Within the next year, I plan on picking up an 09 Carrera S. I'm now trying to figure out if I should get a stickshift or a paddleshifter. I've previously only driven automatics, but I've recently started learning how to stick shift. I understand for racing enthusiasts, the dual clutch should be faster around a track. I keep hearing about how awful stickshifts are compared to automatics for driving around the city. Is it really that bad? The only thing that worries me is having to shift the car into 1st at an uphill stoplight... with an oblivious car right next to your rear bumper.
Any of you guys want to give your 2 cents on which I should go with?

Oh... and I've started to fall in love with the Sand Beige interior. Is the dash all leather or does it have some plastic unless you get the leather interior upgrade?

P.S. Is it really true some carmakers are abandoning stickshifts completely? A buddy told me Ferrari and Lamborghini are all paddle shifters from here on out... was he joking? I'm not sure I believe him... since he's trying to get me to consider a GTR lol.

 

Dash is all plastic unless you go with full leather.

 

I have 6 speed daily driver. It can be annoying in traffic but not bad. It's great 90% of the time. I enjoy it way more than my previous tiptronic 997. I know PDK is different animal but decided against it. Drive both and see which one you like better.

'09 and later manual cars have hill assist. It keeps your car in place when taking off on incline. I kinda don't like it but it may be useful if you live in very hilly areas like SF. I had the car for a year and still get annoyed.

Yes, it's true some carmakers are abandoning manual but not Porsche. You can only get GT3 in manual.

 

I have both . I love both --for different reasons .

I have mixed feelings over which to choose. The PDK will be easier in gridlock traffic but a Porsche manual is one of the best built gearboxes that i have ever driven. I feel that PDK is poised to evolve in future cars and the manual is very traditional .

If it was my first porsche and I expected to keep the car long term --I'd opt for a manual.
If it's a two or three year car for daily use -- PDK gets my vote.

So it really depends on your sentiment, driving needs and anticipated timeline of ownership.

 

Get the 6 sp manual. It will give you the real sports car experience.

 

I learned how to drive a stick specifically for my daily driven 997. Now, I couldn't imagine having a 997 without one.

 

I say go PDK, best of both worlds and no worries about clutch replacement. PDK is faster gear switching than manual anyway, only drawback is the high cost for the option, but, to me, otherwise, a no brainer..................................

 

I95 through Connecticut SUCKS!!. I have a '09 manual C2S - my 2 hour ride from NJ to Groton CT took 5 hours from Groton to NJ. The comfort of the drive with the 6 speed was no problem at all since the manual clutch is assisted. Wouldn't have wanted to do this drive in with the GT3 clutch, though.

I guess someday when I get old (be 62 next week) I'll worry about the manumatics, but as far as I'm concerned there's nothing sweeter than a Porsche 6 speed manual transmission on a C2S.

 

Pdk is great and it will surely shift faster. May save a few seconds on your DD trips. On the track it is great but then if your on the track I would think you would want to test your skill and not the cars gizmos.

Unless you have a physical reason to avoid a 6 speed it think it's the way to go.

 

I absolutely love my PDK. I wish i had a manual for maybe 1 or 2 days a month..but I would NOT give up my PDK for it

 

Can't disagree.

Simply boils down to different strokes. Get what you like and forget everyone else's take on it.

 

Go PDK unless you want to drive on track

 

As many have already said it just comes down to preference. I grew up driving manual cars and now I dont have 1 in the garage and I almost never miss it. The PDK is awesome because you can treat it like a manual if you want or you can let it do its own thing. I can honestly say the PDK basically reads your mind in hard driving situations. Which ever way you go you have made the right choice because they are both great transimissions.

BTW your friend was right Ferrari is going away from manuals, you can still get one in the lambo.

 

Prior to my current PDK C4S I've had 5 Porsches, all were manual. I really like my PDK but must say that it changes the car completely. In my opinion, it gets 911 firmly into GT category and removes the driver from the action quite a bit. I am glad I had my share of the manual P-cars and hope to get another manual Porsche in the future. I wouldn't recommend starting with a PDK equipped car though since I believe that in addition to providing great convenience, PDK definitely takes away from true Porsche driving experience.

 

May as well get used to that idea - it will happen while you are learning. Although '09s, at least, have "drive-off assist":

While keeping the clutch pedal depressed,
release the brake pedal.
The vehicle is held on the slope for a short time
in order to allow driving off directly after the

brake is released.

That should help considerably.

Sticks are probably going to continue to decline - they don't provide performance or economic benefits, but if you have never had a car like that, it could be a fun thing to do - who cares if other cars are moving away from them anyway.

PDK is expensive new, but I bet CPO'd will hardly matter.

The dash is vinyl (on any color) on "standard leather" - leather dash is with "full leather", which is also a misnomer. But it seems fine to me - easy enough to go look at some cars to see if you really care about that.