997.2S on California Porsche roads
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997.2S on California Porsche roads
I took a 700 mile trip from the SF Bay Area to Mendocino and the giant redwoods at Avenue of the Giants along the Eel river and Hy101 near Garberville.
I picked Porsche roads along the Napa Valley (Silverado trail and CA128) and the awesome mountain section of Hy1 from Fort Bragg to Legett. On the return leg I drove the famous Hwy 1 all the way south to Point Reyes. These are highly technical, twisty roads that spell Porsche all over.
The car ('10 Carrera S with PDK) excelled on these roads. The engine is smooth free-revving and very quick. The PDK matches the engine perfectly.
On these high-performance twisty roads the power delivery and low range torque of the 3.8DFI is fantastic. On spirited technical drives I drive in D with SC in Sport PASM Normal (these are good roads, but not silky smooth). The PDK in Sport shifting choices are excellent, allowing me to concentrate on steering both with the wheel and the throttle. The PDK auto downshifting is perfect, quickly downshifting from 4th to 2nd on braking to a turn and holding the gear in the turn. On occasion I override the gear choice (easily on the steering wheel buttons - see note below).
A few photos:
Re ergonomics - I reiterate that for these roads the std dual (redundant) PDK buttons on the steering wheel are excellent. A paddle wheel would not perform as well, on the wheel angles I saw. To those who say, downshifts must happen before the turn... well, PDK is a game changer and allows, and delivers, apex gear changes for maximum advantage. That is super-easy to do with the std wheel (no confusion at all) and nearly impossible and confusing with L/R paddles.
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I picked Porsche roads along the Napa Valley (Silverado trail and CA128) and the awesome mountain section of Hy1 from Fort Bragg to Legett. On the return leg I drove the famous Hwy 1 all the way south to Point Reyes. These are highly technical, twisty roads that spell Porsche all over.
The car ('10 Carrera S with PDK) excelled on these roads. The engine is smooth free-revving and very quick. The PDK matches the engine perfectly.
On these high-performance twisty roads the power delivery and low range torque of the 3.8DFI is fantastic. On spirited technical drives I drive in D with SC in Sport PASM Normal (these are good roads, but not silky smooth). The PDK in Sport shifting choices are excellent, allowing me to concentrate on steering both with the wheel and the throttle. The PDK auto downshifting is perfect, quickly downshifting from 4th to 2nd on braking to a turn and holding the gear in the turn. On occasion I override the gear choice (easily on the steering wheel buttons - see note below).
A few photos:
Re ergonomics - I reiterate that for these roads the std dual (redundant) PDK buttons on the steering wheel are excellent. A paddle wheel would not perform as well, on the wheel angles I saw. To those who say, downshifts must happen before the turn... well, PDK is a game changer and allows, and delivers, apex gear changes for maximum advantage. That is super-easy to do with the std wheel (no confusion at all) and nearly impossible and confusing with L/R paddles.
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I too have a Carrara white C2S with natural brown leather. It has gotten more positive comments than any other Porsche I've owned. The main difference between my car and yours is that it gets to enjoy New Jersey roads, not those curvy, tree-lined, pothole free roads that are clearly only found in Heaven.
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As I read your description of how easy it is to drive these roads efficiently with PDK, I can't help but feel that I would be missing part of the fun without a manual. I guess I have come to feel that my performance with the manual, or lack thereof, is part of what determines whether or not I had a successful outing. Of course, this is a personal decision, but I know myself and I think would always feel something was missing with PDK.
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Not to start (continue) the paddle/button discussions, but I agree with your assessment.
Thanks!
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As I read your description of how easy it is to drive these roads efficiently with PDK, I can't help but feel that I would be missing part of the fun without a manual. I guess I have come to feel that my performance with the manual, or lack thereof, is part of what determines whether or not I had a successful outing. Of course, this is a personal decision, but I know myself and I think would always feel something was missing with PDK.
The PDK is the greatest Porsche transmission ever. Without a doubt a fabulous, seat of your pants experience.
And not to start a discussion that has been made over and over again on these forums....
PDK is not the greatest driving experience ever for everyone.
Nothing will beat the feeling I am going to have when I finally master a proper heel/toe at turn one or five at thunderbolt @ NJMP. I'm know the PDK can do it quicker than me; but I don't care. I want to do it perfectly each and every time. Its a goal.
To the OP...good story and I also think white is great.