The 6-speed manual offered in the 997 is what brought me to this car. The amount of 2+2 AWD sports cars with a manual that are pretty fast/powerful, are.... the 997? I can't think of another car.

Coming from a modded high horsepower R35 GTR I know the value of a DCT. For those that want to go the absolute fastest around a track, yes a DCT (with proper cooling) is the way to go. Having the electronics do everything for you to not upset the chassis and able to keep both hands on the steering wheel is a great boon for lap times.

If I wanted to track my car and/or drive my 911 in heavy traffic all the time (why), I'd get the PDK (not tip). For those that love the twisty back roads, 6-speed manual, getting the shifts just right, not upsetting the chassis, perfect heel and toe IMO is a lot more fun than just slamming the right pedal and steering. Of course that is all personal preference, but I buy sports cars to have fun, not just be a few tenths faster to the next stop sign.

Sports car brands these days are all about who's the fastest around the track. You need a DCT for that. Honestly though, I don't know why manufacturers like Porsche and Ferrari can't offer both. Yes, I realize at the end of their life-cycle manuals had a low pickup rate with these brands. Everyone wants the fastest option, well except those of that would like the more engaging option for the sake of a little speed like myself...

 

Best post. I love my tip but you gave an honest why you like it reason. I like the other said but still think you said it best.

 

Another great post rep to you both.
The PDK is the best option but its out of budget for some guys. especially if you are in the sub 95k range for a 3rd car. I cant let go of my mezger engine to swap.
I have posted before I am climbing on the 991gt3 fence LOL so I could switch to the 997.2 or hold off and wait till I have the ability to get a gt3. I am going to be getting more track days this year.

 

I threw up a little in my mouth when I read this.


vs


PDK is great and after the 10th time I drove one and thundered down the road flicking the levers I was a little bored like the guys at vmax200 with dual clutch autos doing 185 mph turning and talking to mates as they cruise along.

I like 6MT because it is engaging all the time and makes me concentrate all the time. I have owned a few autos and still have an old BMW V8 auto which is a nice car. I drove a 997 tip (meh) owned a 997.1 6MT which I sold for a 996 TTS with 6MT. Driving a 6MT in a city like NY or London where I live is a massive PITA though, so OP get whatever rocks your boat and forget about what us old analog farts say.

There is a reason Porsche, Ferrari, Lambo, McLaren etc have for the most part only dual clutch or egear auto/m cars...... they are quicker lb for lb power for power. Saving 0.25s (power-shift) to as much as 0.5 secs (granny-shift) vesus a manual shift is huge for those precious 0-60 and 0-100 mph times.

Of course in 10-15 years time the poor old "neutered" 997.1 6MTs will be collector items de rigeur and worth a truck load more than some tiptronic or 997.2 PDK IMHO.

I calculated a 500 whp car in PDK guise is equal to about a 620 whp car with 6MT from a dig up to about 100 mph.

My $0.02 worth

 

Good post Wolfhedge however I would politely disagree with you on your characterization of the Tiptronic transmission as a POS! Honestly, the Tip got a bad rap when introduced primarily due to the steering wheel mounted button shifters and their less than intuitive operation (sacrilegious to many Porsche "purists")! This doomed many a perception of the Tip among auto enthusisats despite the Tip being a very good transmission compared to many other competing automatics of its day.

A Tip equipped 997TT shifts quicker and is more fuel efficient (everything being equal) than a similarly equipped 997TT 6MT and is easier to drive around town! Yes the Tip uses a torque converter in lieu of a clutch (the PDK reverted back to a clutch, a dual-clutch) and didn't shift optimally in certain modes but I would hardly call a transmission that rockets to 60mph under 3.5 secs a POS!

I agree wholeheartedly on the PDK though...I'm in 7th gear by 45mph in normal mode (BORING!!!). I know it has its uses, (e.g., fuel economy) but my gosh is it sterile...which explains why I live in Sport mode!

 

Under 3.2 with a guy that knows how to use the overboost which the one rag that tested even said they couldn't figure out.

I think a 500RWHP tip will go with the 620RWHP 6sp. A stock PDK will destroy the 6sp. That says it all right there IMHO what are you putting into the car to get close to the "non-purist cars"?
I mean last check These cars are built for performance. Its like the BMW guys. BMW WILL NEVER build a turbo, NA is the only way to go!!!
If you are talking racing fun and track times the tip and PDK will walk on a 6sp.

If you like shifting then the manual is a great choice. Still faster than most ford mustangs and you can shift it.

Companies are realizing if you are building a pure car that can be dropped on a track, performance matters and only a fool is going to give up track times to shift. Chevy doesnt plan on selling many of the manuals. Even though the rags with no race drivers on staff scream PURIST.

To the guy that thinks the 6sp is going up in value? Sure if you cant find the 1 in 10 that can drive it in 5 years. Of 25 guys in my office area 2 can drive a manual.( they fly the most advanced jets and aircraft in the world)

 

Totally agree. +1

 

Since this is the second time you are making this remark do you think 993 turbo, 964 3.6 turbo, 997 GT3 RS 4.0 and many other expensive manual Porsche's will all become affordable again because nobody can drive them anymore in a decade ?

I am sure the last manual mezger turbo will become highly collectable sooner rather than later. Even the DFI manual will be very sought after and will be collectable.

 

Is your point that they are expensive now so that proves your point? Or is there another reason those cars are valuable? Maybe the lack of availability? very few people that own those drive them regularly and those that do realize its a niche car. Its like the Warbird crowd. Few guys can actually fly them, they are $$$ because so few are left, they are a b1tch to maintain, only the real enthusiast with $$ can own them.

So just because the owners die off will they go down? Nope because they are rare. Now a 6sp 997, 996,993, 964, that has been produced in normal numbers will be fairly cheap.
You really can't say for sure because there are still people that can drive a manual. Its becoming less and less though. So there is no telling when someone literally cannot drive the car you are selling and there isnt cheap way to learn with no cheap cars to drive on.
Heck there is a kit race ready car being made for under 59k... its DCT only

You guys refuse to realize less and less people can and want a manual.

 

If I ever buy another weekend high performance sport car, it will be 6speed because I love rowing my own gears once in a while. But I use my automatic C63 on a daily basis driving in heavy traffic in Honolulu city. I love both transmission for their intent purposes. Fun = 6speeds, practicality = DCT, Tip, PDK