foot on accelerator, ready to press
• Left hand on Start Switch or Key, turn clockwise to first click
• Right hand on Sport Button, push to turn it on
• Left hand turn Start Switch or Key the rest of the way, while simultaneously pressing accelerator
• Ignore rattling garage windows from sound of PSE on Start-up

It all takes .9 seconds.

Go out to the garage and try it this evening. By the 4th time, it will be innate. By tomorrow, you won't even have to look for the Sport Button, you can find it with your fingers just as easily as finding the On button of your TV Remote.

Don't ever be victimized driving in non-sport again. That would be terrible.