After three years Porscheless, I decided it was time to join the team again so I place an order on a Black/beige 997S Cab C2 PDK

I place my first order for a manual 997S with short shift, but dealer told me to test drive a car with PDK before I made my final decision.
Today I had the chance to test drive a 997S Cab 2 with PDK and felt like an allien , and you all must wonder why? Well, I took the car for a mountain road I know very well, and started to test the S properly All I can say is that I just started to play with PDK buttons, as if I had this system on my car for 10 years, Iīm really stuned by all internet criticism towards the "counter intuitive buttons" , they are perfect and feet like a glove for me. I made many miles on mountain roads for the first time on PDK car, and not for a single moment, I even thought on which gear I was or should be, I was having fun and driving the hell out of it in manual mode SP+. I was like " what the hell those guys were talking about, these buttons are as intuitive as making a turning signal". Really, Iīm bummed why so many people are having problems with this system ...thatīs why I felt like an allien

As to the PDK, itīs fast indeed, but not lightning fast as many as stated, you still have a very small delay, even with SP+ on. It gives the chance to choose several settings for several kind of driving moods, which is great, and it works like a limo on normal automatic mode, being very smooth between gears. Even when I was with steering wheel almost locked, I could easily change gears due to this wonderful push/pull buttons system. I had already drove Gallardo e-gear and M5 and loved the padlles system, didnīt had absulately any dificulty with it either, so after all the "PDK drama" I really wasnīt expecting to drive it and use it in such intuitive way.
The fact you can use the stick, can give you some how the placebo feeling youīre driving a manual so...

I still didnīt made up my mind, Iīm really strugling not to make the wrong decision here.

As to other general aspects, I find the chassi to be far more solid and stiff than my 996 Cab, very rigid for a cab. Tires were a bit worn but even so the S was glue to tarmac, it felt very communicative, predictable and safe to drive fast, great great chassi. Engine sound at idle is a desgrace, kind of dieseling kind of sound, but after 3000rpm is pure joy.
I played and slide with it easily (safe area) but when I tried to make a 180š slide, it wasnīt easy, with a manual, I would have drop the clucth with half accelerator and the job was done, but with PDK is not so simple. Anyway this is only a small remarque.
From 0 to 100/120KphKph car is fast, but after this speed, I could feel the Gallardo or M5 I drove few months ago, would trash this car down, it simply doesnīt have the grunt of a super car. (to think I can buy a 05 F430 or Gallardo for the same money this 997S Cab costs new, makes me)


I have to call my dealer today to tell him if I want the PDK or not, but Iīm more inclined to go for PDK.

One last word for the white color this car had. I always hated white on a sports car, itīs a color suited for Bentleys, Rolls and big Mercedes, although now, itīs the fashion color to have on any car. I really liked to see the Carrera in white , it showed very well the beautiful lines this car has. I still canīt order a white car for me, but definitely changed my mind about this color, iīts beautiful indeed, specialy at night where it stands out much more than any other.


My car will have, full leather Cabin, SatNav, Interface, LSD, Sports seats with Porsche logo, dynamic lights, heated seats, park assistance, Cruise control, Bose, PDK SP+??? and other minor options. Is there any other you experts think It useful to have? Thanks in advance and sorry for spell, English is not my mother linguage.

 

I got one with PDK because in NYC there is traffic everywhere.... But the true manual is the way to go.....

 

If you are after a fast/nimble car... get rid of weight, namely, NAV, Bose, motorized seats and the like...

 

PDK Vs No PDK - I don't think one can go wrong either way . The decision maker for me is that :1) PDK is new and poised to evolve . If it does so quickly it may be dated earlier and 2) the manual is a traditional gearbox and I want a little purist touch of old school history in my car . It's even why I chose the C20 wheels on mine. I don't want everything to be modern . I want to retain memories as I encorporate them into my new cars if I can.

 

Nice write up J. Whether you choose PDK or manual you cannot go wrong with that car, as you already know there's more to the Porsche feel than just the shift. I agree that white on Carrera is something different, and is beautiful in it's own right. I also was initially looking for white but ended up with the grey. Nice list of options also, I would highly recommend sports chrono if you do PDK! I see you brought up the M5 vs Carerra S topic again... but no comment on that from me this time! Also, what's the delivery date for this?

 

This is your decision completely.
No shortage of other's opins here however......and personally I believe there are perfectly logical reasons for PDK...traffic, disability, and yes it's fast & new.

I have other cars that are stickless, and thats that drive

But when I get in a Porsche, I definitely need a stick and something for my left foot to do.
Along with throttle blips, rev matching, a little heel-toe when I want....driving a Porsche would just not be the same (difference) that I enjoy so much.
Just this opin....but your decision.

 

Seats are manual

 

Hi shuffles, howīs your slow(to you), fast(to me) M6 doing
Dealer is promissing an early September deliver , with luck, end of August.

 

Well done indeed and how long's the wait? I keep telling people the PDK makes this one quick puppy....

 

We're just wrapping up 2 days of beating the hell out of this topic: go to thread # 172424

 

Interesting test and analysis.

The optionlist includes all the most important stuff. If you choose PDK sport chrono + is really a must in my opinion. If sports exhaust was available I would have chosen that, but Iīm not sure that it is available yet. And I would maybe do something to make the chassis/suspension a little bit stiffer/harder.

Good luck!

 

Well, the choice is made, it will be a PDK / SC+ car. Dealer offered me the dynamic lights and another option I will choose tomorrow, maybe bluetooth conection!!!

 

Bluetooth/Ipod is fine and doesn't add significant weight, but dynamic lights does and few people really need that.

I would add LSD - a performance option.

 

LSD is already in ...see my list of options, could never order this car withouth it.

 

Be sure to get the Chrono with the PDK.

IPod, Aux is a inexpensive option you should add.

Heated seats if you live in a climate where needed or adds to the saleability.

Auto Dim mirrors - always nice

5mm wheel spacers will move the tires out slightly, but more importantly adds wheel locks